Lucyvino

I may be adding to my bike family this weekend. I found what is being called a vintage 1960's bike on Craigs List it looks super clean but I have never heard of the brand it's called Duke? Does anyone know anything about this bike? It's a 10 speed road bike.

Thanks!

Pompiere

Pictures or a link to the ad would be a great help in getting some opinions. In the meantime, here is a link that may answer some of your questions about the quality of the bike: MY "TEN SPEEDS - Home Page

Lucyvino

Here's some pics it's very odd I cannot find a thing on this bike...

Pompiere

It may have been made under contract to be sold by a department or sporting goods store. Without knowing details like date codes on the components, it's hard to nail down specifics. I would estimate it to be early an 1970's, department store quality bike. It could be a good rider, but not worth spending much money on, as far as collectability.

uncle uncle

Is the headtube decal applied with adhesive or is it riveted on? The "badge engineered" built bikes seem to prefer a decal, as that made switching the name of the bike pretty easy, aka, just applying a new/different decal. "Badge engineered" is a term in my industry for a product where the badge is the only part the brand company produces, or even less impressive, installs (in other words, a complete product manufactured by someone else). (When I worked at Radio Hut in the 80's, most of their audio equipment was this way.) I personally am interested in this type of bike, as I believe they represent a very interesting part of the 60's-70's bike boom here in the USA, and, very little has been written or retained about them. For some people, who only want or need a bike for normal exercise or commuting, and want something out of the ordinary, and with some history (and a story) these can be just the right ticket. Dumping a large sum of money into them isn't advised, doing a a complete tune up and riding them is fun for me. I prefer to upgrade the wheels to alloy rims, because the weight advantage is a big bonus for me, ride and enjoyment wise. I can't say I've made any money doing this, but that's not goal or point, it's to enjoy myself. If you end up with the bicycle, I would be interested in a complete rundown of the parts on it, any date codes, and any manufacturer or country of origin info you can provide.

Lucyvino

Could be... they want $130 for it I was looking for something older to just tool around on run errands and use on limestone trails.

Lucyvino

Sure I am going to look at it this evening the price is low I'm not looking to put a lot of money into it just something for fun and different. I'll post back with any more info...

sykerocker 

From the pictures (Shimano Eagle rear derailleur, definitely a Japanese early 70's steel crank), we're talking early Bike Boom. Most likely Japanese (possibly early Taiwan) manufacture, which means in the condition as pictured, you should just have a lick of cleaning and polish, and it should be rideable. Nothing terrific, but I certainly wouldn't turn one down if the price is right. By '73, the three pin Sugino cotterless crank would have replaced the cottered.

Not surprised at all you can't find any information. A lot of badge-engineered department store bikes never had a history, just a name on the headtube for the latest shipment. The shop I worked at would get flyers periodically offering such bikes - brand-less - for about $60.00/each wholesale, with the offer of putting whatever name we wanted on them as part of the service.

Lucyvino

Actually not Shimano it says Saxon the only other brand ID I can find ( I am no parts expert by any means) is Falcon. I ended up bringing it home it rides pretty nice and will need a little brake work but it's rideable and looks cool super heavy though.

sykerocker 

Then its Taiwanese. During the 70's, the Shimano Eagle was THE cheap derailleur. Heavy as hell, but strong with a smooth action and a built in crash guard that gave it a lifespan that could only be matched by a Huret Allvit or some later "Schwinn Approved" variant. A number of Taiwan manufacturers got their start copying low end Shimano. Falcon is definitely Taiwan, probably the best known brand at the time.

Lucyvino

Thanks for the info! The seller really had no information to give me on the bike other than he was given it from a friend who owned a bike shop and this was some promotional bike he received in the 70's and everything but the tires is original.