Kabuki bikes? Anybody remember the models?
10-14-08 | 12:41 PM
#1
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Don we now our
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: San Francisco - USA
Bikes: Felt F1X & Giant TCR Composite 1
Kabuki bikes? Anybody remember the models?
One of my first bikes was a Kabuki, and I've been trying to remember the model number so that I can try to find images of it. It was one of the early models with index shifting. The shifters were on the downtube. The front derailleur lever sat next to the rear derailleur shifter, but was shorter. The bike was red, and that's about all I can remember. Oh, this would have been around 1980.
The only model I remember is the Submariner, and nice-looking bike with a clear coat over the steel. Anybody remember any other models?
Yes, I've seen this page: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/bridgestone/
The only model I remember is the Submariner, and nice-looking bike with a clear coat over the steel. Anybody remember any other models?
Yes, I've seen this page: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/bridgestone/
10-14-08 | 12:52 PM
#2
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Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Los Angeles, CA
Bikes: 85 Nishiki Riviera GT, 69 Schwinn Super Sport(fixed conversion), 80's Olmo Professionisti, 80's Univega Mixte
I'm interested in finding out more about these bikes too. I have a Kabuki SSK Probably 80s but I'm not sure, It has none of the Kabuki features described in the Sheldon Brown Article(cast aluminum lugs and what not), It's Def an entry level bike, it came with a cheap saddle, Suntour Honour derailer, stem friction shifters, steel wheels, but everything works really well, no complaints, the bike has a made in Taiwan sticker. I don't know anything about the tubing, but it's a fully lugged steel frame, I'll post a picture later
10-14-08 | 12:58 PM
#3
surly old man
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From: Carlisle, PA
Bikes: IRO Mark V, Karate Monkey half fat, Trek 620 IGH, Cannondale 26/24 MTB, Amp Research B3, and more.
I had a Grand Kabuki for a while a few years ago. Surprisingly light, but it was way flexy. Many of the components where rebranded "Bridgestone". It originally was set up as a tourer of sorts with steel north-roadish bars and thumb shifters. Had normal road brakes though. Cromo, lugged frame, but no idea what the exact frame material was though.
jim
jim
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Cross Check Nexus7, IRO Mark V, Trek 620 Nexus7, Karate Monkey half fat, IRO Model 19 fixed, Amp Research B3, Surly 1x1 half fat fixed, and more...
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10-14-08 | 02:18 PM
#4
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Sounds like it was equipped with Bridgestone Synchro Memory Shift (aka SMS), a proprietary repsonse to Shimano's Positron indexed system. If you thought Positron had poor market receptance, SMS's was even worse. Even funkier, both shift levers were mounted piggyback on top of each other, on the right hand side of the frame. The only models that I recall seeing it on were entry level with hi-tensile frames, possibly a Skyway or Super Speed.
10-14-08 | 02:25 PM
#5
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I'm interested in finding out more about these bikes too. I have a Kabuki SSK Probably 80s but I'm not sure, It has none of the Kabuki features described in the Sheldon Brown Article(cast aluminum lugs and what not), It's Def an entry level bike, it came with a cheap saddle, Suntour Honour derailer, stem friction shifters, steel wheels, but everything works really well, no complaints, the bike has a made in Taiwan sticker. I don't know anything about the tubing, but it's a fully lugged steel frame, I'll post a picture later
10-14-08 | 04:32 PM
#6
Thread Starter
Don we now our
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: San Francisco - USA
Bikes: Felt F1X & Giant TCR Composite 1
Sounds like it was equipped with Bridgestone Synchro Memory Shift (aka SMS), a proprietary repsonse to Shimano's Positron indexed system. If you thought Positron had poor market receptance, SMS's was even worse. Even funkier, both shift levers were mounted piggyback on top of each other, on the right hand side of the frame. The only models that I recall seeing it on were entry level with hi-tensile frames, possibly a Skyway or Super Speed.
It could've been a Super Speed. I don't think it was a Skyway. I remember it cost something like $189. Which I thought was a fortune.
10-14-08 | 10:16 PM
#7
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Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Los Angeles, CA
Bikes: 85 Nishiki Riviera GT, 69 Schwinn Super Sport(fixed conversion), 80's Olmo Professionisti, 80's Univega Mixte
Here is my high tensile Taiwanese made Kabuki ssk, it may be cheap but I love riding this bike and it has the coolest head badge around
10-15-08 | 11:58 AM
#8
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From: Rural Western Wisconsin
Bikes: Down to 4 vintage touring machines
I have a Kabuki SFD which has a HiTen frame and the Shimano FFS front freewheel system and Positron shifters. Definitely entry level but cool just for the head badge.
10-15-08 | 12:53 PM
#9
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