Munny

Hi,

Yesterday, while hunting for classic bikes with a friend, we took the opportunity to pass again at the Monsere Museum.
And the previous time, I didn't notice that they have a Van Hauwaert similar to yours (the saddle looked like mine)
I took some pictures (Owning the track bike of Monsere, the museum conservator allowed to do so last time)

I believe it should be interesting to compare them but I'm hesistant to publish the pictures without their authorization

Regards

Munny

After reviewing the pictures, this bike looks older without Strumey hubs.

But the frame numbers ?
Museum one : 108447
Mine : 114883 (still unsure of the first digit)
Yours : 78689

Isn't there a missing 1, in front ?

During the same trip, at another place, I was shown a Van Hauwaert front hub. Oil bath type but the nickel was not in great shape.

mkeller234

Hey Munny, thanks for the interesting info. I'd like to see the photos that you mention, I could send you a drop box invite if you don't want to publish them. Drop box is free to use, basically like an FTP site.

noglider 

Matt, how does it ride?

How do the brakes work?

mkeller234

It rides a lot like the English 3 speeds that I have ridden, maybe a little "sportier"... but I don't know. It's nothing like the DL-1, actually the DL-1 was a better ride. I figured that before I made the trade, hoping that I would score another DL-1 someday.

The brakes are ok, better than traditional rod brakes that use the rim surface, but not as good as normal brake calipers. There isn't much adjustment between too slack and break pads rubbing constantly.

zonatandem

Being from Belgium (left there in 1947) it is interesting to see a Belgian bike from the time period when I was there.
Three speeds were the cat's meow at that time and a bit of a rarity; only one guy in our neighborhood had one.
Had an old neighbor that had a real old bike (even then) with a carbide (?) headlamp. Had to light the stuff with a match and it would sputter and give a dim light.
During World War II there were no tires available and folks used to ride on the bare rims 'til they gave out.
Wooden rims were for the more sport/racer riders like the ones at the Kerremesse, Tour of Flanders (Ronde van Vlaanderen) or Tour de France competitions.
Brings back a few memopries.
Nice job restoring that machine!
Pedal on!
Rudy/zonatandem

hoensbroek

here is a picture of the man who painted the bike.

mkeller234

Hey, wow! I see the image is titled "Frans Meulen". I also notice that he is on a Van Hauwaert bicycle. Is it safe to assume that they worked closely together? I am lost as to why the frame was labeled with the painters name, although, I do think it is very cool.

Thank you Hoensbroek!

Munny

Hi,

Over lunch time, I was talking with the owner of probably the oldest bike shop in Brussels.
He confirmed me that the original Van Hauwaert was from Brussels and that the name was bought by another shop from Renaix (Ronse) that initialy continued with 2 locations until he closed the Brussels one.

I was advised to visit the current VHW shop (about to close according to him) that has a micro museum, and to try to get in touch with Mr Devisscher.

(For the pictures, I asked an autorization)

hoensbroek

Frans Meulen was a cycle fan, he even was dutch champion in the '20's.
He had a cycleshop in Hoensbroek and repaired bikes (he also repainted them)

non-fixie 

Thanks, hoensbroek! @mkeller234: it seems there is also an article on Frans Meulen in a book called "a look back on Hoensbroek - vol 2" (Hoensbroek een terugblik II). There are still some copies available, I'm told. PM me if you're interested, and I'll try to find out how to get you one.

non-fixie 

Some more snippets of information from Limburg: it seems that it was not uncommon for mr Meulen to buy essential parts in Belgium, build his own frame and thus get a better bike than was commercially available at the time. I've just sent an e-mail to one of his daughters, and hope to uncover more of the story about Frans Meulen and his bikes.

KvltBryce

too bad you aren't going over-the-top with the resto,

I was going to suggest some 600grit on those wheels and fenders and a nice cherry stain





Awesome 3-speed, nonetheless!

mkeller234

Miep Meulen sent me an email a couple of days ago, that sure surprised me! I just sent a response and I will ask for her permission to post any information here. I'm really shocked at how much you've learned about the heritage of this bike and it's builder. Thank you very much for all of your help, i've never had such a history lesson with one of my bicycles like this before.

mkeller234

No way, I want this bike to remain as it is. I've over restored a bicycle before, it just seemed to wipe away a lot of the interest to me. I think RHM summed it up for me once in an old thread. This bike has been through many hands, paint and parts may have changed, all to arrive where it is today.... I don't want to wipe away the evidence of what has happened to this bike. Without all this evidence, the story might not have unwound the way it has.

noglider 

Thanks for bumping this thread.

Matt, that bike couldn't have fallen into better hands.

And 35 pounds is impressively light for this type of bike.

mkeller234

Well, it's flattering that you think so. Sometimes I don't feel like I am patient or carful enough, and I did clean this bike with blazing speed (for me anyway). I'll do my best to take care of it as long as it is in my possession.

35lbs really impressed me too. My mercian weighs around 28lbs without luggage and that bike is a 2002. Granted, my Mercian has a lot of accessories and racks... but still.

non-fixie 

You're quite welcome. Most of the credit's due in Hoensbroek with the people of the historical society though, who really came through.

Being of the pre-interweb generation, it never ceases to amaze me how powerful an instrument it is. In the old days one had to go to the library ...

non-fixie 

Dutch national cycling champions 1928. From left to right:

Frans Meulen (amateurs)
Hans Bockkom (professionals)
J Snijders (veterans)

non-fixie 

"Excitement in the United States!"

This just came in the mail. It's a publication from the Hoensbroek historical society. In short it is a summary of this thread. Matt, you are now officially famous!

IthaDan 

That's awesome!

I love the internet sometimes.

ColonelJLloyd 

That is awesome! Can you provide a translation?

mkeller234

Ha! Whoa, that is really cool! Miep and I have sent a few emails to each other and I got some nice info, I should ask here permission to post that here. Maybe I should send extra pictures to the historical society?

I'm also selling my home, which is in the photograph.... does this mean the value just shot way up??

mkeller234

Also, if you could snag an extra I would definitely pay for it. Maybe I should get in touch and ask for one.

JPZ66

Wow is the word that comes out when I read this thread. Super nice bike and fantastic job you've done with it. I have just read from the beginning, and I can't help but wonder if this bike didn't possibly belong to Frans himself, and that is why he put his name on it so prominently ?? I also think that a few things were added to the bike by subsequent owners.....is it possible that it so light because Frans was a racer and made sure it was light.....fenders, lights and other accessories may well have been added later. Just a thought.....

Amazing all the way around !

Joe