Itoh Mustang
#1
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Itoh Mustang
Today's estate sale find. Any information and thoughts about value would be greatly appreciated.
Itoh Mustang. Was absolutely covered in dust in a basement of a Swedish woman who passed about a year ago when she was in her late 60s. That's about all I know.
Based on a previous post on this forum, it seems it might be this...."Japanese origin with different business connections to the US. They were originally called Kabuki and made Bridgestone amongst others. They made a bike called Mustang not to be confused with the Swedish original brand Mustang (existed 1940īs-1994). But, the Swedish Mustang Corp. became later sales rep for Itoh in Sweden and we got the Itoh Mustang.
Shimano 600 front and rear. DiCompe brakes. Sunshine hubs. Can't find a maker on the rims. It's got some kind of strange lock contraption on the back without a key. Unless someone tells me that lock is of some value, I will just cut it off as opposed to trying to have a key made.
I will appreciate your thoughts. Thanks!
Itoh Mustang. Was absolutely covered in dust in a basement of a Swedish woman who passed about a year ago when she was in her late 60s. That's about all I know.
Based on a previous post on this forum, it seems it might be this...."Japanese origin with different business connections to the US. They were originally called Kabuki and made Bridgestone amongst others. They made a bike called Mustang not to be confused with the Swedish original brand Mustang (existed 1940īs-1994). But, the Swedish Mustang Corp. became later sales rep for Itoh in Sweden and we got the Itoh Mustang.
Shimano 600 front and rear. DiCompe brakes. Sunshine hubs. Can't find a maker on the rims. It's got some kind of strange lock contraption on the back without a key. Unless someone tells me that lock is of some value, I will just cut it off as opposed to trying to have a key made.
I will appreciate your thoughts. Thanks!
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Not sure about this one, the only C.Itoh's I've seen were very low end.
A seller in the U.K. has a similar one to yours for 350GBP:
Classic ITOH Mustang 70s Racing bike | Bikeshd London
This page is in Swedish (use Google Translate) and mentions the model:
Mustang cyklar
Sorry for not having an estimated value for you...these are not super common. eBay's completed listings didn't have any on record.
It looks to be in good shape, especially the paint. If I were in the market for something of that vintage and trim level, I'd be interested at $150-200 after it's been made ready to ride (new consumables, grease, etc). Possibly more if I had been lusting after that manufacturer or model specifically.
Any idea what it weighs?
A seller in the U.K. has a similar one to yours for 350GBP:
Classic ITOH Mustang 70s Racing bike | Bikeshd London
This page is in Swedish (use Google Translate) and mentions the model:
Mustang cyklar
Sorry for not having an estimated value for you...these are not super common. eBay's completed listings didn't have any on record.
It looks to be in good shape, especially the paint. If I were in the market for something of that vintage and trim level, I'd be interested at $150-200 after it's been made ready to ride (new consumables, grease, etc). Possibly more if I had been lusting after that manufacturer or model specifically.
Any idea what it weighs?
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Interesting bike. Given the turkey levers and the dork disc on the chain ring, I think it's lower end. What do the dropouts look like, and what size seat post?
The lock is something that is very common on European bikes, at least everywhere I've traveled, though I don't think I've seen one here. They're convenient as a theft deterrent on a city bike, but I doubt it has any value, and provides scant protection for a bike that is above beater grade.
The lock is something that is very common on European bikes, at least everywhere I've traveled, though I don't think I've seen one here. They're convenient as a theft deterrent on a city bike, but I doubt it has any value, and provides scant protection for a bike that is above beater grade.
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There are some details that look a heck of a lot like my '76 Bridgestone. Paint color is almost exactly the same, too.
Itoh, and C.Itoh, along with Kabuki were the trade names a lot of 'export' Bridgestones were sold under in the late 70s-early 80s.
Not especially high spec, but well built.
25.6mm quill seatpost would be a dead giveaway.
Itoh, and C.Itoh, along with Kabuki were the trade names a lot of 'export' Bridgestones were sold under in the late 70s-early 80s.
Not especially high spec, but well built.
25.6mm quill seatpost would be a dead giveaway.
