Road Cycling - Has anyone ever heard of this Bike?

I found an older road bike frame. And on the front was a badge that reads KOBE. Have any of you ever heard of it? Would it be something worth rebuilding for maybe a back up ride or a single speed? Any input is appreciated. Thanx.

King Ajo

OK......no Kobe jokes.....

Kobe is a name of a large city in central Japan. Is the frame made in Japan?

That is one of the things that I would like to know. I found the frame in the back of a van in a car wrecking yard. I could get it for nothing. But dont want to store it if it isnt any good.

check the tubes if butted... I'm assuming this frame is steel..

You can do this by hammering lighty from end to end..

If you hear a noticably high pitch when at the center, the tubes are most likely butted..

Please note that in non-butted steel frames, you will still hear a higher pitch at the center(tube), but you will know if its butted or not because you can feel the thinner(sched.) center..

If it is butted, I think its worth it.

If it's right hand drive, its Japanese :rolleyes:

check the tubes if butted... I'm assuming this frame is steel..

You can do this by hammering lighty from end to end..

If you hear a noticably high pitch when at the center, the tubes are most likely butted..

Please note that in non-butted steel frames, you will still hear a higher pitch at the center(tube), but you will know if its butted or not because you can feel the thinner(sched.) center..

Well, I guess you could do that, but a newbie probably wouldn't have much to gauge the sound on. I'd think that the better way of checking the tubing is to........look for a tubing sticker! You'll usually find them (on better frames) some place on the seat tube (often near the top), or sometimes on the downtube, right near the shifters.

Do a search Kobe Bicycles

The second item in is Dan's bicycle page.

You may find your answer.

Does it have an integral kickstand? If yes leave it where it is, if no proceed with investigation. Is the tip of the fork a squashed flat tube? If yes abandon investigation immediately. if no proceed. And so on....