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SR Triathalon Bicycle

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SR Triathalon Bicycle

Old 03-07-19, 07:20 PM
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Ha! Oh no, you're good. I need to up my mental game!
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Old 03-07-19, 07:21 PM
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T-mar, the serial number is: ARYC399780. It's located on the side of the seat tube near the crank. I've never seen a serial number located there.
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Old 03-08-19, 06:48 AM
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Originally Posted by gugie

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but I think Dave Scott rode an Eisentraut painted to look like whatever model of Ironman Centurion was pimping that year.
Although Dave Scott did race on an Eisentraut earlier in his career, the Centurions he rode were rebranded custom Zunow.
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Old 03-08-19, 06:50 AM
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Originally Posted by Afischer70
T-mar, the serial number is: ARYC399780. It's located on the side of the seat tube near the crank. I've never seen a serial number located there.
Your frame was manufactured in March 1983 by Araya of Japan. Other notable brands having been contract manufactured by Araya include Nishiki, Peugeot and Vista. Of course, they also manufactured an eponymous brand and other brands that they owned, such as Rex.

I'm wondering if the timing is one of the reasons that we've not seen an SR Triathlon before. As previously noted, 1983 was the first year that bicycle manufacturers took serious note of the burgeoning triathlon market. Apparently, there were multiple companies that came out with a Triathlon model. The Triathlon model name was actually trademarked by KHS and there was at least one apparent case of litigation. Bridgestone had also released a Triathlon model in 1983 and there's a notable difference between the earlier and later 1983 advertisements. The later advertisements specifically mention that it a KHS trademark, used by permission. I suspect that KHS issued at least "cease and desist" letters from their legal representatives to all companies with a Triathlon model bicycle. Bridegstone appears to have won out as the permitted user, probably the result of a bidding war for a license issued by KHS. This would have caused Marui to withdraw the model name and it may have been used for only a partial year.

However, to anticipate a question, I don't think this rarity increases the value. There have been other cases where the model names have been short lived as the result of litigation, notably the Centurion Comp TA. The values on the Comp TA bicycles are only slightly higher than comparable models of their tubing grade and component package, and this can attributed to the higher recognition factor and reputation of the Centurion brand name. In short, an SR Triathlon should be valued on it's condition, tubing grade and component package. If anything, the low recognition factor of the SR brand name may require a slight discount to encourage buyers.

Regarding the serial number location, is it fairly common. It was used by CCM, Kuwahara and Tano, to name but three. Sometimes, manufacturers with a 10 year repeat cycle in their serial number formats would change the location with each new serial number cycle, in order to provide better traceability on warranty claims.

Last edited by T-Mar; 03-08-19 at 06:57 AM.
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Old 03-08-19, 09:21 AM
  #30  
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T-mar, thank you SO MUCH! You're always a wonderful source of info. I also appreciate the others input as well. I think I will fix it up and keep it. Just the short ride I took on it, it rides like a dream.
on another note, I have tried going to other threads and commenting so I can get past the required 10 posts so i can reply direct, get my messages and post pics, as was instructed by someone else on this thread. But that doesn't work. Every time I try to comment on another thread ,I keep getting the message about "you must have 10 posts..." With that being said, does that mean I have to create 10 of my own separate posts, as in starting a new thread? Any help would be appreciated .
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Old 03-08-19, 09:43 AM
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Originally Posted by Afischer70
... have tried going to other threads and commenting so I can get past the required 10 posts so i can reply direct, get my messages and post pics, as was instructed by someone else on this thread. But that doesn't work. Every time I try to comment on another thread ,I keep getting the message about "you must have 10 posts..." With that being said, does that mean I have to create 10 of my own separate posts, as in starting a new thread? Any help would be appreciated .
I don't know why you can't post pictures, now that you've achieved 10 post but I can give a photo assist...








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Old 03-08-19, 01:41 PM
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I fixed the bars!



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Old 03-08-19, 02:02 PM
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I'm still interested in buying it if you don't feel like fixing it up first.
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Old 03-08-19, 03:09 PM
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Everything has been covered well so far by others here. Also note, your bike will most likely have Suntour's best Superbe or Superbe PRO rear dropouts. I just rebuilt a 1984 SR version that came to me as a repainted frame. Had the frame repainted metallic orange. These are really nice frames, light enough for speed and heavy enough to be a smooth and maneuverable rider.

