Classic & Vintage - Japan Afficianados: What lights your fire?

I know the Italians, French, Dutch, etc. get a lot of play on this forum, as they should -

I'm really curious to hear which vintage or classic Japanese makers/models you guys and gals think are the best or most intriguing.

Let's see some pics and hear some testimony!

I strongly prefer Japanese cranks to the stupid Campagnolo NR cranks. The Campy cranks always seem to suffer stress cracks.

I have never seen a SR/Shimano/Sugino crank crack. I know it happens to all cranks but the NR cranks are really pathetic.

I also strongly prefer the Cyclone to the NR. I'd rather pay 50$ for a NOS Suntour than get a beat to snot NR part.

Quite honestly I prefer all Japanese parts to Italian made parts. I think the Japanese parts are made of great quality with little to be ashamed of.

Heck I even prefer the Shimano 600 Campy copy cranks to the actual Campy cranks. They are lighter stiffer and finished just as good or better. Its a damn shame I sold them on ebay. Stupid me!

The Japanese stuff gets its fair share of play on here too man- miyata, univega, fuji, panasonic, nishiki, bridgestone, centurion, lotus, etc.

I'm 'intrigued' by all those.. and not much of anything of the others now that I think about it. :)

Love my Nishiki.

But the problem with the bike? It isn't worth much. I know this. Yet still I want to tinker and play. Adjust, clean, disassemble and put back together. The bike is MAYBE worth a $150 around my parts, but Ive put more into it by the time you factor in labour and parts.

I don't care. Still love that bike. Plus, if it had French/Italian components, I think I'd have ended up spending way more, which might have curtailed on the fun a bit. Maybe.

So, I'm gonna throw into the whole "love the Japanese bikes/components" camp.

Ok, good point - I'm not trying to cause any ill feelings or create a disparity if there isn't one - I just thought it would be nice to have a thread that featured the Asian-made classics.

Mostly I just want to see some pics of some beautiful Japanese bikes and hear what makes them special...

of course there are the NJS track bikes that are big hits now-a-days. 3Rensho, Yamaguchi, Nagasawa...

I really like Yamaguchi bikes. not really vintage but I plan on getting a custom Yamaguchi road bike made someday.

I think the Japanese made (and still make) a lot of great stuff. I don't have a lot of experience with it though, other than Sugino cranks, and occasional Cyclone derailler or brakes and Gran Compe brakes. I did buy a long cage Shimano Crane rear on ebay recently to try out...

I do love the Suntour freewheels, never a problem.

I've got a 1984 Fuji del Rey that is a very sweet riding bike. :thumb:

I'd like to add a Lotus to the stable one day... :love:

I have a nice early 80s celeste bianchi track bike with mostly campagnolo and cinelli pista parts on it...I stopped riding it to keep it nice, and I find the track drops not too comfortable on longer rides. I feel I should keep it as-is, and not muck with the parts to suit my riding needs.
I also have a 1976 fuji track bike, with a mix of shimano, suntour, and nitto parts, some new some old, bullhorn bars, it's my go-to commuter bike now. It's a great vintage bike but I'm not afraid to use it, plus I have it set up for real world riding.

I, along with a lot of other enthusiasts, love Fuji Americas. Below is a pic of my 1980 model in the condition I received it. Not a very good pic, but it is a very low mileage bike, still had original chain with lots of life left.

Why is this a cool bike? First, lets understand the Japanese bicycle industry. The imports into the U.S. started in force in the early 70's. At first, it was a mixed bag, some of the bikes were pretty good, but there were plenty of gaspipe, stamped dropout type bikes.

However, if the Japanese are anything, they are ambitious quick studies and they aimed to make world class bikes. By 1980, they were offering very high quality bikes - that's not to say they had abandoned the low end, but they had really closed the loop on the higher end. However, they didn't have snob appeal.

On my Fuji America, the finish is flawless - perfect paint/chrome, long pointed, filed, cutout lugs, etc. The Cyclone derailleurs are famous for their light weight, reliability, and smooth shifting. The Sunshine hubs for their smoothness and durability, the Suntour freewheel for its smooth shifting.

It was one of the early bikes to have 700c wheels and the Sugino Mighty Tour crank is sought after by collectors today. It cdame with classic touches like toe clip leathers. Suntour wrote the book on bar end shifters, there is still active commerce in these things to this day.

Despite being 29 years old, in no way do I consider this bike obsolete. Sure, it isn't state of the art, but it is reliable, smooth, and good looking. My sister wants to go touring this summer, and this is probably the bike I'll ride.

