trail_monkey

I found one in a pile of old bikes some time ago. I took it home and inspected it and found fresh grease in the bearings and the dry rotted tires even held air. Down tube shifters and a suntour drivetrain. It’s a 6 speed freewheel with a rather large big cog compared to a lot of bikes of that era. I swapped some parts, installed new Kenda 27” tires and tubes and a extra tall nitto stem to get her a little more upright and am giving it to my niece whos in college. This post is just for curiosity sake. I googled Takara and got a few results but very few. One result shows me that there is a modern bike company called Takara making bikes today. Is his the same company and can anyone shed some history on the original company?

T-Mar

Takara was a brand of bicycles owned by Bob Moore of Oklahoma City. In late 1973, he organized a group of 10 independent USA bicycle distributors who pooled their financial resources and engaged Mitsui of Japan to have Takara bicycles manufactured by Kuwahara, though they were later manufactured by various other Asian contractors. At the time, Japanese brands were donminating the entry level market, so it made sense to conceive a Japanese sounding brand name, just as West Coast Cycle had renamed American Eagle to Nishiki, to emphasize the Japanese sourcing. The Takara brand survived into the late 1980s, at which point I lost track of them. Late 1970s advertising was famous for featuring attractive girls in I (heart symbol) TAKARA tee-shirts. The late 1970s models had a reputation for being sturdy, reliable and good value. It appears that the current Takara brand is unrelated, being owned by Kent International and dating back to 2010. I'd appreciate the serial number of your Tribute for my database. TIA.

trail_monkey

CS595886 and then below this number is the number 80. What does this tell me about this bike

T-Mar

This is not a Kuwahara manufactured frame. The S/N format is consistent with the unidentified Japanese source used by Bianchi. If so, it indicates the frame was manufactured in March of a year ending in '5'. I'm assuming this to be 1985, as the 1975 models tended to use model numbers as opposed to names and were typically manufactured by Kuwahara. Pics?

trail_monkey

If Bianchi used them does his mean this frame is desirable?

T-Mar

Yes, that's definitely the 1985 version. FYI, MSRP was $255.00 US. While it's Tange 900 double butted CrMo, per the specs, its only the main tubes. The fork (and presumably the stays) are hi-tensile steel. That stem looks like it's ready to pop out, unless the previous owner installed a Technomic or equivalent extra long quill stem.

While it's made by the same company who manufactured most of the 1980s Japanese Bianchi, it does not increase the value or desirability. Both these factors are tied to the Bianchi brand name and even to Bianchi's celeste paint. While I feel that the manufacturer is more important than the brand or paint colour, the general population sees it.differently.

trail_monkey

I put that stem in. It’s an extra long technomic stem. Still a lot left inside the head tube

Narhay

Hmm....

noglider 

I saw one of the new Takara bikes locked to a bike rack. It looked very crappy, and if they're part of Kent, that explains it.

WGB

Narhay - nice photo and nice to see the Adams family rode the Takara brand.

trail_monkey

That young boy’s inseam looks 6” shorter than the top tube of the bike he’s holding. I bet he couldn’t even reach the pedals. Stand here kid, hold this bike and smile.

Narhay

I've had a good chuckle every time this photo resurfaces. It always provides some new laughing material

Pompiere

I bought a Takara for $5 at Goodwill a few months ago to scavenge some of the parts. I might reassemble the frame into a beater 3 speed if I get some spare time.

Marpy

Hello! I just bought one of these, but I popped a tire on my second run, would you recommend Kenda tubes? The previous owner set me up with new tires. Since you're more experienced, I'm hoping it's okay if I ask a few things about this model, and how to mod it! Also hoping you're still on these forums, as it's been a few years... First off, that tire/tube. Second would be what would I change to make hitting the bumps on the road not so painful? 😅 I was thinking a cushion for the seat, but are shocks an easy-ish mod to add? And lastly, the brakes seem to have been worn down quite a bit, I have to pull on both at the same time in order to stop- it's more of a rolling stop, not immediate. Thank you!

EllaReist

I found a Takara Tribute BS587310 80. Can anyone tell me about this bike? I want to fix it up but can't find info elsewhere. Thanks!