gsxrsteveo

So besides all the underwhelming information out there regarding vintage Windsor cycles; has anyone come across a Windsor claiming to be manufactured in Japan? All information I've seen to date tells me these bikes were manufactured in Mexico however, I came across a Windsor International the other day for a cool $40 which appears to be made in Japan. The frame looks quite large (which appealed to me) although, I haven't measured it yet.

There is one sticker on the seat tube that says 'Tange Champion Cr-Mo Tsunoda Bicycle) and another sticker on the down tube that says 'Made by Tsunoda'. A serial number inscribed beneath the bottom bracket reads 'mk08580'.

Any info would be great. I may pick this sucker up tomorrow.

Thanks,
Steve

juvela

forum readers might be able to offer some helpful information if photos could be uploaded.

sounds entirely possible that such an animal exists/existed.

back around 1970 Acer-Mex had a relationship with C. Itoh of Japan. have seen C. Itoh bicycles that said "Made in Mexico."

gsxrsteveo

Thanks for the reply. See attached for a few covert shots I took.

zukahn1 

Looks to be a Itoh imported Japanese bike likely made by Bridgestone or Kuwamara imported to the US undercontract Under the Windsor name. The closest looking bike I have seen to this one would be a Nishiki International nearly all the components match Great bike for $40.

unworthy1

but Tsunoda is best known as the maker of Lotus bikes, and C.Itoh was an early Bridgestone brand, so not sure what either of those would have to connect them to Kawamura/West Coast Cycle/Nishiki.

zukahn1 

Well C. Itoh was a infamous 70's early 80's importer that had the US rights to the Windsor name for a bit and imported bikes from a dozen makers under the name on the east coast. So nearly any better Japanese maker is possible on this one I was just going by model name and components to narrow down likely makers.

unworthy1

No offense was intended, I had always thought that C.Itoh was a brandname that Bridgestone used (such as they did for Kabuki and Anchor) and based that on stuff like this from Sheldon Brown:
"C.Itoh
Brand name used by Bridgestone in the early '70s. These were pretty crummy bikes."
Never heard about it being an importer on the east coast...we live and learn...

kroozer 

I had heard that Acer-Mex (Windsor and Carabela parent co.) actually made some of the Japanese (Nishiki or Centurion) frames. But there's no reason why the reverse couldn't be true as well. These days I think everything with a Mexican brand name is made in China.

gsxrsteveo

Thanks all for the information. It seems bicycle genealogy is a fine art! I purchased this black beauty for the price noted above and because it's massive. It holds its own next to my 64cm Motobecane (remastered)!