Classic & Vintage - Confused By New Aquistion. Sekai Help Please?

So I started the day like any other, with a big helping of coffee. Then I planned a trip to the local thrift store where I picked up my first Free Spirit ever which is missing the front wheel but otherwise complete. It cost me $6 + tax so it was worth it to be finally able to try my hand at creating a fix gear. I'm surprised by how heavy this thing is though!

Anyhow, on the way home I drove by this garage sale and saw a bike in a stand, looking all dejected. Took a look at it and played haggle with the owner and walked away with it for $30. Most intriguing thing I've ever owned vintage-wise;

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vqzZHQl3xrI/Sj1_BJCpeOI/AAAAAAAAAZs/8Zt5Abu4ASE/s512/Drive%20side.JPG
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vqzZHQl3xrI/Sj1-mupksuI/AAAAAAAAAZM/ahJU7Av_DJk/s512/1000.JPG

Looks nice, not a SPOT of rust on the entire thing. But here are the weird things...has anyone any idea what these hangers are for?

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vqzZHQl3xrI/Sj1-oIOKgPI/AAAAAAAAAZc/kqf2_fv55SI/s512/brake%20hanger2.JPG

And these are the second set of these pedal I've run into. Why are they always facing down? On both my bikes that have had them >.>

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vqzZHQl3xrI/Sj1_VSx9BSI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/ynqSYVzhKJk/s512/pedal%20angle.JPG
And what the heck is with this!?!? It looks like an old 1980's RX-7 rim... It's kinda cool though!

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vqzZHQl3xrI/Sj1_AUHgdbI/AAAAAAAAAZk/rnOuc75DUG0/s512/crank.JPG

Anyhow, I was wondering if anybody out there could tell me about this bike. It's a Sekai 1000 Series and that's all I know. It's my first Sekai, worth keeping? thinking about flipping.

More pictures here that are larger if you need them: http://picasaweb.google.com/Sdlong92/Sekai#

Thanks for the help!
-Donny

Can a moderator correct the typo in the title please?

Hangers? Do you mean the clip for the tire pump or the tire guides on the brake shoes?

When you knock off that reflector and install clips and straps, the pedals will hang right.

Crazy crank, crazy man.

I think he means the wheel guides to assist in quick wheel changes in race situations... somehow made their way onto lower level bikes by the 1980s.

Looks like a very well kept bike. Enjoy it.

it IS an extremely weird crank, but thanks to that very clear pic we know what's on the Claud Butler Mixte (in another thread). The Sekai is a good workmanlike Japanese bike, nothing special but probably everything will work as it should. Big plus is it's a very small size with 2 matching wheels (are they 700C?) so it will be in demand, especially with females. Given the xlnt condition you won't need to do much to flip it: just replace the horrid foam handlebar padding.

You can find out more info by visiting the Vintage Trek website and click on Component dates. Scroll down to Suntour and start your investigation. I have a Suntour front derailleur and it is stamped YC, with this info, as long as the component is original, the bike could be a 1982 or 1983. Here is some more info on Suntour:

In 1982, the year before mountain bikes became significant, SunTour equipped about 60% of the medium-priced bicycles, compared to Shimano's 30%. SunTour had 13 different lines of derailleurs. From the top they went; Superbe Pro, Superbe, Cyclone Mk II, Cyclone, BL, ARx, Vx, AR, Seven, Volante, Honor, GT, and Mighty Click. Most lines had a racing and a touring model. Vx rear derailleurs came in four different capacities.

According to Sutherland's, the AR "medium cage" can handle up to 28T freewheel, has a maximum total capacity (difference between smallest and largest freewheel cogs plus the difference between smallest and largest chain rings) of 30T, and can accommodate a 16T maximum chainring spread.

I think he means the wheel guides to assist in quick wheel changes in race situations... somehow made their way onto lower level bikes by the 1980s.

Oh really? I've never seen that before. Can you explain a little bit of how it works? I just can't imagine how to use it :(


it IS an extremely weird crank, but thanks to that very clear pic we know what's on the Claud Butler Mixte (in another thread). The Sekai is a good workmanlike Japanese bike, nothing special but probably everything will work as it should. Big plus is it's a very small size with 2 matching wheels (are they 700C?) so it will be in demand, especially with females. Given the xlnt condition you won't need to do much to flip it: just replace the horrid foam handlebar padding.


Well I'm glad my pictures helped with that mixte crank mystery. I have to admit, I'm still unsure if I like it or not! But, I'll it to the new owner to replace if they want to.

I am pleasantly surprised how smoothly the bike rides, feels very responsive. I would consider keeping it if it wasn't a 46cm.

Thanks for all the help everyone,
-Donny

You don't need to do anything with the tire guides, they just sit there and funnel the tire between the brake pads instead of possibly hanging up on them.

Nice bike.

FWIW on the foam bar covering, while I personally cannot stand it, I find that many buyers prefer it. I used to take time to carefully cut if off the bars, and then spend money (and a little more time) to rewrap them. Any more, I no longer do this. If someone told me they would really prefer modern bar tape, I would make the change for them, no problem.

Just one guy's experience.