And still, just like when these bikes were new, they remain somewhat overlooked, so one can get high quality vintage for a lot less than euro stuff, although that seems to be changing w/some of the more prominent brands.
http://www.cellblock.com/gallery/jloyouOuhrh_XbVudmvX-1-1212216465000.jpg

80's japanese road bikes are my favorite, not hard to track down unless you want a specific year/model/colorway.

Fujis and Miyatas from that era are quality for the money. I'd love to add a Nishiki to the stable but haven't tracked the right one down yet.

My dream is a japanese-built track bike with crazy graphics, a San Rensho or Bridgestone or something. For now I'll enjoy my weird Kuwahara Single Speed and the custom Street Touring Miyata I'm building for my brother.

I doubt I'll ever go italian or french high-end unless I get it for a steal.

I strongly prefer Japanese cranks to the stupid Campagnolo NR cranks. The Campy cranks always seem to suffer stress cracks.

I have never seen a SR/Shimano/Sugino crank crack. I know it happens to all cranks but the NR cranks are really pathetic.
I snapped a Sugino Mighty Compe crank at the pedal eye during an out-of-saddle climb. (Ouch)



I also strongly prefer the Cyclone to the NR. I'd rather pay 50$ for a NOS Suntour than get a beat to snot NR part. I have both, and they both work, and I concur that the SunTour is the better-designed of the two, but the Campagnolo is the more durable.


Quite honestly I prefer all Japanese parts to Italian made parts. I think the Japanese parts are made of great quality with little to be ashamed of.

Every manufacturer has made good and bad stuff. I'll take SRAM chains, KoolStop pads, and DT spokes over their Japanese counterparts any time.

The Japanese-made bikes in my stable are as follows:

1980s Univega Competizione, powdercoated orange and set up as a single speed:
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_GmYBBzTzcVQ/RxirQwSSR-I/AAAAAAAAA5Y/ABuZ3eSij2E/s800/OrangeUni1.jpg

1972 Fuji Finest, probably the best finished/constructed frameset of any I've had. This pic is as I received it, but I've rehabbed it over the winter w/ mostly the same parts as shown:
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_GmYBBzTzcVQ/SR2NaK4UToI/AAAAAAAAC8c/8ums6y5g74A/s800/FujiFinest1.jpg

1977 Fuji America, a winter find and due for a rehab:
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_GmYBBzTzcVQ/SUuu0NPaF5I/AAAAAAAADDg/m6jaHbAJBs0/s800/IMG_3708.JPG

I also have a Fuji S12-S that was a winter build (i.e., photos yet to come) and a Sekai 2500 frameset hanging in the basement that'll get built up at some point.

Neal

Japanese framemakers are second to none. Just marvel at the craftsmanship on a 3Rensho, Kalavinka or Nagasawa...

and i absolutely adore my Zunow (http://tinyurl.com/6d99nx) :D

http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/d/321261-2/f8b5_12.JPG

I dont have anything remotely rare, but I do love my Nishiki! (Fixed gear, don't tar and feather me!)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/TigerPrawn/CIMG3275.jpg

I bought a beautiful 3rensho...and sadly, it is too small.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3352/3309549041_0ba0122f9f_d.jpg

Bad picture, I know.

But the problem with the bike? It isn't worth much.

This is not a problem. In fact, this is one of many nice features of a Japanese bike.

jim

Dang, what size is that 3Rensho???

I would be interested in taking it off your hands :)

^ Seconds

The differences between Japanese and Italian bikes is similar to the differences the two countries have in the cars that they produce. The Italians will cost more, look prettier, pull more women, and have a better reputation for high end racing. Japanese use more r&d to produce an almost comparable product at less per-unit cost that will not have the same perceived value but that performs well enough to make it a driver's race and is more likely to survive the whole race.

I am a Japanese fan but I think that has mainly to do with the fact that I lived there 10 years and am used to the reliability.

My dream is a japanese-built track bike with crazy graphics. . .

And I immediately thought of Zunnow (see above).
http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=8454770&postcount=14

Marty

It's a 51cm, and I'm holding it for a potential buyer.

If only it was a few cm larger...oh well.


Dang, what size is that 3Rensho???

I would be interested in taking it off your hands :)

This is my only Japanese ride - a 1930s Marubishu roadster.
I got it a while ago and it's still waiting for new tires and grease (too many other bikes waiting in line for service).
I know nothing about it.
I can't find any information about it.
I do like it though.
I like it a lot.

http://i369.photobucket.com/albums/oo138/mackerel/maru1-1.jpg

http://i369.photobucket.com/albums/oo138/mackerel/maru2.jpg

A Zunow is definitely on the top of my most wanted bikes list.

This is not a problem. In fact, this is one of many nice features of a Japanese bike.

+1 and for the many readily available brands you won't have to search for 24 months until you find a nice properly sized used one.

