Japanese Army Bicycle
I’ve been collecting since about 1967 and I have to say that this is probably the coolest item I ever added to my collection. It was made by Yamaguchi Bicycle Industries and the rear fender markings read "32nd Independent Army Infantry Battalion #4". This unit was part of the 8th Regiment in North China and was later transferred to the 24th Division and sent to Okinawa in 1944 where this bike was probably captured. It’s all original except for the seat which was redone but I still have the original. The front tire is solid rubber and is still fairly supple. The rear tire is pneumatic, flat and hard as a rock. There is some shrapnel damage to the rear fender and the axel stand. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I’d own one of these!
