WW2 Bicycle Mystery

[jack neville]

Thanks Tony and Hanno.
The bike could well be a ‘bitsa’ after all these years as the owner is unsure of its history. There is only green paint on it so doubt it has been rebuilt before. The frame is missing the Malvern Star trademark on the head stem so unsure what frame it is. Unless Malvern Star only added them later.

[jack neville]

Found this number inside the rear fork

[jack neville]

Stripped and blasted.

[maple_leaf_eh]

It is possible yours is a post war assemblage of compatible fitting parts.

In the 80s I was on exercise in Wainwright, Alberta and decided I wanted a bicycle to get around camp and explore. I found who in town sold bikes, and trudged in with my money. The old fella had a home workshop with an assortment of old bikes and what looked like a lot of parts.

I bought a 60s era CCM coaster bike that someone probably bought new from a catalogue, rode for years, put away, and the old guy bought it. He was just recycling serviceable bikes. It is possible you ugly but serviceable bike was the same thing. A used bike that needed some work, and parts were added to a wartime frame.

[Lang]

Jack, I am no expert but I would suggest your bike has nothing to do with Malvern Star. There were numerous suppliers and many of them were just parts assemblers using BSA and other stuff. Until forced into local production by shortages MS was largely a parts assembler itself. Is the DD British or Australian?


This has great detail photos and information on Malvern Star WW2

https://onlinebicyclemuseum.co.uk/ww...ilitary-model/

I have recently picked up a MS ladies bike dated 1943. It has the BSA main sprocket and under the frame British Made with what looks like the BSA rifles. It is a two star. The 3 is 1943 (starting 0 for 1940 and the M is for Melbourne factory)

The navel gazers on the bike forums seem to agree that thousands of standard civilian bikes, including many ladies bikes, were made by MS during the war and supplied to the military. There was no requirement for the super strengthened military bike for 90% of use.

Looking at many AWM wartime photos I have yet to find a strengthened bike and everyone seems to be riding standard models.

I suppose any wartime MS (easily dated) could be trotted out as military much like the many Staff Cars painted up.

[Lang]

Here is a Japanese Army bike captured at Milne Bay New Guinea.

[Lang]

First photo I have found of a strengthened Malvern Star. Jaquinot Bay New Britain with NZ Air Force Corsair.

Second photo Darwin 1943 civilian style bikes with one army bike just visible on the right.