Mid Century Belgian Tandem
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Point Reyes Station, California
Posts: 4,529
Bikes: Indeed!
Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1508 Post(s)
Liked 3,481 Times
in
1,133 Posts
Mid Century Belgian Tandem
I found this on ebay a couple months ago.
The previous owner had re-chromed many parts 14 years ago then put it on his livingroom wall for 14 years.
I've been cleaning it up. Replaced the old mattress seats, decided to try my hand at lacquered handlebar tape, and refurbished the headlamp.
Lots of interesting details.
Rear rack part of the frame:
If anyone has any information about Cycles Devos in Brussels I would love to know more. I assume that this bike came from the shop of the same name still selling bicycles and scooters in Brussels: The previous owner contacted them about the bike but got no response.
Brent
The previous owner had re-chromed many parts 14 years ago then put it on his livingroom wall for 14 years.
I've been cleaning it up. Replaced the old mattress seats, decided to try my hand at lacquered handlebar tape, and refurbished the headlamp.
Lots of interesting details.
Rear rack part of the frame:
If anyone has any information about Cycles Devos in Brussels I would love to know more. I assume that this bike came from the shop of the same name still selling bicycles and scooters in Brussels: The previous owner contacted them about the bike but got no response.
Brent
Likes For obrentharris:
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Detroit
Posts: 10,303
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 17 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 43 Times
in
33 Posts
That's one heck of a Tandem Obrent! What a great looking and unique bike!
The seat-stays/rear integrated rack really knocks me out.
The seat-stays/rear integrated rack really knocks me out.
__________________
- Auchen
- Auchen
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 11,016
Bikes: Custom Zona c/f tandem + Scott Plasma single
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 77 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 19 Times
in
11 Posts
Belgium had lots of small custom bike builders.
The name DeVos translates into English as The Fox.
The name DeVos translates into English as The Fox.
#7
Hopelessly addicted...
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Central Maryland
Posts: 4,955
Bikes: 1949 Hercules Kestrel, 1950 Norman Rapide, 1970 Schwinn Collegiate, 1972 Peugeot UE-8, 1976 Raleigh Sports, 1977 Raleigh Sports, 1977 Jack Taylor Tandem, 1984 Davidson Tandem, 2010 Bilenky "BQ" 650B Constructeur Tandem, 2011 Linus Mixte
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times
in
9 Posts
Quite a beauty! Do you know if the paint is original? if so, she's in exceedingly nice condition, to say the least.
Is there any way to lower the position of the stoker's bar, perhaps by turning the stem 180° so that the orientation is point downwards instead of up?
Is there any way to lower the position of the stoker's bar, perhaps by turning the stem 180° so that the orientation is point downwards instead of up?
#8
missing in action
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,483
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 42 Post(s)
Liked 49 Times
in
29 Posts
I think the stoker stem is a thoughtful way to give the stoker a comfortable upright position. Flipping it would really drop the bars quite a lot (not to mention the stoker's nose, into hostile territory.) Maybe a straight stem would be a reasonable compromise...
#9
Hopelessly addicted...
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Central Maryland
Posts: 4,955
Bikes: 1949 Hercules Kestrel, 1950 Norman Rapide, 1970 Schwinn Collegiate, 1972 Peugeot UE-8, 1976 Raleigh Sports, 1977 Raleigh Sports, 1977 Jack Taylor Tandem, 1984 Davidson Tandem, 2010 Bilenky "BQ" 650B Constructeur Tandem, 2011 Linus Mixte
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times
in
9 Posts
I totally agree with what you're saying. It is just that the amount of captain's seatpost showing is the issue and I'm guessing that it's a one piece affair making it impossible to address without buying different parts. BTW, I love the "hostile territory" reference. 'Twas a lol moment for me.
#10
MIKE is my name!
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: finland,baltimore
Posts: 2,846
Bikes: hans lutz, , puch mistral ultima,2x Austro Daimler Smoked chrome Ultima,Austro Daimler Mixte,Austro Daimler 531 mixte, flying arrow,F Moser,
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Liked 20 Times
in
4 Posts
leave it alone- its been that way for 70 years for a reason. enjoy its unique flavor.
sweet bike
sweet bike
#11
Pining for the fjords
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Brussels
Posts: 711
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 130 Post(s)
Liked 446 Times
in
151 Posts
Wonderful bicycle! I went there a couple of times 15 years ago - cycles Devos in Ixelles. The shop didn't strike me as having a pedigree and they did a lousy job on my bike. Not the info you need OP, sorry. But the website says they're in business since 1910.
#12
Pining for the fjords
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Brussels
Posts: 711
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 130 Post(s)
Liked 446 Times
in
151 Posts
Connaisseurs of Belgian bikes on this forum:
https://veloretrocourse.proboards.com/index.cgi
You might try and post there, English is no problem.
https://veloretrocourse.proboards.com/index.cgi
You might try and post there, English is no problem.
#13
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Point Reyes Station, California
Posts: 4,529
Bikes: Indeed!
Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1508 Post(s)
Liked 3,481 Times
in
1,133 Posts
Quite a beauty! Do you know if the paint is original? if so, she's in exceedingly nice condition, to say the least.
Is there any way to lower the position of the stoker's bar, perhaps by turning the stem 180° so that the orientation is point downwards instead of up?
Is there any way to lower the position of the stoker's bar, perhaps by turning the stem 180° so that the orientation is point downwards instead of up?
That seatpost is monstrously long, as is the Captain's stem. The stem is actually all the way down in the pictures. I toyed with the idea of cutting it down but decided I agreed with Puchfinland's sentiment "leave it alone- its been that way for 70 years for a reason. enjoy its unique flavor."
