Classic & Vintage - Bridgestone Kabuki DT Out Of Storage

Just brought my Bridgestone Kabuki Diamond Touring (DT) out of attic storage, where it has been since Ronald Reagan's 2nd term in office! For me, it was like opening up a time capsule! I had probably put 3,000 miles on it before I stored it. I had several bikes at the time, and didn't ride this one that heavily. I had put the original receipt in the original box (I had bought it in the box, and set it up myself), and it was dated November 8, 1979. The toe clips and reflectors are still in their original bags, unopened! Double-butted 25" Chrome Moly frame and Chrome Moly forks, Suntour Cyclone deraileurs, and Gran-Compe brakes, Brooks leather saddle (upgrade), Araya rims on Shimano hubs. Needs new handlebar tape...but I threw 2 new rolls (from the '70s) into the box when I stored it! Can't wait to start riding it again! Hey, anybody else pack their bikes away for 25 +/- years? The tough part about it for me is...the bike looks the same, but I don't!

All the fun of buying a vintage bike without the painful payment part.

All the fun of buying a vintage bike without the painful payment part.

Got that right!

That's so cool. Post some more pictures when you have it assembled and ready to ride.

I'm too new to the sport to have anything stored away, but I might be inclined to stow away my modern bikes, as I don't ride them. :)

Will post pix when it is all ready to ride. Need to treat the Brooks saddle. Looks like new still, but don't want to take a chance on having it fall apart.

The tough part about it for me is...the bike looks the same, but I don't!
You have to stop looking in the mirror...:D
I guess the Kabuki's in for a complete overhaul - are you going to keep it all stock?
Good going - I wouldn't have been able to ever have done this - I must have moved 7 times in the last 25 years.

Reassembled the DT for a test ride (stem will be lowered). The seat post and peddles were date stamped "77" (1977). Washed the bike down throroughly, and shined it up with liquid Simonize car wax (C&V car wax from 1984 of course!). Soaked the 30+ year old Brooks saddle in Neat's Foot compound. Seems supple enough now. I just hope it doesn't tear apart when I am riding. I remember that the red paint was supposedly an unusual color for a DT, and bright metallic orange was typical. The Diamond Touring was the top-of-the-line touring model for Bridgestone Kabuki (imported by C. Itoh). The Diamond Road was their only other model of any type that was above it. I remember "Jonesing" awhile for a Diamond Road. Below is a picture of my reassembled red DT, and somebody else's (from an older BF posting) in the more typical orange and most likely with the stock saddle. This DT replaced the Fuji Special Road Racer (S-10-S & S-12-S) as my favorite ride after I bought it on November 8, 1979.

Wow. Looks great.

A good looking bike you got there. :)

Update, just bought an old Fuji road bike in my size (excellent condition & all original) to relive those pre-DT "Special Road Racer" years. BF has definitely effected by buying habits. :giver: