The Flying Pigeon Project

Lhasa Roadsters Pt. 4- Tibetan Bike Store

Contrary to popular belief, not everyone in Tibet is Buddhist. In fact Lhasa has a substantial Muslim population. While perusing the vegetable market in front of the main Mosque, I spotted this bike store.

Out front was this Indian import. It's "World Famous", but I never heard of the brand before.

Inside, the store had a huge store of parts. But probably most interesting to westerners would be these forks made of rebar. I have seen these usually on heavy utility trikes, but once in a while, also on bicycles. These would seriously upgrade your carrying capacity!

Like most bike stores in China, the will also service lots of different forms of wheeled transport: Trikes electric bikes, scooters and mopeds. But this Tibetan shop goes even further!!

Lhasa Roadsters Pt. 3: Postal Bikes

There are postal bikes in almost every major Chinese city and Lhasa is no exception. There were two major brands. First, the Forever. Postal Green, of course, with the heavy duty steel side racks and canvas panniers.

The next brand was a bit more unusual to see as a postal bike.

These were parked outside the famous Johkang temple in the old Barkhor area of Lhasa. Note the very large bell on the handle bar. You can see the underside here. These are the same kind used on the rickshaws in Beijing. In Lhasa however the Rickshaws used ones mounted on the front axles with a clapper attached to a string. You would pull on the string which would dip the clapper into the spinning spokes and beat it into the side of the bell. Quite clever.

But back to the topic. What brand is this postal bike? 

A quick glance at the seat post reveals it is a Red Flag. Hong Qi it is! The famed logo also appears on the fork.

Lhasa Roadsters Part 2: Humber

Not all the bikes in Lhasa were Chinese. Being fairly close to India, you would expect a few Indian roadsters would make their way north. Plus, the Brits had a trade office in Lhasa until 1947, so if you were really lucky you might find an exceptionally old British bike.

Let's examine the roadster below. At even a casual glance you can tell it is not Chinese. The large loop springs on the seat and center pull brake rods are not usual on a Chinese bike. Plus, the headlight speaks of a foreign origin. Very few Chinese bikes (except mine) use a light and dynamo. And then there is the strange double tube fork...like Humber.

 

Well...whaddya know? Humber indeed! But is it British or Indian?

The super sprung seat is from an Atlas, which of course is Indian. The rear package rack also looks Indian with its strip steel construction. Hardly conclusive though. Note also the handlebar mounted rat trap "map holder"

So let's take a look at the headbadge. Yep. The "Humber"...Cycle Corp. of India. A welcome immigrant  from warmer climes to the snowlands.

 

Lhasa Roadsters Part 1: Work Bikes

A recent trip to Tibet gave me the opporunity to take in some high altitude roadsters. Most bikes in Lhasa, the Tibetan capital see some use as work bikes, like this 26" Flying Pigeon. Also note the chrome chainring guard.

 

This bike also had a strange package rack maybe taken off a Flying Pigeon electric bike. I have not seen one like this before. The Tibetan penchant seemed to be to carry packages in a roll on the back and many package racks had specially welded tabs to hold the rolls.

 

Then there was this Forever which was working hard carrying propane.

 

Here is another 28" roadster, posing  next to someone's shop. Care for some melon?

 

We can tell from the fork decal it is a Phoenix. The sign says it is for sale at 150 RMB ($20). But before you put down some money on this fine ride with good patina, you had better check it over....

 

...oh wow! The seat looks painful! I saw alot of these tire rubber seats. Apparently comfort was not the owner's first concern. Maybe we should pass this one by.

 

OK. This 28" step-through Forever looks more forgiving. Like I said, they really stack things up on the rear rack!

 

And then there was this 28" double-bar Forever at a noodle factory.  Ready to make a delivery, or just stopping in for lunch?