beaker83

So I bought this bike about a year and half ago and the paint was in bad shape and places in the frame were starting to rust. I didn't/don't have the money to spring for a professional powder-coat job so I cleaned it and sprayed it with enamel. Anyway, all this is to say that I took pictures of the stickers that were on it that identified the type of steel etc before I stripped it and now I can't find those pictures. I was a complete noob when I got this bike so I didn't think it was that important but now that I am learning more about vintage bikes, I am really curious what quality (or not) bike I am riding so that I can better gauge my purchases. I remember one of the stickers was from a bike shop in Chicago, I think I remember that one of them said it was double butted tange, but I don't remember if it said what kind of steel and all this is remembering from a year ago so I don't know how reliable it is. I was told it was a 77 sekai. The paint was red when I got it but it didn't have anything that identified it as far brand/model on it except for a sekai sticker headbadge. It had suntour cyclone rd and suntour fd,suntour bar end shifters, black dia-compe brake calipers, and brake levers with a little sunburst on them that I guess is also suntour. maxy crank arms and sugino cranks, araya 27" rims. Here are some pictures from before the paint job, you can see the stickers in them but they aren't close enough to see what they say. I've included pics of the bottom of the bottom bracket with the serial #s . Then here is one after. Any help is appreciated!

Bianchigirll 

Identifying a re4painted frame can be impossible. More details would help, so would close up pics of frame features like the dropouts, headtube lugs and seat lug area. Is there anything stamped on the dropouts? What is the threading on the BB shell?

Bianchigirll 

beaker83

I don't remember seeing anything stamped on it when I painted it but I will check when I get home and post some close up pictures.
As for the bb, do you mean is it standard or reverse threaded or do you mean size? The threads on both sides are righty tighty when facing each but I don't know where or what exactly to measure for size.

Bianchigirll 

The (threading) size is usually stamped on the cups of better bottom brackets. Righty Tighty for both points to a Italian or Fench BB

T-Mar

Yes, it's definitely a 1977 frame. The serial number format is that of Matsu****a, famous for their Panasonic brand but they also did contract manufacturing for various brands. It's almost certainly a frankenbike but of the named components, the most likely to be OEM is the Maxy crankset. Assuming it is a Sekai, that would narrow it down to three models. All three used butted hi-tensile tubesets but two were single butted and the other was double butted. What is the seat post size?

Bikedued

Matsu*****a?, haha. Dang curse checker!,,,,BD

beaker83

[QUOTE=Bianchigirll;15809586]Identifying a re4painted frame can be impossible. More details would help, so would close up pics of frame features like the dropouts, headtube lugs and seat lug area. Is there anything stamped on the dropouts? What is the threading on the BB shell?

Okay, finally got around to some pictures! The threading is 1.37x34t but I don't know what that means. There is something stamped on the rear dropouts = suntourgs.
Here are some pics.

beaker83

I don't have calipers so I don't know the seat tube size. I just took it in to the shop yesterday, maybe I can get them to measure for me. I'll let you know, and thanks for the help! I've posted some more pictures. Maybe the lugs can tell you something!

Hummer

beaker83, your serial number is close to three other Sekai 2500 GrandTour. See this thread, posts 68 and 77:

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...1#post14096597