Japanese "Special" Leather saddle - what are they?
01-22-12, 02:14 PM
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Japanese "Special" Leather saddle - what are they?
I see these on the 'Bay from time to time and the quality looks similar to Brooks, I'm wondering who made them, and what anybody thinks. To my eyes they look sort of in-between the size of a B17 and a Brooks Pro. Am I right about that? Anybody have any idea about quality, etc?
01-22-12, 02:38 PM
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The "Special" name rings a bell .. somewhere. However, Fujita made some very nice saddles way back when and into the 80's
https://vintagefuji.posterous.com/fuj...log-circa-1968
You'll notice that some of the model numbers reflect those of Brooks.
Scott
https://vintagefuji.posterous.com/fuj...log-circa-1968
You'll notice that some of the model numbers reflect those of Brooks.
Scott
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01-22-12, 02:39 PM
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Fujita made tensioned leather saddles. The early 70's Fuji SR-10 I have came with one. Not as wide as a B17, thicker leather, longer to break in. Also took a 14 mm wrench for the tensioning bolt. I believe the Brooks is a 1/2" or 9/16" bolt. Otherwise nice looking saddle.
As far as I tell from riding the Fujita, the main disadvantage was the saddle bag loops were closer together and were narrower than the straps on the bags. The loops pulled the straps inward and resulted in significant wea on the straps. Went back to the B17 to avoid ruining the straps. IF you do not use saddle bags, then this is not a problem.
As far as I tell from riding the Fujita, the main disadvantage was the saddle bag loops were closer together and were narrower than the straps on the bags. The loops pulled the straps inward and resulted in significant wea on the straps. Went back to the B17 to avoid ruining the straps. IF you do not use saddle bags, then this is not a problem.
01-22-12, 03:05 PM
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I have a Fugita Professional tucked away but its condition is not the best. I have owned a couple of Fugita belt saddles, the ones that were fitted to higher end Canadian Sekine road bicycles and a Super Saddle.
All three saddle makes appeared to be quality items, solidly made and of decent materials.
The one saddle I took some pictures of, a "Super Saddle", was a suspended leather unit, pirated from a near mint Royce Union.
All three saddle makes appeared to be quality items, solidly made and of decent materials.
The one saddle I took some pictures of, a "Super Saddle", was a suspended leather unit, pirated from a near mint Royce Union.
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01-22-12, 04:09 PM
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I see these on the 'Bay from time to time and the quality looks similar to Brooks, I'm wondering who made them, and what anybody thinks. To my eyes they look sort of in-between the size of a B17 and a Brooks Pro. Am I right about that? Anybody have any idea about quality, etc?
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