Dannyboy21

Got this yesterday. Wondering if it is East German or Belgian. Cannot find a serial number. Dropouts are Campagnolo. Any ideas of vintage or country of origin based on decals? Information about this frame set is welcome. The Arnols A Velos and Peter VDL are also interesting. Could the highlights be representative of the flag of Luxembourg?

thumpism 

Might be a team bike. GDR is the English for DDR (East Germany) and Diamant is an eastern brand. I suspect if it really has Reynolds tubing it was built for the Olympics, but that's just a guess.

Dannyboy21

That would be very cool. Interested as to where you got GDR/DDR from? Did you see something on the bike that lead you to that? Did I miss something? I believe Arnols is a Belgian name so I was kind of thinking it was Belgian. Also the flag of Luxembourg is light blue, white and red, so was wondering if there was a connection there. But heck a bike from the days of the German Democratic Republic would very interesting. Thanks for your input.

juvela

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Would think it would have to be the Belgian Diamant.

VDL initials would stand for van den L______ so rider either Flemish or Dutch.

Belgium was first Euro nation to begin kitting Pro race machines with D-A road ensembles, ca. 1973-74. Frame appears to date from right about that time. The D-A transfer it wears is first generation.

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Dannyboy21

I guess the flag emblems could be Holland but I would have thought the blue would be darker. Maybe to contrast with the dark blue of the frame?

thumpism 

Diamant is the name of an old German-then-East-German producer but yours might be Belgian. The frame sticker does not look like the stickers on the GDR/DDR bikes I found using Google; that lettering has a lean and is more art-y looking.


Here's a Belgian Diamant on eBay and the sticker matches yours.


VDL might signify the last name van de Lippens, and Google turns up a Pieter/Peter who looks like he might have ridden that bike.

Mal is a little town north of Liege near Tongeren in Flanders.

unworthy1

Yep, two brands that were called "Diamant" an East German (that was just in that region, I believe it was Chemnitz, before the war and remained after) and another in Belgium. This is almost certainly a Belgian Diamant, that has been decorated with either Luxemburg or Netherlands colors, Think it looks more "Luxemburg" to me but paint may have faded

Dannyboy21

I agree. The Peter VDL is intriguing and I have tried to find out if he may have been a pro rider. But I am more interested in the Arnols. A Velos MAL for some reason. I wonder if somewhere in Belgium there was this great bike shop where Arnols was in charge.

Dannyboy21

I used Google maps to search MAL Belgium and it came up as an area ofTongeren. When I looked up Arnols A Belgium I came up with a link to a bicycle shop as follows:

Fietshandel Arnols R.

Kleinmalstraat 11
3700 Tongeren

I guess the hand painted marking could be an R and not an A. Intriguing!

Dannyboy21

Yes. I saw that too. And like I said there is a bicycle shop there called Fietshandel Arnols R. I might have to bite the bullet and give them a call for fun.

juvela

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whilst decyphering the markings on the top tube there is yet another which there abides

it is under the PETER of PETER VDL and continues on to the right

appears part of it was covered by a brake cable clip at one time

am able to make out several letters but not eno' to read

perhaps if you looked under bright light you may be able to make out more





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bottom bracket cable guide does not appear to be Campag; are you able to read the marking?




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forum members @non-fixie & @Munny are sure to be able to add to the discussion...

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non-fixie 

Excellent find!

It is a Belgian Diamant, and the frame was almost certainly made by the renowned shop of Martens in Zwevezele. A similar frame that was built by Martens for Dossche Sport came along two years ago: Belgian bike questions Dossche Sport.

Dannyboy21

You are making me more excited to build this up and ride. But I want to do a restoration that this bike deserves. So I have some homework to do!

Dannyboy21

I did see the marking below and to the side of the Peter VDL. My eyes are not good enough to read the cable guide. I thought I saw Campagnolo but I will take another look. Now I must take my Marinoni out for a ride.

Dannyboy21

I took some pictures of the areas in question. Not sure what is under Peter. I think maybe a smaller VDL. I read Brev CAMP in cable guide but could be wrong. Drop outs pictured for posterity, as well.

juvela

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thank you very much for the additional information and pictures

me auld yeux were reading the P of CAMP as an R

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Dannyboy21

I thought it might say AMR but then I could slightly make out the C.

Manny66 

There were several Diamant Bicycle companies from different countries over the years, Yours is a made in Belgium Diamant made by Martens. They are still in business and You can email him and he will give you more info on the bike. You gotta use a translater app to communicate with them but its not too hard.

Most race bikes had number hangers which yours doesnt, it looks like somebody just personalized this frame with a paint marker. Ive got an old Diamant Race bike hanging up in my garage rafters.

Dannyboy21

Yes the Arnols A or Arnols R is hand painted likely by the shop in Mal Belgium. Owner is Rene Arnols maybe. The Peter VDL looks more professionally applied but yes, might be an owners name. I know Marinoni in Montreal will customise paint jobs and apply your name in paint.

Dannyboy21

Dannyboy21

thumpism I have not been able to find info on Peter Van de Lippens. A y chance you can provide a link?

Dannyboy21

I guess now I have established some of the bike's pedigree, although I would still like to establish the reasoning for the flag embellishments.

I have seen another example of the bike without those markings. (pictured here)

Next step is to go about restoring this in an appropriate manner. No way I am going to repaint. So any tips or links to share would be appreciated. Mild acid bath of some kind ... vinegar okay or should I use oxalic acid? I have read about oxalic and it's praise. Easy to find and use? Any tips for touching up rough areas with paint and paint matching? Bring on the advice.

thumpism 

Welp, the photo I stumbled over by using Google I can't find again. I'll keep looking.

Dannyboy21

juvela I worked at the spot you mentioned with a very light solvent and exposed a little more of the old lettering, unfortunately erased. little bit of the R in PETER as well. Still not sure what it might say. Tony?

non-fixie 

The <lastname firstname> format would not have been uncommon.