A motorcycle museum in Russia is painstakingly restoring a very rare Kurogane Model 1 fire trike. Believed to be the only surviving example, it was uncovered in decrepit state in Malaysia, where it fought fires after being exported from Japan.
The museum is called Motorworld by V. Sheyanov, located in Petra-Dubrava, Samara, and it specializes in classic and rare motorcycles. Somewhat oddly, it seems to have no Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, or Kawasaki bikes, but it does have Kuroganes.
Kurogane was a marque known for not only the world’s first mass-produced compact 4WD car, but its tractors and motorized tricycles. What it should be more known for, is its very cool name, which translates to “black metal”. Most Kurogane vehicles were manufactured for and also subsequently destroyed in World War II. It is one of the countless motorcycle manufacturers lost to history in Japan.
It’s not out of the ordinary for Japan’s municipal vehicles to wind up in other Asian countries after their service life in Japan. What Japan considers to be obsolete and unusable is probably still considered to be very good by most other countries’ standards.
Although considered the last of its kind, this motorcycle is not the sole Kurogane at Motorworld by V. Sheyanov in Russia. They also have two Kurogane Type 95s, including one with military colors, and another non-fire fighter Model 1 trike. We think this one is in good hands.
via A Ride Apart
That is awesome! With he current wave of 25+ cars, I’m seeing a bunch of Kei Fire Trucks running around. Very cool!
I’ve been around and ridden two and three wheeled motorcycles most of my life. Even built a few trikes myself. But this is one of coolest I’ve ever seen. It’s a shame that there aren’t more things like this around. My only problem would be after it was restored I would want to ride it everywhere.Especially in every special event I could. Love it. Going to keep following up on the rebuilding.
It is very cool. I can’t lie though, if I called the fire department because my house was burning and that thing turned up, I’d be more than a little worried…
Any details on its discovery in Malaysia as I live here?
Lol, maybe it’s for tiny houses
Good thought.
Is there a video of it being ridden?