Mystery Parts on Das Kettler

[LhasaCM]

@Judd 161472 wrote:

That’s kind of where I’m going…. What’s the criteria for something being abandoned property versus a bike locked up that appears to not have moved.

I think that varies from location to location and whether it’s on private vs. public property.

For example: in DC, a bicycle is considered abandoned if it’s locked up for more than 12 hours. From a WAMU report a few years back (http://wamu.org/story/12/07/18/ddot_has_no_plans_to_recycle_abandoned_bikes/), they’ll tag the bicycle for a minimum 10-day period (to give the owner a chance to reclaim it), haul it away, keep it for 30 days, then dispose of it.

Most locations have a longer period of time before something is considered abandoned (12 hours could just be a long day at the office), but the general process isn’t too dissimilar from what I’ve seen.

[Vicegrip]

BTW. If we, at some point we do not find out what the cylinder and spring catch do, I am going to bring out some hurt. I do not like an open ended mechanical mystery. I have people, trucks, power tools and shovels at my disposal. You have been warned.:mad:

[trailrunner]

I bought a bike at an auction about 20 years ago. The auction was held at some junkyard in Brandywine MD. The stuff they were selling included office equipment and bikes that the police were trying to get rid of. About the only bike worth buying was a Panasonic, which I bought for $50. Turned out to be a nice bike, and I still have it and use it on the rollers. But most of the bikes were Walmart specials, and they were struggling to sell bundles of 10 bikes for $10.

[peterw_diy]

@streetsmarts 161452 wrote:

There’s one locked up in old town (old steel bike) that looks like it’s been there for a few years. Wonder how they make it from locked/abandoned to the police station.

Old Town Alexandria? Submit a Call.Click.Connect. service request and the police department will likely remove it pretty quickly. Last time I reported an obviously abandoned bike (rusty chain, flat tires) I think it was just a couple days before they removed it.

[streetsmarts]

And then if no one claims it…do they clean out their warehouses sometime?

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[peterw_diy]

@streetsmarts 161487 wrote:

And then if no one claims it…do they clean out their warehouses sometime?

Apparently, though their information online really isn’t helpful oh that question: https://www.alexandriava.gov/police/info/default.aspx?id=54370

[huskerdont]

This is the one I want (in D.C.).

[ATTACH=CONFIG]14987[/ATTACH]

Just look at it!

[bentbike33]

@huskerdont 161662 wrote:

This is the one I want (in D.C.).

[ATTACH=CONFIG]14987[/ATTACH]

Just look at it!

I dunno. Needs a seat with more back support and longer handle bars, I think.

[Starduster]

@bentbike33 161671 wrote:

I dunno. Needs a seat with more back support and longer handle bars, I think.

That’s too cool a bike to be abandoned!

[n18]

The thing in the front with 4 holes is probably for 4 cable housing, although that bike has only two cables. The orange tube probably connects to the first tube to limit steering like the OP suggested. The cylinder thing seems for tool storage. Here is another bike with similar or newer cylinder. See the rear end of the rack to find it.

[drevil]

OK, so here’s my second guess:

The bike was use for bikejoring. On the front, the bottom piece with the vertical post is a contraption to hold a special leash, while the top spring was to take up slack somehow. This isn’t anywhere near like yours, but the concept of holding a leash out front is similar.

The rear cylinder was used to hold a roll of puppy poopy bags.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]14995[/ATTACH]

What do I win?

[huskerdont]

@Starduster 161688 wrote:

That’s too cool a bike to be abandoned!

It really is, but it’s been there over a month and the rear tire is flat. It’s got a serious chain lock backed up by a U lock, so I really wonder what the story is. I look at it every day longingly and consider looking into acquiring it through channels, but really just hope who ever owns it takes it back. Only problem for me taking it is there’s no way I’m trying to pedal that thing up the hills into Arlington. I’d have to leave it downtown in my work garage and just use it to ride around at lunch or after work. Which I would totally do. I already have the sunglasses I’d wear with it picked out.

[Starduster]

In May, I wrote Kettler Alu-Rad bike directly. What I learned…

“Well blow me down.

“I have talked about the mystery part on my rescued Kettler, and confounded *everyone* who tried to guess what it was or for. I contacted the manufacturer, Kettler Alu-Rad GmbH. They checked with staff who go back decades with them, and… THEY DON’T KNOW EITHER! The veterans at Kettler agreed that the part was never spec’d on their bikes. They say it is somebody’s aftermarket installation. The shop in Deggendorf who originally sold the bike is now strictly a BMW auto dealership, so that door is closed. I did get a rough estimate of date of manufacture- somewhere in and around the year 2000. Still cool having this conversation with them.

“This crazy part is so well integrated into the bike that I’m leaving it on. Why the hell not?”[ATTACH=CONFIG]21575[/ATTACH]

[Steve O]

I think you should send this to Sheldon Brown. If anyone might know, it’s him.

[ursus]

@Steve O 201885 wrote:

I think you should send this to Sheldon Brown. If anyone might know, it’s him.

Didn’t he pass away at least 10 years ago?

[Author]

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