Sekai Bicycle Database
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x...psdcc14142.jpg
A typical example of a late 70's Sekai 2700. Sekai Bicycles:was bought out in 1983 by Norco, Production of Sekai Bicycles stopped in 1990 completely. Sekai was a private label brand that had their frames contract manufactured by a number of sources. One of those sources was Miki, a Japanese manufacturer. Miki manufactured bicycles for several brands, including but not limited to, Centurion, Norco, Raleigh, Sakai, Sekai and Shogun. Your serial number matches the format used by Miki and indicates it was manufactured in the 2nd fortnight of a year ending in 1 (i.e. 1971, 1981, 1991, etc.). The exact year can typically be determined from frame features. T-mar I'm going to attempt to put as much information as possible about Sekai bikes here in this thread, if you have something to add or correct etc please chime in. The Information: Backstory for the company Article on History/Value in current market Models Produced Catalogs/Brochures etc. Decals Dating by serial Known Serials Credits and thanks for links/info: T-Mar as can be seen throughout this thread, yellowjersey cyclery, retrobike.co, classicrendezvous.com, Don Gillies,re-cycle.com, sekaibmx.wordpress.com and anyone who posted in this thread or PMed me more info.. |
do you only want road bike sekai info?
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Models Produced:"The higher the model number, the better the bike was the general rule. You will find though, that you'd be better off referring to this listing below and drawing your own conclusion. (They are not listed by quality, but rather model number, although the general rule applies). Most frames used Tange tubing.
120 Commutor (3 speed - incorrect spelling per Sekai literature, not sure if intentiontial) 150 Cummutor (5 speed)* 175 Folding (3 speed) 16 inch wheels, 350 Superhawk (Tubing 4130) 360 (1980 model)“Firefox” Champion 4130 Cro-Moly 3 Main tubes, 4.6lbs, Chrome Plated. Tange #500W Cro-Moly Fork, Chrome Plated. Takagi One-Piece Crank with a 5-pin Spider and Alloy Ring UKAI “72″ Alloy Rims. Suzue BMX Hubs, Silver. Kashimax Turbo Saddle. 25 lbs Total 380 Viper (Mild Steel/Hi-Ten) 400 – Tange, high carbon, plain gauge tubing; 26.0mm seat post; cottered cranks, Dia-Compe center-pull brakes; Shimano Lark (rear) and Thunderbird (front) derailleurs with stem shifters. This is on par or just above your run of the mill department store bargain buy. 410 Steel rims, cottered cranks, stem shifters, turkey levers (Unconfirmed but highly likely) 500 - Tange, high carbon, plain gauge tubing; 26.0mm seat post; alloy cranks; SunTour Honor (rear) and Spirt (front) derailleurs; Dia-Compe center-pull brakes. 750 Saquatch (MTB)Tange No. 5 Cro-Moly Butted Tubes ,Sun Tour shifter, Front and Back DR Suntour Mountech, Crank Sugino, 18 speed, Dia-Compe Brakes, Araya 26 X 1.75 rims Sekai Sasquatch. the serial number is Y6A2746. It is an 18 speed, the size is 18" frame Cro-Mo Tapered Double butted tubing (Infinity), shimano crank, shimano M-5 selectors, Dia-compe Cantilever Brakes, suntour XC sport derailleurs, 26" rims, sakae MT CR-MO Bar with ritchey grips, SR MTS-100 Stem It's a 1986 model manufactured in January by Yamaguchi of Japan and designed by Norco of Canada, who had acquired the brand about three years earlier. Norco offered the same model in Canada under their eponymous brand. The spec'd geometry is