Michael Shaw

Here's a bit of buried treasure that has been hiding in the cellar.

Its a 23-inch Japanese Sakai Star. The only one I've seen.

A dog's breakfast of assorted aluminum alloy accessories (callipers, shifters, seat post, derailleurs, handlebars, stem, crank arms, hubs, rims) by Shimano, Sugino, Kashimax, Sakae, Suzue, Araya and Dia Compe.

Tange head set and Tange 5 frame - but it all adds up to a very pleasing ride - light and very stiff.

Anyone know anything about these Sakai bikes ?? This one seems to be nicely put together.

T-Mar

Sakai was the Japnese house brand for Bloor Cycle. In 1984 the Star replaced the Express as the entry level lighweight model carried by Bloor. It appears to have been their best selling model. In 1985, it went to Tange 900, so I'm assuming this is a 1984 model even if the livery doesn't quite match the catalogue. Tange #5 was spec'd only for the main triangle, with the stays and forks being hi-tensile steel. That eclectic component mix appears to be OEM. Claimed weight was 25-1/4 lbs. Original price was $299 CDN.

I'd appreciate the serial number for my database. TIA.

Bianchigirll 

Nice looking bike.

RaleighSport

Would a Sekai by any other name truly be a Sekai? As you seem to have found, the answer is yes. Glad you posted this up so I could see T-mars response, I also wouldn't mind a copy of the serial for the Sekai database.

And T-mar, am I mistaken or does that correspond at about the Sekai 2400 model?

T-Mar

Not for the corresponding year. In 1984 the Sekai 2400 was more of an entry level grand touring model, being equipped with a triple chainring. It also had a double butted CMn frame versus the Star's plain gauge CrMo. However, thanks to Norco's bouncing specification policy, the 1985 version of the 2400 was downgraded to a double crankset and rec'd a Tange 900 tubeset, so it was roughly equal to the 1985 Sakai Star, but without the eclectic component mix. I don't have a very comprehensive list of the 1984 Sekai models, but I believe that year's Sakai Star was probably closest to the Sekai 1000 (just speculation).

Michael Shaw

Thanks for the info.
This one does have a Bloor Cycle sticker on it.
The serial number is plainly stamped on the BB and is " 6A00063 "

I did a deep Google for "Miki Sakai" and came up with lots of great pictures, 0_0, but none of them of bicycles.

Mike

T-Mar

Well, that's not the standard Miki serial number format, as it's missing the M prefix, unless it's just lightly stamped. Assuming the provided serial number is correct, it would be a (here comes the four letter auto-police) Matsu****a manufactured frame. They were most famous for their Panasonic brand but also contract manufactured for brands like Schwinn.

As for the year, it is a 1986 model. That "bouncing specification" comment came back to bite me! I didn't think they'd revert back to Tange #5 but a quick check of the 1986 catalog shows that they did. Oh well, at least it validates the comment and resolves the cosmetic differences. The eclectic component mix is still OEM, with the only non-OEM item that I can detect being the bar tape. The original appears to have been a white vinyl tape. The only other change was an increase in price, to $349 CDN.

Michael Shaw

Very nice of you to say so.

M

Michael Shaw

Fantastic, and thanks again for the info.

I took a picture of the serial number and found that there is, as you say, a very lightly stamped "M" in front of the partial serial number I gave you.

If you look closely you will see M6A00063 on the BB.

Mike

T-Mar

Thxs, RS and myself are breathing big sighs of relief, knowing that it is a Miki manufactured frame.

RaleighSport

Ha, I love crash courses in missing info! And yes I am quite relieved it's a Miki that would have been a major wrench in the cogs otherwise!

zukahn1 

Great looking bike I think if it's your size you should keep it. As for sale value it is a lesser known Japanese bike from the early 80's so don't expect to get great value out of it. I would guess $225-250 in most markets this bike is worth more as rider keeper than you could sell it for.

RaleighSport

Sekai itself seems to have a decent cult following, and a minor explanation in a sales description could actually make it quite worth selling, but if it were mine I'd keep it.

ackent

I can confidently tell you about the Sakai Star as I was the principal designer and purchaser of these bicycles on behalf of Bloor Cycle in Toronto. As someone correctly posted this model, superseded the Express. It was built by the Sakai Bicycle company in Japan and sold exclusively by Bloor Cycle. This company and model range had NO connection to the Sekai Bicycle company.Amazingly after all these years I still see Sakai bicycles on the road in Toronto!

ackent

Upon viewing the photos, which I had not seen until after my previous; I can amend that this latter version of the Sakai Star was in fact built by Raleigh Industries in Waterloo Quebec. Still a nice old machine; however, it's Japanese made predecessor had a nicer frame.