1931-32 German Adler

[Kato]

I've decided to sell a few bikes - have what I was told is a 1931-32 German Adler 3 speed direct drive / shift bike. Bike was a 1 family owned bike.....original owner went to Germany in 1931 and bought the bike to ride while there. When Hitler really started to make changes the guy decided it was time to leave and came back to the US and shipped the bike home.
I'm going to post a comment in the Military Section aso referring to this post.
Appreciate any info on bike, year and fair value. Thanks !!!!

 

[fordmike65]

German Hi-Lo?

 

[rustjunkie]

German Hi-Lo?

Yeah, the Colson is so similar it seems unlikely there wasn't at least some influence, let alone copying

 

[fordmike65]

Yeah, the Colson is so similar it seems unlikely there wasn't at least some influence, let alone copying

I remember you mentioned that there was a German bike that had a multi speed BB similar to the Colson Hi-Lo. Thought this might be it.

 

[Kato]

It's acutually a 3 speed gearbox

 

[rustjunkie]

It's acutually a 3 speed gearbox

Yup! Put a zweigang torpedo on there

 

[Kato]

Just found some info - had to translate from german to English
It looks like the 153 is a 1937-38

 

[rustjunkie]

Does the hub have a date stamp?

 

[Kato]

Does the hub have a date stamp?

I'm going to have to check this weekend - haven't checked it out that closely yet.

 

[Junkhunter]

Aha! This is another case where a sewing machine manufacturer delved into the world of bicycle manufacturing I would guess. We all know about the Davis Sewing Machine Company and their bikes. Pope made his humble beginnings by going to The Weeds Sewing Machine Company in Hartford around 1879. Adler also made sewing machines. It would be interesting to find out if they were built in the same building. I suspect so.