Hi Buzz,
well this is really remarkable! Just when my knowledge about Fongers-Rih is
increasing with leaps and bounds, one turns up on the other side of the
globe.
In the 60s (from 1962 till 1970, when Fongers was bought by Batavus) Rih ha
d
a licensing agreement with Fongers, based in Groningen. Fongers of course
has its own history (from 1871), but is probably best known for its sturdy
opa- and oma fietsen. They also supplied bicyles to the Dutch police. The
Fongers-Rih provided the customer with a reasonably priced 'sport' Fongers.
The Rih's built by Fongers were usually built in something like hi-ten
steel, but could be ordered in Reynolds 531. All kinds of components were
possible, from 3 speed SA hubs to 10 speed derailleurs.
So what you have is a so-called Fongers-Rih. I think originally it could
have been exactly like the one in the brochure, although many variations in
components were possible: http://www.wooljersey.com/
On the seattube you have a sticker that says: 'voorkoming misdrijven': crim e prevention. And vertically: 'deze fiets is gemerkt' : this bike is marked. In the 70s and 80s one could go to the police, and for free they would mark (etch or engrave) your bike with a unique number. This was supposed to keep thieves from picking your bike, take the next one instead, or if it was stolen anyway, make it easier to retrieve it.
Hope (guess!) this helps!
Freek Faro Rotterdam Netherlands
2006/4/17, bignoseduglyguy <bignoseduglyguy@gmail.com>:
>
> Hello to all
>
> ME:
>
> I'm Buzz; a Londoner - who emigrated to New Zealand and now lives
> north of Auckland.
> Ridden bikes all my life.
> Was among the first bike messengers/cycle couriers in London.
> Ridden few races, toured a fair bit and completed the odd brevet/audax.
> Still a paid-up member of Tower Hamlets Wheelers and London Cycle
> Campaign.
> Just about to become a paid-up member of Auckland Cycle Touring Assoc.
>
> MY BIKES:
>
> Dawes Discovery 701 expedition/tourer - http://snipurl.com/
> Customised P6 Brompton folding bike - http://snipurl.com/
>
> and, as of a few days back, the reason why I'm here...
>
> A 1970? RIH 4 speed road bike in need of TLC - http://snipurl.com/
>
> Hoping to learn how to ascertain the provenance of the bike, clean it
> up (as distinct from return it to 'as new' state), source/repair/
> replace the correct components and enjoy the process!
>
> Cheers
> --
> bignoseduglyguy
> http://www.bignoseduglyguy.com
> http://www.bignoseduglyguy.com/
> http://www.flickr.com/