Thank you Kenji!! Great links to a beautiful bike!
http://www12.xdsl.ne.jp/
We've all seen these too:
http://classicrendezvous.com/
http://bulgier.net/
I have a '73 RH Demountable that I'm trying to get back on the road. It's one of the (at least half dozen) Herses that have been abandoned in the US! My friend Greg Yarez found one in the dump here in Tucson; mine was left in an alley in Philadelphia and sold to me by Mike Kone. I doubt it will ever be the bike that we see in the first link (none could I'd say!) since it has some bad chrome and other proof of its tough life on the streets. But I do love it and I've found some of really scarce parts like the taillight and the pulley-type straddle wire bridges. I'd like to bring it to the VR in Pasadena--you guys won't critique it too hard for being rough and still incomplete, willya?
Anyway one of the most stubborn parts for me to find is a steel Philippe stem. It's what RH modified by adding the QR lever--you can see it in the second link. Since I'd be cutting it up I could use any size or condition, as long as it has the correct handlebar clamp. And while I'm at it-- anyone tried to refabricate the chainrest (repose chaine) quelle-que-chose?
I've tried to gather all the pictures I can of these bikes; I'd love to share them and swap info--e-mail off list if you'd like jpegs.
Jack "taking a s&s folding conversion to the brevet in Colorado this week" Bissell Tucson, Az