A Belgian in Spain since 1945? what was he a collaborator/black marketeer/ war criminal on the run?
Sounds dodgy to me. I have had a lot of dealings with bikes in Spain, and indeed the peak of my dealings was in 1977-19 just after the fall of Franco. You are up against several problems of credibility here;.
The character is
based on Leon Degrelle, (loads of google stuff) who would have been about 66 in 1972. He was admired by Franco and enjoyed priveleges and importing a m/cycle would not have been difficult. In my version he lives in remote campo near Estepona in Andalucia. For the purpose of the plot, and because he is a bit old to ride m'cycles, I have decided he has restored this classic m/cycle. The escaping male and female steal it.
After the civil war ended Franco put a block on all imports and of motor vehicles and spare parts especially. So by 1972 a hell of a lot of bikes were very badly butchered indeed just to keep them on the road.
Agreed, in another part of the plot I make reference to this. (I was there 1971-77) A common sight was to see women on the pillion of decrepit machines, riding sidesaddle!
I like the OHC Velo, I had settled on the Sarolea but I am worried that it might not be chain driven (plot purposes).
Good input, thanks.
Any large Belgian bike would have had to be pre war and therefore worn out.
I believe the Sarolea was used extensively as a sidecar vehicle during the war therefore must have been in prolific production, (but not the version in the picture R refers to... looking at the picture would you say it was chain drive?).
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