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Specialized Sequoia, Yoshi Konno?

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Specialized Sequoia, Yoshi Konno?

Old 07-06-20, 12:06 PM
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Specialized Sequoia, Yoshi Konno?

Title says it all, is this a Yoshi Konno specialized Sequoia? Looks like fastback seat stay, old decals with no water bottle braze ons.

I am going to check it out this afternoon. Any advice on what look at when I get there or any info you get from the photos would be much appreciated. Thanks!



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Old 07-06-20, 01:35 PM
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Nope. Tim Neenan design, as it says. AFAIK, Yoshi was only involved with a small number of early Allez's.
I'm just repeating what others have said. Perhaps it is very early.
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Old 07-06-20, 03:17 PM
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I've found information on some Konno Sequoias, less than the Allez's, but also conflicting notes of who built what.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/kari_4...7626971451119/

https://forums.roadbikereview.com/re...ry-190991.html

In that last forum, Neenan (Lighthouse Cycles) says some were built by Konno after he built the very first Sequoia himself.Yes, my expectations are through the roof based on very little speculation.
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Old 07-06-20, 05:42 PM
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Well that's pretty exciting. The serial number may be of use according to the first thread. I buy it in a flash if it's reasonable.
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Old 07-06-20, 11:50 PM
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It's really hard to tell from those pictures. I think those decals mean it was built in 1981. Beyond that, the difference is in the details. Even the factory built Sequoias are very nice. The distinguishing marks of the Konno-built Sequoias aren't as clear as they are with the Allez.
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Old 07-07-20, 03:37 AM
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Originally Posted by twolve
I've found information on some Konno Sequoias, less than the Allez's, but also conflicting notes of who built what.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/kari_4...7626971451119/

https://forums.roadbikereview.com/re...ry-190991.html

In that last forum, Neenan (Lighthouse Cycles) says some were built by Konno after he built the very first Sequoia himself.Yes, my expectations are through the roof based on very little speculation.
It sure looks like a Konno built Sequoia. Info on the later 81s like Kari 44's is very thin, but the s/n format is that attributed to 3Rensho.
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Old 07-07-20, 10:10 AM
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I ended up buying the Sequoia and will post more pictures later.

I’m fairly certain it’s a Konno frame, but either way it’s a really cool bike, I’m very excited for it!
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Old 07-07-20, 07:49 PM
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I’ll have to take some pictures in the daylight, but here are a few closer up photos.

I took of the fenders (what’s rain in a Sacramento Summer?). Seller didn’t have the original parts. I believe this was sold as a frames set only. I’d guess the Sugino AT crank and Superbe brakes might be original.

There was a 26.8 seat post and the clamp was way over tightenend to compensate for being the wrong size. At least it wasn’t stuck, however, and no drewing or cutting in the single speed conversion.

I got help in the identification from this poster
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pbridg...7673422020365/







Some details that pointed us in believing it’s a Konno included the fast back seatstays, the early graphics, stamped 58 (size) instead of a serial number, long pointy lugs. Looks like it will fit 32s without fenders. Strange that there are water bottle bosses on the bottom of the frame but none on the seat tube.

One of these was posted on the SF craigslist just a few weeks ago and I started reading about the Konno Sequoia. What are the odds one would pop up in Sacramento? Lucky, lucky me.
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Old 07-07-20, 08:33 PM
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What a cool score, congrats!! Coincidentally, I just happened to search for "sequoia" on the local cl, and one popped up! Unfortunately it was a 1992 model (still kinda cool though,) and at least one size too big for me.
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Old 07-07-20, 10:23 PM
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Originally Posted by Chris_in_Miami
What a cool score, congrats!! Coincidentally, I just happened to search for "sequoia" on the local cl, and one popped up! Unfortunately it was a 1992 model (still kinda cool though,) and at least one size too big for me.
The teal one? Belongs to a neighbor of mine selling it for a friend. He's been driving me nuts to get it (at 2/3 of the listed price). Sorely tempting, but I'm full at the inn, and the unicrown fork puts me off.

It's fairly minty though, even though the current setup is a mess. That, and it just doesn't have the refinement of a Toyo frame, much less the beauty of a Konno-built machine.

-Kurt
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Old 07-08-20, 12:07 AM
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Congrats on your lucky find! What size seatpost will your Sequoia accept? My 81, 82 and 83 Sequoias all have a 26.6 seatpost. Glad you posted the BB pic which shows under-the-shell cable route used in 81. No bottle bosses on seat tube was 81 and 82 thing.

