Maruishi Excellence.....
#26
Car free since 2018
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Vancouver, BC
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Bikes: Mostly japanese ones
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Looks nice! The only other quad butted bikes I've seen so far are touring bikes (Kuwahara Caravans). Not a whole lot of Maruishis around here but I read on bf they also made bikes for REI down in the states.
#27
Expired Member
Seems like a fair price, bike looks complete and unmolested. The kangaroo is a cool feature.
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#28
Thank you for the very kind words everyone..
Yes this bike is very very very rare..
A good friend of mine told me there were only six "Maruishi Excellence" ever made and I am the happy owner of one.
Yes this bike is very very very rare..
A good friend of mine told me there were only six "Maruishi Excellence" ever made and I am the happy owner of one.
#29
Expired Member
Last edited by shelbyfv; 05-14-23 at 04:44 PM. Reason: Link
#30
52psi
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Tucson, AZ
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Bikes: Schwinn Volare ('78); Raleigh Competition GS ('79)
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Suntour Sprint derailleurs are good stuff for sure, and my impression is everything's original to the bike. $160 was certainly a fair price. Don't believe the hype re: "only six made," and don't go thinking it's an uber-valuable rarity. Just a cool bike.
__________________
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
#31
#32
#33
Senior Member
I notice your rear dropout screw is all the way in and the wheel is all the way forward in the dropout. Typically you want the wheel to sit about halfway back, give or take. I'd back those screws out about 1/2 inch.
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#34
Senior Member
My Fuji has quad-butted tubing, and there were a few others. But not many. The OP's frame is a keeper and I'm sure it rides and handles great.
#35
That is almost certainly not true, but it is scarce. That's a great frame that you can ride forever. Don't let anyone talk you into bending it up ("cold setting") just to accommodate more gears. This is a keeper, so keep the frame intact - no bending.
I notice your rear dropout screw is all the way in and the wheel is all the way forward in the dropout. Typically you want the wheel to sit about halfway back, give or take. I'd back those screws out about 1/2 inch.
I notice your rear dropout screw is all the way in and the wheel is all the way forward in the dropout. Typically you want the wheel to sit about halfway back, give or take. I'd back those screws out about 1/2 inch.
#36
That is almost certainly not true, but it is scarce. That's a great frame that you can ride forever. Don't let anyone talk you into bending it up ("cold setting") just to accommodate more gears. This is a keeper, so keep the frame intact - no bending.
I notice your rear dropout screw is all the way in and the wheel is all the way forward in the dropout. Typically you want the wheel to sit about halfway back, give or take. I'd back those screws out about 1/2 inch.
I notice your rear dropout screw is all the way in and the wheel is all the way forward in the dropout. Typically you want the wheel to sit about halfway back, give or take. I'd back those screws out about 1/2 inch.
I don't know too much about bikes but it's funny you mention that....
When I took the bike for a test ride before before I bought it the rear tire came off and I almost fell off the bike...
I don't know if the dropout screw had anything to do with it but thanks for letting me know.... Good eye thanks.
#37
Car free since 2018
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[MENTION=566247]Billydog[/MENTION] maybe you can post a picture on the show your maruishi thread A "Show Your MARUISHI Here!" thread- why not? since there's a dearth of info on Maruishis. All five of us will be very happy with that contribution.
#38
[MENTION=566247]Billydog[/MENTION] maybe you can post a picture on the show your maruishi thread A "Show Your MARUISHI Here!" thread- why not? since there's a dearth of info on Maruishis. All five of us will be very happy with that contribution.
#39
Senior Member
Some updated info for a previous post I made here.
I received what follows earlier today in a PM from one of Bike Forums' resident experts (IMO the premier resident expert) on Asian bicycle history, [MENTION=20650]T-Mar[/MENTION] . He has given me permission to post the contents of said PM here. Obviously, I didn't know what follows originally.
OP: to second T-Mar, you got a very good deal IMO. Glad to see you were correct (and I was wrong) about the frame being quad-butted; it looks like you got a better frame and fork than you'd have gotten from a model a year or two earlier. Also, if I recall correctly the late Frank Berto had a very good opinion of Sprint components from SunTour. Your new bike should be a fine ride.
I'm sure T-Mar would appreciate it if you would post a photo of the frame's SN to his Asian Serial Number Guide thread. Maruishis are fairly rare, and adding yours to his database may help him confirm the decoding of Maruishi serial numbers.
Mods/Admins:you have my permission to review my PMs if necessary to verify T-Mar's granting me permission to post the above, or I can send you a copy of the PM he sent granting permission if needed.
I received what follows earlier today in a PM from one of Bike Forums' resident experts (IMO the premier resident expert) on Asian bicycle history, [MENTION=20650]T-Mar[/MENTION] . He has given me permission to post the contents of said PM here. Obviously, I didn't know what follows originally.
Originally Posted by T-Mar
I received a notification regarding your mention of myself in the thread on the Maruishi Excellence. Since my post of a decade ago, I have obtained specifications for the 1986 model. Maruishi changed the tubing and derailleur specso0n this model between the 1985 and 1986 model years, with the latter matching the bicycle of the current thread.
