Specialized Allez, another grail bike acquired
06-25-12, 03:02 PM
#26
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Very interesting. I'd love to see close up pics if the lugs and fork crown. I'd assume it's a repaint as I've never even heard of anything but red ones. Also, the 54 is the size and they don't have serial numbers, so that doesn't point to anything unique per se.
06-25-12, 08:33 PM
#28
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I just wanted to chime in here about the YK Allez. I have a black YK Allez with no serial number, only the number 54. Campy dropout and all other ID markers are present. I read and conclude that it must be a second generation because there is an S on the back bars not the words Allez. Campy Record Groupo except for a Suzue 36 hole front hub to an chrome rim, and shimano brakes (black 600's). I also sold the pedals and use my spd, and I put on the USA sticker on the top tube to hide a small dent. I purchased from original owner who said he purchased it from a bike store in the 80's in Fort Collins, Colorado. They put the bike together...(store out of business long ago).
This is my first road bike, and I feel very proud to own a part of something YK built. It rides like no other, fine as silk. I have done some research and emailed with Dave from Dallas who operates the vintage3Rensholove blog site, he mentioned he never saw a black YZ Allez before. SO...with all that said, does anybody know about what color Allez YK/3 rensho made? Also, an FYI...a guy here in Boulder is selling a 3 Rensho track bike on Craigslist (https://denver.craigslist.org/bik/3094304549.html) and another in Colo Springs a size 58 super export (https://cosprings.craigslist.org/bik/3056775066.html). Thanks and awesome find for you. Here is a pic of my baby...
This is my first road bike, and I feel very proud to own a part of something YK built. It rides like no other, fine as silk. I have done some research and emailed with Dave from Dallas who operates the vintage3Rensholove blog site, he mentioned he never saw a black YZ Allez before. SO...with all that said, does anybody know about what color Allez YK/3 rensho made? Also, an FYI...a guy here in Boulder is selling a 3 Rensho track bike on Craigslist (https://denver.craigslist.org/bik/3094304549.html) and another in Colo Springs a size 58 super export (https://cosprings.craigslist.org/bik/3056775066.html). Thanks and awesome find for you. Here is a pic of my baby...
Mutt
06-25-12, 09:55 PM
#29
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My "regular" Allez SE was a fine riding bike. I can only imagine how the nicer ones ride.,,,,BD
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06-26-12, 08:38 AM
#31
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Just curious on the tie-in with Ishiwata tubing you mentioned. Can anybody expand on what tubing was used to build these bikes? I know most 3Rensho Allez have no "Special Tubing" sticker and a few have the "Special Tubing" sticker with a small oval with "3Rensho" printed inside, presumably over the original "Tange". I think it's true that YK preferred to build with Ishiwata on his other bikes but I have never seen anything more definitive on these Allez (or Sequoias).
BTW, I only have a two-bolt Record in 26.8 so no luck there, sorry!
Jim
06-30-12, 09:51 PM
#32
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Is that the size of the seatpost on the Allez?
Just curious on the tie-in with Ishiwata tubing you mentioned. Can anybody expand on what tubing was used to build these bikes? I know most 3Rensho Allez have no "Special Tubing" sticker and a few have the "Special Tubing" sticker with a small oval with "3Rensho" printed inside, presumably over the original "Tange". I think it's true that YK preferred to build with Ishiwata on his other bikes but I have never seen anything more definitive on these Allez (or Sequoias).
BTW, I only have a two-bolt Record in 26.8 so no luck there, sorry!
Jim
Just curious on the tie-in with Ishiwata tubing you mentioned. Can anybody expand on what tubing was used to build these bikes? I know most 3Rensho Allez have no "Special Tubing" sticker and a few have the "Special Tubing" sticker with a small oval with "3Rensho" printed inside, presumably over the original "Tange". I think it's true that YK preferred to build with Ishiwata on his other bikes but I have never seen anything more definitive on these Allez (or Sequoias).
BTW, I only have a two-bolt Record in 26.8 so no luck there, sorry!
Jim
here's a comment posted on this blog from someone who worked at Specialized, explaining the distinctions that set apart the earlier bikes from later ones. It might be helpful:
https://onespeedbiker.blogspot.com/20...zed-allez.html
07-01-12, 08:49 AM
#33
Senior Member
KDNYC
Ishiwata was in Fukushima Prefecture. They were bought outright by a company calling itself Keisei. They retained the production facilities as well as a good number of the Ishiwata staff. Keisei remains the quality Japanese tube manufacturer to date, and it supplies tubing for the steel keirin bikes that are the prescribed ride for the keirin track here in Japan.
I'd like to see the OP's lovely find very carefully rubbed down and clear coated.
The experts among us will correct me if I'm wrong, but Ishiwata was used in quality Japanese frames until the 1990s, when Ishiwata went out of business.
I'd like to see the OP's lovely find very carefully rubbed down and clear coated.
