The Flying Pigeon Project

History of the Brands: Wu Yang, Hong Mian and Kapok

After a bit of a vacation, I am starting a new series on the history of the brands of China. Starting with one of the largest, but also the youngest. Wu Yang of Guangzhou. Wu Yang, of crouse means "Five Rams in English and it is named after the famed Five Rams statue in downtown Guangzhou.   Recently I was written by Andy, a Guangzhou bike enthusiast, who wanted to know more about his favorite brand, Kapok, a brand I had only known in passing. Seldom seen in the north of China, these bikes are a staple of the south and still in heavy use as cargo bikes.

Looking at the Wu Yang Website, you might be forgiven for thinking that the factory only started in 1970. In truth the name Wu Yang was applied to the factory a full 10 years earlier. Only the bicycles weren't called Wu Yang...they were called Hong Mian or "Red Cotton Tree". This solves something of a mystery as to where the "Zhongguo" badged bikes have come from.

Now, take a look at the two attached images. One is from an old "Red Cotton Tree" bike....

This Just in....Part 3

OK. It's time to wrap up the Taobao shipment with the last two items in the box. The first may look familiar.It is a tool pouch. But unlike the tool pouch on my own Flying Pigeon, this one is not custom made. It's also not leather, despite the looks. It is, in fact made out of a rubberized fabric, like rain coat material (but a little older and stiffer). The rubberized part makes sense. Waterproof and low maintenance it's suitable for China where most bikes tend to be working bikes and not show pieces. It is of course, branded FLYING PIGEON and probably dates from the 1980's, the heyday of Chinese bicycle production.

The next item is an NOS circle lock.These attach to the seat stays and lock through the rear wheel, providing a bit of convenient theft protection. You can find a myriad of these circle lock designs in China, they are common as water. But this one, of course is a Flying Pigeon lock. Nothing overly special about that, but I thought it might prove useful for some future project that I might want to be "Pure' Pigeon.

This Just in....Part 2

Capitalizing on the last post about items purchased through Taobao, take a look at this little Flying Pigeon Brand headlight. It is used, but very gently. and other wise in great shape.  It's battery operated, of course.

It's also rather thin. Not sure if I will mount this one, or keep it for a future project.

This Just In....Part 1

Often, I get questions from someone in the US or Europe asking if they can buy this item or that item that they see posted on my blog. If I have it, there is a chance I would be willing to sell it. But If I don't, then there is Taobao. Taobao is the mainland Chinese equivalent of Ebay. The only differences are it is in Chinese, but on-line translators can help with that AND...  you also need a Chinese bank account and must pay cash.

Say what?

So I have to open a bank account in China to buy something? That doesn't seem very operable. In truth it isn't. And enterprising entrepreneurs in China have realized this and set up brokerages to help foreigners buy from Taobao. Basically, they will bid on, or buy, what ever you instruct them to, then centralize all your orders and ship them to you. You pay them and only them. And you pay upfront. And of course they will take a fee, but if you absolutely have to have it....

And that was the case with these little beauties:

What are they? They are rear badges for each of the famous four brands. Clockwise from the top left: Red Flag, Flying Pigeon, Phoenix and Forever.

These are all for 28" bikes but surely I am going to see about squeezing the Flying Pigeon logo onto my 26" roadster. They would look like this on a bike:

So where do you find these brokers? On E-Bay of course! The one I used was obook. Service was good. Costs were extremely detailed and it all took about 5 weeks from start to the package arriving by registered mail at the post office. You pay via Paypal. It is pricey, and not something to engage in if you need the item by tomorrow. But if you are willing to wait, it is definitely an option

Zhongguo! Again...

Some of you may have noticed that I am a bit obsessed with a particular brand from Guangzhou which i have been calling "Zhongguo" (China) brand due to this very word being emblazoned on their arc side stands.

The only other branding I have seen was one very obscured head badge. I have also come across some references on the web to the "Cotton Tree Factory Bicycles"

Now finally thanks to the Chinese shopping site 997788, I have a clear view of the badge.