typical for the early ATBs, with shallow angles (68 head & 70 seat) and a long (44") wheelbase. Claimed weight was 32 lbs. Original price was $435 US. I'd classify it as a mid-range model for the era. 1000 Sprint (early 80s) - Tange, hi-tensile, single butted tubing; 26.2mm seat post; SunTour Seven derailleur, alloy bars and stem. 1000 Royal 1400 Magnus GT 1500 Tange High Carbon Standard Gauge tubing, Sugino Cranks, Front derailer: Suntour 7, Rear derailer: Suntour 7 GT,Shifters: Suntour stem friction, Brakes: Dia-Compe Center Pull, Handlebars: SR (Sakae) 'North Road' mustache-like bars, Stem: SR (Sakae) 2000 Super SX (early 80s) - Tange frame, Tange Hi Ten fork, Tange headset, Sugino Gt cranks, SunTour VgT (rear) derailleur, SunTour (front) derailleur, SunTour Perfect 6-speed freewheel, Dia-Compe side-pull brakes, 27 x 1 ¼” Araya alloy rims, Suzue rear hub, SR stem. 1978 Sekai Limited 2400, 62cm, 10 speed (2x5). Tange high tensile steel butted tubes throughout. Upgrades: 42cm bar, bar end shifters, newer wheels. (I have the original shifters and wheels if you want them instead.) Comes with pedals. Good condition. No shifter or water bottle bosses on the frame. 2400 (1981) Sugino Bottom Bracket, V-GT luxe RD, Super Maxy crankset, Suntour DT shifters, tange 1 fork, 27 inch araya aluminum rims. 2400(1985) Tange #2 Frame, suntour adjustable dropouts, suntour ARX derailers, suntour barcon shifters, 27 inch araya aluminum rims. 1981 2400 SER# Y1N2928 Made in Japan Green Tubing Decal: " Mangaloy Butted Manganese Alloy Tubing Tange Industries Ltd. " Suntour VGT Luxe Rear Derailleur Suntour 7 Front Derailleur Suntour Power Shifters on downtube Suntour Perfect 6-speed Freewheel Suzue Juno small flange hubs with quick release Front n Back Araya 27 1/4" Aluminum rims 36h Sugino Super Maxy Crankset MKS Quill-2 pedals SR stem SR Road Champion Handlebars Dia Compe black anodized brake calipers Dia Compe Q/R Levers with gum hoods Black Sekai Deluxe Saddle Kashimax 26.2 Aluminum seat post 2500 Grandtour Frame; Tange Champion #2 FD/RD; Suntour ARX w/clamp on DT shifters Crankset; Sugino GT w/add on triple Wheels; Suzue hubs/Araya rims Frame Sekai 2500 Special Serial # K8H03368 Handlebars Sakae Custom Shifters Suntour Ratcheting Powerthumb Barcon Shifters Front Deraileur Suntour Compe V Rear Deraileur Shimano Crane GS DR-102 Cassette Maeda (suntour) Perfect 8.8.8 PF 5 speed. Crankset/Arm Sugino Maxy 165 Arm 52 Brakes Silver Dia-Compe 610 Brake levers Weinmann Red Dot Type 500 Bearings Suzue SATN 0.5 Rims Ukai 27"x1.25" W/O LA Pedals Lyotard 136R Saddle Selle Italia Touring Frame Pump Primus Sekai Grandtour 2500 64cm (25.25") 58.5cm top tube 27 in wheels 27 x 1 3/8 Kenda tires Suntour AR LI derailer Suntour Cyclone front derailer Suntour Power shifters Moxy cranks Sekai seat (not so great condition) Raleigh headset Raleigh handlebars Dia-Compe break levers Dia-Compe front and rear brakes Serial# 77G90258 Sekai 2500 Grandtour 18 speed Colour: Dark Red Frame: 21”. Front & Rear Derailleur: Suntour Mountech DT Shifters: Suntour Crankset: Sugino GT Chainrings x 3 Pedals: MKS GR8 (Japan) Hubs: Suzue Rims: 27” No identifying labels but assumed to be original Brakes: Dia Compe Serial No. 365450 Made in Japan sticker Sekai 2500 1979 Super Maxy Crankset Suntour Cyclcone RD/FD Tange Peerless tubing Serial Number YOL8103 Sekai 2500 GT: Suntour shift levers, Dia-compe brakes, Sugino crankset, Mountech front, Shimano rear der, Nitto stem and bars. Tange #2 Six digit serial (!) 