Classic & Vintage - My 25 year old new bike, 1985 Maruishi

161789161790161791161792161793Hello,

Just wanted to share a couple pics of my new to me bike. After getting back into riding over the last couple years and looking around the Internet I have been wanting an older road bike. Something cool with downtube shifters and the like. Finding a used one that fits me and was the right price, however, took some time.

So here it is, a 1985 Maruishi Excellence STE. I figured out the year by tracking down the ages of all of its components, which were all original when I bought it. I have replaced the handlebar tape and tires, other than that it's all stock. I spent a ton of time cleaning, lubing, and adjusting it and it rides probably better than new for my efforts. Plus, it doesn't look like anyone elses bike, which I also like. Kinda nice to be different.

you did very, very well on that one, for sure...congratulations

very sweet looking, dig the kangaroo!

nice bike! really like the colors. curious to what you paid but if you dont want to say no biggie. congrats!

Very nice - looks pretty top-of-the-line, and has eyelets (and room!) for fenders too, should you decide you want/need 'em.

SP
Bend, OR

Man, that's pretty.
Can you show us a close-up of the seat tube lug?

Nice find. I had a 1985 Maruishi as well, but yours is higher up the totem pole. I have the catalog for that year and the STE was at the bottom of the four offerings in the racing group. That generic Cr.Mo. tubing sticker on it doesn't tell you that the main tubing is actually Ishiwata 022 (seamless) double butted. The color of that paint is called Gun Gray in the catalog.

That is an absolutely beautiful bike, I love everything about it.

nice one.

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Here's some pics of the seat lugs and head tube lugs.

Thanks everyone for the comments. I wasn't going to post about it, but I like it so much I wanted to show it off a little. Oh, and thanks BlankCrows for the info on it. I had found some scans of the catalog online, but they only showed a few of the models and didn't show the year either. Had to do some research to find that out. I thought it must be part of their racing line because even though my road bike experience is very limited, it sure rides quickly and is very responsive. And, it is so light (compared to my old mountain bike), the catalog page I found on it states 23 lbs. I have to say though, it seems to feel lighter than that.

While I am thinking about it, has anyone ridden a Brooks B17 with approximately my seat to handlebar drop? I have moved the seat up just slightly since these pictures were taken, maybe a centimeter or so. The reason I ask is all the literature on the B17 states that it is good for level with handlebars or if the bars are slightly higher. But I would like a little extra width on the rear of the saddle. Yet, my existing saddle isn't bad plus a buying a new saddle will bust the budget I have set for myself and my new bike. Who knows.

Thanks again for the kind words.

161941161942161943
Here's some pics of the seat lugs and head tube lugs.

Thanks everyone for the comments. I wasn't going to post about it, but I like it so much I wanted to show it off a little. Oh, and thanks BlankCrows for the info on it. I had found some scans of the catalog online, but they only showed a few of the models and didn't show the year either. Had to do some research to find that out. I thought it must be part of their racing line because even though my road bike experience is very limited, it sure rides quickly and is very responsive. And, it is so light (compared to my old mountain bike), the catalog page I found on it states 23 lbs. I have to say though, it seems to feel lighter than that.

While I am thinking about it, has anyone ridden a Brooks B17 with approximately my seat to handlebar drop? I have moved the seat up just slightly since these pictures were taken, maybe a centimeter or so. The reason I ask is all the literature on the B17 states that it is good for level with handlebars or if the bars are slightly higher. But I would like a little extra width on the rear of the saddle. Yet, my existing saddle isn't bad plus a buying a new saddle will bust the budget I have set for myself and my new bike. Who knows.

Thanks again for the kind words.

I'm riding a B17 with the bar about 1-1.5" below the saddle, and it works just fine. It's the best-fitting saddle I've found in 35 years of this silliness.

SP
Bend, OR

In some ways, a bike like that is my dream bike.

Beautiful. I love long pointy Japanese lugs.

ahhhhh japanese bikes

Nice find. I had a 1985 Maruishi as well, but yours is higher up the totem pole. I have the catalog for that year and the STE was at the bottom of the four offerings in the racing group. That generic Cr.Mo. tubing sticker on it doesn't tell you that the main tubing is actually Ishiwata 022 (seamless) double butted. The color of that paint is called Gun Gray in the catalog.

BlankCrows, do you have the catalog in electronic format, and if so would you mind emailing it to me?

I just picked up a deep blue Maruishi Excellence, with Ishiwata 025 tubing. I'm in the process of cleaning it up, when I'm done I'll post pics. In the meantime I'm trying to gather up any info about it that I can; not a whole lot of info out on the interwebs.

I think I have it narrowed down to year 1983 according to the date stamps on the components (Shimano 600 cranks and shifters, hubs, Dia Compe 500 brakes and levers all from 1983).

I did come across a scan of the Maruishi catalog from (I think) 1984 but the Excellence is not included in it. I also found some info about the Ishiwata 025 tubing- It looks to be double butted down tube 0.9/0.6mm and straight gauge top and seat tubes 0.8mm.

Thats all I know so far... I will post a new topic with pics later, but thought I'd bump this one too.

Thanks all!

PS-Nice bike lil'hobo!

I'd hit it.


Very sexy bike!

BlankCrows, do you have the catalog in electronic format, and if so would you mind emailing it to me?


I am scanner-less right now. You just want the STE Excellence model page? PM me your address and I will make a copy around the corner and pop it in the mail to you.

I am scanner-less right now. You just want the STE Excellence model page? PM me your address and I will make a copy around the corner and pop it in the mail to you.

Wow BlankCrows that is generous of you, but I don't want you to go out of your way... I don't need anything too high quality; maybe you could even just snap a digital pic?

Anyway, sending you a pm.

Well, almost a year of owning this bike and I am still really enjoying it. I have thought about about switching the gearing up a little; however, I just cant bring myself to change the bike's character. I just avoid big hills, at least climbing them that is! And as much as I want a Brooks, the Vetta saddle has finally broke me in so it stays.

Thanks again for the kind words.

161941161942161943

While I am thinking about it, has anyone ridden a Brooks B17 with approximately my seat to handlebar drop? I have moved the seat up just slightly since these pictures were taken, maybe a centimeter or so. The reason I ask is all the literature on the B17 states that it is good for level with handlebars or if the bars are slightly higher. But I would like a little extra width on the rear of the saddle. Yet, my existing saddle isn't bad plus a buying a new saddle will bust the budget I have set for myself and my new bike. Who knows.

Thanks again for the kind words.


Beautiful bike and set up! What a great find.

As far as B17's go, I think you'll be fine. I have a couple of bikes about the same size and fit, with a Brooks saddles and about 1-2" drop to the bars. In my experience all you have to do is adjust the saddle angle to accomodate a particular saddle-to-bar drop. Angled slightly forward for more drop, slightly back for less, but the difference in angle is usually minimal.

Very nice. I don't remember those too much in the 80's.

Gorgeous. I'd take a swing at a Maruishi one day.