Classic & Vintage - Katakura Silk

Hi everyone...I'm new here, and right away I have a question.

Found these two bikes tucked away in the upper part of the garage storage rafters.

On the bikes is says Katakura Silk Porta Cycle / They are obviously "vintage", and certainly not in pristine condition however I was able to ride them both...however not at the same time.
Would these be worth selling or is Goodwill their best option? Not sure when they got in my garage or where they came from. I suspect that the previous owner's of this house left them behind... Thanks for your help.

Post photos, many of us are interested in seeing the occasional odd bike. Can't tell you a thing about the brand, tho.

Uhoh, An odd japanese bike that is maybe a folder (porta cycle)? Sounds like something fun to play with (dons white lab coat, jacobs ladder and tesla coil for that mad scientist look).

Cool! I think I have heard of the porta silk before on these forums, maybe a year or so back.

A search of the forums yeilded only a link to this bike, obviously quite different than yours, but some history here:

http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2004/f/tomity.htm

Ok, thanks for the interest and responses to my garage rafters find. I tried to post a photo of them but I'm new to this posting thingy and could not get the picture to attach. Said my photo was over 100kb. I tried to make it smaller and so now will see if a small picture of 1 bike attaches. If it does not appear, I am very sorry and also not too smart. Guess I will need lessons in attachments as well as help finding out about the Katakura Silk Porta Cycles.

Very cool! Still don't know a thing, other than that I'd be tempted by it if I found it. BTW, I've found that my digital camera set to the lowest resolution takes excellent photos for posting here, just under the 100 whatever size.

medium setting works fine to upload. Some of the better
settings (high, excellent, superduper etc.) won't upload without
lots of finagling.
Interesting bike, never seen or heard of one before this thread.
love the name.
Marty

is that a brooks saddle on the bike ? It looks like it might be leather anyway.

A search of the forums yeilded only a link to this bike, obviously quite different than yours, but some history here:

http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2004/f/tomity.htm

I've never seen a Louis Vitton saddle before.

But, the Katakura Silk in question is pretty darn cool looking.

Hi Anybody, New here, and found you all while running down info on a bike I never heard of, or ever saw one quite like it. A Katakura Silk Lady Sport 26 x 1-3/8", 10 speed. I'll see if I can learn how to post a pic but give me a few days. I just tried but file is to large- I'll have to read my camera book first.
Bye for now, I'll be back ASAP, YEAHMAN.

Hi again, Not sure I did the pix the right way, this is new to me.
If not I'll get some advise. It's an interesting bicycle
but verbal description is empty without a visual reference.
YEAHMAN.

I'd buy that for the front rack and generator light system alone. Still can't tell you squat about the brand, although they obviously made a wide variety of bikes.

The trackbike site guy said it was made by a silk weaving company, and it has a butterfly design pinstripped on the seat tube. The tires have a raised motif which I can only guess is a mulberry leaf or flower garland. The "curb" here in Bergen Co. N.J. has been the the source of my last 3 dozen bikes used for rebuilds. I found this one
leaning on a dumpster waiting to be rescued. No one there, cleaning out a garage, knew any thing about its origins. I'd usually undertake its rehabilitation, but I think I'm going to offer it 'as is' on eBay, as my plate is really full. I'll need a week to write a decent description. Wish me luck.

That is one of the coolest front tires I've ever seen. Are those flowers around the sidewall? That would be da bomb on a group ride. The folder's pretty cool too...I think that the seat is probably a Belt saddle.