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Good basic bike but nothing special based on the components I would say it's a step or two up from base level and from 78-80. In current condition if everything works good and it's a rider $150. Those rear wheel locks that worked with basic pad or cable lock to lock the rear came on a lot of bridgestone Itoh stuff were kinda neat, but sense they were heavy and a bit redundant since you still basically need another lock most got taken off and binned over the years.
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Yeah, I see a heavy steel crankset, gaspipe frame, stamped steel dropouts, and somebody later fitted a Shimano 600 front derailleur onto (those levers are NOT 600 levers, and neither is the crankset), and an aftermarket frame lock. Value depends on 2 things: Is the rear derailleur also 600 or something lesser, and are the rims aluminum or steel? At most, it may be worth maybe 100 euros, but if the derailleur is a cheapo, and the rims are steel, I'd say closer to 60 euros. If you don't have a key to the lock, it's worth nothing.
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Yeah, I see a heavy steel crankset, gaspipe frame, stamped steel dropouts, and somebody later fitted a Shimano 600 front derailleur onto (those levers are NOT 600 levers, and neither is the crankset), and an aftermarket frame lock. Value depends on 2 things: Is the rear derailleur also 600 or something lesser, and are the rims aluminum or steel? At most, it may be worth maybe 100 euros, but if the derailleur is a cheapo, and the rims are steel, I'd say closer to 60 euros. If you don't have a key to the lock, it's worth nothing.
The 600 looks like it could be the correct era if @Ironfish653 is correct in estimating it's age:
VeloBase.com - Component: Shimano FD-6100 600 Uniglide
Mixing groups does happen, could be the case with this.
#8
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I am not sure that is a steel crank either, I could be one of the early swagged aluminum ones.
And why would a person in Kansas City want a valuation in Euros? IS there something in the winds of change between the US and the European Union? a sort of USEntery offsetting the Brexit?
And why would a person in Kansas City want a valuation in Euros? IS there something in the winds of change between the US and the European Union? a sort of USEntery offsetting the Brexit?
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Uhg, always such a downer.
The 600 looks like it could be the correct era if @Ironfish653 is correct in estimating it's age:
VeloBase.com - Component: Shimano FD-6100 600 Uniglide
Mixing groups does happen, could be the case with this.
The 600 looks like it could be the correct era if @Ironfish653 is correct in estimating it's age:
VeloBase.com - Component: Shimano FD-6100 600 Uniglide
Mixing groups does happen, could be the case with this.
Also, I thought the poster was IN Sweden, and I thought that he'd know Euros better (since I don't know what a Kroner is worth...). $120/80 is about correct.
The general consensus on C. Itoh as a manufacturer is "nice looking, well built, cheap componentry, little collectible value". What you have here is a mild oddity, kind of like having a Ford Escort, but one made in Britain; still inexpensive, but unusual in the local market.
Last edited by AlexCyclistRoch; 04-22-17 at 05:26 PM.
#10
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In response to questions/comments....for what its worth.
Found the bike in Kansas City. The former owner had moved her from Sweden some years back. She passed away recently and this bike was in her estate sale.
Front and rear are both Shimano 600. (see photo of rear)
Wheels and cranks are NOT steel.
Seatpost is 25.6.
Photo of dropouts attached.
Just to be clear - I didn't think I found the holy grail. Ha. Just a bit unusual for Kansas City and I was trying to gather a bit of information. Thanks for the information.
Found the bike in Kansas City. The former owner had moved her from Sweden some years back. She passed away recently and this bike was in her estate sale.
Front and rear are both Shimano 600. (see photo of rear)
Wheels and cranks are NOT steel.
Seatpost is 25.6.
Photo of dropouts attached.
Just to be clear - I didn't think I found the holy grail. Ha. Just a bit unusual for Kansas City and I was trying to gather a bit of information. Thanks for the information.
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Stamped steel dropout=cheap. BTW, do you know how to use a quick release properly?
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The SR Silstar cranks that came through the shops I worked in were swaged aluminum. Heavy, but not as heavy as steel.
Now we're all waiting with bated breath to find out what offends The Infractionator regarding the usage of this innocent QR lever, which is also not a Shimano 600.
