Re: [CR]Volkcycle?

(Example: Production Builders:Tonard)

Date: Tue, 08 Jun 2004 11:07:59 -0800
From: "Chuck Schmidt" <chuckschmidt@earthlink.net>
To: Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: Re: [CR]Volkcycle?
References: <l03130300bceb9cb50300@[216.224.177.168]>


stephen fredette wrote:
>
> http://ebay.com/<blah>
> now this is peculiar:
>
> >" It is a rare find and this was the same bike that world famous
> >tri-athlete Jack Johnstone rode to glory. Although it would seem German
> >from the name, it's actually made in Japan where so many of the best
> >bike's of that era were built."
>
> it is ihe only bike i've ever seen with dura ace centerpulls as standard
> equipment. dura ace high flange hubs and a crane GS long cage
> derailleur. very odd. i remain, respectfully
> yr obdt svt
> Stephen Fredette
> Hull, Massachusetts

I once heard from someone on the list (I don't remember who) that told me in utmost secrecy, that he had it from good authority, that Volkcycle Co. was started in pre-WWII Germany with a subscription scam and that the company was transferred to Japan as part of the pact between Germany, Italy and Japan (The Axis). Made with slave labor he said. He said it was all tied together because none of the Axis could come up with a cheap car to compete with Henry so they tried the bike thing instead.

I dunno... sounds pretty farfetched to me. What do you guys (and gals) think? Geo-political ramifications? What about the discrepancy in height between the European members of the Axis (Germany and Italy) and the Asian member (Japan)? Did Volkscycle have to modify their frame geometry to accommodate the Asians? Has anyone compiled a list of serial numbers with dates? Maybe Dale can put this on his web site? I think there was something about this in the archives wasn't there????????????????????????? (nod to e-RICHIE®™©).

Chuck Schmidt South Pasadena, Southern California

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