Catch of the day

[Dave W]

1938 German motorcycle netted in Minnesota lake

[uwe]

Sigh, those early U-Boats weren't very reliable. 

[Denis]

It's in remarkable condition! I guess sitting at the bottom of an ice cold lake has its benefits. The article didn't say what make it was (unless I missed it). I was going to guess it's an NSU.

[Pilgrim]

Seems like very cold, deep, fresh water is somewhat kind to planes and motorcycles...both of the last couple noted here appeared to be in remarkably good condition.

[Dave W]

It's in remarkable condition! I guess sitting at the bottom of an ice cold lake has its benefits. The article didn't say what make it was (unless I missed it). I was going to guess it's an NSU.

It didn't say, and since there's a pic of the dealer's plaque but no pic of a brand nameplate, there may not have been one left. OTOH how did they determine it was from 1938?

I don't suppose Reinhard Kahrmann is still in business in Fulda.

[uwe]

Kahrmann in Fulda?  Did he build Motorcycles? (Edit: Ok, now that I saw the plaque, I get it. No, that shop doesn't exist anymore. Motorcycles pretty much died out in the fifties and sixties in Germany and resurged only in the seventies. Even I had one then. The eighties were their heyday, since then sales have gone back again, but not as badly as in the fifties and sixties.)

I only know of a Karmann in Osnabrück who customized Volkswagens back in the day:



The U-Boat bike could be an NSU alright:



I venture to guess that this bike wasn't at American shores in 1938 already but was probably traded in for a couple of packs of Lucky Strikes and some canned fruit between 1945-48! American GIs hardly ever had to resort to plunder or rape, they always had something desirable to bargain with and if it was attractive muscle mass and good skin and teeth due to US Army rations.

[Dave W]

Kahrmann in Fulda?  Did he build Motorcycles?

I only know of a Karmann in Osnabrück who customized Volkswagens back in the day:

Did you miss the third photo, to the right of the text? It shows the plaque clearly.

[uwe]

I did, see above edit, but only too late!

[exiledarchangel]

Motorcycles pretty much died out in the fifties and sixties in Germany and resurged only in the seventies. Even I had one then. The eighties were their heyday, since then sales have gone back again, but not as badly as in the fifties and sixties.)

I had my share of German Motorcycles, here's me on a mighty Kreidler Florett wearing my Dr. Martens! Hell, this pic has too much deutschland!

[uwe]

We'll adopt you.

[Pilgrim]

We'll adopt you.

I can just see it.

"Are you happy to be adopted by us, or is that a banana in your pocket?"

[Highlander]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?hl=en-GB&v=kA6ShRmUgCE&gl=GB

[uwe]

We've adopted all Greeks once before already, you know.

[Highlander]

... and I believe we assisted in altering that state of affairs...

Probably why they are in such a mess now...

[uwe]

Pah, we got that island first. Only cost us half of our paratrooper force.