Identify this (Carlton?) frame
#1
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Identify this (Carlton?) frame
Hi c&v, I need another project bike like I need a hole in the head but this one is keeping me up at night. It's a complete bike that has been repainted and the headbadge removed. No idea if the parts are original, but looking at the stem (also can't identify) I would guess not. The seller says it's a Raleigh.
The brazed-on rear cable bridge and the wrapover seat stays make me wonder if this is a Carlton product? My first guess was a Grand Prix, but I haven't seen one yet with lugs that long and pointed. I also have no idea if the fork is original but my 1975 Gran Sport frame has a fully chromed 531 fork different from the catalog, so anything is possible.
I don't expect this to be a hidden gem, but I recently wrecked my commuter and this might be a good replacement. If anything, trying to identify it has been a fun distraction. Anything I can ask the seller?
The brazed-on rear cable bridge and the wrapover seat stays make me wonder if this is a Carlton product? My first guess was a Grand Prix, but I haven't seen one yet with lugs that long and pointed. I also have no idea if the fork is original but my 1975 Gran Sport frame has a fully chromed 531 fork different from the catalog, so anything is possible.
I don't expect this to be a hidden gem, but I recently wrecked my commuter and this might be a good replacement. If anything, trying to identify it has been a fun distraction. Anything I can ask the seller?
Last edited by wasianamerican; 05-20-21 at 01:36 PM. Reason: year
#3
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Wow, it sure looks like it. I guess the cable bridge does have the adjuster mounted rather than the hole drilled for a barrel adjuster to thread in.
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i was thinking Nishiki Kokusai...which is the same thing...name varied with year
headset is Tange MA60
expect plain guage chromo tubing
companion of knife & spoon a definite replacement
that's a Kawamura product you have there - done for Howie Cohen
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i was thinking Nishiki Kokusai...which is the same thing...name varied with year
headset is Tange MA60
expect plain guage chromo tubing
companion of knife & spoon a definite replacement
that's a Kawamura product you have there - done for Howie Cohen
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Last edited by juvela; 05-20-21 at 02:18 PM. Reason: punctuation
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#6
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I'll bet a Nishiki semi pro would make a fine commuter. From what I've seen, this bike should have ample clearance for large volume tires and fenders.
Last edited by bikemig; 05-20-21 at 03:02 PM.
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T-Mar probably could nail down the production year with the serial number.
The headbadge holes I bet line up with Nishiki.
The headbadge holes I bet line up with Nishiki.
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Didn't those Nishiki's use a Schwinn-sized stem as well as a further identifier.
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The Kokusai model tracks to the later International, AFAIK, and these usually have the very thin tapered stay caps rather than the wrap-over (which is more of a "Semi-Pro feature"), although I do not have the WCC catalogs memorized so YMMV.
Last edited by unworthy1; 05-21-21 at 10:38 AM.
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#12
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Nishiki Kokusai = International; plain gauge Ishiwata CrMo
My 1971 Semi-Pro had elaborate head lugs and downtube shift levers; by the 1972 model year they had switched to simpler lugs and barcons and raised the price from $170 to $190
What is your S/N? Mine was KS78091.
Wraparound seat stays and simple stamped rear dropouts do suggest Nishiki.
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
#13
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I'm pretty curious now, I'll ask the seller for a serial if they can find it.
Any thoughts on the stem? It looks somewhat like a Pivo or Carnielli, but not quite. Would a french stem be small enough to get into a .833 steerer? On paper no, but perhaps sloppy tolerances...
Any thoughts on the stem? It looks somewhat like a Pivo or Carnielli, but not quite. Would a french stem be small enough to get into a .833 steerer? On paper no, but perhaps sloppy tolerances...
#15
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Seller says serial is KS131898W, I'll go brush up on my serial numbers in the c&v stickied thread and report back