Japanese framemakers are second to none. Just marvel at the craftsmanship on a 3Rensho, Kalavinka or Nagasawa...

and i absolutely adore my Zunow (http://tinyurl.com/6d99nx) :D

http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/d/321261-2/f8b5_12.JPG

Those are the only Japanese bikes to own as this one is mine.

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s48/mixtemike/Zunow%20Z-1/1990ZunowZ-1_01.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s48/mixtemike/Zunow%20Z-1/1990ZunowZ-1_03.jpg




http://s149.photobucket.com/albums/s48/mixtemike/Zunow%20Z-1/

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s48/mixtemike/Zunow%20Z-1/1990ZunowZ-1_04.jpg

Those are the only Japanese bikes to own as this one is mine.

Yours is an absolute beauty, i can see no flaw! That is the paintjob everyone thinks about when talking about Zunows :)

My 1984 Fuji del Rey:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3585/3323336033_f290ac1077.jpg?v=0

Fuji .. I grew up with my buddies saying Campy, Campy, Campy. And I was a rebel. Bought my first Fuji in '79 and now they're multiplying like rabbits in my house and shed.

I might get whipped by the French lovers ... but I just traded my '72 PX-10 for Neal's '72 Newest (not pictured above). We're planning a reunion tour this spring ....

Someday I want a Toei .. someday.

Scott

My 1981 Univega Gran Premio:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3542/3306827687_f04303c807_o.jpg

Very nice bike, would not sell it for less than $500 — although it's worth a lot less. Chromed fork crown, diamond cutouts in the lugs. I would love to update it with a late 80's NOS Suntour Sprint or Superbe group or even Dura-Ace. :)

Edit: It's currently set up with 105 (derailleurs, brakes, brake levers) 600 (crankset) and early Ultegra (seat post, pedals) stuff... Tange Champion double-butted tubing.

http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q299/ozneddy_photo/P1010025.jpg

I think Panasonics are quickly stealing my heart. When I got my DX-6000 back in october, it very quickly became one of the only things I thought about it. And now that it's complete, I ride it just about every day it's clear.
I'd love more, I'd especially love to find an old Panny track bike, though those are hard to come by, like their TT bikes. Sure, I want a Bianchi, I want an OLD path racer, I want a new plastic wonder bike, and I'm thinking about building up a new Felt Gridlock frame as a fixed commuter. To me.
I'll love my DX as long as I have it, and I intend to never sell it... And it'll probably receive a lot of upgrades in it's time.
To me, as long as it's a bicycle/tricycle/HPV it lights my fire. I'm passionate about bicycles now, and I think it's here to stay.
-Gene-

I'd love to get one of the good touring bikes from the 80s. My 79 Miyata Gran Touring is unfortunately too small for me.

TOEI

http://homepage3.nifty.com/ClassicBicycles/mybike/TOEIRandonneur.jpg

Tour (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2090/2455228437_c4a398ae8a_m.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.flickr.com/photos/spastica/sets/72157604822562965/&usg=__d8lemrUAyQZR8Lc6TIViF2c048U=&h=150&w=240&sz=29&hl=en&start=1&um=1&tbnid=SyJs9KDjm1odbM:&tbnh=69&tbnw=110&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dtoei%2Bbike%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26sa%3DG) of their framebuilding shop.

TOEI

http://homepage3.nifty.com/ClassicBicycles/mybike/TOEIRandonneur.jpg

Tour (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2090/2455228437_c4a398ae8a_m.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.flickr.com/photos/spastica/sets/72157604822562965/&usg=__d8lemrUAyQZR8Lc6TIViF2c048U=&h=150&w=240&sz=29&hl=en&start=1&um=1&tbnid=SyJs9KDjm1odbM:&tbnh=69&tbnw=110&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dtoei%2Bbike%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26sa%3DG) of their framebuilding shop.

JunkYard, is that yours? You are a lucky owner indeed.

Scott

That's beautiful...

Meant to post this earlier:

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff142/Head_High_and_Glassy/1986%20Fuji%20Design%20Series/DSC_0012.jpg

1986 Fuji Design

Scott

1972 Fuji Finest, probably the best finished/constructed frameset of any I've had. This pic is as I received it, but I've rehabbed it over the winter w/ mostly the same parts as shown:
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_GmYBBzTzcVQ/SR2NaK4UToI/AAAAAAAAC8c/8ums6y5g74A/s800/FujiFinest1.jpg


I've had a 72, some of it was really nice, but my impression that some of it was a little crude, mine anyhow, especially in the lug finishing department. Seems very well constructed, but I'm wondering why you say it is the best constructed. Not being argumentative, again, the construction seems fine to me, but doesn't move me to that sort of superlative, wondering if I'm missing something.