Originally Posted by twolve
I’ll have to take some pictures in the daylight, but here are a few closer up photos.

I took of the fenders (what’s rain in a Sacramento Summer?). Seller didn’t have the original parts. I believe this was sold as a frames set only. I’d guess the Sugino AT crank and Superbe brakes might be original.

There was a 26.8 seat post and the clamp was way over tightenend to compensate for being the wrong size. At least it wasn’t stuck, however, and no drewing or cutting in the single speed conversion.

I got help in the identification from this poster
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pbridg...7673422020365/



Some details that pointed us in believing it’s a Konno included the fast back seatstays, the early graphics, stamped 58 (size) instead of a serial number, long pointy lugs. Looks like it will fit 32s without fenders. Strange that there are water bottle bosses on the bottom of the frame but none on the seat tube.

One of these was posted on the SF craigslist just a few weeks ago and I started reading about the Konno Sequoia. What are the odds one would pop up in Sacramento? Lucky, lucky me.
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Old 07-08-20, 12:29 AM
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Very nice! And thanks for sharing the details.

Are the cable guide's on your bike offset to one side? It looks like they are, but I was just looking at a picture of my Sequoia and the guide looks offset in that picture (see below) but it definitely isn't.

For the sake of comparison and knowing what's unique to your Sequoia, here are some detail shots of my 1982 Sequoia, which I believe was built in the Miki factory.









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Old 07-08-20, 12:33 AM
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Originally Posted by Insidious C.
My 81, 82 and 83 Sequoias all have a 26.6 seatpost.
Odd. I think my '82 has a 27.0 post. (Edit: My old records say 26.8.)
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Old 07-08-20, 07:27 AM
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Originally Posted by cudak888
The teal one? Belongs to a neighbor of mine selling it for a friend. He's been driving me nuts to get it (at 2/3 of the listed price). Sorely tempting, but I'm full at the inn, and the unicrown fork puts me off.

It's fairly minty though, even though the current setup is a mess. That, and it just doesn't have the refinement of a Toyo frame, much less the beauty of a Konno-built machine.

-Kurt
That's the one. I'm not crazy about the unicrown either, but it's not a deal breaker. I do have a soft spot for steel Specialized bikes, I'd grab that one if it was a 54cm, but I think it's bigger.
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Old 07-08-20, 12:23 PM
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It should be a 27.0, but mine came with a 26.8, which would have disappeared into the frame without the seat (I'll be searching for proper one at my LBS this week, along with a 26.4 for a Mt. Fuji; aargh people, please don't switch seatposts if you don't know what you are doing!).

Here's a pretty cool write up posted by Pbridge (same person with help with this one) about the Allez and Sequoia, also confirms a 27.0 for the Sequoia, and 26.8 for the Allez.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/pbridg...7673422020365/

Originally Posted by Insidious C.
Congrats on your lucky find! What size seatpost will your Sequoia accept? My 81, 82 and 83 Sequoias all have a 26.6 seatpost. Glad you posted the BB pic which shows under-the-shell cable route used in 81. No bottle bosses on seat tube was 81 and 82 thing.
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Old 07-08-20, 12:30 PM
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thanks for sharing your photos as well.

the cable guides are not offset to one side, just looks like that in the photo, and may also look like that because of the zip tie from the previous owner.



Originally Posted by Andy_K
Very nice! And thanks for sharing the details.

Are the cable guide's on your bike offset to one side? It looks like they are, but I was just looking at a picture of my Sequoia and the guide looks offset in that picture (see below) but it definitely isn't.

For the sake of comparison and knowing what's unique to your Sequoia, here are some detail shots of my 1982 Sequoia, which I believe was built in the Miki factory.


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Old 07-08-20, 12:55 PM
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I see that the bike in the flickr link above has what I believe is known as a fastback seatstay. OP's bike has something different and the bike in post 12 is different yet again. Are any of these styles indicative of a particular builder? Thanks.
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Old 07-08-20, 01:11 PM
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I believe mine is pretty similar to the above picture, unless there's a detail I'm missing, which is entirely likely. That said, I do think there are some differences,even from the same builder and in the same year, based on what I have read.

Andy K's in post 12 is a little bit newer, built in the Miki factory.

Originally Posted by shelbyfv
I see that the bike in the flickr link above has what I believe is known as a fastback seatstay. OP's bike has something different and the bike in post 12 is different yet again. Are any of these styles indicative of a particular builder? Thanks.
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Old 07-08-20, 02:20 PM
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Originally Posted by twolve
I believe mine is pretty similar to the above picture, unless there's a detail I'm missing, which is entirely likely. That said, I do think there are some differences,even from the same builder and in the same year, based on what I have read.

