2011 Home Made Vintage Japanese Bicycle Calendar

次回、この記事の日本語版を投稿します。

For the past few years I have produced a Vintage Japanese Bicycle Calendar.  When I made my first calendar, I was flooded with requests from people desiring to purchase one.  So, in the past I mass produced and sold these in Japan; however, as I have informed many people late last year, who contacted me requesting to purchase a 2011 calendar, due to printing costs it was just not feasible this year.  Thus, I was unable to mass produce these this year.  So, my apologies, not for sale. 

This being the Year of the Rabbit, the cover proudly displays a rabbit fender ornament from 1958.

Each month features a photo of a different bicycle taken from a 1953 export catalog and includes roadsters as well as my favorite, carrier bicycles.  Let's take a look at a few. (Click on the photos to enlarge and view in detail.)

May:  Nichibei Fuji Hao-Go
Note the celluloid see-through chain case, reverse brake levers, chromed tip forks, revolving bell, hammock saddle and of course the infamous Nichibei Fuji fender ornament.

August:  Dai-Nippon Kikai Kogyo    Peda-loco
Interesting name "Peda-loco".  Refers to the locomotive-like mechanism attached to the crank arms.

September:  Nichibei Fuji Carrier Bicycle
My favorite.  Note the paint job, with white used to accent the head and head lugs as well as the chain cover.

November:  Mayam Carrier Bicycle
Very famous manufacturer especially carrier cycles.
Note the double top tubes, and, the extra tube behind the seat tube.

December:  Mayam Heavy Duty Carrier Bicycle
Built to last, note the X-frame and the extra set of stays between the chain stays and seat stays.

For 2011 I will endeavor to find a low-cost printing facility.