Asian Serial Number Guide
#351
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If you go back go post #1, you'll see that the Zebrakenko entry directs you to entry D(1), which I believe may represent Kenko. The 2nd character appears to be the year indicator, while the 3rd could be a month or fortnight indicator. You report two serial numbers starting with DOX, suggesting the latter and that the frames were manufactured during the 24th fortnight of 1980. The one outlier to the interpretation is the D3B S/N on the 1978(?) storm. I'm wondering if the 3 might be a partially stamped 8? I'd appreciate an good, overall, drive side photo of each bicycle and the serial numbers.
My post (#28) has photos (from the drive side) of the bikes with the serial numbers I listed by color - https://www.bikeforums.net/21721993-post28.html The blue Blue Sky was not a great bike, and I sold it. It had stamped drop outs, etc. I will try and get photos of the serial numbers.
Do you think Zebrakenko had their own factory, or had the frames made by another frame manufacturer?
Thanks again!
#352
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Hi, thanks very much for the info! There is a thread from last year on Zebrakenko bikes here - https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...ebrakenko.html Another poster added a serial number for one as well - post #12 - https://www.bikeforums.net/21519401-post12.html
My post (#28) has photos (from the drive side) of the bikes with the serial numbers I listed by color - https://www.bikeforums.net/21721993-post28.html The blue Blue Sky was not a great bike, and I sold it. It had stamped drop outs, etc. I will try and get photos of the serial numbers.
Do you think Zebrakenko had their own factory, or had the frames made by another frame manufacturer?
Thanks again!
My post (#28) has photos (from the drive side) of the bikes with the serial numbers I listed by color - https://www.bikeforums.net/21721993-post28.html The blue Blue Sky was not a great bike, and I sold it. It had stamped drop outs, etc. I will try and get photos of the serial numbers.
Do you think Zebrakenko had their own factory, or had the frames made by another frame manufacturer?
Thanks again!
Regarding the manufacturer of your bicycles, I don't have a definitive answer. Zebra bicycles date back to 1901. Circa 1969 they merged with the Kenko brand to form Zebrakenko. They started USA distribution in the mid-1970s. I've seen some evidence suggesting that late 1970s model were being produced from the Kenko side of the operation. Whether this is true or was still true into the 1980s remains to be determined.
#353
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I went back and checked my database. Curiously, I've recorded a 1978 burgundy coloured Storm with what initially appeared to be serial number D3B0781, only one frame removed from yours! Closer examination indicated the '3" was actually a '8' , as you could just see separate curls to the left of the intersection of the top and bottom circles (see attached). Given the proximity of the two frames to each other, it would appear that the manufacture had a issue with the '8' stamp or the holder.
Regarding the manufacturer of your bicycles, I don't have a definitive answer. Zebra bicycles date back to 1901. Circa 1969 they merged with the Kenko brand to form Zebrakenko. They started USA distribution in the mid-1970s. I've seen some evidence suggesting that late 1970s model were being produced from the Kenko side of the operation. Whether this is true or was still true into the 1980s remains to be determined.
Regarding the manufacturer of your bicycles, I don't have a definitive answer. Zebra bicycles date back to 1901. Circa 1969 they merged with the Kenko brand to form Zebrakenko. They started USA distribution in the mid-1970s. I've seen some evidence suggesting that late 1970s model were being produced from the Kenko side of the operation. Whether this is true or was still true into the 1980s remains to be determined.
1978 Storm - burgundy
1980 Storm - red
1981 Thunder mixte - burgundy
1977 Wind - black - please note that this frame was powder coated as the chrome sox were too far gone. It originally resembled this bike - https://www.bikeforums.net/21690954-post27.html Same chrome sox front and rear, brakes, crank, and wonderful ratcheted friction shifters.
I am limited to 10 images per post, so adding the last two on an additional post for the 1980 Blue Sky - blue.