365519 2600: 1985 was a club racer that sold for $325. The main triangle is Tange 900, which was a seamed, butted CrMo tubeset. Forks and stays are slightly downgraded with Tange Mangaloy. Angles are typical club racing for the era, with a 73 head and 72.5 seat. Wheelbase is spec'd 39.9", 16.4" chainstays, 1.9" rake, 22.6" top tube. Quoted figures are for a 23" frame. 2600 (1987 model) Tange Infinity Tubing, Mangalloy Fork, 105 components and gold araya rims. Nitto bars and stem. 2600: Eurosport Dia-Compe 500 brakes 2700 Examples: Sekai 2700 Gt Deluxe Color; Blue Frame; Tange Double Butted/Hi-Ten throughout FD/RD; Suntour Cyclone w/banded DT shifters Crankset; Sugino Mighty Tour w/Sugino BB Wheels; Shimano hubs/Araya rims Sekai 2700 Gt Deluxe Color; Tan Frame; Tange Champion..........decal does not designate any number, Pro, etc. FD/RD; Suntour Vx w/Suntour barend shifters Crankset; Sugino Mighty Tour w/Sugino BB Wheels; Shimano hubs/Araya rims 2750 (MTB) 3000, Ac 500 brakes ,Suntour Symmetric shifters, suntour arx derailer, sugino gt cranks techmomic stem, nitto olypaid 115 bars, 12 speed Cro Frame. 1988(Highly likely, but unconfirmed) Tri-Comp, 3000: Decent quality, 600 components, SN M4B00246 indicates it's Miki manufactured in early 1984. No dealer sticker. Ugly seat and downtube decals a little curled and not perfectly applied. Model name (Tri Comp) on left side top tube only. Champion 2 tubing. 4000 Criterium – (1973) Ishiwata tubing possibly until 1975 when Sekai went to mainly Tange. Tange Champion #1 Tubing .06x.05 Cr-Moly throughout, Lugs tange short point with cutouts,Shimano SF micro adjusting dropouts, headset tange Falcon, 5000 Tange Professional .06 x .03 double butted Cr-Moly, Lugs tange short point with cutouts, Shimano SF micro adjusting dropouts, Headset Tange Levin Extralight competition, seat lug tange allen key seat pin. Unnumbered models or unknown numbers Sekai Magnum S7 Norco era Tange #2 Cro-Moly Chocolate brown paint with a cream head tube Top mounted downtube shifters (with a protruding square boss underneath it) Two sets of bottle cage bosses on the top and bottom of the downtube Nitto stem and Nitto Grand Randonneur drop bars Sella Italia saddle Dia Comp canti breaks SunTour Cyclone M-II drive Sugino triple crank (not sure what model) Araya 700C wheels (presta valves, 40 spokes) Magnum GT: Cranks: Sugino GT 110/74 Serial: Y4A2427 (indicates 1984) Mountaineer (MTB) Mountaineer SL (MTB) Cherokee (MTB) Bush Plot (MTB) Everest (MTB) Kokanee (MTB) Bigfoot (MTB) Sekai Bigfoot MTB Welded OS 4130 frame and 4130 fork 31 lbs w/light and kickstand. Shimano Light Action thumbies and derailleurs. Sugino VP triple Serial number F701*** Oswego(possibly MTB)" http://www.re-cycle.com/History/sekai.aspx Sekai Navigation: Backstory for the company Article on History/Value in current market Catalogs/Brochures etc. Decals Dating by serial Known Serials |
I have a sekai 1000 from 83, maybe 82. lugged hi-ten frame, it had suntour honor rd. alloy araya rims, not sure about the rest. it's collecting dust in my parents basement, wheel less. I will check other parts next time I am over there.
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Dating by serial: A large number of Sekai frames came from Kawamura, thus you may find this of use, if your format doesn't match however do not fret simply refer to the information that follows the Kawamura info.
