J B

What year is this Soma Sport 1980?


I bought this Soma Sport 10 speed in I think, in 1980. Put 67 miles on it according to my Huret Odometer, which I bought at the same time. Then put it in the basement. 26 years later, I have just cleaned out all my belongings from my parents home, where I was born and raised .


You may ask why would anyone buy a new 10 speed put 67 miles on it and promptly abandon it. Well...... I was a real "bike head" at one time. My first real bike was a Schwinn Supper Sport. I use to ride the heck out of this thing for a few years. Then it got stolen right out of our house. With insurance money I replaced it with a Schwinn La Tour. Another bike I would ride the heck out of for a few more years. Then this one was stolen right out of my Uncle's furniture store where I worked. It was stolen by a real low life employee. I couldn't prove it but it didn't make much difference anyway. I got some insurance money so off again I go to do what seems to come naturally for me. I go out looking for another bike. The 80's was the decade of the Japanese! Our local bike shop had a room full of Japanese bikes. Thought this Soma was real nice. I bought it.

Even though I got this new bike, things were changing in my life. Girls, cars, school, playing guitar in bands. and yes settling down and doing the family type stuff all happened! That's the short version, I'm sure you know what I mean.


Anyhow, now I have this Soma Sport and I got the "bike head" thing going again. The gumwalls were all gummed out of the tires and the bike seemed kind of crusty. I put new tires on it and gave it a test drive. Everything works like it did when I parked it.

I attached a picture of the bike pretty much before doing any cleaning and with the original tires (All Gummed Out)


I would like to find out everything I can about this bike. I haven't been able to find my owners manual or a sales receipt as of yet. This would for sure confirm the year. Maybe I can get a copy of an owners manual from someone or a copy of some advertising for this model. This would be cool! Looking at the serial number it seems to indicate 1980. (Soma Sport Serial Number: 80 09 53773) I googled and googled and can't find much at all about the brand. The only thing I found was https://www.somafab.com/. I think these are the same guys but they don't make bikes any longer. Just frames and have no history listed about the Co.

If anyone knows anything about the brand or model please let me know. I would appreciate any information you could provide.

I have been taken the thing a part, polishing, cleaning and am confident this bike will be restored like new again. Real Soon!!!

Thanks for your input,
J B

T-Mar

To the best of my knowledge, Soma was not a manufacturer, but the brand name of bicycles marketed by Soma Sports Inc. of New York. My first recollections of the brand date to 1978, when they started advertising in Bicycling magazine, using an Eddy Merckx look alike. I still have a couple catalogs from that era. They produced a full line of bicycles including children's, city bikes and lightweight racers. The lightweight lineup included 7 models, with the Sport being 4th from the top, though still an entry level model. Your color looks similar to the catalog sample and if so, the official name is Metallic Dark Silver.

Based on the serial number, the likely manufacturer of your bicycle is Kuwahara. It certainly matches their format. While it is possibly a 1980 model, it was produced relatively late in the year and is more likely a 1981 model.

J B

T-Mar,
I appreciate your response! Now that you mention "Metallic Dark Silver" I do remember this being the name of the color. You must be on to something here.

I am not familiar with the brand Kuwahara. What model Kuwahara would you suspect the Sport was taken from? Do you think you could scan and email me any of this information? I would absolutely appreciate any information you could provide.


Thanks so much for your help,
J B

J B

T-Mar,
More information to add to your immense data base. You were correct for sure about Kuwahara being the manufacture of my soma. It is actually stamped on the frame on both sides rear, under the quick release. I found this when I started to tare the bike down for a major cleaning.

Thanks again,
J B

CTR

I have a 1979 Soma Sport that was my fathers. I've been riding it alot now, put on about 350 miles and it still rides great. Mines red but looks very similar.

kraftwerk 

Dude, I had that very same bike! in that color! size: 21 inches. I bought it new in the summer of 1980. I was in love although it retrospect it was heavy and I shouldb've had a better bike a lot sooner. Lets just say it was not a lightweight racer. I rode it, I raced it, (with aftermarket tubular wheels!!) I toured it. I used it for bike messagering-- two summers 1984 & 1985 in Boston. I made $135 a week. I lived with two Barnard students, yes, real women!
I think it was in 1988-1989 that I got off of it seconds before it was run over by a van at Bowery and Delancy in nyc. It was crushed, I was "crushed" "like a corkscrew through my heart" but unscathed myself.... Ah, the memories. I am sure I saved the receipt, but I vaguely remember it was about $275.00 new.... Must've put thousands of miles on it...

CTR

I love it too. And it sure isn't a light weight. I think it measures in at around 30 pounds. Its pretty tough though. Just a few weeks ago a ran into the side of a car after it pulled out a parking lot without looking. I must have been going 20 mph and was still perfect. I think $275 sounds about right.

Zinnware

I too had a light blue Soma Sport that I purchased in 1979. This bike weighs in at about 26 pounds without the kickstand, reflectors, and replacing tires with lighter tubes and tread. Most people would not think this bike had much potential, but here are personal acomplishments that I had on this bike:
1983 - First Place finish in the Shippensburg University (Men's Stock).
1983 - Second Place finish in Westminster, Maryland (Men's Stock).
1983 - 80th place a the Dr. Pepper Classic (180+ riders) Average speed exceeded 25 miles per hour.
1984 - First Place finish in the Shippensburg University (Men's Stock).
1984 - 5th in the Pennsylvania State Championship race at Fort Letterkenny, PA (Men's Stock). Note other riders were making fun of my sport touring bike at the start of the race. I walked away with a trophy. Technically I blew this race in the last 400 meters.
1984 - Second Place finish in Westminster, Maryland (Men's Stock)
1984 - Second Place - Kapona Classic - Harrisburg, PA (Men's Stock)
1995 - 205 mile bike ride over eight mountains in Pennsylvania in a single day. Bike was modified slightly.
Read more about that trip (https://zinnware.com/HomeByDark/)

AngryFrankie

Stumbled across one of these today looking for bikes. I noticed "Kuwahara" in a couple of place, like the headset and dropouts, so probably made by them. Super Maxy cranks, an Avocet Touring saddle, fluted Sugino post, Suzue hubs and Araya rims, all Suntour and Dia compe on shifting and braking... Really a nice little bike.