help on frame identification needed
10-09-13, 07:19 AM
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help on frame identification - additional photos added
I found this large frame with no makers marks from what I can see, it does have Champion No. 2 and Shimano 600 EX labels. Does anyone recognize this frame or have any ideas where I can look to find more information for it?
Last edited by trecose; 10-10-13 at 04:39 PM. Reason: revision of title
10-09-13, 07:31 AM
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I know Champion 1/2 tubing was a Centurion thing. Don't know if they used the term exclusively, but I'm sure someone else will chime in fairly quickly. My Pro Tour has Champion #2 , and you can learn about it at Sheldon Brown's page on Centurion Bikes. It's a good tube set, on par with Reynolds stuff.
10-09-13, 07:48 AM
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I would not be surprised if it was a Centurion or a Nishiki
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10-09-13, 03:01 PM
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Thanks for the info.
I took a closer look at the frame and see Shimano SFR, Dia-Compe brake cable clamps & 3ttt Italy stem.
I took a closer look at the frame and see Shimano SFR, Dia-Compe brake cable clamps & 3ttt Italy stem.
10-09-13, 09:10 PM
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Actualley this is a fairly low end Taiwan built frame based on the stickers vertical drops and generally just Ok construction.
10-09-13, 09:22 PM
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10-09-13, 10:18 PM
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Bike has a Shimano 600 EX headset, also not low-end, which would be chrome steel.
I'd like to see the serial number and a close-up of the seat tube lug area and is there a support boss for the shifters?
Could almost be a first-generation Lotus, except for the top tube cable clamps. Although, some early Lotus models have been seen without brazed-on cable guides.
Lotus bragged that all of their bikes for 1981 used Tange tubing.
Last edited by Snydermann; 10-09-13 at 10:21 PM.
10-10-13, 08:38 AM
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Thanks everyone for their input.
I will take some more close-up pics and post later today. I forgot to add that the levers are marked Dura-Ace.
I will take some more close-up pics and post later today. I forgot to add that the levers are marked Dura-Ace.
02-04-15, 04:29 PM
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I know this is old. Two frames identical to yours were for sale on Ebay in June 2014. One was blue, like yours, and the other amber orange. Same braze-ons, same Champion 2 label, no decals for the brand name or manufacturer.
One picture of the orange frame showed a partial serial number, "SOS", in the same location as your frame's serial number.
The one additional thing that both frames had was a unique "Japan" decal at the bottom of the seat tube. I have only seen this decal on one brand name of bicycle: SR Bicycles of Chula Vista, California.
I am not saying that your frame is an SR, but it is a place to look.
The orange frame also had another decal, I think under a chainstay, that said "RECORD". The letters were not in the font used by SR on its frames.
I copied some of the pictures from the Ebay ad. The seller was from Clearwater, Florida. If you are still interested, PM me and I can send you some of the pictures.
02-04-15, 06:24 PM
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02-05-15, 11:41 PM
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Tange #2 and the seat cluster lug work = mid to upper level frame. Definitely worthy of Shimano 600/Dura-Ace parts. Vert dropouts not a negative except the fender eyelets suggest touring instead of racing. Nice frame, worthy of respect.
02-18-15, 07:41 PM
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@trecose,
I found two more serial numbers with the same format and location as your frame.
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...80s-japan.html
Index of /My_TenSpeeds_1/Bicycles_Table/Japanese_Bicycles/AERO/AERO_Grey
https://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpe..._Grey_BB_2.jpg
The first bike from Australia probably dates to 1980.
The Aero bike is 1981 or 1982. This bike also has the Japan label.
I am beginning to think that these were ordered frames. No components and no distributor brand name.
I found two more serial numbers with the same format and location as your frame.
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...80s-japan.html
Index of /My_TenSpeeds_1/Bicycles_Table/Japanese_Bicycles/AERO/AERO_Grey
https://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpe..._Grey_BB_2.jpg
The first bike from Australia probably dates to 1980.
The Aero bike is 1981 or 1982. This bike also has the Japan label.
I am beginning to think that these were ordered frames. No components and no distributor brand name.
02-25-15, 06:40 PM
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@trecose,
I am beginning to think that these were ordered frames. No components and no distributor brand name.
I am beginning to think that these were ordered frames. No components and no distributor brand name.
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