Originally Posted by T-Mar
(Post 6205880)
Kawamura manufactured frames (1972-1987*)
Serial number format XYZZZZZ where: X is a letter indicating the market using the following codes: A= Australia C = Canada (pre-1985) E = Europe K = USA (pre 1985) W = USA (1985-1987*) Y is a letter indicating the last digit of the manufacturing calendar year, where A =1, B = 2, C = 3… J = 0. Exception is letter S, used on all frames prior to 1975. ZZZZZ is a five or six digit number, apparently representing a sequential frame manufac turing number for the year (or era in the case of pre 1975 frames) Example 1: KA24587 is the 24,787th frame produced in 1981 for the US market. Example 2: CG231117 is the 23,117th frame produced in 1977 for the Canadian market. Example 3: WE54612 is the 54,612th frame produced in 1985 for the US market. * Serial number format may extend beyond 1987, but there are no reported examples, to date. 70's At least for some Sekais the Y## format and M## one should actually equate ## with the last two digits of their respective year IE. Y77 is 1977, however this does not apply to all Sekai formats.. apparently not even all Mikki or Yamaguchi manufactured frames. Please consult with specs and pictures if you feel your serial is not matching to format. 80's Yamaguchi/Mikki made Sekai frames refer to the quote from T-mar.
Originally Posted by T-Mar
(Post 6881367)
Apparently, Miki made both Sekai and Sakai frames. Sekai frames were manufactured by Miki and assembled by Sakai Export. It not uncommon for a manufacturer to produce more than one brand. The serial number format should be Myfxxxx, where y is a number designating the year and f is a letter designating the fortnight. The same serial number format shows on on some Norco and Centurion models, though it is unclear whether these frames were made by Miki or another manufacturer with the same serial number format. For instance, Merida of Taiwan uses the same format.
Originally Posted by T-Mar
(Post 7668620)
The DSBM serial numbers in my database indicate that the 1st number is the year of manufacture. Additionally, the 2nd and 3rd numbers may well be the month indicator. To date, there has only been one example where the the 2nd and 3rd number combination fell outside 01 to 12, however that serial number suspiciously had only 7 numbers, as opposed to the standard 8 numbers in all my other samples. Consequently, I suspect a transposition error but never did get corroboration from the owner.
Backstory for the company Article on History/Value in current market Models Produced Catalogs/Brochures etc. Decals Known Serials |
sure thing. next time i'm up there i'll get the number and snap a couple pics. it's in pretty rough shape. last ridden in 93 with an mtb rear wheel (I busted two rims bunny hopping curbs in college)
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http://www.yellowjersey.org/SEKAI75.JPG 1975 catalog at yellow jersey
http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/gal...2_itemId=25384 Very cool set of reviews/specs from '77. Catalog photo dump courtesy of Claegrid |
OEM decals can be purchased here: http://www.yellowjersey.org/sekai.html
A few img files for the industrious. http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x...oke/sekaio.png http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x...ke/sekrev2.jpg http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x...ke/sekrev1.jpg http://www.classicrendezvous.com/ima...kai/header.jpg Sekai Navigation: Backstory for the company Article on History/Value in current market Models Produced Catalogs/Brochures etc. Dating by serial Known Serials |
'80 Sekai 2000 Super SX
