I got this bike today, it has been repainted and no badge or decals. I think it is a low end bike here are some photos, I can get more if needed. It has a vary long serial number starts with 502- then 6 more numbers a S then 7 more numbers. there is 05 77 molded into the brake lever is this a date code?

Yep. It's low end. It's also been in some kind of front end collision, indicated by the bend in the top tube and down tube just behind the head tube. I don't have any idea of the brand.

I agree it looks like the top and down tubes are bent a bit.

The style of dropout to seat and chain stay connection and the style of the headset remind me of older Murray, Huffy and Roadmaster bikes. I believe that thunderbird front derailleur is from the ‘70s.

The Shimano Eagle II and Thunderbird II derailleurs were introduced for the 1977 model year, so there's a good probability that the 05-77 is a date code, in which case the bicycle would be a 1977 or 1978 model. The bulge formed head tube is the same as that used by Sekine, though I don't recall a Sekine model with stays that were crimped onto stamped dropouts. Still, the head tube suggests that this is an Asian (and probably Japanese) manufactured frame. Consequently, the number stamped onto the head tube is likely the model number for the client and there may be an actual serial number elsewhere on the frame. I concur that the frame is bent and that the bicycle is department store level.

Edit: The number format on the head tube reminds me of that used by Sears on their bicycles. It could be a Free Spirit model or similar.

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Chainset Takagi.

Fits in with the Yoshi componentry.

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^^^^^^

Who am I to criticize what may be someone else's pride and joy? As the old saying goes, "Rubber Wheels Beat Rubber Heels".

The focus of a lot of the C&V members is on classic mid to top end derailleur bikes.

It's not necessarily snobbishness but bikes like yours where/are considered "gas pipe" department store kid's bikes, sold at a time when "10 Speed Racing Bike" was the buzzword and anything with 2 wheels, dropped handle bars and derailleurs qualified.

Ride and handling of better quality bikes are what many forum members value.

Also, from a maintenance and repair standpoint, getting a bike like yours tuned up to work properly but more importantly work SAFELY can more than exceed the cost of a better quality bike.

New brake blocks, cables and housings, tires, tubes, derailleur cables, plus the labor costs of servicing the bearings in the hubs, crank bottom bracket and headset could run well over $100 USD. If anything like a hub or wheel needs to be replaced then add 50% more.

Most bikes like your have been transmogrified long ago at a steel mill somewhere in Korea or Taiwan.






Good luck and remember the old saying about "Throwing good money after bad..."

verktyg