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Kabuki Diamond Formula D

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Kabuki Diamond Formula D

Old 10-27-18, 06:12 PM
  #1  
Driftingwood
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Kabuki Diamond Formula D

Hello, I purchased an older Kabuki bike and was wondering if anyone knew more about it. I do not even know the year of the bike. The serial number reads B221770.
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Old 10-27-18, 06:32 PM
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Kabuki diamond formula D

Hello i am new to the forms so i cannot link pictures yet. I have a Kabuki Diamond Formula D i purchased and i cannot even figure out the year. The serial number reads B221770 its made of 4130 double butted chromoly steel and equipped with Suntour Superbe derailleurs. If anyone could give me any information on this bike it would be appreciated.
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Old 10-27-18, 09:36 PM
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Duplicate threads merged.
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Old 10-28-18, 06:47 AM
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More properly known as the Kabuki Diamond Formula D, this was Kabuki's top model. Based on the serial number, the subject bicycle was manufactured in very early 1982 by Bridgestone. The frames were an unspecified double butted CrMo (likely Ishiwata 022). Components were typically a mix of Sun Tour Superbe and Superbe Pro, though rarely the complete group. Often, there were cost concessions such as Sugino cranksets and SR pedals. Frames also exhibited cost concessions such as an absence of brazed-on shift lever bosses and recessed brake fittings. Due to these concessions, I considered them to be a lower, upper end model. Generally, they were seen in a deep rose/fuscia colour. MSRP circa 1982 would have been ~$650 US.
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Old 10-28-18, 12:14 PM
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That’s an accurate description!

Originally Posted by T-Mar
More properly known as the Kabuki Diamond Formula D, this was Kabuki's top model. Based on the serial number, the subject bicycle was manufactured in very early 1982 by Bridgestone. The frames were an unspecified double butted CrMo (likely Ishiwata 022). Components were typically a mix of Sun Tour Superbe and Superbe Pro, though rarely the complete group. Often, there were cost concessions such as Sugino cranksets and SR pedals. Frames also exhibited cost concessions such as an absence of brazed-on shift lever bosses and recessed brake fittings. Due to these concessions, I considered them to be a lower, upper end model. Generally, they were seen in a deep rose/fuscia colour. MSRP circa 1982 would have been ~$650 US.
.

The bike bIke is in very good condition once I make my 10 post I will add some pictures. You were correct about the color and most of the parts. The bike rides great and I picked it up for $20.

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Old 10-28-18, 04:14 PM
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$20 is a fantastic deal. Of course, condition is paramount but if what you is true, it's probably worth at least 10X what you paid.
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Old 11-04-18, 09:51 PM
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Cool!! Exciting to hear of such a great bargain find!!!

I have two DFDs: a blue '81 and a chrome '81. I've never seen even a photo of a real Dark Rose '82 DFD in 2+ years of dedicated national eBay/Craigslist searching. I too would very much like to see some pics.

Here's the relevant catalog page:
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Old 11-15-18, 02:30 PM
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Here are some pictures







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Old 11-15-18, 03:41 PM
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1976 or so Diamond Formula with incorrect decal


I love the head badge on these
I bought this new in 1976 or so and rode the hell out of it while living on a sailboat for 12 years. For two years I did not drive a car so this was it, even in the rain! I took all the Suntour stuff off and put Campy on. It rides very nicely and has been through a lot with me. My first serious bike, Joe
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Old 11-15-18, 06:20 PM
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Thanks so much Driftingwood-- it's great to finally see a real 1982 DFD!
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Old 11-15-18, 07:03 PM
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Oh, but what do you all think about the crankset-- is it original? Driftwood, your crank looks quite different than the catalog. Do you see an make & model markings? It also just looks more mid/later 80s or even 90s to me. Probably later upgrade/swap?

The 1982 catalog says "SR AE-5LA-EL" which looks the same as the "SR SAX-5LA" specified in the 1981 catalog and that came on both my 1981 DFDs.
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Old 11-17-18, 07:50 PM
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Old 11-17-18, 07:52 PM
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The sizes are the same as the catalog. Does the AE stand for Aerox?
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Old 11-22-18, 12:22 PM
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Originally Posted by Driftingwood
The sizes are the same as the catalog. Does the AE stand for Aerox?
It may well. It seems likely to me that those are the stock cranks. Either they are what the catalog pic shows, or Bridgestone Kabuki substituted an updated SR crank into their production after the catalog had been published. "Specs are subject to change" is standard catalog verbiage, and I've certainly seen ample actual bike evidence of Bridgestone Kabuki doing exactly that over the 70s and 80s. It seems unlikely that an end user would upgrade from one similar SR crank to another.
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Old 11-22-18, 01:03 PM
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1981 DFDs Chrome Point & Two-Tone Blue

1981 Kabuki DFD Chrome Point BEFORE:

https://flic.kr/p/243RLFQ
1981 Kabuki DFD Chrome Point AFTER:
https://flic.kr/p/2cMznBS
1981 Kabuki DFD Two-Tone Blue AFTER:
https://flic.kr/p/YE8NEQ

By the way my blue one, it turns out, has had past lives on these forums:
https://www.bikeforums.net/search.php?searchid=4015658
Anyone know anything about "Peter Keiffer's Kabuki"?
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Old 11-22-18, 05:52 PM
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Originally Posted by jtyr71
Oh, but what do you all think about the crankset-- is it original? Driftwood, your crank looks quite different than the catalog. Do you see an make & model markings? It also just looks more mid/later 80s or even 90s to me. Probably later upgrade/swap?

