Sekine Canada timeline and frame serial numbers
 

Some people have questions about what years are represented by the letters in Sekine Canada serial numbers.

Here is a brief timeline of Sekine Canada. This timeline is based on contemporaneous newspaper articles from the Winnipeg Free Press.

See this excellent website for details: Rivers & Area Heritage

1972 Bicycles from Sekine Industries of Japan are imported into Canada by H.C. Paul Company.

1973 April. Joint venture Sekine Canada Ltd. is formed by three partner companies:
Sekine Industries, Nagase and Co. (and import-export company), and H.C. Paul Co.
Sekine Canada operates along side the Oo-Za-We-Kwun Centre at the former Canadian Forces Base Rivers.

1976 June. The frame manufacturing facility is added to the Sekine Canada operation.

1979 Sekine Industries withdraws its personnel from Sekine Canada. Many return to Japan.

1980 February. Sekine Canada financial restructuring. Sekine Industries reduced to 25% ownership.

1980 June 30. Oo-Za-We-Kwun Training Centre closes.

1981 August 31. Sekine Canada goes into recievership. The factory does not open the next day.

1982 January. Receivership auction of Sekine Canada assets.


The serial number of Sekinie Canada. The letter F is the last letter used for the year. 1981 was the last year of production.
One can deduce that F = 1981. Counting backwards, A=1976.
The first year of Sekine Canada production was 1973, X=1973.

There is a big change in the format of the serial numbers after the 1980 financial restructuring.
There was also a change in the Sekine Canada model line after the restructuring.

Last of the 3
 

I think my full Chrome Sekine might be the only one left in the world that is mostly original. As far as I know there were only 3 known to exist (factory Chrome finished frame and fork). Mine is 100% OG except for the Wrights Saddle and the bar tape. 😊👍
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...802d0f8f9.jpeg

What's up with the middle picture?... Real? If so, story?

Hi folks,
Just to keep the Sekine thread alive, I just picked up a Sekine time capsule today in lovely forest green. It is made in Japan, I believe before Canadian models started rolling out. It has been stored indoors for many years until I picked it today. I will post some photos shortly, but I have a quick question and I appreciate your replies.

Both tires are perished, so new tires (and tubes!) are in order. The manual says tire size is 27"x1-18" but just to keep with the vintage and looks of the bike, I would like to get a pair of Kena gumwall tires but the size I found is 27"x1-1/4. Do you think 27"x1-1/4" will fit without issues?

EDIT: Just found the serial number: Z11030 and a bike license for 1971/1972 which dates the bike to 1971 most likely..

Many thanks in advance and stay tuned for photos very soon (after I complete 10 posts according to the forum rules :(...)

Here are some photos for my latest acquisition.. Presumably 1971 model, Made in Japan and I am guessing the model is SHB-271 or (270??).
Note the old school dynamo and light (still works). Very cool. I ordered a set of gumwall Kenda tires and new handlebar tape. I also need new brake shoes to fit the existing calipers (center pull) but I would like something better than the current old-style ones. Any recommendations?


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...232c95c29d.jpg


https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...42f2af0e4c.jpg
The GS emblem with the rhinestone


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...56dadf0961.jpg
Very cool dynamo and light. Still works!


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0e74ead754.jpg
Made in Japan


https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...98dde8d6a4.jpg
Shimano Lark rear derailleur


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...7195e331cd.jpg
Front derailleur (not sure what model/brand)



https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8e46757dce.jpg
Sold by Bow Cycle in Calgary, AB. They're still in business today


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...67609ab9df.jpg
Bike license from 1971/1972


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...4c4850ea94.jpg
Serial Number Z11030


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d07f3bc16c.jpg
Seat is perfect condition

Here it is folks!

Follow up to my latest post. I just finished servicing and tuning the bike. This included:
- New 27x1-1/4" tires with new tubes and tube guards
- New Kool Stop Continental brake pads
- New handlebar tape
- New safety reflectors (wheels and rear)
- Repacked the front and rear wheel bearings
- Straightened out a bent rear wheel axle
- Truing wheels
- General lube and service
- Polished the chrome and aluminum (AutoSol)

Took it for a shakedown ride yesterday, runs and rides like a dream..!!
Makes a nice compliment to my Univega Alpina 507 mountain bike..

