Thanks, that's a new one on me!

I did the same thing, had a few parts including wheels that needed to go somewhere so another frame was the obvious answer. I admit the rarity and colour got the best of me in this case but now I have one more I can add to what was already more than enough ( 5 bikes ). You know the usual thought: there are worse things one could be doing.

Besides, you might be the only one around with one and that adds a certain amount of pride in ownership, in a good way.

Don't buy it! Hold out for a Unicorn

Dang, if I started thinking like this and considering all the spare parts on hand I could justify about a dozen more bikes! Hmmmm....

Is this it's 26" wheeled cousin? https://www.ebay.com/itm/177548035639?

Don't buy without knowing the height of the canti bosses. Lots of Japanese touring bikes were made for 650A, a historical size that's not so common anymore.
There are probably ways to hack together some brakes that'll work with a more common wheel size like 650B, but braking may be suboptimal

Good point--though the OP is in Japan, I believe, so perhaps has easier access to quality 650A wheels.

It's not my size, so go ahead and buy it.
Brent

You shouldn't buy it because it's too small for me.

--Shannon

A fully stocked parts bin is a dangerous thing to waste. Buy it.

Itš way too big for me. You have my blessing!

So? Have you bought it yet?

I've made an offer, if it is accepted, hopefully I'll have the frame in a few days.

Should I get it, I'll build it up period correct. I have a new Sugino triple crankset, some new, old stock Royal Gran Compe levers, Suntour Le Tech derailleurs, a Gran Compe stem, a shiny new, gold Suntour Perfect freewheel, and a new, old stock Nitto Grand Randonneur bar. The frame is sized for 700c wheels, no problem finding those.

I'm loving that. I couldn't blame you if you put modern stuff on but I'd be disappointed. Keep us posted, in-process shots too not just the "after" pic. If I may be so bold, sorry to assign homework.

FIFY.

There's at least a dozen members now wringing their hands.

Offer accepted, the frame will arrive in a few days.

I am so proud of our BF members who intervened and talked sense into the OP!

The frame arrived today, I'll clean it up and post some pics later.

So far, so good. The frame has some minor scratches and wear, but I should be able to clean it up well enough. The yellow stickers say "Jingane" and "Cr.Mo Butted Tubes." I'll put it together with black-and-silver parts. The Gran Compe levers are black anodized, I also have some Gran Compe black cantilevers, a Nitto Technomic stem in black, and some black edition, large flange Dura Ace 36h hubs. Derailleurs are the Suntour Le Tech I mentioned earlier. Otherwise I'll put on a set of black and silver Cyclone derailleurs to match the other parts. It should take me about a month to get it all together. I hope.




From what I can find out about maker, they began making bicycles in 1906. They were established in Chofu, which is a suburb in western Tokyo, and 4 generations of makers have been producing bikes there. The other examples of these bikes I have been able to track down are usually lug-framed, always made of Reynolds 531 steel. The company produced custom made bikes for a number of customers, the most famous of which is Haruka Takachiho, one of Japan's top science fiction writers. He also wrote a couple of novels about cycling, as well as a cycling manga series.

That looks promising!

I like how the Japanese took the French cyclotourisme concept and ran with it.


Toei 1969

Japan is a wonderful country for cycle tourism. The terrain varies from Alpine to sub-tropical, from dense forests and endless coastlines to white sandy beaches. The roads are well maintained, and quite safe for cycling.

That's quite an endorsement. Maybe I'll do that one day. I've read Jan Heine's stories, and they are almost fairy tales. It helps that his spouse speaks Japanese, but my lack of Japanese should not scare me, right?

NHK/PBS present a show "Cycle Around Japan (Highlights)"
Weekly on my PBS station, and a bunch here:
https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...e+Around+Japan

Sooner is better than later. Japan wasn't hit with nearly as much inflation as America and Europe, so prices haven't gone up much. As interest rates have stayed low in Japan, the yen has fallen hard against other currencies, making Japan a real bargain for tourists. I was in America during the Holidays, and was constantly shocked at how expensive things have become.

My lack of Japanese hasn't much held me back. You only need a few words to get around in Japan. "Good day," "excuse me," "I'm sorry," "thank you," and "how much?" With just these words, Japanese will gush "Nihon-go jouzu desu ne..." (Your Japanese is very good.)

Yes. The previous owner played it for decades, and always with a cigarette in his mouth. I've had the guitar for more than ten years and it still smells like tobacco.