Worksman
02-11-09 | 07:03 PM
#1
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2009
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Worksman
I recently acquired a vintage Worksman Industrial bike. When I was polishing the chrome on the front rim I saw that it said Worksman Japan. Does anyone know the time frame when Worksman was making parts in Japan?
02-11-09 | 08:25 PM
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: In transit
Bikes: 07 Vanilla, 98 IRD road frame built up with 25th Ann DA, Surly cross check with 105 comp, 78 Raleigh Comp GS, 85 Centurionelli
uh oh...polishing the chrome? Man, be careful saying that around here...people get a mite...animated.
02-11-09 | 08:40 PM
#4
Good question.
Worksman makes the frames for the bikes. Parts like handlebars, forks, seats, seatposts, etc., are available through Wald, Pyramid, and others, and I think a lot of these items are just off-the-shelf items, meaning, they're imported. American-made inner tubes simply don't exist, so they're imported. The tires appear to be Cheng Shin, although they are branded WTC (Worksman Trading Corp.) I think Worksman builds the wheels, but I don't know where the parts come from. My rims just say "Worksman Cycles" and don't show the "Japan". The rear coaster brake is a Shimano, so it's obviously imported. It wouldn't surprise me if the rims were imported, but I don't know of anyone else that uses them, so they're not quite as off-the-shelf as, say, the handlebars.
You might email Worksman with the serial number and other info and see if they can help you on the age of it. They were able to place my trike in the 1970-1985 era. Serial number should be on the bottom of the bottom bracket.
The older bikes have different forks, not sure what to call them- the BMX-style welded forks are newer. But I don't know when they changed.
This bike didn't by any chance come from Tyler, did it? There was one for sale there at a good price a few days ago.
Worksman makes the frames for the bikes. Parts like handlebars, forks, seats, seatposts, etc., are available through Wald, Pyramid, and others, and I think a lot of these items are just off-the-shelf items, meaning, they're imported. American-made inner tubes simply don't exist, so they're imported. The tires appear to be Cheng Shin, although they are branded WTC (Worksman Trading Corp.) I think Worksman builds the wheels, but I don't know where the parts come from. My rims just say "Worksman Cycles" and don't show the "Japan". The rear coaster brake is a Shimano, so it's obviously imported. It wouldn't surprise me if the rims were imported, but I don't know of anyone else that uses them, so they're not quite as off-the-shelf as, say, the handlebars.
You might email Worksman with the serial number and other info and see if they can help you on the age of it. They were able to place my trike in the 1970-1985 era. Serial number should be on the bottom of the bottom bracket.
The older bikes have different forks, not sure what to call them- the BMX-style welded forks are newer. But I don't know when they changed.
This bike didn't by any chance come from Tyler, did it? There was one for sale there at a good price a few days ago.
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02-11-09 | 08:41 PM
#5
Rustbelt Rider
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 9,105
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From: Canton, OH
Bikes: 1990 Trek 1420 - 1978 Raleigh Professional - 1973 Schwinn Collegiate - 1974 Schwinn Suburban
Ha, yeah that is a touchy one. I didn't see any mention of steel wool or any abrasives though, maybe he is just using chrome polish? Sorry to drift from the subject
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