'Safe' brand double revolving bell

'Safe' brand double revolving bell, originally uploaded by the_meadows21.

On a recent trip up North, I made a stop over in a small town for a quick bite. Then I noticecd a small bicycle shop in the vicinity. As always, no bicycle shop will go 'un-searched'. I decided to finish my teh-tarik and head straight to the shop before the sun sets. The shop was manned by an old man. He was resting on his rattan chair, smoking his 'gula-garam'. "Pak! I greeted him. As my spoken Malayu is half-shit standard, I deicded to use whatever vocab I can muster to ask him some questions. Fortunately, there was an old Flying Pigeon lying around and I pointed to him the old rusted ding-dong bell, signalling to him that I'm looking for something like that. Guess my sincererity have managed to rub off him and he went into his shop and took out a dust covered bell. I gave it a squeeze and the sound that resonates is very sharp. This is a mark of a good bell. Further rubbing and some cleaning reveals the logo. It's a 'Safe' brand, made in England. The main body is made of cast ron. Heavy and durable. The twin bells are made of steel but they are thick as compared the the China made ones. No wonder it sounded so different.

Kuwahara Owner's Manual

front, originally uploaded by the_meadows21.

Found this NOS Kuwahara Owner's Manual at the local Salvation Army. It was actually sandwiched together with some DC comic magazines which I had bought earlier. As I was flipping through the pages, this booklet dropped out. As I don't have a Kuwie with me, I think it should belong to someone who owns one and who could that person be? None other than 'Ketchup', who bought the Laserlite from me earleir on....

Sugino stem, Gold

Sugino stem, Gold, originally uploaded by the_meadows21.

Another great find. Sugino Gold stem, NOS. However, due to the humidity of the place, some form of rust have started to set in. All in all, it still makes a great piece to have for collection. Rare piece. Item have since being sold to avid collector up North. Don't worry, Singapore fans, I still have one more...for my own personal collection. Not for sale.

Vintage Diamond Back sticker

LGIM0824_2, originally uploaded by the_meadows21.

As I was searching through the tonnes of vintage BMX parts lying around the shop, something shimmering caught my attention. Went for a closer look. Woa! Original NOS Diamond Back sticker! Complete set! Without asking for any discount, I immediately paid the boss and left the shop a happy man. Missin accomplished for the day.
Anyway, the sticker has since been sold to an avid collector of vintage BMX stuff up North.

Old school BMX parts, photos intensive!

Tange grips, blue (sold)

Shimano 600 crank, gold

Shimano 600 crank, blue with front and back hubs.

Number plate

Promax Aero Turbo seat (sold)

More number plates..

Mesh number plate

Kiddy looking number plate

KALIN seat post

Kuwahara grips

E.T pad set with number plate (sold)

Cobra grips, KO.

BMX racing goggles

Fluted seat post, blue

These are some of the old school BMX parts I've amassed over the years. Some sold, some still in storage.

A vintage, colonial times cyclist hat!

Finally, after months of scouting around and interviewing those old trishaw folks resting along Waterloo Street, I manged to track down one of their comrades who still wears a vintage, colonial times cyclist hat.
As I can recall, I remembered when I was a little kid, I always see this gentleman who comes by my house selling bottled soya sauce. Yes. Door to door service. Back then, plastic bottles are still in the infancy. So, alot of recycling works back then, I should say so. My mum would wash the empty beer bottles and used it to contain dark/light soya sauce. So, when the 'soya sauce man' comes round, we'll just bring our empty bottles to him for refill. Very environment friendly, don't you think so?

I also recalled seeing the 'Soya Sauce Man' wearing a beige colored hat, similar to the ones shown. So the suddenly recollection jolted me to seek out one of this hat for that nostalgic feel...

This type of hat used to worn by colonial times British government officials. They would wear their white uniforms, complete with knee length socks and white bermudas. There are actually several versions of this type of hat. Some have a longer and broader back portion, which is like the ones used by hunters on the African plains. There are also french versions. Infact, I'm comtemplating of getting a Vietnamese version too. :P

The material of this hat is rather unique. It's made of cock, which makes it light and yet absorbent. I remembered reading about it on the internet that BITDs, the wearer will soak it in water and wears it. It'll keep the head cool as also acts as an insulator from the tropical heat. I've yet to test it out on my rides, but soon. I hope. Just got to find the time as there're some many new projects up and coming. So many bikes to sell with so little time to enjoy them.

NOS Apollo Kuwahara, Blue....FOUND!! (again) :P

As I've promised the buyer of my Red Apollo, I'll try my best to find another Apollo for him. Guess he is one lucky fellow. Lo-and-behold; Blue Apollo, NOS of course.

Original Promax seat

Original OGK grips from Japan

Serial number at the BB

Well crafted rear drop outs

This is the only part about this bike that I don't like; the seat post and clamp. Cheap material. Maybe to keep cost of production to a minimal?

UKAI rims

Original Dia Compe brake caliper

Bike all tied up and ready for a new home...bye~bye
Bike have since been sold to an avid collector of vintage/old school BMX up North.