#356
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Norco Monterey SL
This followed me home yesterday - Norco Monterey SL, Ishiwata EX tubing. Wheels are Sansin/Araya, bar/stem WIN, post Strong alloy (with a steel cradle), brakes DiaCompe, crank Sugino VP, rear mech Suntour 3040, it and the shifters say Accushift. Post is 26.8mm.
Serial decode / year and manufacturer?
Serial decode / year and manufacturer?
#357
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This followed me home yesterday - Norco Monterey SL, Ishiwata EX tubing. Wheels are Sansin/Araya, bar/stem WIN, post Strong alloy (with a steel cradle), brakes DiaCompe, crank Sugino VP, rear mech Suntour 3040, it and the shifters say Accushift. Post is 26.8mm.
Serial decode / year and manufacturer?
Serial decode / year and manufacturer?
#358
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I have seen at least one other similar serial for this model; only the last three digits differed.
I have not seen any photos of this model with a bare chrome fork - or indeed any plating. Is it a rairity or a replacement?
I have seen other same-model frames that are not Ishiwata EX - was it a particular year(s)' production?
#359
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Rear mech is <alpha-character>3040.
I have seen at least one other similar serial for this model; only the last three digits differed.
I have not seen any photos of this model with a bare chrome fork - or indeed any plating. Is it a rairity or a replacement?
I have seen other same-model frames that are not Ishiwata EX - was it a particular year(s)' production?
I have seen at least one other similar serial for this model; only the last three digits differed.
I have not seen any photos of this model with a bare chrome fork - or indeed any plating. Is it a rairity or a replacement?
I have seen other same-model frames that are not Ishiwata EX - was it a particular year(s)' production?
You'll find the Monterey SL with Tange and Ishiwata tubing and different tubesets from those two manufacturers, depending on the year. For instance, in 1985 it used Tange #5, changed in 1986 to Ishiwata EXO and was downgraded to Ishiwata EX for 1987. Various factors come into play when selecting the tubeset such as frame builder preference, availability, pricing, etc. BTW, given the bicycles level, I wouldn't be surprised if your bicycle doesn't used the full Ishiwata tubeset and has hi-tensile stays and/or blades as a cost concession.
#360
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I still can’t post pictures until I hit 10 posts and I can only do five per day before getting locked out. I’ll upload pictures tomorrow, but here’s my serial: R331034
The bike is a Bridgestone with a 3-speed hub.
The bike is a Bridgestone with a 3-speed hub.
#361
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#364
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T-Mar , any idea what the model is? I’ve searched for 1974 Bridgestone and none of the pictures look similar. In fact, the lugging all looks different than this die cast model. I’m wondering if perhaps that is because all I’m coming across are pictures of 10-speed type bicycles.
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#365
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Originally Posted by T-Mar;[url=tel:22032773
22032773[/url]]Bridgestone wasn't widely distributed in the USA during this era. Most of the Bridgestone manufactured bicycles that came into the USA around this time were badged as Kabuki. Often Bridgestone and Kabuki models shared model names. The Kabuki 3 speed of this period was called the Commuter, so that may be the name of your bicycle.
I’ll freshen up the bearings, figure out what’s going on with the 333 hub and get some new tubes/tires for a start.
Any recommendations on a quality riveted saddle that looks correct on the bike?
#366
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Hello, dear friends!
I've got interesting bike with some japanese parts. Repainted almost two times. Hope for your help in identifying.
Serial number: RB014088
Fork with IS Rib End dropouts
Frame without derailleur hanger and cablestop
rear derailleur: SunTour HONOR
front derailleur: SunTour Spirt
stem shifters SunTour
bottom bracket cottered with crankset Sugino
freewheel atom 77
wheels 27x1 1/4" : hub chair, rims araya and rigida
I've got interesting bike with some japanese parts. Repainted almost two times. Hope for your help in identifying.
Serial number: RB014088
Fork with IS Rib End dropouts
Frame without derailleur hanger and cablestop
rear derailleur: SunTour HONOR
front derailleur: SunTour Spirt
stem shifters SunTour
bottom bracket cottered with crankset Sugino
freewheel atom 77
wheels 27x1 1/4" : hub chair, rims araya and rigida
#368
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Hello, dear friends!
