screaminDOHC

My dad bought it new. It's a Kamikaze, designed by Hodaka Cycle Company Japan. He got it new in probobly 1984. He said at the time he paid $200 or so. I wanted to dabble in road biking, and wondered if this would be worth riding, or just getting something different. In the past 23 years, it's only been on the road a handful of times. All original. Is this bike anything at all?









Suntour dereaileur and shifters I know. Diacompe brakes. Crank says Sake Super Maxy, Suntour hubs, Araya wheels I think...

bdcheung

Take it to your local bike shop for a tune-up and a check-over. Then ride it till it breaks down beyond reasonable repair. Then get a new fancy-schmancy road bike. Chances are if you don't like cycling, you won't ride your dad's bike hard enough to wear it out. In which case, it's better you don't buy an expensive bike.

powerglide

looks cool!

Joe Dog

Looks like a typical Japanese entry level road bike, but I have never heard of Kamikaze. Suntour was the common component group. The geometry looks strange to me - a lot of room between the back tire and seat post tube but a pretty tight front end. I would overhaul it and ride it. If you like it, upgrade it here and there and if not, I would convert it to fixed or sell it on CL.

vpiuva

It's an entry level bike, but not too low. At least it appears to have forged dropouts (vs stamped). But the dork disc, kickstand, large cog freewheel, suicide levers and center-pull brakes as late as '84 put it as a bike you'd enjoy to get back into riding, but not worth restoring. Ride it for a while, then get a new ride and turn this into a SS/FG.

maddyfish

Hodaka! I haven't heard that name in a while, when I was a kid I had a Hodaka Road Toad, a small motorcyle. It was neat.

I'd get that bike going and ride it until it quit. Then buy something decent. Then you can probably sell the frame to somebody wanting a fixed gear bike.

CrimsonKarter21

Note to self: Never ride a bike named after Japanese suicide pilots.

mollusk

A "Kamikazee" bike should have "Dae Yung" tires.

https://mostlymusclebikes.com/roadbike/rbt20.htm

Walter

Agree with the posts above that ID as an entry level "bike boom" model. If your father wasn't saying 84 I'd think it a bit older, maybe 79 or so.

Ride it. It'll still serve the purpose it was meant for 20+ years; introduce you to road riding and (maybe) spark a desire to own a better bike.

gattm99

My buddy rides a similar frame (Miyata) updated with Sora components and new wheels. He says the Japanese steel frames have the best ride of anything he has ever ridden. The long chainstays are like a shock absorber. Its a slow ride though.

ElJamoquio

Step 1: Take about 10 inches out of those brake cables.
Step 2: New pedals.
Step 3: Ride Bike.

screaminDOHC

Why is that? Too much excess brake cable? Lol.

I've been looking into some clipless pedals or spds, just havent found an affordable cobo yet.

Hah, thanks for the info. Wasn't sure if the components were decent given its age. It's like brand new. I think I may ride it to work (25 miles round trip) and see how it is! I'm just not a fan of downtube shifters like that. We'll see! The bike hasn't been cleaned or ridden in at least 10 years. I brushed the cob webs off of it and took the photo. It'll look much nicer cleand up. Additionally, I'm thinking simple things like a different seat, and maybe the bar tape? I do like the newer varieties (squishier) than what is currently on it. :-) I will say that the 23 year old road bike rides MUCH smoother and is much more effortless on the road than my brand new Scott mountain bike. :-)

BlazingPedals

I agree with the others. Don't worry about wearing out a potentially priceless collector's item, just get it working and ride it. It looks like an unremarkable example of the genre. The suicide brake levers mark it as a low-to-mid range, originally marketed at beginners. Be careful using it in the rain (chrome rims = no brakes!)

Hocam

You could trim a few inches off the cables but they're fine; that's how they're suppose to be.

This is like most old bikes, you can put as much time into them as you want.

The bare minimum would be to replace the tires and pedals and go riding.

If you want to learn some basic bike mechanics you could spend 50 or 60 dollars on tools, replace all the cables and housing, overhaul the hubs (ie take out the bearings and regrease everything), bottom bracket, and headset, true the wheels or even build up a new pair, replace the chain and freewheel/cassette, rust proof the inside of the frame with frame saver, align the dropouts, replace the break hoods with aerobrakes and lastly, retape the bars.

Not to mention a new paintjob..

My friends an I help a lot of people do that at a night program of the local bike co-op www.neighborhoodbikeworks.org

ElJamoquio

I was exaggerating, but yes. Too much.

unbelievably

What is the tube-set?

Adgooroo

OP - My guess is that the tires are shot. The old gumwall tires don't hold up well to years in hot garages, etc. Otherwise, no reason not to lube it up and get it on the road.

BoSoxYacht

As a teen I had a Hodaka Combat Wombat(a 250cc enduro bike). I've never seen one of their bicycles before, but those components will last a long time. My childhood riding partner had a Fuji Grand Tourer SE with the same components. He rode that bike through HS and college from 82-89.

screaminDOHC

Ordered a new saddle, and gel bar tape, looking for a nice set of inexpensive tires, then i'll give it a whirl! :-)

sweetnsourbkr

Funny name brand.