Know this frame?
05-06-15, 03:20 PM
#1
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Know this frame?
Can't figure out what frame this is. There aren't any markings on it that I noticed, the dropouts have a suntour stamp, the fork is from another bike, and the front derailleur and rear derailleur may be from a different bike as well. The serial number didnt return any results so I figured I would ask around here. Any suggestions as to what it is or a direction I could start looking in would be greatly appreciated.
05-06-15, 04:31 PM
#2
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Welcome to the forums. This could remain a mystery but it looks like a nice one. Do you know the bottom bracket (BB) threading or the seatpost size? It looks like a '70s frame to me from the longer dropouts, over BB shell cable routing and the braze on for centerpull brakes.
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Bianchis '90 Proto, '90 Campione del Fausto Giamondi Specialisma Italiano Mundo, '91 Boarala 'cross, '93 Project 3, '86 Volpe, '97 Ti Megatube, '93 Reparto Corse SBX
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Bianchis '90 Proto, '90 Campione del Fausto Giamondi Specialisma Italiano Mundo, '91 Boarala 'cross, '93 Project 3, '86 Volpe, '97 Ti Megatube, '93 Reparto Corse SBX
Others but still loved; '80 Batavus Professional, '87 Cornelo, '?? Jane Doe (still on the drawing board), '90ish Haro Escape SLX Bertoni "Speckled Trout"
05-06-15, 05:52 PM
#3
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Thanks! Yeah, it came across as a nice frame. Its quite light as well. The seat post is 26mm and the BB seems to be 68mm English Threaded.
05-06-15, 10:59 PM
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if seat post size truly 26.0mm it could not be more than quality plain gauge tubing; perhaps something such as Tange Mangalloy.
05-07-15, 07:02 AM
#5
Constant tinkerer
Is 26mm the actual seatpost size or just a rough estimate? It sounds small.
Definitely 1970s based on lack of top-tube cable guides, lack of DT shifter braze-ons, over the BB shell cable routing, and center-pull cable stop braze on. English threading and style makes me think Japanese. Is there any evidence of chrome on the rear stays?
Definitely 1970s based on lack of top-tube cable guides, lack of DT shifter braze-ons, over the BB shell cable routing, and center-pull cable stop braze on. English threading and style makes me think Japanese. Is there any evidence of chrome on the rear stays?
05-07-15, 08:05 AM
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Date code on the BB cup is 1981 - by the look (to me) an aftermarket install/upgrade. Or maybe original?
Bottom bracket is seamed, not cast - so along with the 26.0 seat tube a marker of a lower end frame.
The lug design is unusual with the large cutouts - and the fork crown appears to have an engraving (decal?) on top.
A most fascinating Frankenbike!
Bottom bracket is seamed, not cast - so along with the 26.0 seat tube a marker of a lower end frame.
The lug design is unusual with the large cutouts - and the fork crown appears to have an engraving (decal?) on top.
A most fascinating Frankenbike!
05-07-15, 08:15 AM
#7
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Thanks guys. Unfortunately this is the most precise measuring device I have, but, it seems to have an inner diameter of 26mm. Some of the paint is chipped, but it doest look there is any chrome underneath. Its quite scuffed up though. Haha, yeah, its quite a mess of parts. From the looks of it though, it doesnt look like anything is original.
05-07-15, 08:18 AM
#8
Still learning
Japanese Dropouts = Japanese frame, in most cases. I have a Miyata MTB with that style of rear brake cable bridge.
05-07-15, 09:56 AM
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The Japanes dropouts, English standard BB and 26.0 seat post would all seem to indicate a mid level Japanese built frame.
05-07-15, 10:22 AM
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It doesn't look like the frame has been repainted from what I can see in the photos. It looks like there is a heron on the fork crown, so the fork is a replacement. It originally had center pull brakes, since there is a cable stop on the seat tubes, and a black spacer in the headset where a center pull cable stop would have been.
You need a better method of measuring your seat tube diameter. If it were mine, I would take to my LBS and have them measure it - the cost should be minimal or gratis (if you are a customer).
You need a better method of measuring your seat tube diameter. If it were mine, I would take to my LBS and have them measure it - the cost should be minimal or gratis (if you are a customer).
05-08-15, 06:07 PM
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Could it be a Nishiki Professional? It seems to have similar lugs, rear brake cable bridge and the serial number on the bottom follows the Nishiki system.
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...-database.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...-database.html
09-20-15, 07:21 PM
#12
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Originally Posted by nckgntl
Could it be a Nishiki Professional? It seems to have similar lugs, rear brake cable bridge and the serial number on the bottom follows the Nishiki system.
Although the serial number has the format for Nishiki, I do not think that it is a Nishiki. I have never seen a Nishiki with a "KE" serial number.
I think a Lotus Eclair is a possibility. There were Lotus bicycles with a "KE" serial number.
07-24-17, 10:06 AM
#14
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Originally Posted by nckgntl
Could it be a Nishiki Professional? It seems to have similar lugs, rear brake cable bridge and the serial number on the bottom follows the Nishiki system.
Upon further review: I was incorrect in my previous post.
The frame is a Nishiki Professional.
https://www.bikeforums.net/19063177-post1635.html
The year of the frame may be 1972, inspite of the "KE" in the serial number. The Shimano date code on the BB cup is "FB" is 1971 February. There are other Nishiki Professionals with "KD" and "KE" serial numbers.
07-24-17, 10:46 AM
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Probaly a moot point given the thread is 2+ years old and the OP has been inactive for 1/1/2 years, but since Hummer did a bump, it is a May 1972, Katakura manufactured frame and they did contract build Nishiki Professional during this era.
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