Vintage_Silk01

As stated in my introduction tread, I have a Silk KATAKURA that I got for cheap, and seems to mostly original. I have several numbers off the frame but I am new to bicycles and I'm learning as I go. I intend to fix then commute on the bike but would just like to know more about it. I'll be searching BF for whatever I can find but this thread will hopefully yield faster results.

As far as I can tell its and early70's bike with all/mostly SUNTOUR bits. Anyone who can help me identify the bike and its bits would be greatly appreciated.

And sense I'm not to up to speed on bike lingo, let me know what you need pictures of and which numbers may be helpful in figuring out what my bike is.

cb400bill

Post some pics of the complete bike, taken from the drive side.

Post close ups of the components. EG: derailleurs, shifters, brake levers and calipers.

Post pics of the drop outs. (where the wheels axles bolt onto the bike)

Post pics of the lugs. (where the frame tubes are put together)

wrk101

Way too little information. Katakana Silk is a brand, not a model. Suntour is a brand of component, not a model. Both made everything from extremely basic to excellent, and everything in between.

Serial number at best will tell you year, nothing more. Easier to find the year by looking up component codes instead, 60 second job. Google gets you there.

You can't identify Suntour parts? That should be an easy task too. Model names were on them, date codes on the back, etc.

Never assume parts are original.

Vintage_Silk01

ill get pictures up as soon as possible (on iPhone=lagging connectivity)

way to come in with guns half drawn. The lack of information was a known condition, considering we all have to start somewhere and I wasn't sure what to be looking for. Although I was already aware of Katakura Silk being the brand, I'm trying to identify the model. I know that at the youngest it's a 75. And I said seem to be original. But with the simplicity to obtain parts and mods even at the time the bike was new I don't expect it to be original it would just be neat if they were.

mountaindave 

Bill's tryin' to be helpful, perhaps the economical use of words makes it seem curt. But it's really hard to do anything without pictures. Besides, we all like pictures. Bill could probably nail everything down in 60 seconds or less with good pictures of the bits and pieces.

And welcome to the forum.

Vintage_Silk01

i wasn't offended, just seemed a little abrasive considering my mention of knowing almost zero about cycles aside from the capability to ride one. Thank you for the welcome and I plan to post pictures tomorrow from an actual computer instead of from my phone. I have also found several bikes that a neighbor has that are similar and have several serviceable parts that it is likely he will give to me.

The Golden Boy 

Bill, I respect you and everything- but unless you have some prior "thing" with this poster- this does seem really aggressive.

I don't know much of anything about Katakura Silk- other than the 3 or so I've seen on this forum are quite amazing, and have really driven my desire for a chromed bike frame. The other thing I do know about them is that they're "Katakura" Silk- unless you're talking about some other bike.

I also am aware that there are serial numbers that are much better than just being able to give the date at best. Trek's old numbering system gave the model (from that you could determine the tubing type) the size and the date of brazing (year, month and position in the run).

With as many people that pass through here quite obviously solely looking to get info to make a profit on their yard sale find, I think tact and helpfulness would help encourage someone who is expressing an interest in actually being a part of the forums- especially someone that is an owner of a special bike such as you yourself own.

lord_athlon

He really is just coming off as someone who didn't see the point of this thread without any additional information. I don't see it as rude.