Framebuilders - Frame ID for junk find

I've picked up a frame that I've stripped the components off cleaned it up a little.

I've come to a point where I need some idea of a manufacturer.

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/slartybartfast3000/GuessTheFrame?authkey=Fd0oTrcbaQ0

Ignoring the fact that it wears a Tange Infinity sticker, its at least half a pound lighter than my Centurion Sport, which I know is Tange Infinity.

There's steerer tube rifling, but 6 wide vanes, not the typical 5 Columbus vanes. There's no dove on the steerer tube, or anywhere else. I've never seen a manufactured Infinty frame with the seat stay joining detail at the seat tube like this one. Nor with dropouts like this on the fork or the frame.

The seat post is 26.8mm diameter. The whole frame weighs about 3.2kg with fork and headset. I dont know what diameter the fork crown race is.

Anyone got any ideas or clues that might point to a more definitive manufacturer or type?

Jim

Let me ask a stupid question: why does it matter who manufactured the bike?

Let me ask a stupid question: why does it matter who manufactured the bike?

'Cause it's fun to know where it came from... Among other reasons...

To (kinda) answer the OP's question, I have no idea as to the maker, but you will probably get a better response int the C&V forum, those guys know their isht...

Yeah, what keisatsu said. Its not the maker, its the type. It can matter, cause if its one of the higher level frames (say a Tange #1 or Columbus SL) there's serious weight limits on riders to avoid rapid fatigue of the frame.

I tried C&V, and there's no real idea aside from its wasnt the model it professed to be (a Peugeot Le Mans). The parts on it were complete rubbish, so its just another spare in the shed for now.

Jim

Well, I'm of no real help but I'll chime in to say that you're right about the steerer- I just built a fork with a Columbus steerer last week and the "rifiling" was markedly different.
Still, it looks like a decent quality frame in good shape- not a bad find!

I might be wrong but that frame looks like japanese made. Not custom stuff but series production. Early 80s maybe. High end stuff anyways.

Ishiwata? Miyata? shogun?

I'm pretty sure its Japanese. It had SunTour bits all over it that hadnt been looked after. Bit of a surprise really that the frame was in as good condition as it is. It may be an I****awa, the seat stay cluster detail is not like any I've seen before. When I see another one I'll be sure to the rider know I've got one as well!

Thanks for the input everyone.

Jim