Asian Serial Number Guide
02-26-23, 12:04 PM
#651
Full Member
WING NUTS! Shimano, alloy.
Royce Union 5 speed Made in Japan. 27" wheels & tires.
Serial on bb is 3DE7534
I'm guessing 1970ish.
Very vivid flamboyant lime green. My camera doesn't do the color well.
Shimano Eagle or Eagle II derailleur.
Overall it looks like a Raleigh Sprite 5 knock off but much flashier.
Royce.Union.3DE7534 (11) by rickpaulos, on Flickr
some paper stuck on the head tube. Should clean off well.
Royce.Union.3DE7534 (12) by rickpaulos, on Flickr
The stem, pedals and grips look like they are from a Raleigh Sprite. But close up shows other brand names. The bike looks to be all original.
Nuts on the outboard side of pedals. Better to tear flesh that way.
Royce.Union.3DE7534 (14) by rickpaulos, on Flickr
Raleigh looking grips. OGK made in Japan.
Royce.Union.3DE7534 (15) by rickpaulos, on Flickr
Royce Union 5 speed Made in Japan. 27" wheels & tires.
Serial on bb is 3DE7534
I'm guessing 1970ish.
Very vivid flamboyant lime green. My camera doesn't do the color well.
Shimano Eagle or Eagle II derailleur.
Overall it looks like a Raleigh Sprite 5 knock off but much flashier.
Royce.Union.3DE7534 (11) by rickpaulos, on Flickrsome paper stuck on the head tube. Should clean off well.
Royce.Union.3DE7534 (12) by rickpaulos, on FlickrThe stem, pedals and grips look like they are from a Raleigh Sprite. But close up shows other brand names. The bike looks to be all original.
Nuts on the outboard side of pedals. Better to tear flesh that way.
Royce.Union.3DE7534 (14) by rickpaulos, on FlickrRaleigh looking grips. OGK made in Japan.
Royce.Union.3DE7534 (15) by rickpaulos, on Flickr
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02-26-23, 12:15 PM
#652
Full Member
I would definitely NOT repaint it. Gloss black is the easiest color to touch up. I have a 1/2 pint of black gloss Rustoleum that I use on black bikes. I start with some medium grit and finger sand the chips. Clean and brush the paint on thick to fill the chips and scratches, just 1 or 2 passes, and leave it alone. Let it dry for a few days then wet sand with 800 grit sand paper on a block to smooth the new paint level. Then wax the frame with car wax. Don't touch the decals, just wax over them. I get far better results than trying to touch up with spray paints. A total repaint is a lot of work and most decals are unobtainable.
02-26-23, 04:57 PM
#653
Senior Member
04-10-23, 08:51 AM
#654
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Serial numbers
Thanks to the group for all the info.
I have a 1984 Rocky Mountain Sherpa mtb bike that I was able to confirm is Toyo made. What threw me off was I also have a 1984 Rocky Mountain Sherpa Touring 2 bike but it was made by Miki based on decal but serial # also confirms it.
Once I get enough posts I’ll double back and add pictures.
I have a 1984 Rocky Mountain Sherpa mtb bike that I was able to confirm is Toyo made. What threw me off was I also have a 1984 Rocky Mountain Sherpa Touring 2 bike but it was made by Miki based on decal but serial # also confirms it.
Once I get enough posts I’ll double back and add pictures.
04-25-23, 06:07 PM
#655
Senior Member
Concord bicycle
Got a confusing one. Date codes put it around 74-75. All Japanese components and made with Araya seamless tubing.
serial number does not jibe with the possible manufacturers.
Who made this frame?
Model is the Freedom Deluxe
Got a confusing one. Date codes put it around 74-75. All Japanese components and made with Araya seamless tubing.
serial number does not jibe with the possible manufacturers.
Who made this frame?
Model is the Freedom Deluxe
04-29-23, 10:49 PM
#656
Full Member
1981 Panasonic Sport 1000.
Serial is 1A18512 (1=1981 A=January)
FYI, there is a 4 character code on the head badge Y140
Serial is 1A18512 (1=1981 A=January)
FYI, there is a 4 character code on the head badge Y140
05-11-23, 11:51 AM
#657
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Novara Serial Number
Greetings -- I picked up an old Novara Strada the other day and thought I'd contribute its serial number to the database: S0P5240 (found on the underside of the bottom bracket). I believe the lugged, steel, 7 speed bike is a 1990 or '91 model: its Shimano 105 crankset and front derailleur are both stamped OJ, which I think corresponds with an October 1990 component manufacture date, and I found an old blog where a fellow posted pictures of his '91 Strada (same two color frame - red with dark grey fade applied - yellow cable housing; same graphics -- I'd post a picture, but I'm too new to the Forums to be able to do so). If T-Mar's "S-2" code system is at work here, my serial number may show frame manufacture in the August 13 - 20 fortnight of 1990, which would seem to make sense for a bike that was built in Japan (as the decal headbadge says) and shipped to the US to receive its October-dated Shimano parts before being sold here in 1991 (my understanding is that Novara - the REI house brand - was made in Japan and then shipped to US for finishing up and sale). Is there still a suspicion that H. Tano built these frames?
