1950s Express Werke Path Racer

Express Werke, a German manufacturer, produced quality bicycles and motorcycles from 1884 to 1959. I acquired the Express model pictured here decades ago, as a frame and fork. It began life as a roadster, but lacking access to original components, I decided to turn it into a path racer, using parts at hand, which happened to be Japanese (a sacrilege to some). Having said this, the vast majority of cyclists for time immemorial have upgraded their bicycles as newer, lighter components became available, with no concern whatsoever for what would be considered "period correct" or "collectible" in some distant future. So, here is my Express Werke Path Racer. with Japanese hubs, crank, and pedals. The coolest features of this build, I think, are the Titan stem and the German battery lamp.

Incidentally, if anyone would like to send more original components my way, I'd consider reversing "progress" and replacing the alloy crankset and hubs with steel.