Help identifying Japanese vintage bike
02-02-15, 01:08 AM
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Help identifying Japanese vintage bike
02-02-15, 02:01 AM
#2
Ride, Wrench, Swap, Race
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Northern California
Posts: 9,193
Bikes: Cheltenham-Pedersen racer, Boulder F/S Paris-Roubaix, Varsity racer, '52 Christophe, '62 Continental, '92 Merckx, '75 Limongi, '76 Presto, '72 Gitane SC, '71 Schwinn SS, etc.
Mentioned: 132 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1565 Post(s)
Liked 1,295 Times
in
865 Posts
The brake calipers appear to be a 1980's Bridgestone exclusive, and the crankset also looks to be one used by Bridgestone.
Some kind of touring bike I think.
Seatpost is a Japanese copy of a brazed-steel Simplex post, I haven't seen that before.
Some kind of touring bike I think.
Seatpost is a Japanese copy of a brazed-steel Simplex post, I haven't seen that before.
02-09-15, 10:13 PM
#3
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
the seat post has "Belt" on it. Tried looking for a similar seat on the internet but couldn't find one so far. Its leather with adjustable "tension". brake levers have "dia compe" on them
02-10-15, 07:19 AM
#4
Thrifty Bill
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Mountains of Western NC
Posts: 23,524
Bikes: 86 Katakura Silk, 87 Prologue X2, 88 Cimarron LE, 1975 Sekai 4000 Professional, 73 Paramount, plus more
Mentioned: 96 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1236 Post(s)
Liked 964 Times
in
628 Posts
Given age and repaint, who knows if any of the parts are original. So identifying a bike by its parts can be at best a guess. Of my eight main keepers right now, only two have original parts on them.
In your case, all it takes is a Bridgestone donor bike, and all of a sudden, all of the parts scream Bridgestone.
Last bike I had with Bridgestone brakes on it was not a Bridgestone.
How do you know it is Japanese?
Also, most Japanese brands were marketing brands, companies that did not make their own bikes. Brands like Nishiki, Centurion, Lotus, Univega, etc., did not make bikes. Even brands that made bikes contracted out a portion of their production to others: Bianchi, Schwinn, Raleigh, etc. all had Japanese companies make bikes for them.
In your case, all it takes is a Bridgestone donor bike, and all of a sudden, all of the parts scream Bridgestone.
Last bike I had with Bridgestone brakes on it was not a Bridgestone.
How do you know it is Japanese?
Also, most Japanese brands were marketing brands, companies that did not make their own bikes. Brands like Nishiki, Centurion, Lotus, Univega, etc., did not make bikes. Even brands that made bikes contracted out a portion of their production to others: Bianchi, Schwinn, Raleigh, etc. all had Japanese companies make bikes for them.
Last edited by wrk101; 02-10-15 at 07:27 AM.
09-21-19, 09:33 AM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Alta California
Posts: 14,251
Mentioned: 415 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3806 Post(s)
Liked 3,331 Times
in
2,173 Posts
-----
Belt brand saddle pillars are a product of YFC.
Several models were offered.
Here is a catalogue page from the maker, dated 1973.
-----
Belt brand saddle pillars are a product of YFC.
Several models were offered.
Here is a catalogue page from the maker, dated 1973.
-----
09-21-19, 09:47 AM
#6
Friendship is Magic
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 22,984
Bikes: old ones
Mentioned: 304 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26400 Post(s)
Liked 10,373 Times
in
7,202 Posts
...I have to agree that the components on a bicycle this old will tell you little that is definite about frame origin. The frame serial number , OTOH, might lead you somewhere. Check out the wonderful thread by @T-Mar on Asian serial numbers and see if that helps any.
09-21-19, 11:17 AM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 23,223
Mentioned: 654 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4722 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3,036 Times
in
1,874 Posts
The serial number format is consistent with Bridgestone and is from the grey period where it could be either a 1981 or 1982 model. The brakes, stem, crankset and particularly the bosses in the fork crown, are consistent with the Japanese market Bridgestone Roadman series.
09-21-19, 12:33 PM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Maryland, USA
Posts: 2,429
Bikes: Drysdale/Gitane/Zeus/Masi/Falcon/Palo Alto/Raleigh/Legnano
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 981 Post(s)
Liked 631 Times
in
402 Posts
That stem is cool looking. Seat post, too.
__________________
Larry:1958 Drysdale, 1961 Gitane Gran Sport, 1974 Zeus track, 1988 Masi Gran Corsa, 1974 Falcon, 1980 Palo Alto, 1973 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1974 Legnano. Susan: 1976 Windsor Profesional.
Larry:1958 Drysdale, 1961 Gitane Gran Sport, 1974 Zeus track, 1988 Masi Gran Corsa, 1974 Falcon, 1980 Palo Alto, 1973 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1974 Legnano. Susan: 1976 Windsor Profesional.
09-21-19, 01:06 PM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 23,223
Mentioned: 654 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4722 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3,036 Times
in
1,874 Posts
09-21-19, 01:35 PM
#11
Friendship is Magic
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 22,984
Bikes: old ones
Mentioned: 304 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26400 Post(s)
Liked 10,373 Times
in
7,202 Posts
09-21-19, 02:44 PM
#12
Ride, Wrench, Swap, Race
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Northern California
Posts: 9,193
Bikes: Cheltenham-Pedersen racer, Boulder F/S Paris-Roubaix, Varsity racer, '52 Christophe, '62 Continental, '92 Merckx, '75 Limongi, '76 Presto, '72 Gitane SC, '71 Schwinn SS, etc.
Mentioned: 132 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1565 Post(s)
Liked 1,295 Times
in
865 Posts
09-21-19, 05:44 PM
#13
Junior Member
That looks like it could be a Belt (Fujita) saddle to go with the Belt Seatpost. I can't make out the markings on the side of the saddle in the photo, but maybe the link will help. Those saddles were renowned for their, um, firm support.
rev: or maybe a Fujita professional. I've no experience with those, but they look just like a Brooks Professional.
rev: or maybe a Fujita professional. I've no experience with those, but they look just like a Brooks Professional.
Last edited by agnewton; 09-21-19 at 09:26 PM. Reason: more info...
09-21-19, 06:04 PM
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 4,624
Bikes: iele Latina, Miele Suprema, Miele Uno LS, Miele Miele Beta, MMTB, Bianchi Model Unknown, Fiori Venezia, Fiori Napoli, VeloSport Adamas AX
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1324 Post(s)
Liked 927 Times
in
640 Posts
