Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Keirin frame deal question

Ok, here's the deal. I seem to have the chance to buy a Kalavinka frame from a guy who got it from Japan recently. It has Superbe Pro headset and Sugino NJS BB. It's a track frame but it has holes drilled both front and back for brakes - seems to be a custom job of some sort. The guy asks $600 + shipping to Sweden for it.
Thing is I haven't seen a picture of it but I trust the guy since he has a good reputation as a bicycle enthusiast/dealer.

Is this a fair price? Or should I look elsewhere?

I'm updated on the info regarding e-framebank but is there another online store in Japan where I could buy a similar frame cheaper? Have anyone tried shopping online at cycleland.jp?

ask for a picture?

that's way too much. especially for a home drilled, haven't seen pics, don't really know what you're getting, type of frame. may be a ble to get an ebay 'strattond' keirin frame.

example:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Watanabe-NJS-Keirin-Track-Bike-Frameset-54cm_W0QQitemZ7188164419QQcategoryZ98084QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
but he only ships to canada and us... still, don't pay $600 for that drilled frame.

Yeah I feel a little suspicious and thought I'd ask you guys for advice. I'm a student these days also so my wallet is pretty thin and a +$600 purchase is a big investment.

Having seen Kalavinka frames in the shop, if it's not thrashed... they make gorgeous, gorgeous bikes. I'd at least wait for pictures and think about it. His frames, new, are $1200 (around 120,000 JPY)

Six bills is high, but they are REALLY nice frames. Anyone know if they accept orders from the US?

Anyway, a lot of the frames on their website are drilled for brakes. Check out the "street tracker":
http://homepage3.nifty.com/kalavinka/track_gallery_01.htm

They do. Tanabe-san indicated he'd received a few orders each from NY and SF, but that people outside of Japan contacting him was still fairly uncommon. If I remember correctly, a forum member here ordered a custom frame from him with Ceya's help...

jrowedc has one as well, it's really gorgeous, but he brought it home from Tokyo himself.

They do. Tanabe-san indicated he'd received a few orders each from NY and SF, but that people outside of Japan contacting him was still fairly uncommon. If I remember correctly, a forum member here ordered a custom frame from him with Ceya's help...

And they start at around 1200? That's awfully tempting...

And they start at around 1200? That's awfully tempting...

That's what he indicated to me, and with the exchange rate really good right now, it's even cheaper -- closer to a grand.

ok , yes Tanabe san does take orders from the US. I got FNB his frame from RAP. Cycleland is own by RAP. if you need help let me know.

Frames are drilled to be trainers, Japanese track riders rarely ride without brakes on the street except a few messengers.
Get pics and better description an dictate the worth. guys having a slight ding(s) or drilled hole(s) doesn't take alot from a frame. its overall condition that counts.

most new keirin start at $1200.00-US

hope this helps.
S/F<
CEYA!

Thanks alot Ceya and the rest of you! Those fine frames at the Kalavinka website really got me hungry for one. Is this fate maybe? It's not everyday you stumble across someone that asks if you want to buy a Keirin frame they got while in Tokyo a couple of days ago. And the guy asking is a serious seller also, I've checked him out.

Well, I'm gonna wait for some pictures.

Another question. Can I use my converted road fixie measurements as a reference for size when buying a Keirin frame?

you can but use it to get a idea of what is your size.

S/F,
CEYA!

example:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Watanabe-NJS-Keirin-Track-Bike-Frameset-54cm_W0QQitemZ7188164419QQcategoryZ98084QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
but he only ships to canada and us... still, don't pay $600 for that drilled frame.

Hi!! jayrooney
This is Tomity from Tokyo Japan
This frame is my friend's thing.
He always orders an orange frame with the fan of Eddy Merckx.
The frame that had gone out to e-Bay in front of the frame in the photograph was used.
I do not know by what details to have gone out outside the country.
I think purchase maybe with e-frame bank.
The price when this frame is ordered is about 150,000yen. (about $1500)
Because it is a very beautiful frame, it is affordable.

That's what he indicated to me, and with the exchange rate really good right now, it's even cheaper -- closer to a grand.


Wow, you're right...

Has anyone here actually ordered one, as opposed to buying it in the shop in Japan?

ordered a custom,LC? yes jrowedc, fnb, myself.

S/F<
CEYA!

From Kalavinka? You have one of their frames Ceya? I'd love to check it out at some point.

From Kalavinka? You have one of their frames Ceya? I'd love to check it out at some point.

We need a Japanese frame nerd meetup at some point ;) I'm trying to get my Panasonic built before CM, but I'm having some parts-finding issues...

From Kalavinka? You have one of their frames Ceya? I'd love to check it out at some point.

No Kalavinka yet, Tanabe san and I have a project that I want done.

RAP (Round Breeze) frames.

S/F<
CEYA!

We need a Japanese frame nerd meetup at some point ;) I'm trying to get my Panasonic built before CM, but I'm having some parts-finding issues...


well I wanted to have a Keirin meet and greet and swap. I posted the question some was back.

S/F<
CEYA!