This is my latest restoration project - it is a 1936 Zif Bike from the Soviet Union (Estonia to be precise) It literally fell off the back of a lorry. I bought it from a chap in Estonia and I met a giant Baltic link lorry on the Colchester bypass to take delivery ! Nice. The cost 50 euros' and a bottle of whisky for the driver.
Here is the Headbadge.
If only it could talk what a tale this bike could tell - it has survived the great Patriotic War and the Cold War. In fact the rear hub is a 1940 dated Torpedo German coaster hub - I expect a war booty replacement of the original rear wheel.
Below are Red Army soldiers - I think just pre war riding identical machines. Iconic unit with their dogs also - amazing.
Work is well underway now. The last problem to be solved is a horrendous wobble on the Torpedo Hub which otherwise has come up like a new pin. All my courage and fortitude will have to be summoned before I tackle the Torpedo rebuild with it's inherent part replacement difficulty.
A contender for the Tweed run but it only has the rear coaster brake to stop it so not this year methinks !
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