billytwosheds 

After mistakenly assuming a previous owner had shaved down the lugs, the folks over at /framebuilders helped me figure out that this Zunow actually has some nice fillet brazing. It also has the beautiful hummingbird logos throughout.

Here's the previous thread:

https://www.bikeforums.net/framebuild...rame-safe.html

And here's the frame I picked up:



And I think it looked something like this, once upon a time:



The rear end looks different, obviously.

And here's the fillet brazing revealed after a light sanding:



So, how would I go about finding the model name or more history about this frame? Zunow catalogs are had to source, and I haven't yet found any pictures on the interwebs that show other Zunow frames exactly like this.

Any help appreciated.

Scooper

That's an interesting Zunow. The fillet brazed frame with the wishbone seat stay and the monostay low on the seat tube and carried to the top tube as a third triangle is different from any I've previously seen.

TimmyT 

What's the seat tube & head tube size on this? That looks like my size

I don't know how how you would identify that. I would suggest getting in touch Mr. Ooyama:Zunow on CR

One of the members here, I believe has talked with him. If I remember who, I will repost.

EDIT: Perhaps @Dawes-man knows how something (?).

Scooper

Here's a lugged version in the same configuration. It has the wishbone seat stays an the monostay carried through the seat tube to the top tube to form a triple triangle frame.

The wheels look like they may be 26" (650c).

TimmyT 

Oh, yeah. I saw a similar triple triangle in 26" or 650c. I bet that's what the OP's is.

billytwosheds 

Cool! Thanks for the info.

Top tube is ~21.5" and seat tube is ~22.25" (c-to-c) which is somewhere around a 56-57cm. I have two other frame-up projects right now, so won't be keeping this one

Here's a better profile shot:



The head tube looks long, but that's not crazy considering the overall geometry of it. It also has internal cable routing, which I haven't seen one many (any?) other Zunows.

Thanks for any other info...

TimmyT 

Yeah, that's the side shot we needed. I ride a 24-25" seat tube, and if it was that size, we could probably work something out The 650c wheel size threw me off. 650c has an ERD of 571mm, so you can measure 285.5 mm from the axle location (or put a hub in the rear dropouts, and measure from the center) along the chain stays. At that point, measure across the stays. It should measure about 30mm, maybe a little less, but likely more than 25mm. That will give you an idea of the tire size this frame takes.

Scooper

With that long head tube and the very low wishbone on the seat stays, I'll bet it's built for 650c (or possibly even smaller) wheels.

Did you get a fork with the frame? If so, what's the crown-to-axle measurement?

billytwosheds 

Unfortunately, the Zunow website seems to be down, and I can't find an email contact for Mr. Ooyama.

Oh, that's so helpful. Thanks Scooper.

djkashuba 

Catnap:

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...ast-japan.html

-D

billytwosheds 

Yep, fork came with the frame, and looks like original black paint on it. Will post an image after work.

I measured ~340mm from the base of the fork crown to the axle. Tried dropping it onto a 700c wheel, and the fork is too short (obviously).

Catnap 

@billytwosheds - got your message. looks like this might be their "Trionic" model, which was made for 650C wheels. The style of rear triangle was called "Pierce WB" referring to the way the wishbone monostay goes through the seat tube to create a triple-triangle style bike. If you look at the picture Scooper posted, that's what the decal near the seat cluster says.

See this pic from Bikeforums user DawesMan:


given that it's fillet-brased, i'd assume that your frame was probably a one-off custom. Zunows are well-known for their unique lugs and i've never seen a fillet-brased steel Zunow before. I don't know where you got your frame, but in the late 80's - early 1990's Zunow was focused on the triathlon market in Canada & the USA. This frame may have been custom made for a customer during that time period.

It may also be a 24" wheel version:

OldsCOOL

PIs it just me or does that chainring look huge?

billytwosheds 

Thanks for following up, Catnap. The frame came over from Japan as far as I know, which is somewhat common for multi-generational families here in Hawaii. Probably came over and ridden, then left for a family member to sell off. Kind of neat to hear that it's likely a one-off custom, too.

The frame has remnants of a botched paint removal, which I'll probably have to perform again, then an oxalic acid bath. Too much sanding for me

Thanks for the followup! Will ping back on this thread if I find out anything more.

billytwosheds 

Welp, I found another one. Bringing this thread back to life.

Received from a former racer sponsored by a local bike and sporting goods shop in 1992/3. Apparently one of the employees had a relationship with Zunow and imported at least 2 of these. No serial numbers that I can locate. Same fillet brazing, crimped tubes, straight fork, 650c wheels.

The paint has some cracking issues and some rust, but not the typical bubbling/spidering I've seen with many bikes here. The parts are a mish mash (and bar ends are upside down) but it's rideable and I've got plans to built it out with 7 or 8 speed Dura Ace.

(Note: I never got to build up the frame that was in the original post of this thread because 1) it was run over by a car while unloading it and 2) it was stolen off the wall of the bike coop about 5 years ago.)

icemilkcoffee 

That is really beautiful. How is the geometry? Most tri-bikes from the late 80's and on, have a steep seat tube and a long top tube that's rotated forward, and are not easily converted to conventional road bikes.

billytwosheds 

The geometry seems fine at the moment, but I'll compare it to my other frames this weekend.

The previous owner did use it as a road bike for a while, and I don't plant to put tri bars back on it. So we'll see.

It's very nimble, and turns heads.

chain_whipped

Awesome. The OP resurrection.

Once did an event on a 650c wheeled aluminum Trek. Worst ever. Lol. No wonder that steel Zunow has a serious cushioned saddle. Ha

Anyways, this Zunow represents Japan's Kageyama / Zunow version of embellishing Italian sizzle sell of Ernesto's ~ Colnago's. This Zunow is the 'try-spirt' wanna-b Ironman branding tattoo in all its glory. I would start collecting the funky vintage / era components and build accordingly. Really is cool and the right frame for it.

Start with a rad aero wheelset. Maybe disc or at min, deep dish rims. This bike appears to have been a traveler. That stem conversion and loose shift cables as a convenient for easy removal / reinstall bars. Get rid of all that.

Perhaps search the Slowtwitch forums and related topics and more of the dominance era Paula Newby-Frazer. Recently on ebay was a set of crank motion extenders. There's another funky seat post / saddle device called 'seat shifter' that allowed fore aft seat adjusting 'on the fly'. Look made a matching paint Arc pedal set.

Catnap 

Very cool find! I have a Z-1R and a ProForm with the same color scheme. It’s called the “Puntous Sisters” colorway, as apparently it was inspired by or created for the twin sister triathlete duo that Zunow sponsored in the 1980s.