Zebra Bike?
05-24-19, 01:51 PM
#1
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Zebra Bike?
Found this for sale, couldn't find much about the manufacturer so I thought maybe you guys could help me out. From what I can see the only identification is "Zebra Temp....." on the down tube. The rest is being blocked by what looks like a mini frame pump. Any information is welcome. I still don't have a price for it but I should be getting one soon. Thanks (:
05-24-19, 02:52 PM
#2
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Not real firmilar with the brand the few I have seen were lower end Asian built contract builds like this one. Some things to consider with this bike are that is a relatively small lower end Juvenile bike so if you taller than 5'6" or so or are looking to do more serious riding this one won't be a good choice. As for value if every thing works good and it's basically ready to ride about $100.
05-24-19, 07:47 PM
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There's such a bike as a Zebrakenko. Japanese brand from late 70's, 80's I think.
05-28-19, 06:38 AM
#4
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As noted, Zebra was a Japanese brand. Circa 1969 they merged with another Japanese brand, Kenko, resulting in a new brand, Zebrakenko. Circa 1975, Sumito Shoji started importing and distributing Zebrakenko in the USA. Period literature claimed a 1901 origin but it was unclear whether this applied to the Zebra or Keno brand. In 1985 the branding reverted to Zebra. The Zebrakenko I've seen were manufactured by Kofu,, who had owned the Kenko brand.
The subject bicycle is the late 1980s verison of the brand. I suspect the model name is actually Tempest, a known Zebra entry level model circa 1985. At the time, it was 3rd from the bottom of the line and had an MSRP of $219 US. Claimed weight was 26 lbs. If the OP acquires the bicycle, the serial number may tell us the exact year.
The bicycle has been converted to flat bars by a previous owner. I'm also wondering if the wheels have been replaced, as these typically surfaced with quick release hubs, as opposed to nutted hubs. The brakeset should be the ubiquitous Dia-Compe 500N. Derailleurs are generally SunTour AR/ARx with stem mounted shift levers. The crankset is likely a Sugino VP. I seen a couple versions of Tempest frames. One had CrMo double butted main tubes with hi-tensile forks and stays, while the other was CrMo plain gauge main tubes with a CMn fork and hi-tensile stays. The stamped dropoputs and down tube clamp were used on both frame configurations.
The subject bicycle is the late 1980s verison of the brand. I suspect the model name is actually Tempest, a known Zebra entry level model circa 1985. At the time, it was 3rd from the bottom of the line and had an MSRP of $219 US. Claimed weight was 26 lbs. If the OP acquires the bicycle, the serial number may tell us the exact year.
The bicycle has been converted to flat bars by a previous owner. I'm also wondering if the wheels have been replaced, as these typically surfaced with quick release hubs, as opposed to nutted hubs. The brakeset should be the ubiquitous Dia-Compe 500N. Derailleurs are generally SunTour AR/ARx with stem mounted shift levers. The crankset is likely a Sugino VP. I seen a couple versions of Tempest frames. One had CrMo double butted main tubes with hi-tensile forks and stays, while the other was CrMo plain gauge main tubes with a CMn fork and hi-tensile stays. The stamped dropoputs and down tube clamp were used on both frame configurations.
05-28-19, 06:55 PM
#5
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Sadly the bike was bought by someone else for $50. I would have bought it if I could. Thanks for the information. (:
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