Quadruple butted CrMo would be correct for 1986. The spec sheet mentions the brand being Ishiwata, though not the exact tubeset. However, given the era and price, it is almost certainly one of the seamed, EXO tubesets. Fork specs state Mangy CrMo, which is an oxymoron, though the OP's photos show what appears to be a CrMo decal on the fork blade. Unlike the 1985 specs, the stay material is not mentioned.
Derailleurs are the friction version of SunTour Sprint, which was only manufactured for the 1986 model year. I'm assuming these were intended a "door crasher" to induce sales, as these are a couple of levels above the other components, which include a Sugino GLP crankset, Dia-Compe GX-500N brakeset and Suzue hubs.
Original MSRP was $369.00 US. Given the era, tubing, components and price, I would classify this as a lower mid-range model. Photos indicate good cosmetic condition, so assuming equivalent mechanical condition, it was a good buy at the stated price.
Quadruple butted CrMo would be correct for 1986. The spec sheet mentions the brand being Ishiwata, though not the exact tubeset. However, given the era and price, it is almost certainly one of the seamed, EXO tubesets. Fork specs state Mangy CrMo, which is an oxymoron, though the OP's photos show what appears to be a CrMo decal on the fork blade. Unlike the 1985 specs, the stay material is not mentioned.
Derailleurs are the friction version of SunTour Sprint, which was only manufactured for the 1986 model year. I'm assuming these were intended a "door crasher" to induce sales, as these are a couple of levels above the other components, which include a Sugino GLP crankset, Dia-Compe GX-500N brakeset and Suzue hubs.
Original MSRP was $369.00 US. Given the era, tubing, components and price, I would classify this as a lower mid-range model. Photos indicate good cosmetic condition, so assuming equivalent mechanical condition, it was a good buy at the stated price.
I'm sure T-Mar would appreciate it if you would post a photo of the frame's SN to his Asian Serial Number Guide thread. Maruishis are fairly rare, and adding yours to his database may help him confirm the decoding of Maruishi serial numbers.
Mods/Admins:you have my permission to review my PMs if necessary to verify T-Mar's granting me permission to post the above, or I can send you a copy of the PM he sent granting permission if needed.
Last edited by Hondo6; 05-16-23 at 06:31 AM.
#40
Some updated info for a previous post I made here.
I received what follows earlier today in a PM from one of Bike Forums' resident experts (IMO the premier resident expert) on Asian bicycle history, [MENTION=20650]T-Mar[/MENTION] . He has given me permission to post the contents of said PM here. Obviously, I didn't know what follows originally.
OP: to second T-Mar, you got a very good deal IMO. Glad to see you were correct (and I was wrong) about the frame being quad-butted; it looks like you got a better frame and fork than you'd have gotten from a model a year or two earlier. Also, if I recall correctly the late Frank Berto had a very good opinion of Sprint components from SunTour. Your new bike should be a fine ride.
I'm sure T-Mar would appreciate it if you would post a photo of the frame's SN to his Asian Serial Number Guide thread. Maruishis are fairly rare, and adding yours to his database may help him confirm the decoding of Maruishi serial numbers.
Mods/Admins:you have my permission to review my PMs if necessary to verify T-Mar's granting me permission to post the above, or I can send you a copy of the PM he sent granting permission if needed.
I received what follows earlier today in a PM from one of Bike Forums' resident experts (IMO the premier resident expert) on Asian bicycle history, [MENTION=20650]T-Mar[/MENTION] . He has given me permission to post the contents of said PM here. Obviously, I didn't know what follows originally.
OP: to second T-Mar, you got a very good deal IMO. Glad to see you were correct (and I was wrong) about the frame being quad-butted; it looks like you got a better frame and fork than you'd have gotten from a model a year or two earlier. Also, if I recall correctly the late Frank Berto had a very good opinion of Sprint components from SunTour. Your new bike should be a fine ride.
I'm sure T-Mar would appreciate it if you would post a photo of the frame's SN to his Asian Serial Number Guide thread. Maruishis are fairly rare, and adding yours to his database may help him confirm the decoding of Maruishi serial numbers.
Mods/Admins:you have my permission to review my PMs if necessary to verify T-Mar's granting me permission to post the above, or I can send you a copy of the PM he sent granting permission if needed.
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#41
Senior Member
Billydog,
You asked what others thought but you are the one with the bike. Tell us what YOU think about the bike.
You asked what others thought but you are the one with the bike. Tell us what YOU think about the bike.
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#43
Senior Member
#44
#45
Senior Member
Wonder what's going to happen if both sell, and it turns out to in fact be a duplicate listing?
#46
I don't know.
Join Date: May 2003
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never a dull moment on BF.
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#47
Expired Member
Maybe that should be a squirrel on the fork crown.
#48
Senior Member
Let's recap -
OP paid $150 and runs to BF for appraisals.
OP displayed attitude when no one replied in first 30 minutes.
OP never addressed question directed to him.
OP immediately offered the bike for sale at $800.
Why do I feel "dirty" and used?
OP paid $150 and runs to BF for appraisals.
OP displayed attitude when no one replied in first 30 minutes.
OP never addressed question directed to him.
OP immediately offered the bike for sale at $800.
Why do I feel "dirty" and used?
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#50
Phyllo-buster
Join Date: Jan 2010
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You called it Piff.