Incidentally, it rides beautifully.
Incidentally, it rides beautifully.
05-13-23, 04:25 PM
#658
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Here are a few contributions along with my interpretations of the SNs:
1985 Univega Alpina Pro
M 552099 Univega used a lot of Miyata frames, and this SN would be consistent with Miyata's numbering system and the frame being made in 1984.
1986 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport
CS 625323 This lines up with the scheme for the mysterious Japanese factory S (1) and a March 1986 build. I bought the bike from its original owner, who had worked in a shop and ridden for a sponsored team. She had a 1985 bike, but she broke the frame in a race, and Specialized sent her a new one. Bike was pretty rough and I had the frame powdercoated; I'm not sure the Suntour roller-cam brake is salvageable.
1992 Bridgestone BB-1
M 1 I (definitely the letter i) 5808 This doesn't fit either of the Bridgestone entries in T-Mar's list, but BB stood for 'Bridgestone Basic' according to Grant Peterson’s catalog text, and it may have had humbler origins than the rest of the line. The SN is consistent with Merida and a Sept 1991 build, which fits the 1992 model year. The frame has a Made in Taiwan sticker.
1985 Univega Alpina Pro
M 552099 Univega used a lot of Miyata frames, and this SN would be consistent with Miyata's numbering system and the frame being made in 1984.
1986 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport
CS 625323 This lines up with the scheme for the mysterious Japanese factory S (1) and a March 1986 build. I bought the bike from its original owner, who had worked in a shop and ridden for a sponsored team. She had a 1985 bike, but she broke the frame in a race, and Specialized sent her a new one. Bike was pretty rough and I had the frame powdercoated; I'm not sure the Suntour roller-cam brake is salvageable.
1992 Bridgestone BB-1
M 1 I (definitely the letter i) 5808 This doesn't fit either of the Bridgestone entries in T-Mar's list, but BB stood for 'Bridgestone Basic' according to Grant Peterson’s catalog text, and it may have had humbler origins than the rest of the line. The SN is consistent with Merida and a Sept 1991 build, which fits the 1992 model year. The frame has a Made in Taiwan sticker.
__________________
I never think I have hit hard, unless it rebounds.
- Dr Samuel Johnson
I never think I have hit hard, unless it rebounds.
- Dr Samuel Johnson
Last edited by Chicago Al; 05-27-23 at 09:02 AM.
05-17-23, 07:50 PM
#659
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05-19-23, 06:46 AM
#660
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Pretty corroded aluminum, steel parts rusted; might yield to vinegar and elbow grease. When I sell the Stumpjumper Sport frame I'll probably include the brake.
__________________
I never think I have hit hard, unless it rebounds.
- Dr Samuel Johnson
I never think I have hit hard, unless it rebounds.
- Dr Samuel Johnson
05-19-23, 06:50 AM
#661
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Here's another bike that I suspect has at least an Asian-produced frame: my 1987 Schwinn Cimarron.
These were said to have been made in Schwinn's Greeneville plant, but the SN doesn't line up with those shown in the long-running Cimarron thread, having only a single letter at the beginning. T-Mar's list suggests that a few different mfrs including Bridgestone produced bikes/frames for Schwinn, and this SN would line up with Bridgestone's system and a September 1986 build, very plausible.
I suspect the frames for these--at least at this date--were made in Asia then the bikes assembled in the US. They also have headbadge SNs, apparently recording the date the bike was finished, and the headbadge SN for this bike suggests it wasn't completed until mid 1987.
These were said to have been made in Schwinn's Greeneville plant, but the SN doesn't line up with those shown in the long-running Cimarron thread, having only a single letter at the beginning. T-Mar's list suggests that a few different mfrs including Bridgestone produced bikes/frames for Schwinn, and this SN would line up with Bridgestone's system and a September 1986 build, very plausible.
I suspect the frames for these--at least at this date--were made in Asia then the bikes assembled in the US. They also have headbadge SNs, apparently recording the date the bike was finished, and the headbadge SN for this bike suggests it wasn't completed until mid 1987.
