Classic & Vintage - Sekai With Cantilever mounts

Hey everyone. I picked up what looks to be an early 80s touring frame that takes 27" wheels and has canti bosses and forged drop outs. It's been sanded down, but the seller said it said Sekai on it before he trashed it. Does anyone know of a Sekai that would fit this description? It appears to be upper end (for Sekai, anyway).

Sekai's grand touring models were typically 2xxx series models. Based on the 27" wheels and cantilver lever studs it is probably closer to mid-1980s. Serial number?

Hey T-Mar. The serial is 370290. What does it mean???

pics?

Tomorrow! Though I don't think they'll tell you anything since there aren't any decals and the paint has been stripped.

Unfortunately, that's not the normal serial number format we see on Sekai. They obviously used more than one contractor. It may indicate 1983/1984 but we'll need more evidence to be sure. Check the fork's steerer tube for a manufacturer's stamp. Sometimes they also have a date code, typically a two character, alpha-numeric code. Also, determine the correct size seat post for the frame. Pics are often very helpful, even if it has been stripped of decals and paint. In addition to an overall pic, include pics of the frame features. If it came with any components, please include pics of those as well.

Ha, this is so funny! I am like 90% sure I am the one who gave orangegore that bicycle. I traded someone some bike parts for it (they had already sanded and primed the fork) then I gave it to a friend of mine, who was going to paint it. They started sanding the frame before they admitted that the bike was too big, so they gave it back. That is when I then traded it again, to orangegore. Small world. Anyway, the person who had it before me was going to make it a fixed gear, so they started knocking off the braze ons, which is why I never built it up. It looked like a really solid frame. If my memory serves me, it was a Sekai 2000.

Yup, that's the one. I'll check the steertube tomorrow and let y'all know. Isn't the 2000 lower end? This has forged dropouts and decent looking lugs.

The 2000 bounced around a little bit, depending on the year, but was typically on the border of entry level and mid-range. They had forged droputs even when they were still sporting center-pull brakes back in the late 1970s. Don't forget to verify the seat post size, as it will be our best indicator for the tubeset.

Here are the photos, I'll check the seat post and steer tube tomorrow, I swear.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4087/5227775276_7e8d01564e_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5048/5227775088_570f921ed3_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5088/5227180079_e8c4602730_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4145/5227179889_1afb21cce8_b.jpg

I'll get the steer tube later.