JeffreyS

Total newbie here. While I've long enjoyed riding bicycles, I'm just coming to understand more about how they work and how to care for them. These forums have been a great source for info, and have convinced me that a 1980s Japanese steel touring bike would be a good value for me to purchase and clean up for my first bike project. Yesterday I paid $50 for a Shogun 1500. Shop stickers suggest that this was originally sold in Flint, Michigan, about 20 miles from where I purchased it.

With credit to T-Mar's Asian Serial Number Guide, I believe that my bike with SN N3P2214 is from and unknown Japanese manufacturer from 1983 (possibly November, from the P?). Am I on the right track?

The bike has a flat handlebar, and the seller didn't have the original handlebars or brake levers. But most of the rest of the bike appears to be original and in fairly good working order. Unfortunately, I will need make a few more posts before I can add any photos.

casanewt

Congrats! $50 is an absolute steal for that bike. I really like the Alpine GT I picked up a couple of months ago.

T-Mar

Some pretty reliable anecdotal evidence suggests that the source is Tano of Japan, who were perhaps best known as a Centurion supplier. There are two schools of thought on the dating, but either way it's from late 1983 and almost certainly a 1984 model.

You can upload photos to the site now. You don't have to wait. They won't attach to a post but they will be deposited in a gallery album where members can view them. Myself or another member can assist by copying them from the gallery album posting them in this thread or posting the link.

JeffreyS

Thanks, T-Mar. I'm grateful for the additional info. 1984 is about when my 12-year-old self got my first new bike. I vaguely remember that it was a Murray bike. More importantly at the time, it was red. Alas, it wasn't anywhere near the quality as this Shogun, and I am certain that it hasn't aged as well.

I do see that the photos that I uploaded of the Shogun (but wasn't permitted to post) have appeared in a gallery album. Anyone who wishes to is welcome to post or link to them here.

T-Mar

I can't do a photo assist because they're html files, so here's the link for other members to view, https://www.bikeforums.net/g/user/521365

ramzilla

Just finished this Red Shogun 300. Started with a bare frame I got on ebay. Built it up with a 6 speed Shimano 600 drivetrain and, some newer wheels. I've got no idea what year it is or, how it was originally equipped. It's all dialed in with about 30 miles on it. A very fast bike.

T-Mar

It's a 1986 model manufactured by Yamaguchi of Japan in late 1985. I have specs for the 1986 Shogun 400 but not the 300. It looks like they both used the same frame (i.e Tange 900 with Mangaloy forks and stays). The Shogun 400 was Shimano Z-series with a Light Action rear derailleur.

ramzilla

Thank's for the help T-Mar. You are master of bicycle knowledge. This red one is pretty scratched up but, not rusty. Frame is very straight and it rolls well on the 2 year old wheels with Origin 8 sealed cartridge bearing hubs. Has a nice relaxed geometry for a smooth ride. Weighs 24 lbs. on my luggage scale.

ramzilla

1986 Shogun 300

T-Mar

That weight is probably pretty accurate, as the stock 400 was a claimed 24.5 lbs. for a 23" frame.

ryansu

Hi T-Mar here is a recent pick up of a Shogun Prairie breaker I MTB. with a serial of M5K57089 Perhaps October of 85 if no I in 3rd spot so late 85 for the 86 model year??

StaalPrins

Hi! I am a new user and recently bought a Shogun with Serial # Y0B2469, which should be a frame build in Feb-1980? Not sure which model this is and which components were installed originally. I would like to know this. Also the paint is too damaged and require new painting, so i am looking for the RAL color if this is possible to track. I tried to upload photo’s but it does not allow me as i am a new user. Any solution for this. Any help or advise on my questions would be really great! Thanks a lot in advance!

tsa_ind

Hi T-Mar
I got this bike in bad condition. The condition of the paint is very damaged and does not have a decal (bike sticker). I assume this is shogun because they have the same serial number.
Features of the bike I got:
SN: M0J59138
Rim: Araya 27 x 1 1/4
Crank, Rd, Fd, Shifter, BB: Shimano 600 Arabesque
Freehub: Shimano 600 arabesque with 5 speed sprocket (cassette)
Bar: has japan stamp
brake set: Weinmann
fork: Tange


is this bike really shogun? if so, what type of shogun?

best regards

T-Mar

Welcome to the forums. Based on the serial number, your frame was manufactured in 1980 by Miki of Japan. While it could be a Shogun, Miki was a contract manufacturer who built bicycles for numerous companies, so there are many other possibilities. The 600EX drivetrain is era and source appropriate but I wouldn't expect the Weinmann brakeset and rims on a Japanese manufactured bicycle of this era. The 600EX drivetrain, assuming it is OEM, would indicate a mid-range model. Photos may help in identification.

kmerskine

Late to the game, but here is mine. Shogun # M3G52354.

tsa_ind

wow, thankyou !
i will post the photos.. right now i can’t post it 🥲

stanemal

Does anyone know how to use the above model number and serial number to determine the age of this mountain bike?

T-Mar

The serial number indicates that it manufacture during a year ending in "6" by Merida of Taiwan. There were no production ATBs in 1976 and Shogun was virtually non-existent in 1996, it should be from 1986. Photos would help corroborate the year.

Thunderlips

I have a Shogun 800 - Made in Japan - Double Butted - Chromoly - Tange 2 - # S505991

Would that be a May of 85 manufacture date?

Will post pics when I get enough posts.

T-Mar

That serial number can be reverse engineered mutliple ways. Based on what I've seen on other Shogun models, the most likely format would represent 1985 but does not have a month stratifier. Still, it would appear to be from early enough in the calendar year to be a 1985 model, While they won't attach to your post, you can upload photos now. They'll upload to gallery album where memebers can view them.

Thunderlips

I believe the Technomic Stem, Nito Bars, and seat post are original. Also had Shimano 600 components and Araya wheels when I got it. Serial number was on the bottom of the bottom bracket.

T-Mar

While the fade paint scheme is atypical for Shogun of the era (usually they are one main colour with a contrasting head tube), I have seen one of these before. It had the friction version of Shimano New 600EX components. New 600EX was 1984-1987 but they came out with an SIS version that most manufacturers went spec'd in 1986-1987. Consequently, I was perplexed with what seemed to be 1984-1985 components on a frame having a paint scheme that was more typical of 1986-1987. The serial number was reported as 6505900, which I thought strange, as I had never seen a Shogun with a purely numeric serial number. Now, taking your serial number in account, it was likely S505900. The two serial numbers are close enough that the biycles are likely from the same production lot. Looking at the evidence from both bicycles, I'm strongly leaning towards a 1985 model.

You can see the other Shogun 800 and read the discussion here; https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...hoto-test.html

Thunderlips

Yes. I got mine with all the same components. Friction levers and derailleurs were RD-6207 and FD-6207. Thanks for the info!

The Trashman

Does anyone know much about the Ground Breakers? The only catalogs I could find mention a 26" MTB, but the one I have is a 700c hybrid, taiwanese mig welded frame and had shimano 200gs groupset on it. The serial number is MQKT56834.

T-Mar

While I don't know how to reverse engineer that particular serial number format, the presence of Shimano 200GS narrows the model years down to 1990 to 1992 and would make it an entry level model.. Fortunately, I have the Shogun price lists for all three years and the only one listing the Ground Breaker hybrids is 1991. There were three Ground Breaker hybrids and the 200GS model was the lowest, being known as the Ground Breaker I (one). The original MSRP was $329 US.