Thanks for all the positive comments folks!
Brent
#14
- Bikes Not Bombs -
Wow, this is probably one of a kind, and it is quite beautiful.
#15
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Point Reyes Station, California
Posts: 4,529
Bikes: Indeed!
Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1508 Post(s)
Liked 3,481 Times
in
1,133 Posts
Connaisseurs of Belgian bikes on this forum:
https://veloretrocourse.proboards.com/index.cgi
You might try and post there, English is no problem.
https://veloretrocourse.proboards.com/index.cgi
You might try and post there, English is no problem.
Brent
#16
If I own it, I ride it
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Cardinal Country
Posts: 5,580
Bikes: Lejeune(14), Raleigh, Raysport, Jan De Reus, Gazelle, Masi, B. Carré(4), Springfield, Greg Lemond, Andre Bertin, Schwinn Paramount
Mentioned: 56 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 591 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 663 Times
in
312 Posts
That is a way cool tandem. Good snag. Something about the pre 70s tandems appeals to me. Classic bike building at its best.
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: North Bend, Washington State
Posts: 2,942
Bikes: 1937 Hobbs; 1977 Bruce Gordon; 1987 Bill Holland; 1988 Schwinn Paramount (Fixed gear); 1999 Fat City Yo Eddy (MTB); 2018 Woodrup (Touring) 2016 Ritchey breakaway
Mentioned: 291 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 554 Post(s)
Liked 3,794 Times
in
668 Posts
lovely bike. i especially like that titan stem and handlebar
#18
What??? Only 2 wheels?
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Boston-ish, MA
Posts: 13,434
Bikes: 72 Peugeot UO-8, 82 Peugeot TH8, 87 Bianchi Brava, 76? Masi Grand Criterium, 74 Motobecane Champion Team, 86 & 77 Gazelle champion mondial, 81? Grandis, 82? Tommasini, 83 Peugeot PF10
Mentioned: 189 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1222 Post(s)
Liked 645 Times
in
232 Posts
I'd love to see pics of the derailleurs and how that double-cable lever is rigged.
__________________
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Liberty, Missouri
Posts: 3,120
Bikes: 1966 Paramount | 1971 Raleigh International | ca. 1970 Bernard Carre | 1989 Waterford Paramount | 2012 Boulder Brevet | 2019 Specialized Diverge
Mentioned: 23 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 129 Post(s)
Liked 77 Times
in
40 Posts
Really, really great looking bike. I have never been a fan of tandems, but this one could very well change my opinion. Nice.
#20
Thrifty Bill
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Mountains of Western NC
Posts: 23,526
Bikes: 86 Katakura Silk, 87 Prologue X2, 88 Cimarron LE, 1975 Sekai 4000 Professional, 73 Paramount, plus more
Mentioned: 96 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1236 Post(s)
Liked 964 Times
in
628 Posts
The most beautiful tandem I have ever seen! WOW!!
#21
Bianchi Goddess
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Shady Pines Retirement Fort Wayne, In
Posts: 27,868
Bikes: Too many to list here check my signature.
Mentioned: 194 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2938 Post(s)
Liked 2,934 Times
in
1,497 Posts
Very beautiful and nicely detailed. I should forget about trying to go to gunsmith school and go to frame school instead.
__________________
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
#22
Full Member
The Titan handlebar is the first model.
Cycles Devos wasn't allways located over there.
In the seventies - heighties, you could find them in Chaussée de Wavre in Auderghem.
I used to buy stuff over there and at the time it was a Peugeot reseller (bicycles and mopeds).
Honda mopeds..
My father bought a Honda Camino over there, which got stollen when I was using it.
I also bought from them one of the 5 first mountain bikes in Belgium
It had been used for 1 hour by "Le soir" newspaper for a test of these new kind of bikes and after that was just there where they didn't know what to do with it
It was also stollen and I'm still searching for another one.
Your tandem is really good looking
Cycles Devos wasn't allways located over there.
In the seventies - heighties, you could find them in Chaussée de Wavre in Auderghem.
I used to buy stuff over there and at the time it was a Peugeot reseller (bicycles and mopeds).
Honda mopeds..
My father bought a Honda Camino over there, which got stollen when I was using it.
I also bought from them one of the 5 first mountain bikes in Belgium
It had been used for 1 hour by "Le soir" newspaper for a test of these new kind of bikes and after that was just there where they didn't know what to do with it
It was also stollen and I'm still searching for another one.
Your tandem is really good looking
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Armenia, Colombia
Posts: 295
Bikes: 1961 Raleigh Sports
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
The rear fender is drilled for a skirt guard.
#24
Get off my lawn!
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: The Garden State
Posts: 6,031
Bikes: 1917 Loomis, 1923 Rudge, 1930 Hercules Renown, 1947 Mclean, 1948 JA Holland, 1955 Hetchins, 1957 Carlton Flyer, 1962 Raleigh Sport, 1978&81 Raleigh Gomp GS', 2010 Raliegh Clubman
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 93 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 98 Times
in
48 Posts
Wow, that is beautiful! So, how does it ride?
#25
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Point Reyes Station, California
Posts: 4,529
Bikes: Indeed!
Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1508 Post(s)
Liked 3,481 Times
in
1,133 Posts
The rear derailer is a Cyclo Standard, most likely a 3 or 4 speed, there might have been a 5 speed version made. The cables are most likely a one piece soldered unit, with a nipple on the derailer end that can be adjusted during setup. The derailer didn't have an integral return spring, hence the two cables. The tension spring is external, runs from the derailer to a boss right behind the rear bottom bracket.
The rear fender is drilled for a skirt guard.
The rear fender is drilled for a skirt guard.
Brent