Shogun / Bridgestone related somehow?
#1
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Bikes: 2010 Norco Ceres Belt Drive IGH8, 1992? Bianchi Volpe, 1994 Bridgestone MB-3, 1985 Schwinn Cimarron, 1986? Shogun Prairie Breaker I, 2008 Kona Sutra, 2003 Trek 520, 80s? Univega Ital Sport, 90s Nishiki Ariel high chainstay, '92 Klein Rascal
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Shogun / Bridgestone related somehow?
Hello, this is my THIRD post!
Yes, they were both manufactured in Japan at one time, but were they manufactured by the same group? I have found little to back up this assertion, but there are some strange coincidences with some lines of their 80's bicycles.
Here's a "Shogun CB-1" made of Champion no. 5 tubing (sorry for using the CL posting). I was under the impression that a "CB-1" was a Bridgestone model.
Here's a Shogun Prairie Breaker I (scroll down to Shogun700's pics at the end). That "men's" version looks so similar in construction to the 1984-86 Bridgestone MB-1, that I have to wonder if it's a blatant copy or if they were the same frames branded differently.
That's what I can remember seeing out there for now...I seem to have forgotten some of the strange coincidences regarding serial numbers, but it will come back to me. The point is that I've never seen any writing relating the two companies, or at least who manufactured Shogun's frames. Just wondering if anyone else had these suspicions.
Thanks!
Yes, they were both manufactured in Japan at one time, but were they manufactured by the same group? I have found little to back up this assertion, but there are some strange coincidences with some lines of their 80's bicycles.
Here's a "Shogun CB-1" made of Champion no. 5 tubing (sorry for using the CL posting). I was under the impression that a "CB-1" was a Bridgestone model.
Here's a Shogun Prairie Breaker I (scroll down to Shogun700's pics at the end). That "men's" version looks so similar in construction to the 1984-86 Bridgestone MB-1, that I have to wonder if it's a blatant copy or if they were the same frames branded differently.
That's what I can remember seeing out there for now...I seem to have forgotten some of the strange coincidences regarding serial numbers, but it will come back to me. The point is that I've never seen any writing relating the two companies, or at least who manufactured Shogun's frames. Just wondering if anyone else had these suspicions.
Thanks!
Last edited by istra; 05-25-12 at 01:45 PM. Reason: specified year of MB-1
#2
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I can't comment on the CB1 thing but it is possible they were built in the same factory. back when I sold bikes I believe there was something 6 factories in the Orient turning out bike for most everyone under contract.
Similarities in models is a cause of 30 companies trying to all make a bike at every $50-70 price point from from about $250 up to $2000+ There are only so many brands and grades of tubing and components you can spec on a $300 bike so there are lots of similar models.
Similarities in models is a cause of 30 companies trying to all make a bike at every $50-70 price point from from about $250 up to $2000+ There are only so many brands and grades of tubing and components you can spec on a $300 bike so there are lots of similar models.
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
#3
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Bikes: 2010 Norco Ceres Belt Drive IGH8, 1992? Bianchi Volpe, 1994 Bridgestone MB-3, 1985 Schwinn Cimarron, 1986? Shogun Prairie Breaker I, 2008 Kona Sutra, 2003 Trek 520, 80s? Univega Ital Sport, 90s Nishiki Ariel high chainstay, '92 Klein Rascal
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Thank you!
For the record, the serial# on the PBI is CS504557. This serial is differently formatted from the shogun road bikes of the same vintage which start with letter-number-letter (see Shogun serial number thread).
Thanks, Bianchigirll. (I'll have to start another thread for the cool two-tone Bianchi Volpe, blue and green, also in great condition, that I picked up the week before for $30!).
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