Serial Number - Y0F5767 62cm seat-tube cc Tange frame, Tange Hi Ten fork, Tange headset, Sugino SuperMaxy cranks, SunTour 7 derailleurs/shifters, SunTour Perfect 6-speed freewheel, Dia-Compe center-pull brakes, 27 x 1 ¼” Araya alloy rims, Suzue hubs w/Sekai decals, Alps stem and Bars. Purchased at Valley Cyclery in Auburn, WA This bike was picked up by a friend and given to me in filthy condition. But, it cleaned up pretty nice. I've put on new tires/tubes and tape. (Mite redo this with blue cloth, as I did a pretty poor job. I'm used to using nicer cork tape). I rebuilt the bottom-bracket and tuned the drive-train. Rides nice but its a bit big for me and won't be ridden in favor of my other bikes. I'd like to sell it to someone that could put it to better use. Anyone want to give an appraisal for me or should I re-post in that section? http://i437.photobucket.com/albums/q...Photo250-1.jpg http://i437.photobucket.com/albums/q...i/Photo257.jpg http://i437.photobucket.com/albums/q...i/Photo256.jpg http://i437.photobucket.com/albums/q...i/Photo255.jpg http://i437.photobucket.com/albums/q...i/Photo254.jpg http://i437.photobucket.com/albums/q...i/Photo253.jpg http://i437.photobucket.com/albums/q...i/Photo252.jpg http://i437.photobucket.com/albums/q...i/Photo251.jpg |
Original front page
Sekai Bicycle Database Sekai Bicycles were bought out in 1983 by Norco, Production of Sekai Bicycles stopped in 1990 completely. I'm going to attempt to put as much information as possible about Sekai bikes here in this thread, if you have something to add or correct etc please chime in. Backstory for the company: http://www.classicrendezvous.com/Japan/Sekai_main.htm Article on History/Value in current market http://www.ece.ubc.ca/~gillies/sekai..._VALUATION.txt Models Produced: "The higher the model number, the better the bike was the general rule. You will find though, that you'd be better off referring to this listing below and drawing your own conclusion. (They are not listed by quality, but rather model number, although the general rule applies). Most frames used Tange tubing. 120 Commutor (3 speed - incorrect spelling per Sekai literature, not sure if intentiontial) 150 Cummutor (5 speed)* 175 Folding (3 speed) 16 inch wheels, 350 Superhawk (Tubing 4130) 360 (1980 model)“Firefox” Champion 4130 Cro-Moly 3 Main tubes, 4.6lbs, Chrome Plated. Tange #500W Cro-Moly Fork, Chrome Plated. Takagi One-Piece Crank with a 5-pin Spider and Alloy Ring UKAI “72″ Alloy Rims. Suzue BMX Hubs, Silver. Kashimax Turbo Saddle. 25 lbs Total 380 Viper (Mild Steel/Hi-Ten) 400 – Tange, high carbon, plain gauge tubing; 26.0mm seat post; cottered cranks, Dia-Compe center-pull brakes; Shimano Lark (rear) and Thunderbird (front) derailleurs with stem shifters. This is on par or just above your run of the mill department store bargain buy. 410 Steel rims, cottered cranks, stem shifters, turkey levers (Unconfirmed but highly likely) 500 - Tange, high carbon, plain gauge tubing; 26.0mm seat post; alloy cranks; SunTour Honor (rear) and Spirt (front) derailleurs; Dia-Compe center-pull brakes. 750 Saquatch (MTB)Tange No. 5 Cro-Moly Butted Tubes ,Sun Tour shifter, Front and Back DR Suntour Mountech, Crank Sugino, 18 speed, Dia-Compe Brakes, Araya 26 X 1.75 rims 1000 Sprint (early 80s) - Tange, hi-tensile, single butted tubing; 26.2mm seat post; SunTour Seven derailleur, alloy bars and stem. 1000 Royal 1400 Magnus GT 1500 Tange High Carbon Standard Gauge tubing, Sugino Cranks, Front derailer: Suntour 7, Rear derailer: Suntour 7 GT,Shifters: Suntour stem friction, Brakes: Dia-Compe Center Pull, Handlebars: SR (Sakae) 'North Road' mustache-like bars, Stem: SR (Sakae) 2000 Super SX (early 80s) - Tange frame, Tange Hi Ten fork, Tange headset, Sugino Gt cranks, SunTour VgT (rear) derailleur, SunTour (front) derailleur, SunTour Perfect 6-speed freewheel, Dia-Compe side-pull brakes, 27 x 1 ¼” Araya alloy rims, Suzue rear hub, SR stem. 1978 Sekai Limited 2400, 62cm, 10 speed (2x5). Tange high tensile steel butted tubes throughout. Upgrades: 42cm bar, bar end shifters, newer wheels. (I have the original shifters and wheels if you want them instead.) Comes with pedals. Good condition. No shifter or water bottle bosses on the frame. 2400 (1981) Sugino Bottom Bracket, V-GT luxe RD, Super Maxy crankset, Suntour DT shifters, tange 1 fork, 27 inch araya aluminum rims. 2400(1985) Tange #2 Frame, suntour adjustable dropouts, suntour ARX derailers, suntour barcon shifters, 27 inch araya aluminum rims. 2500 Grandtour Frame; Tange Champion #2 FD/RD; Suntour ARX w/clamp on DT shifters Crankset; Sugino GT w/add on triple Wheels; Suzue hubs/Araya rims 2600: 1985 was a club racer that sold for $325. The main triangle is Tange 900, which was a seamed, butted CrMo tubeset. Forks and stays are slightly downgraded with Tange Mangaloy. Angles are typical club racing for the era, with a 73 head and 72.5 seat. Wheelbase is spec'd 39.9", 16.4" chainstays, 1.9" rake, 22.6" top tube. Quoted figures are for a 23" frame. 