howie2wheels

I recently aquired this bike and am researching its origins. So far I have found out that it was built in Montreal of Japanese components by Victoria Precision Works and was bought new in or near Edmonton Alberta and I got it from the original owner after she moved here to BC. I would really like to know any further info that any of the members could contribute, especially the frame manufacturer. The seial number is CQ07886 or C007886. Thanks in advance.

clubman 

I like it! There's not many Leaders out there that I would buy but that's certainly one of them. Find the serial number and post it and perhaps @T-Mar would have some experience with the marque.
What are the hubs and crank? It all looks pristine.

T-Mar

Leader adult bicycles of this era had their frames manufactured in Japan by Maruishi, with the bicycles assembled by Vittoria Precision in Montreal. In this case, the serial number indicates that the frame was manufactured during weeks 29-30 or week 33-34 of 1983, raising the possibility of a 1984 model in the case of the latter date. The frame's features do look like a Maruishi MT18 Mountace of the era. It is interesting to note that the fork wears Maruishi's generic chromium-molybdenum decal, while the main tubing decal proclaims a full Ishiwata Magny V tubeset, which is lower grade carbon-manganese.

@clubman, thxs for the notification.

howie2wheels

Thanks clubman. The cranks are Sugino and the hubs are Sunshine. I am the second owner as of last week. It had the tiniest hint of rust on the seatpost when I pulled it out. I don't think it has been left out in the elements much and I aim to keep it that way.

howie2wheels

Thanks T-Mar. I was hoping that you might chime in. The manufacturing date indicated by the serial number coincides with the date codes on the Sugino GT cranks, Suntour Alpine derailliers and the Nitto bullmoose bars and Dia Comp brakes. All are late 1983 and I am quite confident that this is a 1984 model. I wonder if the factory had an abundance of Cr-Mo forks or if the carbon -manganese tubing was unsuitable for fork blades. Now I will research Maruishi to see what else I can learn about this bike. Thanks again. Much respect for your passion and wealth of knowledge.

howie2wheels

Further research indicates that My Leader is a rebadged Maruishi MT15. I found an eBay listing from 2019 for one and it had identical components like Suntour AG, Sugino GT, Takahashi saddle and Kyokoto QR seatpost clamp. The Leader is 18sp. tho.