Making the 3Rensho I can't afford
12-22-19, 04:55 PM
#1
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Making the 3Rensho I can't afford
I have always wanted a Rensho but as time goes by they get more and more expensive, $1400.00 and up
. So while surfing eBay one day I can across reproduction Rensho decals and remembered I had an old Japanese frame in the shed and started thinking why not make one? After all there is a big kit car market. The old frame was in sad shape so I had it sandblasted, did a little bodywork to it and now I have a replica 3Rensho frame. The first picture was my reference photo, the others mine. The color is not an exact match but is close enough although the bright sun makes it look way off but overall I am happy with how it turned out. I will post more as it goes together but for now it needs to cure for a little while before I start putting parts onto it. Let me know what you guys think of it.
. So while surfing eBay one day I can across reproduction Rensho decals and remembered I had an old Japanese frame in the shed and started thinking why not make one? After all there is a big kit car market. The old frame was in sad shape so I had it sandblasted, did a little bodywork to it and now I have a replica 3Rensho frame. The first picture was my reference photo, the others mine. The color is not an exact match but is close enough although the bright sun makes it look way off but overall I am happy with how it turned out. I will post more as it goes together but for now it needs to cure for a little while before I start putting parts onto it. Let me know what you guys think of it.
12-22-19, 05:10 PM
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Looks nice enough to me (looking at small pix on my phone). Will it be obvious to the untrained eye that it's a faux Rensho? My concern wouldn't be misrepresentation by you, but by whoever winds up owning it sometime after you.
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12-22-19, 05:23 PM
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Didn't someone do this with a wanna be De Rosa a year or so ago?
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12-22-19, 05:26 PM
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To each their own. Not something I would want to do, but if it makes you happy then so be it, i guess.
What was the frame originally? Based on the pics, it looks like it was at least mid-level based on the stays and dropouts, as well as the lug work on the bb shell.
What was the frame originally? Based on the pics, it looks like it was at least mid-level based on the stays and dropouts, as well as the lug work on the bb shell.
12-22-19, 06:36 PM
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Nice job, paint looks great. I certainly would've been fooled without a closer look. Good idea on the "replica" stamping as well.
As far as an actual 3rensho frame goes, you're mistaken if you think the cheapest you can get one is for $1400. On ebay, yeah, prices will be high, but you should look at the Japanese Yahoo Auctions page. For example I see a few 3rensho Super Record Export frames in really great condition for $375-700 on Yahoo Auctions now. There are sites like Jauce where you can purchase Yahoo Auctions bikes and they will automatically ship it internationally to you for about $200. So you're looking at about $600-900 for a frame. Not super cheap, but a lot better than $1400. Keep in mind that sites like Jauce will generally only ship frames, not complete bikes. I've used Jauce a couple times and they are very reliable and pack well.
https://www.jauce.com/auction/k429685458
https://www.jauce.com/auction/n390054251
https://www.jauce.com/auction/l548910914
OK, I'm done enabling
As far as an actual 3rensho frame goes, you're mistaken if you think the cheapest you can get one is for $1400. On ebay, yeah, prices will be high, but you should look at the Japanese Yahoo Auctions page. For example I see a few 3rensho Super Record Export frames in really great condition for $375-700 on Yahoo Auctions now. There are sites like Jauce where you can purchase Yahoo Auctions bikes and they will automatically ship it internationally to you for about $200. So you're looking at about $600-900 for a frame. Not super cheap, but a lot better than $1400. Keep in mind that sites like Jauce will generally only ship frames, not complete bikes. I've used Jauce a couple times and they are very reliable and pack well.
https://www.jauce.com/auction/k429685458
https://www.jauce.com/auction/n390054251
https://www.jauce.com/auction/l548910914
OK, I'm done enabling
12-22-19, 06:36 PM
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12-22-19, 07:21 PM
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Yup - who's passing out the torches and pitchforks?
I personally think it looks great, and the paintwork is super. I'd like to see that "Replica" stamping on the BB shell
DD
I personally think it looks great, and the paintwork is super. I'd like to see that "Replica" stamping on the BB shell
DD
12-22-19, 07:25 PM
#12
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Nice job, paint looks great. I certainly would've been fooled without a closer look. Good idea on the "replica" stamping as well.
As far as an actual 3rensho frame goes, you're mistaken if you think the cheapest you can get one is for $1400. On ebay, yeah, prices will be high, but you should look at the Japanese Yahoo Auctions page. For example I see a few 3rensho Super Record Export frames in really great condition for $375-700 on Yahoo Auctions now. There are sites like Jauce where you can purchase Yahoo Auctions bikes and they will automatically ship it internationally to you for about $200. So you're looking at about $600-900 for a frame. Not super cheap, but a lot better than $1400. Keep in mind that sites like Jauce will generally only ship frames, not complete bikes. I've used Jauce a couple times and they are very reliable and pack well.
https://www.jauce.com/auction/k429685458
https://www.jauce.com/auction/n390054251
https://www.jauce.com/auction/l548910914
OK, I'm done enabling
As far as an actual 3rensho frame goes, you're mistaken if you think the cheapest you can get one is for $1400. On ebay, yeah, prices will be high, but you should look at the Japanese Yahoo Auctions page. For example I see a few 3rensho Super Record Export frames in really great condition for $375-700 on Yahoo Auctions now. There are sites like Jauce where you can purchase Yahoo Auctions bikes and they will automatically ship it internationally to you for about $200. So you're looking at about $600-900 for a frame. Not super cheap, but a lot better than $1400. Keep in mind that sites like Jauce will generally only ship frames, not complete bikes. I've used Jauce a couple times and they are very reliable and pack well.
https://www.jauce.com/auction/k429685458
https://www.jauce.com/auction/n390054251
https://www.jauce.com/auction/l548910914
OK, I'm done enabling
12-22-19, 07:25 PM
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Ya shouldn't regret it. It's a free country, and life's too short 
+1 for a pic of the stamping on the BB. I like seeing a good stamping
Underappreciated metalwork, stamping is. That is, until you find a Holdsworth where you can't read half the dang number!
