Jerry asked somewhat unbelievingly if NSU made bicycles. You bet they did. Started in 1886 with ordinaries, then swift framed Rovers, and went on until, I think, 1962 or 64. Always sturdy, not too exciting stuff, but you still see them around, even pre-WWII ones. Seem to go on forever if you treat them right.
Same goes for Miele (not the North American, but Northern German variant). Started off as makers of household appliances, milk centrifugues (if that is the right word) in a place called Gütersloh, then, in 1927, bought a bust cycle factory in nearby Bielefeld and churned out high quality cycles until 1962. Back to making dishwashers and washing machines. Used to have one right next to my 1962 Miele Sports cycle in the cellar. Have booked a visit to their works museum (20 km from our school) with my class of 16 year olds for mid-July, never stops to fascinate them. I think Miele are viewable on the net.
Regards,
Toni Theilmeier, Belm, Germany.
P.S.: In the case of a sudden disruption of an e-mail conversation with me, please assume that I have given up the medium and contact me in a more traditional way. I am in the trial phase of a last ditch system after some others could not stand my constant abusing them.