__________________
I never think I have hit hard, unless it rebounds.
- Dr Samuel Johnson
I never think I have hit hard, unless it rebounds.
- Dr Samuel Johnson
Last edited by Chicago Al; 05-19-23 at 10:21 AM.
05-19-23, 07:23 AM
#662
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I forgot to post this back in February when I got the bike. The only name on it is Marukin Bicycle Co. LTD, there is no model name. Serial is JS24941. It doesn't quite line up to any of the formats. Tsunoda might be the closest. Date code on the Sun Tour Spirt derailleur points to 1974.
1970s Marukin
Seat tube decal
1970s Marukin
Seat tube decal
05-26-23, 02:23 PM
#663
Senior Member
1984 Univega Gran Turismo
Serial number M384285
Miyata manufacture where M= 1984 and 384285= sequential frame number.
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05-26-23, 02:48 PM
#664
Senior Member
Also, can someone clarify this serial number on what I believe to be a 1985 Fisher MountainBikes Montare:
T5K90175
Doesn't seem to follow the format for Toyo wherein:
TOYO (Japan): ymxxx(xx) through at least 1984. Tyxxx(x) at least as early as 1988.
Exact year of crossover yet to be determined. Old format easily mistaken for Matsushiita/Panasonic.
I guess the K is what is throwing me off.
Here it is after all the spray bomb catastrophe was cleaned off:
Thanks!
T5K90175
Doesn't seem to follow the format for Toyo wherein:
TOYO (Japan): ymxxx(xx) through at least 1984. Tyxxx(x) at least as early as 1988.
Exact year of crossover yet to be determined. Old format easily mistaken for Matsushiita/Panasonic.
I guess the K is what is throwing me off.
Here it is after all the spray bomb catastrophe was cleaned off:
Thanks!
06-10-23, 03:02 AM
#665
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I have three frames in question. The first is a Ventura 24" 10 speed I picked up used in Alameda in the early 80's for my girlfriend. It had a thick layer of dust so maybe it's a 76 or 77?
W76 9 60130
The other two were hanging in a bike shop for years. The shop went under and they sent them to the junk shop here in Olongapo, Philippines. I bought all 7 frames I found there, these two were the only ones that weren't locally made.
The 27" Mixte serial number is IK87012072
The chrome frame made for wide 26" tires is A87111415.
There are no other markings on the frames. I don't see how to post pics.
W76 9 60130
The other two were hanging in a bike shop for years. The shop went under and they sent them to the junk shop here in Olongapo, Philippines. I bought all 7 frames I found there, these two were the only ones that weren't locally made.
The 27" Mixte serial number is IK87012072
The chrome frame made for wide 26" tires is A87111415.
There are no other markings on the frames. I don't see how to post pics.
06-11-23, 07:35 PM
#666
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07-12-23, 02:01 PM
#667
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I've just had an exchange with an eBay seller who has what looks like a 1985 Univega Alpina Pro. It matches the 1985 catalog online, and has decals stating 'Made in Japan,' and also 'CTB Chromoly Triple Butted' which is pretty close to Miyata's 'STB' trademark. Sure enough, the SN on that bike's frame starts with NK, so 11th fortnight of 1985, late May or June of that year. Not that we needed more confirmation of Univega frames being built by Miyata!
__________________
I never think I have hit hard, unless it rebounds.
- Dr Samuel Johnson
I never think I have hit hard, unless it rebounds.
- Dr Samuel Johnson
Last edited by Chicago Al; 07-13-23 at 06:51 AM.
07-31-23, 10:40 PM
#668
Full Member
1988 Mangusta 3000 aluminum bonded road bike
fresh find. 1988 Mangusta 3000 bonded aluminum road bike. Some bubbling at the bb joints. Serial hard to read but it may be M7C 05759. My guess is it was manufactured by Merida. rear der and crank codes are late 1987.
Mangusta 3000 bonded aluminum road bike 1988
hard to read serial number
hard to read serial number
Mangusta
Repaired by Lyle Theisen Della Crema Bicycles Dyersville Iowa. Made in Taiwan for BMX Products CO. Camarillo California 1988
Precision Aluminum Composite Engineering
some bubbling at the bb joints
seat stay bolted on.
Mangusta 3000 bonded aluminum road bike 1988
hard to read serial number
hard to read serial number
Mangusta
Repaired by Lyle Theisen Della Crema Bicycles Dyersville Iowa. Made in Taiwan for BMX Products CO. Camarillo California 1988
Precision Aluminum Composite Engineering
some bubbling at the bb joints
seat stay bolted on.