2600 (1987 model) Tange Infinity Tubing, Mangalloy Fork, 105 components and gold araya rims. Nitto bars and stem. 2700 Examples: Sekai 2700 Gt Deluxe Color; Blue Frame; Tange Double Butted/Hi-Ten throughout FD/RD; Suntour Cyclone w/banded DT shifters Crankset; Sugino Mighty Tour w/Sugino BB Wheels; Shimano hubs/Araya rims Sekai 2700 Gt Deluxe Color; Tan Frame; Tange Champion..........decal does not designate any number, Pro, etc. FD/RD; Suntour Vx w/Suntour barend shifters Crankset; Sugino Mighty Tour w/Sugino BB Wheels; Shimano hubs/Araya rims 2750 (MTB) 3000, Ac 500 brakes ,Suntour Symmetric shifters, suntour arx derailer, sugino gt cranks techmomic stem, nitto olypaid 115 bars, 12 speed Cro Frame. 1988(Highly likely, but unconfirmed) 4000 Criterium – (1973) Ishiwata tubing possibly until 1975 when Sekai went to mainly Tange. Tange Champion #1 Tubing .06x.05 Cr-Moly throughout, Lugs tange short point with cutouts,Shimano SF micro adjusting dropouts, headset tange Falcon, 5000 Tange Professional .06 x .03 double butted Cr-Moly, Lugs tange short point with cutouts, Shimano SF micro adjusting dropouts, Headset Tange Levin Extralight competition, seat lug tange allen key seat pin. Unnumbered models or unknown numbers Sekai Magnum S7 Norco era Tange #2 Cro-Moly Chocolate brown paint with a cream head tube Top mounted downtube shifters (with a protruding square boss underneath it) Two sets of bottle cage bosses on the top and bottom of the downtube Nitto stem and Nitto Grand Randonneur drop bars Sella Italia saddle Dia Comp canti breaks SunTour Cyclone M-II drive Sugino triple crank (not sure what model) Araya 700C wheels (presta valves, 40 spokes) Mountaineer (MTB) Mountaineer SL (MTB) Cherokee (MTB) Bush Plot (MTB) Everest (MTB) Kokanee (MTB) Bigfoot (MTB) Oswego(possibly MTB)" http://www.re-cycle.com/History/sekai.aspx Catalogs/Brochures etc. http://www.yellowjersey.org/SEKAI75.JPG 1975 catalog at yellow jersey http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/gal...2_itemId=25384 Very cool set of reviews/specs from '77. Decals Available: http://www.yellowjersey.org/sekai.html Dating by serial: A large number of Sekai frames came from Kawamura, thus you may find this of use, if your format doesn't match however do not fret. http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...mber-Database? 80's Yamaguchi/Mikki made Sekai frames Quote Originally Posted by T-Mar View Post Apparently, Miki made both Sekai and Sakai frames. Sekai frames were manufactured by Miki and assembled by Sakai Export. It not uncommon for a manufacturer to produce more than one brand. The serial number format should be Myfxxxx, where y is a number designating the year and f is a letter designating the fortnight. The same serial number format shows on on some Norco and Centurion models, though it is unclear whether these frames were made by Miki or another manufacturer with the same serial number format. For instance, Merida of Taiwan uses the same format. Credits and thanks for links/info: T-Mar as can be seen throughout this thread, yellowjersey cyclery, retrobike.co, classicrendezvous.com, Don Gillies,re-cycle.com, sekaibmx.wordpress.com and anyone who posted in this thread or PMed me more info.. Last edited by RaleighSport; 10-16-13 at 10:22 AM. Reason: updating |
I just read the OP's article. Sekai continued to be available through Norco until 1990, not 1986. The actual takeover by Norco occured during 1983, for the 1984 model year. The quality did not suffer under Norco and Norco bicycles are not equivalent to Huffy. They are much better. Just search the forum and look at some of the Norco models. Norco did do some consolidation of their brands and the higher end Sekai models do appear to have been dropped, but both entry level and mid-range models were still available. Component selection was comparable to the competition at the various price levels.
