Classic & Vintage - Goodwillfind: Kabuki by Bridgestone - now what to do!

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PatLuc
05-16-04, 04:29 PM
OK folks, give me some ideas for my latest $5.99 Goodwill find, a Bridgestone Kabuki. Has a very cool nameplate on the front and says "Bridgestone" on the down tube. Expander seatpost. SN: D981990. Anyone know if that tells the age?

Has one sticker on the seat tube that says:
"Kabuki - Tested Finest Bicycle - Precision Mechanism - Manufactured by Bridgestone - Tokyo Japan"

A second sticker says:
"Technart Frame & Fork - Hi Tensile"

Componets:
Araya rims, 27X1.25
Suntour "Perfect" freewheel
Suzue hub

Suntour aRX (might be missing the first letter in the model) rear derailleur
Suntour Vx front
Shimano Altus clamp-on shifters

SR 165mm cranks. Have "Bridgestone" cast-in on the outside. Cool looking.
SR chainrings. 40 and 52.
SR rat trap pedals
Has duel eyelets on the rear dropouts and forks. I guess for fenders and racks.

Well, what should I do with her? It the bike is probably a little small for me (19"), but I might be able to make it work. I haven't reseached her much, but Sheldon has some info and says the frame is made by casting aluminum lugs around the steel frame. Interesting. More photos to follow.

Thanks,
Pat

PatLuc
05-16-04, 04:31 PM
Coolest part of the whole bike:
PatLuc
05-16-04, 04:40 PM
Some more specific photos if anyone wants to see them
Pat

legalize_it
05-16-04, 08:20 PM
I haven't reseached her much, but Sheldon has some info and says the frame is made by casting aluminum lugs around the steel frame. Interesting. More photos to follow.

Thanks,
Pat


i also own a similar bike using the cast alum lugs.

its a c.itoh (kabuki) submariner that i found in a dumpster. it has unpainted stainless steel top, down and seat tubes. unfortunately it was in a head on collision and the top and down tubes are bulged where they meet the cast lugs. its a shame bc its a very nice looking bike. it was equipped with shimano 600. if you want i can snap a pic of the frame.

i like the sticker on the seat tube of your bike, the cross-section of the lugging/construction is super cool. mine doesnt have the sticker on it, i wish it did!

i really like your bike, its beautiful. take care of it, im sure it rides wonderfully!
clipped
11-02-07, 04:51 AM
I just came across a similer c.Itoh, straight but rusty. The main tubes are so shiney compared to the rest. Looks to be an interesting winter project.
cudak888
11-02-07, 07:22 AM
I just came across a similer c.Itoh, straight but rusty. The main tubes are so shiney compared to the rest. Looks to be an interesting winter project.

^
:eek: Talk about digging up old threads! ;)

-Kurt
ronp6
11-02-07, 08:15 AM
I have a 1985 Bridgestone Carmel mixte with the same lug construction and tubing descrition and it came with the same rear derailleur. It is a 6 speed so there is no front. I don't remember the shifter that was on it. The lugs were at least used in 1980 from a bike I previouly sold. It is quite heavy. I saw someone say they chained their 50# bike to their car so the car couldn't be stolen. This could be 40#.