Barn Find Batavus Flying Dutchman

[Gimletbikes]

...and the rear hub

 

[Gimletbikes]

This wheel lock is fascinating. Still works like a charm.

 

[juvela]

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thanks for better view of rim marking

could indicate manufacture in march of 1985

front hub marking indicates manufacture in november of 1984

hub would have had to travel from the Maillard plant in Incheville, France to the Batavus facility in Nederland while rim locally manufactured

so cycle may be a 1985 model

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rear hub marking

"2.8" may be a gear ratio reference

"36" of course refers to drilling

"Schweinfurt" - this name evokes memories of the air war over Germany
there was a ball bearing plant there which the allies attacked at great loss of aircraft and life...

air crew comment: "...the flak was so thick it looked like you could get out and walk on it..."


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[Gimletbikes]

I really enjoy the period references - thanks for including them. I got a similar reference today - the bottom of the dynamo is marked W. Germany, so definitely puts this ass'y before 1989. Despite not finding any other references to date of mfg, I'm liking your feeling of '84-'85.

 

[juvela]

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there is yet the possibility you may discover additional date markings/codes as you explore further the cycle...

remember to check portion of saddle pillar down inside seat tube and portion of handlebar stem down inside steerer...then there is the steerer itself...

due to the long period in storage there is a good possibility that inner tubes may be the originals and may carry some marking



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[Gimletbikes]

100% disassembled today. All checked. No mfg markings. All bets were on the steer tube, but it is entirely unmarked. Mysterious & confounding, but, as you say, something may reveal itself as I continue to refurbish. It really is kind of settled in my mind. I realized, today, that the plastic headlight assembly that is hardwired to the dynamo absolutely reeks of mid-'80s tech.

 

[juvela]

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there is that Intercycle logo once again

is the maker of the headlamp the same as the maker of the dynamo?

is that a working tail lamp which can be seen on the rear mudguard or is it a reflector only?


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"mid-eighties technology"

to an old coot like me "mid-eighties" is like "last week"

am most likely yet stranded back in the VII-ties


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[Gimletbikes]

The Oxalic Kool-Aid Acid test. The spring clamp was removed and treated separately. Torsion springs soaked in gear oil to rejuvenate.

 

[juvela]

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thank you for this update

the cycle's pedal set appears to be Union Frondenberg (DE) model Nr. SP-689

current/more recent production appears to differ only in that the "T" cutout in the wraparound plate has been changed to a diamond shape

this model is also produced with brown and with white rubbers

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what is the conditon of the machine's headset; have you opened it up as yet?

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[Gimletbikes]

You don't know how timely this info is! I just finished rebuilding the left pedal (the one that was apparently buried in the soil for 10 years) and I was underwhelmed by the finished product. The right pedal is fine. Ready for service. Despite the corrosion on the left one, the bearings inside were still great, surprisingly, but the endcap and endplate were sapped of all integrity. I did get the rust off, and rebuilt the pedal. It's now functional, but quite ugly. Looks odd especially because the other pedal is just fine.

Also, I love the red rubber - I think I'll nab a set of those if I can find them.