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Originally Posted by T-Mar
(Post 13604735)
I just read the OP's article. Sekai continued to be available through Norco until 1990, not 1986. The actual takeover by Norco occured during 1983, for the 1984 model year. The quality did not suffer under Norco and Norco bicycles are not equivalent to Huffy. They are much better. Just search the forum and look at some of the Norco models. Norco did do some consolidation of their brands and the higher end Sekai models do appear to have been dropped, but both entry level and mid-range models were still available. Component selection was comparable to the competition at the various price levels.
Edit: T-Mar putting those two years at the top of this thread to solve later confusion. |
Originally Posted by Chuckk
(Post 13605674)
Does anybody have an explanation for the extreme stay deflection in the chart on this page?
I had a beautiful 4000, but it absolutely ate up effort, and I finally sold it when it dumped me hard on a hill. The 4000 was labeled as Tange Champion tube. http://www.retrobike.co.uk/gallery2/...serialNumber=1 http://chuck.kichline.com/bikes/bits/sekai.jpg |
Deflection probably due to long chainstays, most of the other bikes on this list are more racey, likely have shorter chainstays. I wouldnt expect that a sekai would have partucularly thin-walled chainstays which would be the other reason for high deflection.
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Originally Posted by Chuckk
(Post 13605674)
Does anybody have an explanation for the extreme stay deflection in the chart on this page?
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Originally Posted by T-Mar
(Post 13608363)
There are a number of factors which could affect this measurement but the major factor is the thickness of the tubing used for the stays. The tested model is the Sekai 5000, their top line racing model. Given the tubeset, the results are predictable. It used very thin, 0.5mm stays. For comparison Columbus SL used 0.7mm stays (40% thicker).
http://www.retrobike.co.uk/gallery2/...2_itemId=25384 Arcticle quotes a 4.5lbs frame weight. For a frame alone, that is not spectacularly weenie light, wonder if that included the fork weight putting the frame weight down near 3 lbs, just a bit more than todays lightest S3 steel frames. |
Coming soon frame materials!
Originally Posted by T-Mar
(Post 2678124)
Mangaloy is Tange's brand name for their manganese-molybdenum (MnMo)tubesets. These tubesets have tensile strength that is between hi-tensile steels and chromium-molybdenum (CrMo). Consequenty, their weight is also in between the two. However, the real advantage of MnMo tubesets is that they retain a higher percentage of their strength after brazing. As a result, control of the brazing temperature is not as critical as with CrMo and it is more suitable to semi-automated, mass production. Introduction of Mangaloy and similar tubesets was instrumental in lowering the cost of bicycles with butted framesets in the early 1980s.
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Heyeverybody,
As this thread concerns Sekai bikes, I thought I would just throw this out to anybody interested. The early 60's Raleigh Gran Sport I just got came with a Sekai stickered, suzue QR high flange hub laced to a 27 steel Araya wheel that I don't want. It looks to be in good shape.I am trying to find the original one Dunlop lightweight with racelite hub to replace it. When I do, anybody that wants the Sekai can have it for shipping cost. Might not be much of an offer, but depending on where you are and how much original parts mean to you, it might. Thanks for reading, let me know 3 SS |
I picked up another Sekai bicycle this morning. It is the sixth one that I have owned, unfortunately I have yet to get my hands on a 54cm. I am adding the info I have on the 3 that are still with me.
