Tempted by this one but....
 

So this one has been listed semi-locally for a little while now. Not sure why, but it's calling to me. Maybe because its cheap?

Link:

But for me there are a few problems:
1) I don't like drop bars.
2) Possibly its running 27" wheels. This may or may not be a biggie, depending on how much adjustment there is in the brakes and willingness I have for spending money on tires, cables, brake pads, etc...
3) No water bottle or cable housing stop braze-ons. This may be a silly, minor thing.
4) I'm actively trying to reduce the number of bikes hanging around my house.

Why am I interested? I just went through the "Show me your sport tourers" thread and I really like the idea of this concept. Plus, looks to be chrome under the admittedly mangled paint.

It could be a fun all rounder bike, and because I don't like drops I'd probably change it out for some kind of swept back, Northroads type handle bar. Not that I'm lacking for that type of bike. My Trek Multitrack 750 fills that role quite admirably.

Who knows anything about Takara? What I've seen here on BF C&V is that they are typically lower end with not super inspiring tubing. This one, however, appears to at least have an integrated derailleur hanger, so that's a big plus for me. Presumably, it is all factory original, so that also holds some appeal...
Its about an hour drive to go have a look....

What are your thoughts?

Nothing wrong with wanting a sport tourer, but not this particular bike
https://image.ksldigital.com/6d06b9b...ee22c541da.jpg
It's a mid-low end bike in rough condition. Wait for a better bike with better condition to come your way.

27 inch wheels switched to 700C wheels equals room for wider tires., and a need for either mid or long reach calipers.
I did that with a mixte frame set, getting Tektro 559 calipers, but I think mid reach 539 would have been long enough. I can use 38mm tires with plenty of clearance. 40mm might fit, it would be tight.
It certainly qualifies as a sport tourer. Fairly sure I posted it in that thread.

I had a Takara once. Would not repeat the experience. Here's a thread about it! :lol:

tempted ......
 

A full chrome frame.
This is a nice vintage frame- early 1970's or so.
Very few braze ons.
If you buy it and pull the bb, it will tell a lot more.

Forged drop outs

Upper mid components

Does it fit

I am going to offer two other brand possibilities (without seeing headbadge)

C.Itoh and Sekine

I would give it a "go".

rusty

Reminds me of a mid 70's Fuji America. I rode one for awhile and it was plush and pleasant.

I like it! The frame is competently made, and the components are excellent. Forged stem, seatpost, cranks, dropouts. Good brakes, and the best derailers money could buy in its era (sorry Campagnolo). Chrome socks and contrasting headtube, though if you repaint it then the existing paint is a moot point.

Seatpost size will give some indication of tubing gauge, but remember many Japanese bikes back then had double-butted seat tubes, so their posts are smaller than a similar frame with a single-butted ST that's thin at the top. For example .9/.6 SB gives a 27.2 while the same gauge DB uses a 26.6, so a 26.6 post could mean either a pleasantly light butted frame, or a slug of a plain gauge frame. Guessing from what's visible though, I'd bet on it being butted.

I love those seatstays that taper down real small at the seat lug, just aesthetically. Maybe not the best choice for a loaded tourer, especially if you pack like we all did back then with most of the weight on the rear rack. But that's not much of an issue with the rack that's on it, because that wimpy aluminum rod to the brake bridge is not capable of transmitting any sideways force to the seatstays. Even a lowly Pletscher is better at those side-to side loads like you get from climbing out of the saddle, or a rapid swerve to miss a pot hole.

I'll be the enabler, go for it! :thumb:

It does seem nicer built than the Takara frames we normally see. Just imagine the bling factor if you strip 'er down! :D

I've looked at that more than once myself as maybe another project bike for the coop. I just wish they'd put more effort into their ad with more pictures and descriptions.

If I was in the market for another project, I would be tempted to buy it at that price. It looks like all the major pieces are present, so I would tune it up and take a proper test ride before tackling the cosmetics.

