This gave me a chance to ride my 1940 Westfield Sports Roadster. It was made in Massachusetts, with running gear made in Connecticut. It imitates English styles, but with some uniquely American twists: a New Departure coaster brake, Westfield keyed bottom bracket, internally tabbed/lugged steel pipe frame, and 1/2 inch axle Torrington pedals.
The Sports Roadster represents the early "modern" American bicycle for an adult rider and utility use. Until the 1930s, American bicycles often had single tube (tubeless) tires that glued onto wooden, clad, or metal rims.
This bicycle represented an attempt to modernize American bicycles for the adult, in the style of the English bicycle.
The bike has the old-style, fabrikoid touring seat from the 1940s.
So 'Happy Birthday', President Washington. You would be proud to see what we could build, at least in 1940.
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