tor94306

Has anybody heard of Maruishi Alu-Tech model? I've found an old Maruishi road bike. Aluminum frame with shimano 105 components. The only labels on the bike are "Maruishi", "Made in Japan", "Aluminum Series 7000", "Alu-Tech", and 3 yellow/red/blue pictures showing running, biking, swimming.

Has anybody heard of this model? Any idea of when it was made?
Thanks,
tor

T-Mar

Aluminum framed Japanese bicycles were popular in the mid-to late 1980s. This one sounds circa 1987-1989 based on the Shimano 105 components. Serial number?

T-Mar

I found a picture of a Maruishi Alu-Tech in an old thread. It definitely has Shimano New 105, which places it 1987-1989. However, I also found the 1987 specs in an old cycling magazine and that year it was equipped with Shimano New 600EX, so the year range is narrowed down to 1988 or 1989.

tor94306

Thanks!

Sorry, I did not reply yesterday but hit a 5 post limit.

The serial number is YL6Z453.

Thanks again,
tor

tor94306

I was pointed to another thread from a few years ago in the Classic & Vintage group: classic-vintage/993221-aluminum-maruishi.html

T-Mar

Assuming it has been transcribed correctly, I'm not familiar with that particular serial number format. Based on my experience with Asian serial numbers, my educated guess would be that it was manufactured during the last two weeks of 1986, which should make it a 1987 model. However, this is in conflict with the 1987 specs in the cycling magazine. Provided the components are OEM, the number of rear cogs would provide another clue. New 105 was 6 speed in 1987 & 1988, being upgraded to 7 speed in 1989. Component date codes may provide further clues. Regardless, the OP will soon have 10 posts, which will allow him/her to upload pictures, which may help to solve the issue.

tor94306

It has 6 gears on the rear. There number I gave us stamped on the bottom of the bottom bracket shell: YL6Z453. There is another number on the handlebars: B115400 but I assume that is just a component item number.

Thanks again!
tor

tor94306

The bike is a bit worn but still functional. I think the only mods are: decreased gear ratio between the two front gears, new front wheel, and pedals.

tor94306

Sorry, that is a new rear wheel. I think front is original.

tor94306

Serial is: YL6Z453.

T-Mar

Yes, that is definitely Shimano New 105, which was produced for the 1987-1989 model years. Check the back of the Shimano parts for a date code consisting of two letters (e.g. KE). Given New 105, the first letter should be K,L,M or N and the second will be A through L. Post what you find. Find as many as you can.

tor94306

Looks like the crank set is FC-1050, the front and rear brakes are BR-1050, and the rear derailer is RD-1050. Could not find the number for the front derailer.

T-Mar

I see component date codes from October and November 1986, which would consistent with a 1987 model.