Japanese WW2 infantry bicycle "Gunsei"

[Rob G.]

Another souvenir Japanese bicycle image! USMC Pacific theatre 1944.
I wonder what the sign says...No.2?
Anybody?

Nick,

I just picked up the exact same model of bicycle shown in this photo. It was brought back by a local vet. Everything on the bicycle is original--even the tires and tubes are Japanese. Very little rust. And really nice Kanji written along the rear fender. Any idea where I can do some research on it? Can I use the photo in this thread with the USMC sitting on the bike (is it public domain)? If so, where can I find the original?

Thanks,
Rob

[NickG]

Wow this is an old thread of mine that got picked up again. The ww2 bike images that I had posted earlier were all found trawling the web (mostly public domain images)...Not sure where anymore...can't help with a source.... but here's another neat one!

My bike btw is still in storage in Florida. Trying to get it from the Ft.Lauderdale area to Los Angeles for cheap. I might have an arrangment (hauling for free) lined up sometime early this year so I can start tinkering with it!

[Jareth]

Nick that's my original photo. Don't know where it was "borrowed" from. Learnt my lesson to either never post original photos I own or learn to water mark them. Here's some more you can borrow http://forums.gunboards.com/showthre...15#post1615315

[NLF]

http://picasa.google.com/
it's free and you can add text

[NickG]

Nick that's my original photo. Don't know where it was "borrowed" from. Learnt my lesson to either never post original photos I own or learn to water mark them. Here's some more you can borrow http://forums.gunboards.com/showthre...15#post1615315

Hi Jareth
It was posted to learn more about the different types of bicyles used...
No hard feelings I hope! We're all here to share and learn!
If I had known it was owned by a WAF member I would have certainly asked prior to posting it! Honestly I am not sure where it came from on the web...but many unmarked images end up being used, reused, shared and basically considered public domain material...
I am not even a member of Gun Boards (but I will sign up now)

If you want it removed I will ask the moderator. OK? Just PM me!
Thanks
Nick

[Rob G.]

IJN Bicycle

I was really excited to pick this up last month. The bike had sat on Craigslist for a month before I saw it...incredible with the amount of military junkies in the Bay Area.

Direct from the vet's family. Apparently, the vet boxed this up and shipped it home for "Ian" ("For Ian" scratched into the seat). I'll post some more about the vet once I have completed the research. The front fender has "4th Section" scratched into it...maybe that is a clue???

Based on the markings, it appears to be a civilian bike used by the IJN...correct? The only thing post war are the tires and tubes; however, the family did keep one of the original tires along with one Japanese tube and one WWII US war-time tube. Anyways, I wonder how many IJN bikes are out there???

Let me know if anyone is interested in any other photos of the bike...it's in great condition for its age...and considering it spent its days after the war 400 yards from the beach (Half Moon Bay).

Enjoy!

[Rob G.]

A

A

[Rob G.]

B

Rear Fender Markings.

[Rob G.]

C

Markings.

[Rob G.]

D

Markings.

[Rob G.]

E

E

[Rob G.]

F

F

[Jareth]

Since I collect mostly navy/NLF these days I really love that bike! When your tired riding it please give me a PM

[kwperry]

Nick,
I picked up a few months ago what appears to be an original IJN bicycle. It sat in a breezeway / porch in East Dallas for the last ?? years until a buddy saw it in a sale and bought it to me. It needs tires, Seat needs to be reupholstered, needs restoration. I had a contractor working on the house who spent several years living in Japan. He read the front plate and translated it as property of Imperial Japanese Government. It looks as if paint is original and black. Any guidance on fining info on plates, Maker, date, parts , tires etc??. I've restored a few american WWII vehicles but I am kind of stumped on how to get started restoring this one.

Kevin P

[NLF]

restore it and it is ruined as far as originality