The 1982 catalog says "SR AE-5LA-EL" which looks the same as the "SR SAX-5LA" specified in the 1981 catalog and that came on both my 1981 DFDs.

Per the '82 SR catalog, the AE-5LA is one of the Aerox model line which I suspect was new for 1982. For posterity: SR used AE prefixes for Aerox models, SAX for Super Apex, AX for non-super Apex, SI, SN, and SR for Silstar, RY for Royal, CT for Custom, and the obvious prefixes for the two-letter model cranks.

Now if only someone could tell me what a Sugino Astoron is and where to find one....
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Old 05-12-20, 12:33 PM
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I have a blue Kabuki with Shimano 600 crank and brake levers with remaining components Superbe. The paint is bad and decals off so unknown if it were the DFD. Any help on what model came with Shimano 600 would be helpful. It's my understanding the Shimano 600 was the predecessor to Ultegra. Therefore, a bike one stop down from the very top end. Probably some won't like the fact that I changed the wheelset and cold forged the rear triangle to accept 130mm standard road hub. It's set up 9 speed in the rear now but could easily accommodate 11 speed. It's an extra bike as I have a newer steel frame road racer and a carbon gravel bike, but the Kabuki Cro-Mo is buttery smooth and a joy to ride.
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Old 05-12-20, 01:36 PM
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Originally Posted by okrunner
I have a blue Kabuki with Shimano 600 crank and brake levers with remaining components Superbe. The paint is bad and decals off so unknown if it were the DFD. Any help on what model came with Shimano 600 would be helpful. It's my understanding the Shimano 600 was the predecessor to Ultegra. Therefore, a bike one stop down from the very top end. Probably some won't like the fact that I changed the wheelset and cold forged the rear triangle to accept 130mm standard road hub. It's set up 9 speed in the rear now but could easily accommodate 11 speed. It's an extra bike as I have a newer steel frame road racer and a carbon gravel bike, but the Kabuki Cro-Mo is buttery smooth and a joy to ride.
It could be a HillTopper . The late model(after 1978 or so) Diamond formula has vertical dropouts and the Hilltopers I have seen are horizontal. The components may not be original. I bought my Diamond Formula in 1976 or so (the red one in an earlier post above) and it came with Suntour components and Did Come G brakes and drilled brake levers. I changed wheels on mine a couple of years after I bought it. Then about 5 years ago went pretty much all Campagnolo record/super record and a Brooks saddle. They are fine bikes. I still ride mine even though I have more "Top Drawer" bikes in my stable. It is 80% sentimentality , but I still like the feel of my Kabuki Diamond Formula! Joe
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Old 05-12-20, 01:55 PM
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Originally Posted by okrunner
I have a blue Kabuki with Shimano 600 crank and brake levers with remaining components Superbe. The paint is bad and decals off so unknown if it were the DFD. Any help on what model came with Shimano 600 would be helpful. It's my understanding the Shimano 600 was the predecessor to Ultegra. Therefore, a bike one stop down from the very top end. Probably some won't like the fact that I changed the wheelset and cold forged the rear triangle to accept 130mm standard road hub. It's set up 9 speed in the rear now but could easily accommodate 11 speed. It's an extra bike as I have a newer steel frame road racer and a carbon gravel bike, but the Kabuki Cro-Mo is buttery smooth and a joy to ride.
Interesting. Normally, I;d say the crankset is more likely to be OEM but in this case it sounds like the Superbe is original. Please submit pictures and the serial number.
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Old 05-12-20, 01:56 PM
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Originally Posted by Kabuki12
It could be a HillTopper . The late model(after 1978 or so) Diamond formula has vertical dropouts and the Hilltopers I have seen are horizontal. The components may not be original. I bought my Diamond Formula in 1976 or so (the red one in an earlier post above) and it came with Suntour components and Did Come G brakes and drilled brake levers. I changed wheels on mine a couple of years after I bought it. Then about 5 years ago went pretty much all Campagnolo record/super record and a Brooks saddle. They are fine bikes. I still ride mine even though I have more "Top Drawer" bikes in my stable. It is 80% sentimentality , but I still like the feel of my Kabuki Diamond Formula! Joe
Mine came with the original Ayaya wheelset. I still have the front wheel stored but the rear bearings went and wasn't upgradeable so threw away the rear wheel. I bought it in 1991 or 92 in Norman, Ok during law school. It's possible it was not all original but I have my doubts due to the fact that not only the crank but the brake levers were Shimano 600. Just seems unlikely that you would change brake levers to match the crank. The bike is too large for me so I have the seat slammed but this makes for a very relaxed riding position. All in all with the relaxed position and Cro-Mo it's just soooo comfortable to ride. My new steel bike is a race oriented frame with carbon wheels and carbon everything except the frame. It's a little faster but stiff compared to the Kabuki. Questionable whether it's really that much faster. Crazy that a $100 bike I've had for 30 years performs 95% as well as a mostly modern steel frame road racer with a wheelset alone that cost over $1,000. Though I do say, Dura Ace carbon wheels are the best bike product I've ever owned. I've owned numerous other bikes over the years but always kept the Kabuki despite the fact that it has not been my primary bike in the last 20 years. It isn't worth much so was never worth parting with to support an upgrade and only now do I have an expensive carbon gravel bike that is as comfortable riding as the Kabuki.
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