Austin Rice

Hey everybody. I bought this Takara for $50 last weekend. Is it any good? I am thinking about converting it to fixed gear and powder coating the frame/parts. It is made in Japan, and came with Sun tour parts. The stem is Grand Comp, the RD is SunTour V-GTluxe. It has Sugino Maxy cranks, SunTour SL front derailleur, Cateye reflectors, and F Comp brake levers. Here are some pics of the bike (yes, I know the chain is off).

P.S. How can I remove the metal badge decal from the head tube without ruining it? It is riveted on. I would like to put it back on the bike after I powder coat it.

PunctualAlex

Looks like a nice enough find. I would recommend against powder-coating the frame, it will look more distinct as-is and the paint looks like it's in good shape. It's likely got 27" wheels so you will need a long-reach brake caliper if you intend to run 700c wheels as a fixed gear. As for the headbadge, I've heard that you can remove it by sliding an awl inside each of the rivets and hitting it with a hammer. You'd have to find some adhesive to re-attach it.

Austin Rice

I forgot to mention that I have already bought a flip flop 700c wheel and a front deep V 700c, so yes, it does/did have 27" wheels. And the paint is all jacked up. There are scratches (large and small) covering the frame. I was thinking about powdering it candy apple red (or something similar).

jet sanchEz

It is a pretty low-end frame. In fact, it was probably the lowest-end frame that Takara would have produced.

I wouldn't put any more money into it than you have to and powder-coating is not exactly cheap. You've already got the wheels so ride it as a fixed gear for a few months and then see if it is a frame that you like enough to put some money into. I bet that you will like riding fixed and will want to do it on a nice frame....

Austin Rice

I can get the frame forks and bars powdered for $40! That includes sandblasting and other prep work and the actual coating of powder.

PunctualAlex

Don't get your handlebars powdercoated. It will be slippery and look tarcky. Also, a cheap powder coat job might look as garbage as the current paint. Also, will the powdercoater disassemble the bike and re-assemble it for you? If not, you'll need to have an LBS take out the bottom bracket and disassemble the headset.
Just sayin'...

robatsu

Lotta money and effort to put into one that is looking ok as it is.

I like those gran compe stems.

Zaphod Beeblebrox 

The top tube near the headtube paint is pretty chipped up, Keep in mind that if you powdercoat this, you're gonna lose some of the definition on the lugs which currently appear to have a pretty neat fine gold lining work.

Bianchigirll 

you spent $50 on that? then you bought wheels, and your going to spend money to powder coat it? did you consider buying one of those $350 messenger bikes from bikes direct? it might same you alot of time. that also looks like a huge frame. but this is just my humble opinion

Austin Rice

Here is what it looks like so far:







I just bought one of these Shimano Oval Plate chains.

All I need now are straight bars, Oury grips, tires, tubes, and a slim seat.

Thanks for all the comments guys!

cudak888 

Holy offset crankset, Batman!

You'd do yourself well to get spindle that is a tad shorter on the right side, or you'll have pretty bad chainline issues.

-Kurt

Austin Rice

Where can I get a spindle that is shorter on the right side? It is an all original Sugino bottom bracket. Thanks for the suggestion! And I know I might get flamed for saying this, but do all chain rings' crests measure 1/2" between each other?

big chainring 

You may solve the crank problem by reversing the BB spindle. Disassemble the BB and flip the spindle so the shorter side is the crank side.

Ex Pres 

1. First you have to know the measurements of what you have, and your current chainline, then we can make a recommendation. Your rear wheel is probably set up for a 42-43mm chainline.

2. The "crests" are the teeth, and yes, they are a standard 1/2" so your choice of chains is greatly expanded. (I'm ignoring "skip-tooth" and Shimano's failed experiment-you don't need to worry about these.)