Bear in mind that if the bike has 27” wheels, moving to 700c means different brakes.
700c is about 4mm smaller in radius.

Crankset is worth price of admission imo.

The head tube lugs are more intricate than anything I've seen on a Takara, so I'm not convinced this one. And from my experience, Takaras had pretty durable paint jobs. Someone would have to have beat the snot out of it to do that to the paint and none of my Takaras indicate they would have that chrome underneath, A better view of the head badge would tell for sure.

You could also keep the 27" wheels, assuming that they are in good condition and get a pair of Panaracer Pasela tires. The Kenda K35's are good but, you are not going to hear anyone raving about them. The K40's are similar with a little more width. 27" x 1-3/8".

On road bikes, if I go to upright handlebars, I like the ones that don't sweep back too much. This is because these bikes are designed to handle well with some weight on the front end. But that is my opinion. Lots of people put North Road style handlebars on road bikes.

The sport tourer thread has been seductive for me as well!

If those are 27” wheels and you’re set on 700c then a swap to a good old set of MAFAC Racer calipers could probably get you the reach you need. Current calipers looked a little maxed out. Otherwise, the 27” Pasela is a fine tire.

Those lugs look very nice to me, plus forged dropouts, plus plus some decent looking components….

I’d personally give it a hard second look if it fits and rides to your liking and you don’t mind the time and gas to go check it out.

The condition of the paint and #4 on your list could give me pause though.

I have filed the stirrups to extend the slot downward a few times (going back decades), no problems to report. A round file or chainsaw-sharpening file makes quick work of it. Use your judgment on how much metal to leave below the bottom of the slot, but that is lightly-loaded metal down there, doesn't need near as much meat as what they used.

Anquetil (5-time TdF winner) was seen riding brakes that had the entire bottom of the slot cut off, to where it was open at the bottom. That was "drillium" (weight savings) not extending the reach, but structurally it's about the same thing.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...07b6797325.jpg

You guys are a bunch of enablers, but what did I expect?

At first glance I thought it was a hard pass but looking closer reveals something that might be a bit more than meets the eye. I’ve got all day so maybe I’ll make a run up to see it if for no other reason than to satisfy my curiosity.

Thanks for the input!

Hope I'm not too late to enforce the enabling, but I suggest you get it. Looks like one of these but with centerpulls.

https://www.pedalroom.com/bike/1975-...-model-8-14863

https://www.pedalroom.com/p/1975-tak...-8-14863_7.jpg

You know you want it, it's only an hour away and it's cheap. And just think of the posting mileage you'll get out of it. We'll be waiting.

Complete with Takara Steve!

Buying something just to buy something doesn't make much sense to me. YMMV. And you already have better. Do you actually have a use for a " sports tourer "? Do you need a money pit to waste space for no reason ?
If you're simply compelled to buy something then pimp your current rides. You could spend that $50 on some zoot bar tape and be better off.

JMO of course

Are you lost?:foo: Do the Maths. It's n. Not N.
I tuned up a really well put together, perfect fit Takara for my daughter who decided she wasn't into pink any more. Complete with Alpha 5000 that indexed perfectly. Sweet bike.

Dude! You still have not bought this? :foo:

$50 (asking price around me for a kickstand, much less a bike), the components look sound, and a chrome frame? Appears to be an easy resto, or restomod.

So it is a Takara? I'll be dipped. Takara apparently had Cro-Mo tubes in the early days before they switched to the "Guaranteed Special Hi-Ten" tubes in the early 80s.

They either weren't making money or they wanted the paint to stick better. :lol:

Get it. Look like a fun project and a fun ride. That era of Japanese bike is easy to work on.

Your 1st point may be moot because how often are you finding decent (mid to high end) road bikes without drop bars? They almost never came with upright bars. The Raleigh super tourer comes to mind but nothing else I can think of immediately, though I know they existed.