Andy K's in post 12 is a little bit newer, built in the Miki factory.
Yeah, that's the thing with hand built bikes -- there's no guarantee that any two of them will be the same. I suppose my '82 is also hand built, but it was built by anonymous factory workers, and there are stories of how Mike Sinyard and his colleagues spent months looking over their shoulders to make sure everything was done precisely how they wanted it done. I dare say they didn't do that with Yoshi Konno.
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Old 07-08-20, 04:13 PM
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Another fun fact about this bike: it’s got a sticker from Velomeister Fine Cycles on 214 Bean Ave Los Gatos. That’s a fine bike shops name!
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Old 12-27-20, 11:52 AM
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I thought I should update my this thread. The Kongo Sequoia is geared and ready to ride, so here are a few pics of how it sits now.

It’s mostly a suntour mix, my first time using Superbe (which is a fitting name after two rides).

I rode it a month or so ago with a donor set of wheels and old tires and was unimpressed. But the new wheels (Super Champion Gentleman 18 has got to be one of the best rim names out there) and the Soma Super Vitesse tires make a world of difference. The 33mm tires fit well, but with experimenting, it looked like 38mm might fit, but not with the superbe brakes.

All it needs now is a different freewheel, but this mostly works for flat Sacramento right now.

Also, I was wrong about the seatpost. 26.8 seems correct, it just fits very loosely and falls when not tightened down. I wonder if I try another 26.8 post to see if it might fit better?






I did miss clipless on my rides, but the Phil Wood CHP pedals are cool, and cone head Max approves!
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Old 12-27-20, 12:07 PM
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PUPPYCONE!!!!



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Old 12-27-20, 12:12 PM
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...it is not unusual to find that seat posts differ by as much as a tenth from the marked diameter. It helps to have a selection to choose from when fitting a new one. It really should be a firm slip fit for best results, and if you are narrowing the slot in the clamp in order to get it to remain in place, there's something less than ideal going on.

If you can find sometime when the bike co-op is open, there used to be a collection of posts in there to try. Not sure how many might be in the 26.8-27.0 range....the collection varies over time. Take along a decent caliper to measure. Might not be open to the public except by prior appointment.

Addison's Repairium probably has some in a box somewhere. Also varies with time. There used to be a pretty good collection of old posts at the Davis co-op, over in the warehouse (it's off 4th or 5th...Google it.) But pandemic has changed availability in both of these.

Fitting the new post is worth spending some time to do right. If it were me, and a 26.8 that was a snug slip fit was not to be found, I'd be looking at the 27.0's and looking for one that was undersized, or that might be suitable for some light sanding to get a good fit. That's me, though.
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Old 12-27-20, 02:08 PM
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Thanks for the advice, I'm of the same mind and will be on the lookout for a proper fitting post. It worries me when I imagine how long this post has been in the bike.But I am bikerich right now, and can let this sit for a bit. Addison has wanted to ride it since I bought it, so I'll head there when we both have some time. I need him to do some work on my Expedition as well. I've missed going to his shop through the pandemic.

Originally Posted by 3alarmer
.
...it is not unusual to find that seat posts differ by as much as a tenth from the marked diameter. It helps to have a selection to choose from when fitting a new one. It really should be a firm slip fit for best results, and if you are narrowing the slot in the clamp in order to get it to remain in place, there's something less than ideal going on.

If you can find sometime when the bike co-op is open, there used to be a collection of posts in there to try. Not sure how many might be in the 26.8-27.0 range....the collection varies over time. Take along a decent caliper to measure. Might not be open to the public except by prior appointment.

Addison's Repairium probably has some in a box somewhere. Also varies with time. There used to be a pretty good collection of old posts at the Davis co-op, over in the warehouse (it's off 4th or 5th...Google it.) But pandemic has changed availability in both of these.

Fitting the new post is worth spending some time to do right. If it were me, and a 26.8 that was a snug slip fit was not to be found, I'd be looking at the 27.0's and looking for one that was undersized, or that might be suitable for some light sanding to get a good fit. That's me, though.
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Old 12-27-20, 02:14 PM
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He was neutered last week, and I am not sure who has disliked the cone and lack of activity more, us or the dog! Probably the dog, rough life for a herding dog.

Originally Posted by The Golden Boy
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