Sekai 2700 Gt Deluxe Color; Blue Frame; Tange Double Butted/Hi-Ten throughout FD/RD; Suntour Cyclone w/banded DT shifters Crankset; Sugino Mighty Tour w/Sugino BB Wheels; Shimano hubs/Araya rims Serial # on BB; 7E90194 Sekai 2700 Gt Deluxe Color; Tan or Gold Frame; Tange Champion..........decal does not designate any number, Pro, etc. FD/RD; Suntour Vx w/Suntour barend shifters Crankset; Sugino Mighty Tour w/Sugino BB Wheels; Shimano hubs/Araya rims Serial # on BB; YOF9590 The original owner of this bike had a 2500 that was stolen, so he went out and bought this one to replace it. His recollection was around 1980 in Oregeon. Therefore I'm guessing this was built in '79 or '80. Oh.......and he also claimed to have paid around $500 for it. Sekai 2500 Grandtour Color; Dark Grey w/Red HT and partial ST Frame; Tange Champion #2 FD/RD; Suntour ARX w/clamp on DT shifters Crankset; Sugino GT w/add on triple Wheels; Suzue hubs/Araya rims Serial # on BB; Y3B2318 Two of the others I had were the 1000 and the 500........both with low end components, steel rims etc. and the third I don't have much recollection of....... |
Originally Posted by r0ckh0und
(Post 13619358)
I picked up another Sekai bicycle this morning. It is the sixth one that I have owned, unfortunately I have yet to get my hands on a 54cm. I am adding the info I have on the 3 that are still with me.
Sekai 2700 Gt Deluxe Color; Blue Frame; Tange Double Butted/Hi-Ten throughout FD/RD; Suntour Cyclone w/banded DT shifters Crankset; Sugino Mighty Tour w/Sugino BB Wheels; Shimano hubs/Araya rims Serial # on BB; 7E90194 Sekai 2700 Gt Deluxe Color; Tan Frame; Tange Champion..........decal does not designate any number, Pro, etc. FD/RD; Suntour Vx w/Suntour barend shifters Crankset; Sugino Mighty Tour w/Sugino BB Wheels; Shimano hubs/Araya rims Serial # on BB; YOF9590 Sekai 2500 Grandtour Color; Dark Grey w/Red HT and partial ST Frame; Tange Champion #2 FD/RD; Suntour ARX w/clamp on DT shifters Crankset; Sugino GT triple Wheels; Suzue hubs/Araya rims Serial # on BB; Y3B2318 Two of the others I had were the 1000 and the 500........both with low end components, steel rims etc. and the third I don't have much recollection of....... |
Perhaps my tan 2700 is considered to be gold. Decal lettering is blue w/white outline. There is a noticable weight difference between the gold 2700 and the Grey/Red 2500. They are spec'd out a
little differently and both are 58cm but I would be interested to know the difference between the Tange Champion and the Tange Champion #2 A 53cm would be fine with me.........and actually, I think the blue 2700 is a 53cm but has the telltale paint cracks behind the HT lugs on top of the TT and under the DT and therefore has become a donor. |
I'm curious now about the tan, I can see how the gold could be seen that way, I know when I bring it inside it's definitely more of a dull silver..does yours seem to change color depending on the light? I happen to have a 2500 as well(confirmed) and I really hope the paint isn't stock, it's this weird metallic dark blueish color.. but lots of things bug me about that bike, like the braze on cable stops...
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3 Attachment(s)
I scrounged up a few pics.........The silver 1000 I found last year, Tange Champion decal on the gold 2700 and the gold 2700
It is certainly not a brilliant gold, more of a satin finish I think. |
You would have been really handy when I first IDed this bike. Beholdy the 2700 GT Deluxe in gold(or as you call it tan, despite our different lighting camera it seems to be the same paint to my eyes) 53cm, purchased at the dump for 10 bucks as a parts/donor bike for a trashed u-08(that later became a shop stool).http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x...1008111249.jpg
I might have to beg you to take some detailed sticker pics for me, I've been toying with the idea of redecaling mine. Oh and I really should update the pic, that saddle is gone and replaced with a b-17 and almost all that gear is gone other then the helmet. |
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