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...600b6528f5.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a08cd301d5.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6fb6bb7fa8.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f29883abb0.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5758ef7e7c.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...75d06fc184.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...bdb8225ab2.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...afdc9e973a.jpg

Just picked up this Sekine. It has some sort of chrome moly double butted tubing. The wheels have steel rims though. The drop outs are nice and thick with an integral hanger but no adjustment screw. The parts mix isn't bad (nice suntour derailleurs, dia compe center pull brakes, sansin hubs). The paint job is in pretty good shape but Sekines tend to have good paint jobs.

This will be my year's entry into the sub $100 klunker challenge as I paid $20 and it has decent tires. This will be a fun project. The bike is a bit of a boat anchor at 27.5 pounds but I'll bet I can get it down to a svelte 26 lbs. by dumping the steel chain guard, the ugly heavy saddle, and swapping out the steel rim wheels for alloy.

I'm uncertain of the model. It looks to be a step down from a SHS 271 a picked up and rehabbed a few years back. That bike had nicer wheels and drop outs but otherwise was more or less the same as this bike I think. My bike might be a 1973 Sekine SHR based on what I've read on this thread. This is very similar to the bike in post 502 above.

Serial no. is W106976

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...885518e08d.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...39d3ca4caf.jpg

SekineSHR on the road again
 

I just finished rebuilding my SekineSHR and took it on a 24 mile ride on the bike trail near my house. The bike came to me with all its original equipment and I changed remarkably little. I'm still using tape the bike came with. I even used the tires the bike came with as they were in decent shape and were obviously replacements. The only things I changed were the cables, the housing, and the saddle (the old one was trash and I couldn't resist a saddle with green etching that I had in my parts bin).

I took it on a 24 mile ride on the local bike path. The bike handled great and the parts mix is very solid. The steel rim wheels is a bit of a head scratcher on a bike of this quality (double butted chrome moly main tubes) but that's what it came with and that's what I'm riding.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...af01647eff.jpg
Central IA trail info and trailhead
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...009bef9974.jpg
View from Saylorville Lake
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...1e2f40f55f.jpg
The bridge at the end of the ride

This is my new $100 sekine and I was wondering if anyone could tell me anything about it. It appears to be an SHX due to the fully chromed frame, but its red, and the bike doesn't seem to have ever had any decals, aside from a small gold one saying "SEKINE CANADA" near the bottom of the seat tube. The serial is Y9 3800, which means it's a 1974 Japanese frame from what I understand.

The cranks, stem, bars, wheels (araya HP 27 inch alu rims with chair hubs), brakes (tourney side pulls), brake levers (diacompe), and pedals (KKT Pro Vic II) all appear to be original to the bike, as they are the same vintage. The dropouts are shimano, but the seat post is steel, which seems strange for a frame of this quality.


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...50987f356.jpeg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f33e882e3.jpeg

Sekine conversion
 

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6d1173710.jpeg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5f1f809bd.jpeg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...12d316531.jpeg
I made a 7 speed gravel bike out of a sekine

The worlds finest bicycle made by sekine serial number w 66436
 

I am trying to determine my old bikes value and year and model type, what i see is : The worlds finest bicycle made by sekine serial number w 66436, also has a seat with a hole in the middle. can anyone shed light on this for me?

Hi. New to this forum. Jumping in here cause I don't know how else to start. Trying to figure out the model of a Sekine I have an opportunity to buy. Serial #: W 76706. I believe it was built in Japan in July of 1972. Does have the "world's finest..." on the downtube. Bike was converted to a single speed - don't think any of the components are original. Does have chrome tipped forks and a cromoly sticker. How do I determine which model (SHT, SHS, etc.) the bike is. If you can steer me toward the answers I don't mind do the research.

Thanks. Pavlov55