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07-02-12, 02:58 PM
#34
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Hi here is a link to some pics mine is about half way down...I will also take more pics and post , thanks guys
07-02-12, 02:59 PM
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07-03-12, 08:34 AM
#36
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Before I sold my Allez SE to Frogbutter I had a pretty detailed conversation with a gent who ran R&D with Specialized during the 80's when the Sequoia and Allez were coming into production. He told me there was a lot of misinformation regarding the 3Rensho Allez and the latter production Allez SE but didn't get into details about the Yoshi made bikes other than stating a Rensho made a limited number of the Allez and Sequoia bikes.
The production made Allez were made in several different factories. Earlier as well as the great majority of models were made in Miyata, while the Allez I owned (86) was made in Miki. While they were production bikes were still hand machined and brazed in every way.
Here is a link I found a while back documenting some of the Allez history.
As far as tubing went I was told the tubing was typically Tange, sometimes Ishiwata tubing was sourced but it depended on what was needed. He told me that the basic tubing for nearly all of the Japanese tubing of that era came from Kobe Steel. Tange and Ishiwata merely manipulated the tubes to arrive at the final tubeset. No company created their own tubing except for Tange Prestige due to the alloy and that Tange heat treaed it after final manipulation. My Allez was stamped TANGE on the fork headtube.
The production made Allez were made in several different factories. Earlier as well as the great majority of models were made in Miyata, while the Allez I owned (86) was made in Miki. While they were production bikes were still hand machined and brazed in every way.
Here is a link I found a while back documenting some of the Allez history.
As far as tubing went I was told the tubing was typically Tange, sometimes Ishiwata tubing was sourced but it depended on what was needed. He told me that the basic tubing for nearly all of the Japanese tubing of that era came from Kobe Steel. Tange and Ishiwata merely manipulated the tubes to arrive at the final tubeset. No company created their own tubing except for Tange Prestige due to the alloy and that Tange heat treaed it after final manipulation. My Allez was stamped TANGE on the fork headtube.
07-03-12, 09:30 AM
#37
十人十色
My wife's 1982 Allez, which I think is the same as yours:
[IMG]
2nd generation, Yoshio Konno-built Allez. by Dawes-man, on Flickr[/IMG]
As you can see, it has an SR crank, the RD is an NR. The dates fit.
Congratulations on your acquisition!
[IMG]
2nd generation, Yoshio Konno-built Allez. by Dawes-man, on Flickr[/IMG]As you can see, it has an SR crank, the RD is an NR. The dates fit.
Congratulations on your acquisition!
07-06-12, 05:47 PM
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Hey Mutt, I took a pic of bottom bracket and put in on FB, 3rensho page. It was too large to post here, I must have had the setting up too high. Here is link...https://www.facebook.com/groups/40108705205/
07-06-12, 09:03 PM
#40
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I just realized how appropriate a first-gen black Cyclone build would be for one of these... given that "Cyclone" was the other name for 3rensho. We can't have all the bikes, but we might want to try. :-)
07-07-12, 03:40 PM
#41
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Thread Starter
Here's a mini update...
Frame has been cleaned, polished and waxed.
I'll be using the Specialized headset for now, it's a quality piece and I don't really want to mill down the crown race to fit a Super Record headset. Maybe in the future if this headset turns out to suck.
I going a little American Flyers inspired with the black stem from lowlife1975 and saddle.
Scored the seat post from ScottRyder, did a little clean up and polishing, turned out great! Thanks Scott.
Also got a 172.5mm Record crank set from DrilliumDude that will require a bit of clean up and polishing, and a near mint clamp-on Super Record front derailleur fro MiamiJim. This is shaping up to be another Bikeforums community build for me.
And does anyone know what's going on with these Cinelli bars? There are flat spots around the bars on either side of the clamp area, what gives? They're perfectly spaced and executed, looks factory to me.
Frame has been cleaned, polished and waxed.
I'll be using the Specialized headset for now, it's a quality piece and I don't really want to mill down the crown race to fit a Super Record headset. Maybe in the future if this headset turns out to suck.
I going a little American Flyers inspired with the black stem from lowlife1975 and saddle.
Scored the seat post from ScottRyder, did a little clean up and polishing, turned out great! Thanks Scott.
Also got a 172.5mm Record crank set from DrilliumDude that will require a bit of clean up and polishing, and a near mint clamp-on Super Record front derailleur fro MiamiJim. This is shaping up to be another Bikeforums community build for me.
And does anyone know what's going on with these Cinelli bars? There are flat spots around the bars on either side of the clamp area, what gives? They're perfectly spaced and executed, looks factory to me.
07-07-12, 07:01 PM
#43
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07-07-12, 07:31 PM
#44
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Overzealous clamping of tri-bars? Regardless, great build up, looking forward to the final results. YK Allez's are rare birds.
07-20-16, 12:19 AM
#45
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Thread Starter
Well, it's been 4 years and several days but I finally have an update haha. Since I can't seem to find the time to fiddle with the Gios, I figured I'd take some pictures of the Allez as it looks today.