Last edited by rickpaulos; 07-31-23 at 10:45 PM.
09-16-23, 05:08 PM
#669
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Posted for the serial number collector...
Mid 80's Falcon 12 speed. Model unknown. Fork is really really bad and I don't think it's salvageable. I have a spare chrome fork...
However, Wobler rims are in very nice shape and with 600 tricolour hubs. Probably worth it for the $40 Canadian price.
Serial is LS569157
Mid 80's Falcon 12 speed. Model unknown. Fork is really really bad and I don't think it's salvageable. I have a spare chrome fork...
However, Wobler rims are in very nice shape and with 600 tricolour hubs. Probably worth it for the $40 Canadian price.
Serial is LS569157
10-24-23, 06:28 PM
#670
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Kawamura serial numbers 1982
This is a quote from post No. 486 almost 2 years ago: 11-23-21, 12:28 PM #486 Santuri32
I have a Nishiki frame from Kawamura with a similar serial number.
A Nishiki USA serial number Bushwhacker. Designed by Norco. The headbadge is for Nishiki USA frames from Kawamura for 1983 model year.
From my catalogue of Nishiki serial numbers the sequence number for KB14260 is in the middle of other 1983 model year bicycles.
The serial number is close to the Cycle Pro Ram in the quoted post. There was a discussion about the model year of the Cycle Pro.
I have a Nishiki frame from Kawamura with a similar serial number.
A Nishiki USA serial number Bushwhacker. Designed by Norco. The headbadge is for Nishiki USA frames from Kawamura for 1983 model year.
From my catalogue of Nishiki serial numbers the sequence number for KB14260 is in the middle of other 1983 model year bicycles.
The serial number is close to the Cycle Pro Ram in the quoted post. There was a discussion about the model year of the Cycle Pro.
10-25-23, 11:05 AM
#671
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WGB: One of my buddies has a couple of Falcons, too. Since Falcon doesn't appear in Tmar's listings, I wonder if it was a Canada-only brand designed and sold through a Canadian distributor who sold to all comers. I'll have to take a look at my buddy's Falcons and see if there are any stickers with country of manufacturer on them.
10-26-23, 10:36 AM
#672
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Woodward's Mercury
This quote in from post No.544, 04-24-22, 02:51 PM #544 2Rick
Mercury was the house brand name for products sold by Woodward's Stores Ltd. The first retail outlet was in Vancouver, BC and they established stores in British Columbia and Alberta in western Canada.
Woodward's sourced bicycles from several companies over the years. I have a 1956 Mercury from Hercules of Birmingham, UK.
In the 1970s and early 1980s Woodward's main source was CCM in Weston, Ontario. The CCM Weston plant closed in 1982 and Woodward's sourced some bicycles from Japan and Taiwan. Later their main bicycle source was Groupe Procycle in Quebec.
Your Mercury Corsair is from the period after CCM went bankrupt.
Woodward's filed for bankruptcy in December 1992. It was a very nice department store while in existence. I know several people who worked at a Woodward's store.
Well, instead of a bunch of Miyata pics, I have a bunch of MERCURY pics in my gallery. This appears/appears to be some kind of department store bike maybe sold by Murray but made in Japan. Serial # is SE315059 as you can (hopefully) see in the pics. One unusual (to me) item is the headstock hardware which is stamped "SEIKI CO LTD TANGE JAPAN" if you can't make it out in the pic. I was hoping I'd find a Seiki bike manufacturer in T-Mar's list but no such luck. This bike is in such nice condition and was found by my buddy at a thrift store in a small nearby town. Someone wrecked a perfectly good bike by robbing the front wheel and the bar/stem assembly. This bike is just too nice to send to the landfill so I'm going to resurrect the old girl and get her back on the road. Yes, I know it's not collectible but it's too nice to scrap. I already have a good front wheel in hand and it's an Araya steel one to match the rear that was left on the bike. I also acquired a Nitto aluminum stem so all I need is a nice set of drop bars and I'll strip everything down and clean/regrease everything and then sell it locally. It has a complete Sun Tour equipment group on it along with a Sugino 170mm crank set and DiaCompe side pull calipers so there is some pretty nice bits on it.
It seems that there was a Mercury brand bike before WWII and Wikipedia says that the Mercury brand was owned by Murray so I guess this might be a Murray under all that nice glossy black paint. By the looks of it, it's probably an 80's bike.
Does anyone have any idea who built this lovely old bike ??
ADD ON: Well, after poking around on here today, I see a post by T-Mar in a Nishiki thread about a stamping on a BB that denotes Western Cycle. Strangely enough, or maybe not, that Western Cycle stamping looks suspiciously like the "M" emblem on the headstock of my Mercury. Check the pic and tell me what YOU think.