Now we're all waiting with bated breath to find out what offends The Infractionator regarding the usage of this innocent QR lever, which is also not a Shimano 600.
Last edited by exxongraftek; 04-23-17 at 10:48 AM. Reason: details details details
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C. Itoh was a Japanese trading company. They imported and distributed many products (not just bicycles) and also operated as middle man for non-Japanese companies wishing to contract Japanese manufacturers. They marketed a full range of bicycles, from entry level up to professional grade. Their most common bicycle source was Bridgestone.
The subject bicycle is definitely entry level, based on the stamped dropouts and seat post size. However, the age is indeterminate, as it appears to be frankenbiked. Shimano 600 was releaased in 1975 but the front derailleur is the version released in 1977. However, the shifters are Shimano Super Shift, which were discontinued circa 1976. I'm leaning towards the levers being a replacement. I see what appears to be a brazed-on stop on the onside of the down tube about 1/2 way between the levers and lower head lug. The position suggests a stop for a cable housing clamp, as used with stem mounted shift levers. The Silstar crankest did not have the model name embossed in the flutes until the very early 1980s, according to my literature. I believe the curved Subshine QR levers were first used in the very late 1970s.
I don't recall seeing that dropout used on Itoh product until the very late 1970s but given the apparent conflicts, the serial number might be the only reliable source and date indicator.
The subject bicycle is definitely entry level, based on the stamped dropouts and seat post size. However, the age is indeterminate, as it appears to be frankenbiked. Shimano 600 was releaased in 1975 but the front derailleur is the version released in 1977. However, the shifters are Shimano Super Shift, which were discontinued circa 1976. I'm leaning towards the levers being a replacement. I see what appears to be a brazed-on stop on the onside of the down tube about 1/2 way between the levers and lower head lug. The position suggests a stop for a cable housing clamp, as used with stem mounted shift levers. The Silstar crankest did not have the model name embossed in the flutes until the very early 1980s, according to my literature. I believe the curved Subshine QR levers were first used in the very late 1970s.
I don't recall seeing that dropout used on Itoh product until the very late 1970s but given the apparent conflicts, the serial number might be the only reliable source and date indicator.
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@T-Mar Is there anything he doesn't know about oddball Japanese bikes?
I saw that thing on the downtube, too; It appears to have a wire coming out of it. Possibly internal wire routing for a now-removed tail-light.
Anyhow, since you asked about value, in my neck of the woods, similar bikes go for $150-$175.
I'd put it in the same class with the Schwinn World Sports and LeTours. It's marginally a better bike, but the oddball branding makes it harder to move.
It does look like a very well preserved bike, though. Shouldn't need much besides cleaning and lube.
I saw that thing on the downtube, too; It appears to have a wire coming out of it. Possibly internal wire routing for a now-removed tail-light.
Anyhow, since you asked about value, in my neck of the woods, similar bikes go for $150-$175.
I'd put it in the same class with the Schwinn World Sports and LeTours. It's marginally a better bike, but the oddball branding makes it harder to move.
It does look like a very well preserved bike, though. Shouldn't need much besides cleaning and lube.
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I had one
I owned one exactly like yours, even the same color . I bought mine new in 1977 (I think, not 100% sure on the exact year) and used it as my main transport for a decade.
Yours looks entirely original except for the shift levers, cranks and the missing fenders. The original shifters were Shimano LB-180 and the original cranks were Sakae/Ringyo (SR) AX-5MA. Shimano 600 derailers and SunShine hubs are correct. Mine had Weinmann rims, IIRC. The lock is nothing special, they are everywhere in my part of the world.
That's correct, it's the tail light wire.
I would classify it as somewhat above low end. A good, sturdy bike but nothing fancy.
--
Ragnar
Yours looks entirely original except for the shift levers, cranks and the missing fenders. The original shifters were Shimano LB-180 and the original cranks were Sakae/Ringyo (SR) AX-5MA. Shimano 600 derailers and SunShine hubs are correct. Mine had Weinmann rims, IIRC. The lock is nothing special, they are everywhere in my part of the world.
I would classify it as somewhat above low end. A good, sturdy bike but nothing fancy.
--
Ragnar
Last edited by ragnar.jensen; 04-29-17 at 03:45 PM.
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