Frame: 1984 Specialized Allez (San Rensho/Yoshi Konno), Ishiwata tubing, Campagnolo dropouts
Fork: Ishiwata blades, San Rensho offset fork crown, Campagnolo fork tips
Dimensions: (off the top of my head, will have to re-measure)
ST: 60cm C-T
TT: 57 C-C
Paint: Guards Red
Rims: 700c Mavic OPEN S.U.P. CD CERAMIC clinchers
Hubs: Campagnolo Record low-flange, 36 hole F/R
Skewers: Campagnolo Record
Tires: Vittoria Open Corsa EVO SC 700x23
Cranks: Campagnolo Record (minus dust caps), 172.5mm
Chain rings: Campagnolo Super Record
Pedals: Campagnolo Super Record pista (titanium spindles)
Bottom Bracket: Campagnolo Record
Freewheel: Regina Extra-BX (I think, have to double check)
Chain: KMC
Shift Levers: Campagnolo Record
Front Derailleur: Campagnolo Super Record
Rear Derailleur: Campagnolo Super Record
Brake Levers: Campagnolo Super Record, shield logo hoods
Brake Calipers: Campagnolo Super Record
Saddle: Selle San Marco Concor Super Corsa Laser
Seat Post: Campagnolo Super Record
Seat Binder Bolt: Campagnolo
Stem: Black Cinelli 1R
Headset: Specialized sealed bearing
Handlebars: Cinelli Campione del Mondo 66-42
Extras:
3Rensho bar end plugs (little nod to the frame builder)
Alfredo Binda toe straps
Cinelli toe clips
Serial Number:
Pictures didn't turn out as nice as I'd hoped, super harsh sunlight kinda made everything extra contrasty.
Full album: https://flic.kr/s/aHsjzkPTGd
Frame: 1984 Specialized Allez (San Rensho/Yoshi Konno), Ishiwata tubing, Campagnolo dropouts
Fork: Ishiwata blades, San Rensho offset fork crown, Campagnolo fork tips
Dimensions: (off the top of my head, will have to re-measure)
ST: 60cm C-T
TT: 57 C-C
Paint: Guards Red
Rims: 700c Mavic OPEN S.U.P. CD CERAMIC clinchers
Hubs: Campagnolo Record low-flange, 36 hole F/R
Skewers: Campagnolo Record
Tires: Vittoria Open Corsa EVO SC 700x23
Cranks: Campagnolo Record (minus dust caps), 172.5mm
Chain rings: Campagnolo Super Record
Pedals: Campagnolo Super Record pista (titanium spindles)
Bottom Bracket: Campagnolo Record
Freewheel: Regina Extra-BX (I think, have to double check)
Chain: KMC
Shift Levers: Campagnolo Record
Front Derailleur: Campagnolo Super Record
Rear Derailleur: Campagnolo Super Record
Brake Levers: Campagnolo Super Record, shield logo hoods
Brake Calipers: Campagnolo Super Record
Saddle: Selle San Marco Concor Super Corsa Laser
Seat Post: Campagnolo Super Record
Seat Binder Bolt: Campagnolo
Stem: Black Cinelli 1R
Headset: Specialized sealed bearing
Handlebars: Cinelli Campione del Mondo 66-42
Extras:
3Rensho bar end plugs (little nod to the frame builder)
Alfredo Binda toe straps
Cinelli toe clips
Serial Number:
Pictures didn't turn out as nice as I'd hoped, super harsh sunlight kinda made everything extra contrasty.
Full album: https://flic.kr/s/aHsjzkPTGd
Last edited by shnibop; 07-20-16 at 09:23 PM.
07-20-16, 05:24 AM
#46
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WoW!!! That looks great! Great job on that bike and it looks like a fun ride 
07-20-16, 05:39 AM
#48
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Beautiful!!!!!
A guy who lived across the street from me in college had one of these. Inspired me to get into road riding.
A guy who lived across the street from me in college had one of these. Inspired me to get into road riding.
07-20-16, 05:40 AM
#49
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Handsome, well thought out build. That just gets it right for what they intended the Allez to be at that point in time. I really like the use of the Campagnolo group, admittedly I am prejudiced towards Tullio's goods
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07-20-16, 06:49 AM
#50
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That's really, really cool. Congratulations!
I was a triathlete riding a Schwinn Peloton back in the days before aero bars & EPO, and had a crush on a girl who swam at my pool named Natasha who had that bike, only she called it an "Al-Lezz" pronouncing the Z. Thought she would be impressed at my knowledge of French when I corrected her, but alas.
I was a triathlete riding a Schwinn Peloton back in the days before aero bars & EPO, and had a crush on a girl who swam at my pool named Natasha who had that bike, only she called it an "Al-Lezz" pronouncing the Z. Thought she would be impressed at my knowledge of French when I corrected her, but alas.
Last edited by calamarichris; 07-20-16 at 06:53 AM.