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Jeff Stracco

Beijing

Interests: Asian Bicycles, Antique Motorcycles, Antique Carpets, Weighlifting, Scotch and Jazz

Recent Activity

Is The Flying Pigeon a Raleigh Copy?

Often people think the Flying Pigeon and other Chinese Roadster Brands are just copies of Raleigh Roadsters. Why is Raleigh singled out and not some Dutch or French roadster of which there were many? I suspect this is because Raleigh... Continue reading

Posted Mar 27, 2015 at The Flying Pigeon Project

1

The Phoenix Rises-New Models.

It would seem that the folks at Shanghai Phoenix have been very busy. Recently on their Facebook page they have posted photos of a number of modern takes on classic designs. Let's give them a look. First we see what... Continue reading

Posted Dec 17, 2014 at The Flying Pigeon Project

1

This is my R50S, "Dasher". The R50S was a model made only during 1961 and 1962 and as such there are very few: Only 1634 were made and there are probably few survivors. This one is the very last frame number. The bike is very high reving with an 8500RPM... Continue reading

Posted Feb 10, 2014 at The Last R50S

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The Wedding Roadster

Perhaps your remember Sam Chu. He's one of the founding members of the Hong Kong Vintage Bicycle Club. The club promotes the love of older velocipedes, with a special emphasis on roadsters. Sam of course has a very special, double-bar... Continue reading

Posted Jan 5, 2014 at The Flying Pigeon Project

4

...Where Mr. Jin's skin meets Mr. Bone's skeleton saddle!!!

Long time readers of the blog, (there must be one or two of you), may remember Mr. JIn. The amiable saddle maker who would frequent the Panjiayuan bicycle market in Beijing. You may also remember, the Bone Shaker, a customized... Continue reading

Posted Nov 20, 2013 at The Flying Pigeon Project

2

Meanwhile...in India.

Long ago, I started this blog because I wanted to chronicle how people used bikes in societies and countries where it was still the main means of getting around. And I don't mean get around casually. I didn't really care... Continue reading

Posted Oct 18, 2013 at The Flying Pigeon Project

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Fly Like Lightning

If you want your Flying Pigeon to go faster, or maybe just get up over that hill without getting off to push there are a few solutions: 1. Install a gear hub. Making a single speed into a 3 speed... Continue reading

Posted Oct 6, 2013 at The Flying Pigeon Project

3

Live From Lanzhou

Lanzhou. City of 2.1 million. Gansu Province. The far west. Faxian probably rolled through this way on his way to search for Buddhist scriptures. Likewise, Xuanzang likely passed by on his own Journey to the West. But the days of... Continue reading

Posted Sep 8, 2013 at The Flying Pigeon Project

3

As Seen on Ebay

When is a Flying Pigeon not a roadster? Quite often actually, the Tianjin firm does manufacture a full line of bikes. However, if your tastes ran in black and classic, you'd still have another choice. Like this Flying Pigeon BMX.... Continue reading

Posted Aug 26, 2013 at The Flying Pigeon Project

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Yes. It's been my first post in almost 2 years. However, I have to say that this is a helluva post. As somebody with an interest in classic motorcycles and Flying Pigeons, I find the work of Australian, Brad Wilson... Continue reading

Posted Aug 19, 2013 at The Flying Pigeon Project

1

Flying Pigeon Vancouver

Apparently Flying Pigeons have arrived in Vancouver, and to announce their arrival the importer has made this rather artsy film:The Flying Pigeon Bicycle from yulu canada on Vimeo. It shows young, attractive, and presumably hip individuals out and about on... Continue reading

Posted Sep 4, 2011 at The Flying Pigeon Project

9

New Bike Shop in Town: NYC Flying Pigeon

Vendors that carry the Flying Pigeon are a rarity, so when an IMPORTER opens up in my own back yard I have to make note of it. Nathan Einschlag of NYC Flying Pigeon has a bike he wants to sell... Continue reading

Posted Aug 21, 2011 at The Flying Pigeon Project

2

Chung Kuo Cina by Michelangelo Antonioni, 1972-Again

This is actually part 1...or so Youtube says. Early in the video you can see some traffic in the Hutongs in Beijing....bikes and trikes and a single fast back car of unknown origin. At 1:49 a postal worker doles out... Continue reading

Posted Aug 10, 2011 at The Flying Pigeon Project

1

Chung Kuo Cina by Michelangelo Antonioni, 1972-Pt. 1

The attached documentary was shot around Tianamen square in 1972 by an Italian camera crew. This is just after the CulturalRevolution. It's a very interesting look. And "look" adequately describes it as the narration is very sparce and in Italian.... Continue reading

Posted Aug 1, 2011 at The Flying Pigeon Project

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So I just recieved this part from Tony in Dalian. Care to guess what it might be??? 1. Yes it is black. 2. Yes it is metal Give up? 3. Yes it will transform your roadster into a Motorcycle. What's... Continue reading

Posted Jul 27, 2011 at The Flying Pigeon Project

5

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... Continue reading

Posted Jul 7, 2011 at The Flying Pigeon Project

7

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... Continue reading

Posted Apr 17, 2011 at The Flying Pigeon Project

3

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... Continue reading

Posted Apr 13, 2011 at The Flying Pigeon Project

1

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... Continue reading

Posted Mar 13, 2011 at The Flying Pigeon Project

1

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... Continue reading

Posted Feb 21, 2011 at The Flying Pigeon Project

1

Guest Roadster: Steyr Waffenrad

Mein sehr guter Freund, Mario forwarded me some pictures of his Austrian Steyr "Damenfahrrad" with which he rides around Munich. "I like it because it is such an unusual machine these days, and of course, being Austrian, it makes a... Continue reading

Posted Feb 1, 2011 at The Flying Pigeon Project

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Zhongguo! Out of the Box.

One of the great things about unpacking ... Continue reading

Posted Jan 27, 2011 at The Flying Pigeon Project

2

The Smallest Flying Pigeon

So as most of the long time readers know, I am no longer in Beijing, but back in the states. Now that the computer is out of the box, I'd like to start off the new year right and share... Continue reading

Posted Jan 4, 2011 at The Flying Pigeon Project

2

Silk. That's right. Silk...or is it a Marukin?

I'm going to toss in some pics of a fine 26" roadster from Japan. One for the Marukin Bicycle works: A Silk. Well, you can't tell that from the headbadge, but that is part of the story... North American readers... Continue reading

Posted Nov 28, 2010 at The Flying Pigeon Project

5

Pawnshop Princess

A few weeks ago, I pawned my Forever rando. At the same shop was a very interesting bike. An NOS Phoenix/ Feng Huang step through from the 1980s' or so it was claimed. The light & dynamo combination was clearly... Continue reading

Posted Nov 14, 2010 at The Flying Pigeon Project

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