A thrift shop $15 purchase turned out to be a 1974 Volkcycle which seems to be an enigma in being one of only a few German bikes in circulation from that time. The frame is listed as JWB Steel Tubular; rims indeed were made in Germany (Schurmann Super - Made in Germany); most of components are Tourney Shimano except for Weinman Brake Levers and a Rampar tourist saddle. Rust was no extra charge, but frame paint seems pretty good condition. I bought it for the upright handlebars, but am growing attached to it even tho its not highend. Serial number 474-0008127 I can't seem to find a valid link for the Volkcycle catalog that was post on BF previously. Tom

I don't remember where, but there is a catalog scan out there somewhere. I found it last year when I was looking at the model with the 531 main frame.

The original post of the brochure was by Bubbadog, but he has not been around lately and the link does not seem to work anymore. https://home.houston.rr.com/bubbadog/

There's not much special about the bike other than its characteristic 1970's look and components, but its growing on me. But then again, I'm easy. Thanks for prompting me to look further. The search is complicated because more than 50% of the people mis-spell the name as Volkscycle, but its not a Volkswagen. They apparently produced some 531 frames but I did not get one of those. tom

I believe the Volkcycles were actually made in Japan.

This is the Volkscycle mark XV I bought new in 1972. Gave it to the inlaws in 1984 to use on a trainer.
Still hanging in his garage today. What I was told back when I bought it that while Volkscycle was a German company the bike was made in Japan.

It seems a logical conclusion that the frame was built in Japan and largely decorated with Shimano parts. Ironically the wheels were made in Germany, although mine are 27 x 1 1/4", not 700 c as might have been expected for a European bike (perhaps made for export to the USA as part of the bike boom). Mine is quite similar except for the upright bars and corresponding brake levers. The bike cleaned up quite nicely, and with new cables, chain, and much lube, it went for a trial ride. Maybe its been too long since I rode a bike in that upright position, but I was struck by how twitchy the bike was. But then again I was on a gravel road with skinny tires. Thanks for the comparison. tom

During that era 27" were much more common than 700's. Maybe on the top of the line with sewups? The shop I bought mine at had a Volkscycle Mark 100 as I remember with barend shifters and tubulars. Around $250 at the time and had Shimano components.

If anyone is interested, I did snag some of the images (but only the graphics, not the text) of the catalog. The reason is that I run a forum for a bunch of friends, and we used to hang out in the area where they took the shots for the catalog... Since we spent our teen years in the 70's riding bikes where they took these bike shots, I just had to post them in our forum. They were taken in the Point Defiance area in Tacoma Washington.

I'd like to see them.

The Mark XV was the bike with the 531 frame. That was the model I looked at, but it had a ding in the one tube so I decided to pass. It was also a CL seller who was fishing for a price that was higher then what he listed it for.

I don't have the ability to post them right now from work, and I am busy until next week. I will try to remember to post them. If you don't see them within a week or so, bump this thread as a reminder... or send me a pm.

Looking forward to it, Thanks.

I'd like to see 'em, if you still have 'em!

Bump for 2010

Bumped the wrong one.