Hello,

Here's a frame that purportedly is late 70's Japanese. I'd really like to identify the make and model because it's got such a sweet ride. It's too bad that it's in poor condition. Here's some facts that might help, and some photos below.

Thanks for any help, and sorry it's not completely a classic.

-- Serial number stamped on left side seat tube by BB shell
-- Serial number SOL 2016 or SQL 2016 (space between letters and numbers)
-- 27" wheels
-- I don't have the original fork

Sounds, looks Fuji-ish. One or two holes for the head tube badge?

Not much help, color looks like my Japanese Takara, probably it has been repainted as no decals and such!

Based on the fittings, the frame would appear to be late 1970s or early 1980s. I've made a hobby of studying serial number codes and this one could be a Panasonic frame if the 2nd character is the number "zero", as opposed to the letters "O" or "Q". In that case, it would appear to be a 1980 model. Most manufacturers tend to skip the letters "I" and "O" in their serial numbers, as they are easy to confuse with the numbers "1" and "0" if the impression is not complete or the paint fill is excessive. In your case, you already have a known number zero (ie 2016), so take a close look and see if their is any difference in shape. If it's the letter "O", I would expect the shape to be different, likely more full or rounder. Good luck.

There are two holes for headtube badge. Strange, but there's only one set of water bottle mounts (would expect at least two). Paint is almost certainly a rattle-can job.

I agree, it does look like a Fuji. I spent many days last fall prepping a Fuji Dynamic 12 frame for painting and this looks just like it.

J. Crouse

The reason I think Fuji is because of the front derailleur wire cable guide on the left side of the BB and seat tube. Fuji used that design on a number of models well into the mid to late 80's. Others had one that was similar but this one looks just like Fuji and they also had serial numbers on their seat tubes. They were difficult to read at times.

Looks like a Fuji - especially the seat tube/seatstay photo.