Off topic... or is it?

Not directly my ambition, but I've seen some people doing tricks and shows on the high-wheel bike.
This is an old drawing I found whilst browsing the web. German origin, but I don't know the exact source.
Still, maybe an inspiration to some of you?

Update

Today, an update without any pictures:

1) I took the backbone to the mechanic to give it a little more curve so it will follow the shape of the big wheel better. I hope he doesn't overbend it now!

2) The mechanic will also make the moustache handlebars and the brake lever.

3) I contacted a local nickel plating company which I thought closed some time ago, but apparently still exists. I wanted answers on some technical questions like layer thickness of the nickel plating that I can take into consideration when finishing the parts that need nickel plating. The specialist was out and will be back on Monday, so more on that later.

4) Next on the todo-list are the little bits and pieces to finish off the handle bars. I haven't thought about the wooden grips yet, but that will work itself out I hope. Also on the list is the front axle: I need to mill the flats for the attachment of the cranks. And the saddle bracket is also on my list for this weekend, although I will need my backbone to take precise measurements.

All in all, the bike is getting there. If progress goes on like this, I'll be on the bike somewhere around July I hope!

Cheers,
Filip

Tyre has arrived!

After a week of mental en physical enrichment in Dijon, France, I'm back into the penny farthing project!
I met my good friend Rob in Dijon who brought me my tyre from the UK. He had some trouble having to explain to customs why he had a solid rubber hose in his luggage, but fortunately they didn't confiscate it.
Needless to say, I'm grateful Rob took the effort carrying this 10kg package halfway around Europe for me!

Also, while I was in France, The welder took care of the front and rear forks. They look great and I won't have a lot of cleaning work on them.

I started trueing the big wheel and it actually went great! I could true the wheel in half an hour or so with a piece of tube I used to keep the rim in the middle of the forks and then loosing or fastening the spoke nipples accordingly.

I also cut the backbone almost to final size. I noticed that it could do with a little improvement: the curve of the backbone is a little too big to match the big wheel curve so I will take it to the mechanic for an additional bending before I start with the final cutting and welding.

Some small parts have been finished too: all rear wheel parts like axle, spacers and nuts have been finished.

Next I will be finishing the handle bar setup and the steering connection between fork and backbone.