It seems that there was a Mercury brand bike before WWII and Wikipedia says that the Mercury brand was owned by Murray so I guess this might be a Murray under all that nice glossy black paint. By the looks of it, it's probably an 80's bike.
Does anyone have any idea who built this lovely old bike ??
ADD ON: Well, after poking around on here today, I see a post by T-Mar in a Nishiki thread about a stamping on a BB that denotes Western Cycle. Strangely enough, or maybe not, that Western Cycle stamping looks suspiciously like the "M" emblem on the headstock of my Mercury. Check the pic and tell me what YOU think.
Woodward's sourced bicycles from several companies over the years. I have a 1956 Mercury from Hercules of Birmingham, UK.
In the 1970s and early 1980s Woodward's main source was CCM in Weston, Ontario. The CCM Weston plant closed in 1982 and Woodward's sourced some bicycles from Japan and Taiwan. Later their main bicycle source was Groupe Procycle in Quebec.
Your Mercury Corsair is from the period after CCM went bankrupt.
Woodward's filed for bankruptcy in December 1992. It was a very nice department store while in existence. I know several people who worked at a Woodward's store.
10-26-23, 07:53 PM
#673
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Schwinn Greenville
Here's another bike that I suspect has at least an Asian-produced frame: my 1987 Schwinn Cimarron.
These were said to have been made in Schwinn's Greeneville plant, but the SN doesn't line up with those shown in the long-running Cimarron thread, having only a single letter at the beginning. T-Mar's list suggests that a few different mfrs including Bridgestone produced bikes/frames for Schwinn, and this SN would line up with Bridgestone's system and a September 1986 build, very plausible.
I suspect the frames for these--at least at this date--were made in Asia then the bikes assembled in the US. They also have headbadge SNs, apparently recording the date the bike was finished, and the headbadge SN for this bike suggests it wasn't completed until mid 1987.
These were said to have been made in Schwinn's Greeneville plant, but the SN doesn't line up with those shown in the long-running Cimarron thread, having only a single letter at the beginning. T-Mar's list suggests that a few different mfrs including Bridgestone produced bikes/frames for Schwinn, and this SN would line up with Bridgestone's system and a September 1986 build, very plausible.
I suspect the frames for these--at least at this date--were made in Asia then the bikes assembled in the US. They also have headbadge SNs, apparently recording the date the bike was finished, and the headbadge SN for this bike suggests it wasn't completed until mid 1987.
It cannot be a Bridgestone serial number from 1986 because Bridgestone serial numbers do not use the letter "I" .
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10-28-23, 10:08 PM
#674
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Concord Kuwahara frames no date codes
This quote is from post No. 561 05-13-22, 04:08 PM #561 Farmboy413
Hello Farmboy413,
welcome to the forum. I am sorry that no one responded to your post earlier.
This quote is from post No. 655. 04-25-23, 06:07 PM #655 3speedslow
Hello 3speedslow, I cannot see that anyone has responded to your post.
Both of the quoted Concord frames were manufactured by Kuwahara. They were manufactured before Kuwahara introduced year and month numbers with their serial numbers.
The current version of the Asian Serial Number Guide does not cover Kuwahara serial numbers without date codes.
In the 1960s Kuwahara was contracted to build frames for companies in the Canadian market and then the USA Market.
I have catalogued more than 45 Kuwahara serial numbers without date codes. There are simply 5 digits on the seat tube.
From this data I surmise that the serial numbers run in sequence, without regard for year or month, from 00001 to 99999 and then repeat.
Based on my data and the serial numbers being in the 80000s and that the frames were contracted for the Concord brand name, I estimate that the frames were manufactured in 1974.
welcome to the forum. I am sorry that no one responded to your post earlier.
This quote is from post No. 655. 04-25-23, 06:07 PM #655 3speedslow
Both of the quoted Concord frames were manufactured by Kuwahara. They were manufactured before Kuwahara introduced year and month numbers with their serial numbers.
The current version of the Asian Serial Number Guide does not cover Kuwahara serial numbers without date codes.
In the 1960s Kuwahara was contracted to build frames for companies in the Canadian market and then the USA Market.
I have catalogued more than 45 Kuwahara serial numbers without date codes. There are simply 5 digits on the seat tube.
From this data I surmise that the serial numbers run in sequence, without regard for year or month, from 00001 to 99999 and then repeat.
Based on my data and the serial numbers being in the 80000s and that the frames were contracted for the Concord brand name, I estimate that the frames were manufactured in 1974.
