Question about Sekai
 

Hello All,
New here and new to biking.
Where can I find info on this Sekai? I picked this up yesterday on CL.I plan to replace the brake and shift
cables and replace the the hand brake levers.Would anyone have any recommendations?
The 2 front sprockets are steel and are riveted together,Is it possible to upgrade these?
Thanks for your help!

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/c...8/sekai001.jpg

Couple more pics
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/c...8/sekai005.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/c...8/sekai003.jpg

Great find! Welcome to bikeforums.net.

Sekai was a small bike brand of the 70s and 80s, founded in Seattle by the one of the Tamura brothers, of the same family that owned several Seattle bike stores including Velo Bike Shop (http://www.velobikeshop.com/), which is still open.

The bikes were built in Japan. This was the Japanese "bike boom" era when Japanese high-quality, low-cost manufacturing was taking off and the dollar got strong, making imports to the US cheaper. Sekai was one of several small bike brands (Centurion, Shogun, Lotus ... ) that had a good run for a few years, making bikes in Japan for import to the US. Maybe someone else knows this history better than I do, and can correct me or add more.

“Sekai” means “the world,” “society,” or “the universe.”

People seem to think of Sekais as well made bikes. I am biased, as I ride one that I like a lot.

Hmm, yours looks like a lower-end model (clues: suicide levers, stem shifters, clamp-on rear derailleur, stamped dropouts if I'm seeing them right) but still a looker - great condition, nice and shiny clean.

Should be a nice ride. Enjoy!

Thank you for the info!:thumb:

Suicide levers?:eek:Is that the inside brake levers?

Yes it is. I don't believe that you need to chage the levers. The suic. thing an object of critisizm, the bike like many others was a victim of the times, not such a bad thing and doesn't warrant replacement, besides I've found that they're handy for creepin' in between parked cars and such at slow speeds. I don't suggest that you change the crank either. There is something to said about leaving such a bike whole. Our fellow member gave a really fine evaluation of the bike, it's a nice example of its kind. After you've ridden it a spell you'll know better as far as the size and other features too. You can then move on from there should you choose to rather than altering this bike, it's just too showroom ...

PS - it looks like a large frame that would fit someone around 6 feet or taller.

another astute observation

I hear ya'.;)
New bike over-enthusiasm (sp) and thinking out loud.
I read thru several descriptions on CL and "original componets" came quite often.I like that!
Aired up the tires,adjusted the brakes and took for ride,:ride:the tall frame fits me good.
Also cleaned it a little more,Had this black oily gunk everywhere.I even polished the paint and used my Estate wax.
Now I can take my time and enjoy the scenery.

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/c...oor198/324.jpg
Thanks Again.

Beautiful pic...I'd love to cruise down that road...