What does one do when one finds an authentic World War II German military bicycle, intact save for original mudguards, repainted and re-nickeled by a well intentioned but misguided collector? Any attempt to restore the bike to its original military kit would mean stripping the brightwork and paint. One wishes he had simply left the bike alone, "as found." Should I try to "undo" all that expensive nickel plate?
This was the situation I found myself in when I found this beautiful German bicycle many years ago. (Every collector reading this will understand why we prefer to find a bike in "unmolested" condition). Through the years I have tried fitting the bike with the large military rear carrier, WWII blackout lamp, etc., but the fresh nickel and shiny paint looked out of place. So, what to do? At present I have built the bike as it might have appeared after the war--a military bicycle repurposed as a civilian town bike. Most German military bicycles were equipped with metal fenders, but a few did have wooden mudguards (See photo below), so I am comfortable with the current build. For now I've left the bakelite blackout lens on the Bosch lamp, the WWII pump and tool bag; I've added the German bike shop bell.
Note the lever on the stem. Flipping the lever permitted a soldier to turn the handlebars sideways, allowing bicycles to be stacked in military transport vehicles.
This was the situation I found myself in when I found this beautiful German bicycle many years ago. (Every collector reading this will understand why we prefer to find a bike in "unmolested" condition). Through the years I have tried fitting the bike with the large military rear carrier, WWII blackout lamp, etc., but the fresh nickel and shiny paint looked out of place. So, what to do? At present I have built the bike as it might have appeared after the war--a military bicycle repurposed as a civilian town bike. Most German military bicycles were equipped with metal fenders, but a few did have wooden mudguards (See photo below), so I am comfortable with the current build. For now I've left the bakelite blackout lens on the Bosch lamp, the WWII pump and tool bag; I've added the German bike shop bell.
Note the lever on the stem. Flipping the lever permitted a soldier to turn the handlebars sideways, allowing bicycles to be stacked in military transport vehicles.
Repurposed WWII German Military ©Daniel Dahlquist