Lovenutz

Im interested in this bike. A lesser known Japanese bike of mid level quality. This one is in pretty rough shape. Bad paint, bad stickers, and in need of an overhaul. But, that bad paint is what got me interested. It looks like it might be fully chromed underneath. I'm having visions of stripping off the paint, polishing it up, and riding it as a single speed. Crazy?

Any body know what she looks like naked? is it chrome underneath?
Seller is asking 120 or best offer. I definitely don't need another bike, so ill only pick it up if its under 100.

juvela

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Hard to imagine it is as late as 1976. Looks more like 1972-73. Is date from seller?


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Lovenutz

Yes, year and model is from the seller.

T-Mar

The few I have seen were plated under the paint and that appears to be the case with this one, though there is rust appearing at some off the large paint chips. It is not mid-range but top of the line, with a double butted CrMo frame and forged dropouts. If you obtain the bicycle, I'd appreciate if you could contact me via PM with the serial number, for my database. TIA.

Trakhak

Not sure that Japanese component makers were already doing imitation Campy parts (see the seatpost, for example) as early as 1972 or 1973.

juvela

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these tend to date from the '71-'73 time. a '76 machine would have a slightly different appearance and kitting.

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Lovenutz

Now I feel obligated to pick it up and get this all straight... not that I needed another reason to buy it or any other bike. I really hope the buyer comes off his asking price, I am checking it out tomorrow.

Any idea on what it would be worth? Stickers and paint are awful.

T-Mar

The literature of this era generally leaves much to be desired in terms of specifications, especially for tertiary components. However, if you examine period pictures, you will find that many of the high end Japanese models from the very early 1970s sported micro-adjust seat posts. For instance, attached is a scan from a July 1972 road test of a Fuji Fineset which clearly shows and notes the Campagnolo influenced seat post.

T-Mar

The paint and sticker condition is irrelevant, given that you were planning on stripping it to the chrome. Assuming there are no major issues, the asking price is more than fair, given the tubeset and components.

Looks to be most OEM, with the notable exception of the modern saddle and a possible steering compartment swap from a British bicycle.

Lovenutz

Well, even though we had been taking for two days and had a meeting set up the seller sold it out from under me. At least he texted me before I pulled out of the driveway.