BTW, mine has been changed to the last generation Suntour Sprint equipment with indexed shifting.





Another note, in the 80's Araya was producing some really nice frames. They would often label them as using Tange Champion #2 , but when you look at their catalogs from that time frame you'll see they actually often used Tange #1 tubing in combination with #2 in one frame. They very easily could have done similar with the higher end SR built frames. We'll probably never know for sure.

It also appears that in 1983 they called the bike the Triathlon and in 1984 (the year of my bike) it was called the Maxima. Both were their top of the line SR model and in the exact same colors. They also update from the 1st generation Superbe to the 2nd generation Superbe Pro, both however still friction shifting, in the 83 to 84 year transition.

Last edited by Don Buska; 03-08-19 at 03:32 PM.
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Old 03-08-19, 06:19 PM
  #35  
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Beautiful.
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Old 03-08-19, 07:54 PM
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I like it for it's similarity to the Comp TA. Tange 2, geometry looks right. The Comp TA is a surprisingly light riding and feeling bike. I'm slowly moving it to Superbe Pro, and I think they'd make a great pair.

Did I really just say that?
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Old 03-08-19, 08:37 PM
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I love that bike. Would they pile all that Superbe goodness on a Tange 2 frameset?
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Old 03-08-19, 09:57 PM
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I think Tange 2 was the top tube they used. On one of the other SR threads there is a pic of a SR with full Dura Ace. I think that bike was Tange 2 as well.
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Old 03-08-19, 10:08 PM
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Here is my 83 Semi Pro. I am the 2nd owner. It came with Cyclone derailleurs and 600 everything else. The long cage RD is not original. The crank and barcons were added. 27" wheels and Specialized cartridge bearing hubs. One of these days I might get some new decals. Maybe.


Last edited by seypat; 03-08-19 at 10:18 PM.
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Old 03-08-19, 10:41 PM
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Here is a question T-Mar might be able to answer. In addition to the SR above, I also have:

83 Lotus Unique
84 Lotus Legend Compe
85 Centurion IM
87 Centurion IM Asian market

2 Sport tourers, 2 IMs and a crit bike(more or less) The 85 IM is the only one with 2 sets of water bottle bosses. Is that just a coincidence?

Edit: It must be my luck. The 82 Trek 412 I acquired within the last year only has 1 set as well.

Last edited by seypat; 03-08-19 at 10:46 PM.
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Old 03-09-19, 03:49 AM
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Originally Posted by RobbieTunes
I'm still interested in buying it if you don't feel like fixing it up first.
thank you for the offer, but I'm going to fix it up and ride it.
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Old 03-09-19, 07:23 AM
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Originally Posted by seypat
Here is a question T-Mar might be able to answer. In addition to the SR above, I also have:


83 Lotus Unique

84 Lotus Legend Compe

85 Centurion IM

87 Centurion IM Asian market


2 Sport tourers, 2 IMs and a crit bike(more or less) The 85 IM is the only one with 2 sets of water bottle bosses. Is that just a coincidence?


Edit: It must be my luck. The 82 Trek 412 I acquired within the last year only has 1 set as well.

While some touring and ATB models featured multiple bottle boss sets earlier, in general, most brands introduced them on on competition and sports models circa 1983-1985, first on the high grade models, then trickling down the brand line.

Centurion first introduced this feature for the 1984 model year, on the Turbo and Comp TA, then trickled it down to lower models in later years. Lotus also appears to have introduced this feature on it's higher end models for the 1984 model year. Trek introduced dual bottle boss sets in the 1983 model year on the 970. Miyata introduced it for the 1985 model year, on it's top three models. The earliest Schwinn examples I've seen are the 1984 model year Paramounts and Peloton. Remember, we're talking only non-touring models.

Looking at your list, the Trek is really too early for this feature. The Lotus are in the right time frame but a bit too low for early adoption (the Legend Compe must have just missed out). The only bicycle in your list that is a real surprise in the 1987 Asian market Ironman. Dual bottle sets were almost standard on mid-range models by then, at least in North America.

Last edited by T-Mar; 03-09-19 at 07:29 AM.
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Old 03-09-19, 07:47 AM
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Originally Posted by T-Mar
While some touring and ATB models featured multiple bottle boss sets earlier, in general, most brands introduced them on on competition and sports models circa 1983-1985, first on the high grade models, then trickling down the brand line.

