That's you and my brother who've said that. Time for a straw boater! But Kat is the one that makes weird pedalable art-gadgets...
According to the bumf, Josef's machine isn't antique, even though it looks it: it's just been raced to Hell and back (possibly racing the Devil himself).
The Devil went down to Knutsford, lookin' for a soul to steal.
He was in a bind 'cos he was way behind when he spied a bunch of wheels.
He came upon those two girls ridin' pennies and ridin' them hot,
And he hopped his cloven leg on his mountin' peg and said "Ladies, tell you what,
I bet you didn't know it but I'm a highwheel racer too,
And if you'd care to make a dare I'll make a bet with you.
Now you ride a pretty fine penny, girl, but give old Josef his due:
I bet a cycle of gold against your souls, 'cos I think I'm better than you."