Road Test/Bike Review (1975) Four Top Japanese Racing Bikess
07-01-20, 03:48 AM
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Road Test/Bike Review (1975) Four Top Japanese Racing Bikess
FUJI Professional, BRIDGESTONE KABUKI DR-3K Diamond Road, MIYATA MX-P Professional, and PANASONIC Professional are reviewed.
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WTB: Bike World issue Jun 1974.
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WTB: Bike World issue Jun 1974.
Last edited by SpeedofLite; 07-01-20 at 03:53 AM.
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07-01-20, 06:48 AM
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I want a full 531 frameset for 138 bucks!
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07-01-20, 07:55 AM
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I'd love to have those four in my bike room! I have the Fuji Pro, now I need to find the others.
Scott
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07-01-20, 08:33 AM
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Not super up on my old Bridgestone but IIRC Diamond was one of their high end lines behind the top of the line "Grand Velo" (which showed up a bit on US-sold Bridgestone road bikes into the 80s). Good stuff
07-01-20, 09:27 AM
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Love the article!! Now to find a Panasonic Professional.............
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07-01-20, 10:13 AM
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The Fuji description clarifies that the "mink" color is silver, not any shade of blue as some Raleigh discussions periodically seem to imply (mink/blue was two-tone).
I've got a Fuji Pro with the same 75ST x 74HT angles and it's one of the best for spirited riding.
I've got a Fuji Pro with the same 75ST x 74HT angles and it's one of the best for spirited riding.
07-01-20, 05:45 PM
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Wondering if this was the Bridgestone I had growing up on Okinawa. Same bike that took a dive off of a 6 story dorm
07-01-20, 06:32 PM
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C'mon, give it up.
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07-01-20, 07:12 PM
#9
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Sorry. I was a young man then, only interested in what lay over the next rice paddy at the time. Folks bought me a BS bike very similar to the description in the article. Rode it everywhere on the island( 67 miles long and 20 at its widest)
Back to the US to begin college it was stolen out of my dorm room( by my drunk dorm mate) and subsequently hefted out the 6th floor window.
Cried when the campus police brought me the smashed remains back to me.
Back to the US to begin college it was stolen out of my dorm room( by my drunk dorm mate) and subsequently hefted out the 6th floor window.
Cried when the campus police brought me the smashed remains back to me.
07-01-20, 07:42 PM
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Sorry. I was a young man then, only interested in what lay over the next rice paddy at the time. Folks bought me a BS bike very similar to the description in the article. Rode it everywhere on the island( 67 miles long and 20 at its widest)
Back to the US to begin college it was stolen out of my dorm room( by my drunk dorm mate) and subsequently hefted out the 6th floor window.
Cried when the campus police brought me the smashed remains back to me.
Back to the US to begin college it was stolen out of my dorm room( by my drunk dorm mate) and subsequently hefted out the 6th floor window.
Cried when the campus police brought me the smashed remains back to me.
Thanks for sharing.
Did you seek restitution?
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WTB: Slingshot bicycle promotional documents (catalog, pamphlets, etc).
WTB: American Cycling May - Aug, Oct, Dec 1966.
WTB: Bicycle Guide issues 1984 (any); Jun 1987; Jul, Nov/Dec 1992; Apr 1994; 1996 -1998 (any)
WTB: Bike World issue Jun 1974.
WTB: Slingshot bicycle promotional documents (catalog, pamphlets, etc).
WTB: American Cycling May - Aug, Oct, Dec 1966.
WTB: Bicycle Guide issues 1984 (any); Jun 1987; Jul, Nov/Dec 1992; Apr 1994; 1996 -1998 (any)
WTB: Bike World issue Jun 1974.
07-01-20, 08:05 PM
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09-26-20, 10:39 PM
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Any photos of your bike DDDD? I recently picked up a 1975 model. I love the ride but would like to find one in better condition.
09-27-20, 08:35 AM
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Certainly one of the better reviews I’ve read from that era. Devoid of the usual poetic waxing and over-analysis of binder bolt design.
Makes me wish I was of age to experience these machines back then. Alas, I was still futzing about on my banana seat All Pro oblivious to the pending BMX storm that would keep me addicted to cycling for the rest of my years.
Makes me wish I was of age to experience these machines back then. Alas, I was still futzing about on my banana seat All Pro oblivious to the pending BMX storm that would keep me addicted to cycling for the rest of my years.
09-27-20, 09:11 AM
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When I was a kid, my LBS: Whitman's Bike Shop in Dayton Ohio had a pearlescent orange Kabuki Diamond Road on display. It was lovely with the 1st gen Dura Ace black anodized components. The black anodized brake calipers, chainrings and low flange hubs combined with the gold freewheel and chain. Very motivational. I had a second hand Nishiki International that I fitted an inexpensive set of tubular wheels onto and it had SunTour barcons on it that built into a very capable road bike for very little money. I sold it to a friend for $135 and he and I were both happy with the deal.
To this day, that pearlescent orange color of the Diamond Road still captures the imagination.
To this day, that pearlescent orange color of the Diamond Road still captures the imagination.
09-27-20, 09:24 AM
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Four new bikes to want! WOOHOO!
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A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