Centurion first introduced this feature for the 1984 model year, on the Turbo and Comp TA, then trickled it down to lower models in later years. Lotus also appears to have introduced this feature on it's higher end models for the 1984 model year. Trek introduced dual bottle boss sets in the 1983 model year on the 970. Miyata introduced it for the 1985 model year, on it's top three models. The earliest Schwinn examples I've seen are the 1984 model year Paramounts and Peloton. Remember, we're talking only non-touring models.

Looking at your list, the Trek is really too early for this feature. The Lotus are in the right time frame but a bit too low for early adoption (the Legend Compe must have just missed out). The only bicycle in your list that is a real surprise in the 1987 Asian market Ironman. Dual bottle sets were almost standard on mid-range models by then, at least in North America.
T-Mar, as usual you are da man! Thanks for the info. I don't remember if I put the SR serial number into your database.
1983 SR Semi Pro. Ser. # M3M73931.
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Old 03-09-19, 09:26 AM
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Originally Posted by T-Mar
While some touring and ATB models featured multiple bottle boss sets earlier, in general, most brands introduced them on on competition and sports models circa 1983-1985, first on the high grade models, then trickling down the brand line.

Centurion first introduced this feature for the 1984 model year, on the Turbo and Comp TA, then trickled it down to lower models in later years. Lotus also appears to have introduced this feature on it's higher end models for the 1984 model year. Trek introduced dual bottle boss sets in the 1983 model year on the 970. Miyata introduced it for the 1985 model year, on it's top three models. The earliest Schwinn examples I've seen are the 1984 model year Paramounts and Peloton. Remember, we're talking only non-touring models.

Looking at your list, the Trek is really too early for this feature. The Lotus are in the right time frame but a bit too low for early adoption (the Legend Compe must have just missed out). The only bicycle in your list that is a real surprise in the 1987 Asian market Ironman. Dual bottle sets were almost standard on mid-range models by then, at least in North America.
I'm guessing the contracted bikes like the SRs, Lotuses, and Centurions had different timelines on shifter bosses/cable guides. The SR and Trek are the only ones without shifter bosses. All have dedicated cable guides except for the Trek. I also have:
85 Miyata 912. Top DT aero shifter boss/brazed cable guides.
85 Team Fuji. Top DT aero shifter boss/brazed cable guides.
82 Centurion Mixte. No bosses/clamp on guide.
87 Shogun Mixte. No bosses/clamp on guide.

I guess the contracting companies were keeping the cost down.
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Old 03-09-19, 09:34 PM
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Originally Posted by Afischer70
I am going to restore it and sell it on ebay.
Originally Posted by Afischer70
thank you for the offer, but I'm going to fix it up and ride it.
Sure you are. Pics when you do that, eh?
Good luck, though, nice money parted out.
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Old 03-13-19, 04:54 PM
  #46  
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Originally Posted by RobbieTunes
Sure you are. Pics when you do that, eh?
Good luck, though, nice money parted out.
Not sure if that was sarcastic or not, but I will. Problem is I've got a basement full of others waiting for restoration too.
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Old 03-13-19, 04:57 PM
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Originally Posted by RobbieTunes
Sure you are. Pics when you do that, eh?
Good luck, though, nice money parted out.
AND this one get done first...
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Old 03-13-19, 11:43 PM
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Originally Posted by Afischer70
Not sure if that was sarcastic or not, but I will. Problem is I've got a basement full of others waiting for restoration too.
Whoa! I say just...I say.....just a cotton-pickin' minute there, Son! What's going on in that noggin of yours, Boy? You just...I say..you just can't be a postin' a photo like that without tellin' us what's ya got hangin' down there.
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Old 03-14-19, 11:03 AM
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Originally Posted by SpeedofLite
Whoa! I say just...I say.....just a cotton-pickin' minute there, Son! What's going on in that noggin of yours, Boy? You just...I say..you just can't be a postin' a photo like that without tellin' us what's ya got hangin' down there. Chicken hawks like bikes, too...
Methinks what once were vices are now habits......in a good way.

I called his bluff and he has...

wait for it....

a full house.

Hell yeah.
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Old 03-14-19, 11:34 AM
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Originally Posted by T-Mar
You can use any type of bicycle for triathlons, with the exception of an e-bike.


You just dashed my plans!
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