+1 for a pic of the stamping on the BB. I like seeing a good stamping
Underappreciated metalwork, stamping is. That is, until you find a Holdsworth where you can't read half the dang number!
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Owner & co-founder, Cycles René Hubris. Unfortunately attaching questionable braze-ons to perfectly good frames since about 2015. With style.
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12-22-19, 07:25 PM
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Bianchigirll it was the Movie Masi repro from Breaking away. What a crap storm of hate.
This looks nice and marked with replica should help clear the air.
This looks nice and marked with replica should help clear the air.
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12-22-19, 07:40 PM
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12-22-19, 07:48 PM
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It’s yours do what you want. I think it looks great, very nice work so far. I built a 1953 Ford F-100 and put
a Chevy 350 in it. I caught a lot of flak on that, but I was happy with it.
a Chevy 350 in it. I caught a lot of flak on that, but I was happy with it.
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12-22-19, 08:10 PM
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Nice job, paint looks great. I certainly would've been fooled without a closer look. Good idea on the "replica" stamping as well.
As far as an actual 3rensho frame goes, you're mistaken if you think the cheapest you can get one is for $1400. On ebay, yeah, prices will be high, but you should look at the Japanese Yahoo Auctions page. For example I see a few 3rensho Super Record Export frames in really great condition for $375-700 on Yahoo Auctions now. There are sites like Jauce where you can purchase Yahoo Auctions bikes and they will automatically ship it internationally to you for about $200. So you're looking at about $600-900 for a frame. Not super cheap, but a lot better than $1400. Keep in mind that sites like Jauce will generally only ship frames, not complete bikes. I've used Jauce a couple times and they are very reliable and pack well.
https://www.jauce.com/auction/k429685458
https://www.jauce.com/auction/n390054251
https://www.jauce.com/auction/l548910914
OK, I'm done enabling
As far as an actual 3rensho frame goes, you're mistaken if you think the cheapest you can get one is for $1400. On ebay, yeah, prices will be high, but you should look at the Japanese Yahoo Auctions page. For example I see a few 3rensho Super Record Export frames in really great condition for $375-700 on Yahoo Auctions now. There are sites like Jauce where you can purchase Yahoo Auctions bikes and they will automatically ship it internationally to you for about $200. So you're looking at about $600-900 for a frame. Not super cheap, but a lot better than $1400. Keep in mind that sites like Jauce will generally only ship frames, not complete bikes. I've used Jauce a couple times and they are very reliable and pack well.
https://www.jauce.com/auction/k429685458
https://www.jauce.com/auction/n390054251
https://www.jauce.com/auction/l548910914
OK, I'm done enabling
12-22-19, 08:18 PM
#18
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One member did a MASI using a TREK , IIRC he caught a lot of flak for that ...
I am somewhat ambivalent concerning "replica" or "tribute" bikes , however to the untrained eye one of these could end up being passed off as real to those not fully versed in a given maker of bike. As such I am starting to see a trend I am not entirely comfortable with ....
12-22-19, 08:19 PM
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12-22-19, 08:29 PM
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The replica stamping is kind of overkill. Anyone buying a 3Rensho should be knowledgeable enough to know the serial is not a 3Rensho format. I come from the camp where you should know what you are buying. I like the paint.
12-22-19, 08:38 PM
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Opened thread, squinting eyes.
Anyways, the real deal is having a Centurion made by ZUNOW.
Out
https://www.bikeforums.net/21006981-post8.html
Anyways, the real deal is having a Centurion made by ZUNOW.
Out
https://www.bikeforums.net/21006981-post8.html
12-22-19, 08:48 PM
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12-22-19, 09:27 PM
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12-22-19, 09:38 PM
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Bianchi is right. In addition to the movie Masi and the Merckx tribute, there was a bike that got turned into a DeRosa 3 or 4 years ago.
Here is my Trek in Masi mode. Add decals and it's a Masi.
Here is my Trek in Masi mode. Add decals and it's a Masi.
12-22-19, 11:01 PM
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Looks like the resident Spanish Inquisitors can put the pitchforks away now, seeing as the frame is carrying a permanent disclaimer.
I do find it fairly amusing that most upper mid-range Japanese/Taiwanese frames from the 1980's are built so nicely and consistently that they can pull off the look of a handbuilt grail bike from 10 feet away.
You can't do that with a 1970's Raleigh
-Kurt
I do find it fairly amusing that most upper mid-range Japanese/Taiwanese frames from the 1980's are built so nicely and consistently that they can pull off the look of a handbuilt grail bike from 10 feet away.
You can't do that with a 1970's Raleigh
-Kurt
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