Although this bike is still in storage, I would like to inquire if anyone in this group has ever heard of a bicycle called RUMI ?
The one I have is light metallic blue, has a Mixte frame which has a two-hole type rear derailleur mount under the right chain-stay and just ahead of the right drop-out. The frame also appears to be of French origin, and has a single, brazed-on shift lever boss on the right side of the down-tube. It has a chrome-plated metal strip with the block letters "RUMI" riveted onto either side of the down-tube, a fancy, chrome-plated metal crest with a plastic insert, riveted to about the middle of the seat-tube (with a blue, white, & red band above and below), and a head-badge that has the words "RUMI, 60, and Special," on it.
The bike is equipped with aluminum fenders, with riveted-on rear carrier rack and Soubitez reflector/taillight, and an aluminum chain guard. I recall finding the words "MADE IN V. N." on one of these aluminum components, so I have assumed that the bike was originally built in France but sold in Viet Nam. It has an older Stronglight headset and a cottered steel crank, which I think is also by Stronglight. The brakes are very unusual too, but I can't remember their name brand. I am describing this bike from memory, so I am leaving out a lot. I've owned this bike for at least 10-years, and I still know very little about it. I believe it to be from around 1950, and think it was probably originally a 4-spd. derailleur bike because when I remove the 5-spd. wheel the rear triangle springs back inward. Oh yea', it has pedals that have "TANK" cut-out in both front and back plates, and I've seen these pedals in "The Data Book".
I hope there is someone out there who knows a little about this marque. I don't know which freewheel, derailleur and shift lever would be correct for this bike, and so far, I've been unable to locate a shift lever that will fit the smaller diameter mounting boss.
Anybody ?
"Bicycle Mark" Perkins in beautiful, sunny, central San Joaquin Valley, California
P.S. Almost forgot, I went on a Fresno Cycling Club ride yesterday, out along the Kings River. I rode my Klein, and was the only person using toe-clips and straps, and riding a 10-speed at that.
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