JunkYard, is that yours? You are a lucky owner indeed.

Scott

Ha! I wish...some day, though.

Thanks for all the pictures of beautiful Japanese-made bikes! I don't have one, mine was stolen back in 1984. It was a wonderful 25" Katakura Silk touring bike, and I still miss it. I've never seen another one like it, either.

If I find one in another state on CL, I'm hoping that a C&V friend will be nice enough to buy it for me and ship it to me. I'll reimburse fully, of course.

Katakura can be brilliant though they did a lot of lower end stuff too. Their best frames are amazing though.

Nice to see all those Zunows! I am still kicking myself that I passed up a chance to trade my 70s Alan track frame for a silver but nicely detailed Zunow track frame. And I am still kicking myself that I didn't bring the Alan back home with me! (I am no longer in Tokyo)

What I did bring home is in my sig. Venus--a classic NJS builder that quit (died?) in 1982. For classicly lugged steel track, rando, and road I think Japanese builders are hard to beat. And for the quality they create the turn around time is quick and the cost so low! Love me some work ethic ;)

my fav two Japanese bikes in my stable are my:

Miyata 310 - Setup as my fixed gear, my first bike i ever truly loved.

Schwinn World Sport - Built by giant for schwinn, it is my current bad weather bike full and racked and fender'd bike.

Both are great.

my fav two Japanese bikes in my stable are my:

Miyata 310 - Setup as my fixed gear, my first bike i ever truly loved.

Has changed a bit since those pics, flat bar, ourys and front brake.

http://web.mac.com/nicholas.tenbrink/iWeb/Site/Miyata%20310_files/IMG_2027.jpg

http://web.mac.com/nicholas.tenbrink/iWeb/Site/Miyata%20310_files/IMG_2028.jpg

Where are RobbieTunes and A.Winthrop's collection of Centurions?

I've had a 72, some of it was really nice, but my impression that some of it was a little crude, mine anyhow, especially in the lug finishing department. Seems very well constructed, but I'm wondering why you say it is the best constructed. Not being argumentative, again, the construction seems fine to me, but doesn't move me to that sort of superlative, wondering if I'm missing something.

That's interesting in that the lug finishing and general brazing are what I was referring to on my Finest, particularly the transitions from rear dropouts to stays and fork dropouts to blades. I need to get some good photos of those areas, but that'll need to wait until our latest foot of snow has melted back some.

Neal

Where are RobbieTunes and A.Winthrop's collection of Centurions?I like Centurions???? Why yes, yes I do.... :D
Team jersey, A.Winthrop's paperweight, 83 Turbo
84 Lemans RS, 85 Prestige, 86 Ironman
88 Ironman (steel), 88 Ironman (carbon x 2)
89 Ironman, '84 Italian imposter.

87 Schwinn Super Sport. Not sure where the frame was made, I read it is either japan (by national) or Greenville, MS. Shimano Sante group (minus the headset, shimano 600.)

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b21/bsonpics/IMG_0495-1.jpg

Robatsu,

My Finest is at the frame painters as we speak, a week or so away from completion. When I brought the frame in, my painter said "Wow, is this really Japanese?" I'd stripped it of all it's paint and identifying decals before bringing it in.

There seems to be a very large segment of the cycling population that doesn't give Japanese bicycles their proper credit. Makes Craigslist ripe for picking sometimes.

Scott

Sweet!!!!!!

I thought the WS was made in Taiwan. I have an 88 (that I'd like to trade) and an 87 Tempo - which I understand was Japanese.

Thanks for all the great pictures and new-to-me marques. All I know about Japanese bikes comes from riding a 1971 American Eagle Semi-Pro for 20 years / 40k miles, until the frame broke. One of the cranks broke a couple of years later, after I had transferred it to my Peugeot.

Even though it was double-butted Ishiwata CrMo, my Kawamura-made frame was spongy and leaden-feeling, but the components were first-class and quite innovative, from the slant planograph rear derailleur to the directionally drilled spoke holes in the Araya rims. The Sugino Mighty Compe cranks, Kyoto Pro Ace pedals, and high-flange Sunshine hubs looked like their respective Campagnolo counterparts, and of course the DiaCompe centerpulls look like Weinmann Vainqueur 999s. The four-cross stainless steel spokes were an attractive touch, when some pretty good European bikes were still coming through with galvanized spokes.

My Peugeot UO-8 commuter is highly upgraded with Japanese parts, including a Sugino aero crankset, MKS Sylvan road quill pedals, SunTour ratchet barcons, a Shimano Titlist front derailleur, a SunTour Cyclone II rear derailleur, and an ultra-6 SunTour freewheel.