My ww2 German Bicycle project has arrived

[Mat Holloway]

At last after months and months of failed searching, broken promises and crap bikes, i have finally found my bike
The bike which i cant show photos of yet (waiting to become an associated member once more) is in kit form and a bit of a restoration project. I had to wait 3 months to have it packed and shipped, many times i thought id lost my money!!! But it has arrived!
It has..
expressewerke removable handlebars
28 x 1.75 tires
Latewar black enamelled DRP marked torpedo hub
and marks in exactly the right place for the military style rear rack!

Happy as a pig in poo

Photos coming as soon as i get membership approved!

Anyone have a correct seat for sale? As mine has a postwar crappy one!
Also looking for a headlamp, Which equip[ment straps do i require are cavalry straps correct?
cheers mat

[Theodor]

The membership is ready... come on with the bike!

[Mat Holloway]

here are the 2 pictures i received when i first saw the bike, when my camera battery has charged i will post the rest that i took yesterday!
Sorry they are small i do not know why this is?
cheers mat

[LHR1]

Mat,
Sounds as if your bicycle dates from the latter part of the war. As far as personal equipment goes, the differences between bicyclists assigned to infantry or reconnaissance (cavalry origins) had pretty much vanished at this point. Standard mid- to late-war infantry gear was carried, usually with infantry Y-straps. In November 1942, the small artillery pack was authorized for bicyclists in reconnaissance squadrons. Sometimes it was still augmented with an M31 clothing bag strapped to the luggage rack. In May 1944, the medium-sized rucksack with attachment hooks was authorized for all branches and was supposed to supersede all other personal baggage items. Late-war photos actually show a minmum of gear being worn/carried. Although frame clamps for the 98k rifle (and later for the G43 and MP44) were developed by the cavalry school, most soldiers carried their weapons slung over the left shoulder and across the back.
Look forward to seeing more photos as your restoration progresses....

Carsten Fries

[Mat Holloway]

ok update time!
Heres some better pre restoration photos, im not going to get time to work on the bicycle for a couple of weeks due to work commitments but i will go to the local paint manufacturers for some paint to be made up ready!

KIT FORM!!

[Mat Holloway]

heres the quick release handle bars, dont think they have been released for 60 years!!

[Mat Holloway]

Another view!

[Mat Holloway]

More bits!

[Mat Holloway]

Black enammeled rear FandS hub, really cant make out the date?

[Mat Holloway]

tyres, not matching manufacturers but both 28 x 1.75 so they'll do!
As you can see from the photos it has had some post war use and mods to it:

Saddle
Dodgy bit of tyre as a mudflap!
various white paint schemes ( eastern front camo? )
replacement pedals?
replacement bar that holds the peddals!

If anyone can help with these parts then that would be great!

[Glenn Barbaritz]

wow, I guess you are really excited about that bike. isnt that a stereotypical Chistmas present for a young lad. serious though, good for you Mat. it looks like quite a project and it seems your totally into it and ready to do it. cant wait to see the finished product. youll have to get a pic of you in full gear pulling a wheelie! Glenn

[amydron]

Mat,
When you finish the restoration, why not take a cycling trip to Volgograd (Stalingrad) and back?
Just a thought!
Regards,
RAY

[NickG]

WW2 bicycle

Congrats, sounds like a fun project. I am also anxiously awaiting my WW2 bicycle project which will be in transit from Florida to California with in the next couple of weeks. Mine is a totally different breed Axis bike: Its an official Japanese Army infantry bicycle. I bought mine on e-bay for 19 bucks earlier this year! It was discussed on a thread in the Japanese section.
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...ghlight=gunsei
Nick

[Glenn Barbaritz]

hey Mat, I guess this is what yours will look like when its done. hopefully yours wont cost you as much to restore. Glenn

http://www.therupturedduck.com/WebPa...dgear/f198.htm

[Jan B]

Congrats on the purchase Mat!

I don't know if a luggage-rack came with it, but check out Ebay germany...sometimes there are genuine ones listed at reasonable prices.

Keep us updated about the restoration if you want

Cheers

Jan

Here's a picture of how mine came in a few years ago.