Sekine GTO - the Beau Brummel of Bikes
#1
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Sekine GTO - the Beau Brummel of Bikes
Maybe kind of a cross between Beau Brummel, Mister T and Snoopys' Christmas tree. Advertised locally for c$1850. Original owner apparently.
Just add your own flux capacitor... and go!
Just add your own flux capacitor... and go!
#4
52psi
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There is a LOT going on there. ...and check Sekine bringing the disc-brake tech a day or two ahead of its time!
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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
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I am speechless.
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Keeping Seattle’s bike shops in business since 1978
Keeping Seattle’s bike shops in business since 1978
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I'm trying to remain speechless.
And keep dinner down, too.
And keep dinner down, too.
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Syke
“No one in this world, so far as I know — and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me — has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.”
H.L. Mencken, (1926)
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where does the plutonium go?
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Does it have one of these...
: Mike
: Mike
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Booyah Hubba-Hubba!!!
Booyah Hubba-Hubba!!!
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Oh man, The Special Fine-Tire!!! You go boy.
#10
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The GTO stood for "Get Turned Off". This sort of industrial design reminds of how Filipinos would decorate their TransAms in the 1970's or how East Indians trick out their TukTuk taxis. Glitterball from the rear view mirror!
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It's glorious!
#13
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That thing is pimp.
#14
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That ride is Awesome. C double O-L.
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Why do I suspect that this bike needs disc brakes?
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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.
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Bikes are okay, I guess.
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What, no motor? Also needs neon.
#18
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I see a brake light switch. That poor bottle generator!!!
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I've seen maybe a handful of these. I was able to obtain a serial number from one and it was mid-1970s. I was a Sekine dealer at the time and they were definitely not catalogued in the Canadian market. I've seen similar Asian models from brands such as Bridgestone, Miyata and National (Panasonic). Often, there were several models in the style in a catalog, so they appear to have been a popular style in Japan. Attached is a Bridgestone advertisement for a comparable model. The model name appears to be Astro GT. That's pretty similar to the Sekine GTO, so maybe the generic style was called GT/GTO bicycles?
Last edited by T-Mar; 02-25-19 at 07:50 AM.
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The 60 mph Speedo is pretty impressive, although my guess is this bike couldn't hit 60 if it fell off a cliff!
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Bicycle Heaven might not even have one of those.
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One thing I just noted on the Sekine is that it has been assembled with the handlebars upside down. Obviously, this was assembled by a Canadian mechanic unfamiliar with the bar style or changed by the owner to obtain a more upright position. The latter is certainly possible, given that the stem appears to have raised above maximum safe height. Attached is the Japanese catalog page showing the correct handlebar orientation. This bar style was a common feature on these bicycles.
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Poke all the fun you want at the Japanese GT/GTO bicycles but they're more practical than the American balloon tyre bicycles with their faux gas tanks and girder forks. What does a Schwinn Black Phantom weigh? 75 lbs? With narrower, higher pressure tyres and derailleur gears the GT/GTO bicycles would ride a lot easier. The combination caliper and discs brakes would also stop a lot better than the coaster brake.
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Poke all the fun you want at the Japanese GT/GTO bicycles but they're more practical than the American balloon tyre bicycles with their faux gas tanks and girder forks. What does a Schwinn Black Phantom weigh? 75 lbs? With narrower, higher pressure tyres and derailleur gears the GT/GTO bicycles would ride a lot easier. The combination caliper and discs brakes would also stop a lot better than the coaster brake.
And honestly, it looks like something that senile, eccentric guy that washes windows that every neighborhood has, would ride.
Last edited by Giacomo 1; 02-25-19 at 08:56 AM.