67tony 

Don't know much about it, except that it has some pretty cool attachments!
It might be a Katakura Silk Alpha?

Any ideas about it's era, quality, or worth?

oddjob2

Looks like it has that weird shimano ffs crank system. If true, stay away, they are a Pita.

randyjawa 

The bike looks to be mid to late seventies and of entry level quality. The bike will be quite heavy, for a road bicycle, and less than user friendly, in my opinion. None the less, it can prove to be a fun recreational ride, but little more.

Value would be minimal, depending on condition and location. Personally, I would not want the bike and frequently give such bikes away to a local non-profit organization. If you really like the bike and it is in excellent condition, $50.00 would be the most I would pay, however; were I you, I would keep looking for something that offers better Vintage Bicycle Quality.

T-Mar

The subject bicycle appears to be a early 1970s. entry level model. The most interesting feature is the rear derailleur which appears to be the relatively rare SunTour Skitter, This was SunTour's bottom of the line derailleur but rarely spec'd, at least in North America. It goes back to the mid-1960s but I don't think the bicycle is that old due to the presence of the chainring mounted guard and brake safety levers, which became popular during the boom. BTW, I don't think that is an FFS crankset. The frame is almost certainly hi-tensile steel. If this is your bicycle or if you have the serial number, I should be able to tell you the exact age, having decoded the Katakura serial number format as part of my Nishiki Serial Number Database study.

Chombi

+1 that the crankset is most likely not an FFS, The FFS cranks I've encountered through the years, I think, had aluminum crank arms and did not have cotters on it and had a one piece aluminum spider/chainring/chainring guard..........unless, the one on this bike is an older iteration of the system.....

67tony 

Thanks, everybody, for the replies. I have not yet examined the bike, since it's a CL ad in a city that I'll be visiting soon...Norfolk, VA. I was attracted to the decent-looking racks, fenders, and generator system, but at 200 clams my interest has waned!

T-Mar, great catch on the SunTour Skitter RD, if I look at the bike I'll try to verify that. Also, thanks for offering to interpret the serial number.

Here are the other pics from the ad:

T-Mar

The FFS, came in numerous versions including cottered and Astabula style. Regardless, I still don't think it's an FFS. The picture resolution isn't good enough for a postitve identification but it looks like it may be a Sinko 66.

Zbridgman

Zbridgman

Londonsworld 

I was out on a social distance ride and waiting at a red light when an older guy pulled up. He was on a chrome drop bar Katakura marked bike. Having never seen one in person I barely noticed he said good morning before he blasted away on the green. Later, I jumped on this forum to learn a bit more. I checked eBay/craigslist not really expecting to find anything and came across this ad. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Katakura-Si...4AAOSwGpBeQxTu

ramzilla

Londonsworld, you've re-opened a zombie thread.

I really don't know much about Katakura. The geometry, chrome steel lugged frame, threaded eyelets on dropouts and, flanges for down tube shifters make this particular bike appear to have been a touring bike converted to a "fixie". With 27" clincher wheels I would guess around 1980 vintage. Chrome is nice but, a little rough.

T-Mar

+1, don't be seduced by the chrome plating. It looks nice but the frame itself appears to be a mass produced, lower mid-range model from the early 1980s. The parts are a mish-mash of vintage to modern parts from various levels. Given that it was purchased as a frame, the headset is likely OEM and it's a basic steel model. Dropouts with eyelets but no other touring amenities, is indicative of a sports model, not a true racing bicycle. Definitely not worth anywhere near the asking price.

Londonsworld 

What is funny is my wife walked by while I was looking at the ebay ad. She made some remark and I assured her I wasn't interested ;-) As she walked away she reminded me I said the same thing last year...... a few weeks later my Nishiki Safari showed up...lol

E.blan

For the right price, I'm sure it'll be a great fixer upper, or a practice fixer... And its vintage, so that's a plus, no one else will have it