Ishiwata info sought
 

Hi,
I have three Fujis, all made by Ishiwata - says so on the steer tube. :p
I have been gathering/gleening info on Ishiwata frame tubes and associated literature of any kind. I understand that Ishiwata went out of business in 1992. I also have Sheldon Brown's notes on Ishiwata, plus a couple of others. If you have some images of decals, or images of booklets, or documents, or anything else pertaining to Ishiwata, please, send it along and enrich my cycling hobby and the cycling community.
Thanking you in advance for your kind consideration. Jim :)

I found quite a bit of info here:

http://www.equusbicycle.com/bike/ishiwata/ishiwata.htm

I have a decal like this on my Fuji Ace (1989?) Good luck with the Ishiwata project.

Also some info on the vintage trek website www.vintagetrek.com. I ride a 77 Trek w/ Ishiwata 022 (Frame & fork) I like it very much.

Duane, already had that in hand. (you didn't know!) Thanks for the effort, Jim

Doug, I used the bottom part of that decal as a model for a simple strip to put on my seat tube. Else, one would have to remove the fork and discover Ishiwata on the steer tube. Thanks for the image, Jim

I have the same thing on my touring bike... 80s frame of uncertain origin. That feather tubing is great stuff, I love the way it rides :)

I would love to have a good high-res image of that decal, if possible, since mine is falling apart and I'd like to print a new sticker. Anyone know where I can find a high-res Ishiwata feather sticker image?

Had trouble locating Ishiwata info via your link.

My old, long-dead-and-buried 1992 Bridgestone RB-1 had Ishiwata tubing. (You should have seen the crack - down tube, seat tube and BB shell all involved. An aluminum or carbon fiber frame would have disintegrated instead of merely getting a tad wobbly.) It had a pretty cool-looking gold decal on the seat tube - it did not look like the one posted above. I have no idea how many model years before or after that Bridgestone used Ishiwata - but I bet Grant Peterson at Rivendell does (he was only their US marketing guru). He also may be able to tell you more about Ishiwata and its provenance. (I seem to remember some marketing material for RB-1's of that era stating something to the effect of Freddy Maertens winning a rainbow jersey on an Ishiwata-tubed frame.)

What did you DO to the poor thing? Ishiwata bikes have feelings.

refer to this link for comparisons of tubing, I find the tables 1-4 particularily useful.
http://www.desperadocycles.com/Editorial_Articles.htm

my 3rensho has this sticker too. i always liked it

http://boxwood.subtle.org/se/albums/...ho06.sized.jpg

I have just replaced decals on my two Fuji Sagres "FUJI SAGRES" on the down tube and two different wreath decals on the seat tube. His email is: wandson1@msn.com - tell him Jim sent you. He has copies of the decal images for your perusal.

First time I've ever seen your sticker! Neat!

Beaverstuff, I have two bikes with Ishiwata tubing. Both, ironically, are Ross bikes. I know Ross is better known for their department store bikes, but in the mid 80s they made some nice road and mountain bikes. I do not know the date of the Ross, Mt. ST. Helen MTB in the pictures, but I estimate it to be a 1985. It was a $5 yard sale special, with two new tires and tubes (since replaced) and a Deore LX deraileur (since removed). The decal is in bad shape but, its all I've got in a MTB with Ishiwata tubing. It says the tubing is 4130, triple butted. This bike is not light, weighing in at 34 lbs.
The other Ross is a 290S made with Ishiwata triple butted tubing. Although the frame is too small for me, I rode it for a couple of months this year. It has a very smooth, nice ride. Weight, about 28lbs. Sorry about the quality of the Ross downtube pictures it's the best I could do tonight. I know you're into Fujis, so I included pictures of my 82 Monterey Valite labels. As you can see, Fuji wanted everyone to know this bike was made of Valite tubing (3 labels). Despite the heavy steel rims and steel chrome bars on the Fuji, it weighs the same as the Ross, 28lbs.

Hey you don't have to say, "Sorry". :o The topic is Ishiwata. My experience just comes from a different direction. The community is enjoying this, and, so am I. The diversity of Ishiwata frames is opening my eyes - I never knew. This also seems to be a topic that is getting some attention! :)

They also made a 4130 "plain-gauge" (non-butted) tubing. I know because I found a flooded, made in Canada (CCM?) Peugeot made of same over the weekend.

i also had a "Fiori" which I have been told is a Norco in disquise to further there market share... with ishiwata 022 EX main tubes. As far as I could tell it was as respected as Tange... wonder why they went under..

I wonder, too. Must have been aluminum and carbon fiber materials.
As I understand Ishiwata, they were very innovative with steel processes. Perhaps lack of diversity?:(

In cycling, as with other industries, quality does not always equate with success. More often, it seems, shrewd marketing and willingness to adapt spell sales.

See: Suntour, Gitane, Schwinn, Raleigh, et al.

True, true. And Tange made much more than just tubing, they made major bank as a supplier of robot-brazed forks to SCORES of bike companies, some of whom used that fact as a marketing "plus" while others hid the fact. They also made some very high quality headsets, bottom brackets and frame fittings...I don't even know what else. Personally, I think Ishiwata offered a GREAT tubing (I have a similar "elephant" decal on my 3Rensho, but not that crazy paint job) and I'm sorry they couldn't stay viably in business. But Tange seems to be barely holding on, too.

Ditto. I've been digging into the Ishiwata phenomenon for only a year; I've heard - nary a "discouraging word" - kudos all around - similar to Columbus. :) I have noticed that those lucky enough to have a Ishiwata-framed bike are fiercely loyal. :D

Now I'm curious. That Ishiwata "leafy decal" thing on Roccobikes Fuji looks a lot like the partially-removed painted-on decal "Cro-Mo" on my Nishiki. But I was told the tubing was Tange... . Anyone seen one like this before, and know what the removed lettering might be?


http://static.flickr.com/64/201226660_1635f7a8b0.jpg

Not seen one before. You might coat it with clear fingernail polish, or cover it with clear mylar tape to prevent further damage. Take care to preserve it whatever you do.

Same here on both counts, with my 1971 American Eagle Semi Pro [Nishiki Competition]. The seat tube lug broke off the BB shell at the 20 year / 40k mi / 65k km mark. Given the aluminum crankset and double-butted CrMo frame, the bike weighed an unduly heavy 12.5kg / 27.5 lbs, essentially the same as the lowly steel-rimmed, steel-cranked Peugeot UO-8. For many years, I rode the Nishiki "fat, dumb, and happy, not realizing just how mushy, leaden, and soft its frame was. Nishiki frames improved immensely during the ensuing decade.