I've got interesting bike with some japanese parts. Repainted almost two times. Hope for your help in identifying.
Serial number: RB014088
Fork with IS Rib End dropouts
Frame without derailleur hanger and cablestop
rear derailleur: SunTour HONOR
front derailleur: SunTour Spirt
stem shifters SunTour
bottom bracket cottered with crankset Sugino
freewheel atom 77
wheels 27x1 1/4" : hub chair, rims araya and rigida
I've got interesting bike with some japanese parts. Repainted almost two times. Hope for your help in identifying.
Serial number: RB014088
Fork with IS Rib End dropouts
Frame without derailleur hanger and cablestop
rear derailleur: SunTour HONOR
front derailleur: SunTour Spirt
stem shifters SunTour
bottom bracket cottered with crankset Sugino
freewheel atom 77
wheels 27x1 1/4" : hub chair, rims araya and rigida
Over the past three decades I've re-conditioned bicycles for donation to Chernobyl children. I wonder if this could be one that found its way from there to Moscow? The odds would be very small but then again, so are those for a Canadian bicycle in Russia.
#369
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Welcome to the forums. I was having problems with this, until I saw the photos. I don't think this is Asian but Canadian. The serial number looks like it's stamped on the back of the upper seat tube, which would be proper for a Canadian built Raleigh. The serial number is also the correct format for Raleigh of Canada and, if so, indicates that the frame is from January 1980. Based on the sky blue colour and components, it's a good match for the Canadian market Raleigh Royale, converted to upright bars.
Over the past three decades I've re-conditioned bicycles for donation to Chernobyl children. I wonder if this could be one that found its way from there to Moscow? The odds would be very small but then again, so are those for a Canadian bicycle in Russia.
Over the past three decades I've re-conditioned bicycles for donation to Chernobyl children. I wonder if this could be one that found its way from there to Moscow? The odds would be very small but then again, so are those for a Canadian bicycle in Russia.
Many thanks!
That's so interesting history about it. I'm really wondering if that surely that. Need to check for radiation)))
There, in Moscow, you can find interesting things from all over the world, and no one will care about it.
It is a pity that it was so badly repainted in its native color, and I can't do anything about it(
Found the only one photo of this bicycle in low-res. And no information about this, in old catalogues.
My seatpost clamp is clamped, and seatpost diameter now is 25.4 =(
If you know, where can i find correct seatpost diameter?
Thanks for the answer
Last edited by russo.vedjeva; 05-06-21 at 07:36 AM.
#370
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Regarding the seat post size, it's a basic hi-tensile steel frame. My recollection is that these took either a 25.4mm or 25.8mm seat post. Sometimes, the seat clamp distorts, even with the correct size seat post. Take a look at the actual cinch slot cut into the back of the seat tube. For a properly sized post, the cinch slot will be about 0.6mm narrower at the top, than at the bottom. If the correct size post is 25.8mm the cinch slot would be about 2mm narrower at the top.
#371
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@russo.vedjeva here's the poster image for the Royale. As I said, there's not much info but it's a good match visually and it came in Sky Blue.
#372
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Mystery Maruishi
Friend just bought this. Unmarked rear mech and a mix of other bits. SR quill stem. Serial number is FQ68379
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^^^^^^^^ IIRC, the entry-level Shimano RDs (whatever was below 105) had the name just printed, and it was susceptible to rubbing off over time.
I'm guessing the 105 rear shifter is an upgrade.
Front wheel is on backward.
Is that a tubing decal or shop sticker mostly obscured by the front der?
I'm guessing the 105 rear shifter is an upgrade.
Front wheel is on backward.
Is that a tubing decal or shop sticker mostly obscured by the front der?
#374
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^^The Shimano rear derailleur appears to be one of the Light Action models which came out for 1986. The bicycle itself is a 1986-1987 model.