[CR]Marques de cycles des constructeurs Belges

(Example: Framebuilders:Rene Herse)

To: "CR" <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Date: Sat, 07 Jun 2003 14:56:25 -0700
From: "Jay Van De Velde" <jaysports@lycos.com>
Cc:
Organization: Lycos Mail (http://www.mail.lycos.com:80)
Subject: [CR]Marques de cycles des constructeurs Belges

In response to a (not so) recent thread on Belgian bicycle builders, I sent an inquiry to a Belgian vintage bike club. From them I received a list of all the Belgian builders/constructeurs active from 1895 to 1965. Holy cow! The list runs 25 pages long and lists over 2,400 makes. The list includes the name brand, the name of the "constructeur" or "kopmerk"(meaning wholesaler or distributor) with a designation for one or the other, and the town or city of origin. For example, I learn that the marque "Groene Leeuw" is a constructeur built bike, built by A. De Kimpe from the town of Kruishoutem. Also there were three different "Gloria" marques, each built in different towns by different builders. Who knew? I would be willing to provide copies of this list, but the compiler is asking 5 euros for it, including postage to US (more or less elsewhere)to compensate for his troubles, so I don't think it's right that I give away what he has worked so hard compiling. Email me offlist if y ou wish the contact information. Jay Van De Velde Seal Beach, CA ps. from what I surmise, their is no distinction made among the builders of the bicycles, they are all refered to as "constructeurs"