Katakura Silk for a friend
 

Some will remember I am looking for a bike for a friend. The one I was thinking of getting received a resounding 'Be careful!' and I ended up not getting it. This is what I did end up getting on Yahoo Auction last night. It cost around $175 and although that might seem steep to those in the Land of the Thrift Store and Garage Sale (neither of which exist here) it is not at all bad in Japan. Also, I know the man who made this frame...

Wodja all think?

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2409/...2c7895ec_o.jpg


This is the same model owned by an acquaintance:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3585/...3c5e728e02.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3376/...3795a31f70.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2456/...72fa6a8c37.jpg

$175 for a hand-built frame is good in any country, good job!

Thank you, unworthy1! :D

These are beautiful

Your Tomodachi is very lucky!

Seeing this thread bumped has reminded me... I don't think I ever posted pictures of how the restoration came out:

The bike went from this:

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...bac3b2d1d.jpeg

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d5b93aa51.jpeg

To this:

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...4754ac10d.jpeg

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...1bc6d0da0.jpeg

And finally, to this:

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a88bf79e9.jpeg

My friend was really pleased with the result and so she should be - she did all the work herself... I just showed her how to do it. She even set the wheel and BB bearings with me telling her what to look for and think about. I would post a photo of a very happy her but, you know, privacy and all that.

I received a PM from you, E.blan, but when I tried to reply BF came back with a message saying you didn't accept PMs.