Hello All;

New to this here site. Would like input about SR bikes. I've recently acquired a SemiPro 12 spd. circa mid / late '70s with SHimano 600 gruppo. Find pix attached. I literally trashpicked it two weeks ago here in the Philly burbs. Looked horrible, but I saw potential. The 68.5 cm frame first caught my eye. If anyone can supply origin, orig. dealers, conmtact info, dating info ( bike not me) thoughts, comments, etc... feel free

Thanks to all

Mike
Philly

All I truly know about the SR Semi Pro is that I wish I still had mine. Not that I was a connoisseur or anything. I was just a kid in trade school who couldn't afford a car. I rode the thing everywhere I went from '79 thru '81. I just remember it as a really nice, trouble free bike. The Shimano 600 was equivalent to today's Ultegra. Also had a SR Pro with Dura Ace for like, 700 bucks new. That one got taco'd when I was racing the wrong way down a sidewalk and a car pulled out of a drive way - so my fault. I miss those bikes... and those days. DanO

I've got a Semi-Pro that I bought new in Nov '79 for about $375. Can't recall if it was on sale, Year-end model, a new '80 model or what-not. I just remember that it fit me and was made of steel and I could afford it. All those factors narrowed my choice down to one bike that afternoon at the LBS. A SR Semi-Pro 12 speed in pink! (Actually a smokey, dusty rose kind of pink in metallic) Over the years I've often thought to paint it another color, but now I love its graceful beauty. Plus, I get lots of compliments over its original condition.
It has all Shimano 600 (Arabesque style) with a seat post, stem & bars by SR. The pedals are quill style MKT with toe clips. Rims are Araya 27x1.25, but my brakes do not have "safety" levers like yours.
I always thought that this bike was made by the same Japanese company "SR" (Sakae-Ringyo) that makes stems, cranks, etc. But I was recently told by someone who was a dealer at the time that SR bikes were made at the plant in Mexico by a company that took over after Windsor went away.
My bike has no stickers or stampings that say where it's made.
I'll attempt to take/post pics later.

Hey Chief;

You got a little native American in you too?
Here's a bit of my biking history. Bought a Schwinn Traveler 12 in '83, tax return present to myself in my youth.
Fit was a big part, it too having the same size frame ( I'm 6'3") in a metallic maroon. Wasn't real savy at the time ( price played a part, I think $240ish) still have it, near pristine, but rather heavy with few alloy parts.
Suntour / Sugino, real nice ride but I guess more touring /rec, but put 27" knobbys on years ago and it goes anywhere. Pretty rugged.
Anyway, what caught my eye on the SR, sittin there on the curb amidst the trashcans and debis, was it's tall frame. Passed by it three times that Saturday morning. Running errands. Curiosity had me return to check it out. Kids had been doing some bike trashpicking, so I thought I'd check this out for Dad!
Pretty ratty looking, but I saw a gem in the rough. Luckily it seems it must have been a barn for the past twenty years. No real rust just a few scratches/nicks on the frame, rest all alum/alloy. Caked in grease, cobwebs, dirt, flat tires, torn saddle, bar tape in shreds, and this gooey tan crap covering the S/600 brake levers. Yuk. Later to determine the goo to be disintegrated brake hoods. This has to do with the extension levers on it now.
Seeing all the nice items this bike came with though, I hoisted it into the truck and brought it home. Ran into the missus, who of course was thinking, "Oh great another piece of trash being carted home". Yea well, us guys have a sense about classic performance ( having a '70 Chevelle SS 402 for 25 yrs), so a bunch of Castrol degreaser and WD-40 later and it was a different animal. It's true potential came to light and I could determine that it really wasn't far from being road worthy. First thing was to change the rock hard torn saddle. New but cheap Bontrager (San Marco) seat fit the bill nicely. Not being accustomed ( guess never was really into real performance bikes), I discovered it had Presta valves. Hmmmm..... how do I pump these up? Ran to new LBS and got a $ .99 adapter and the tires filled right up. Poof. Damn...still holds air!! More degreaser scrubbing the derailleur / cog area and it rides quite well.
Use a great little LBS here in the Philly Burbs, Drexel Hill Cyclery, ran by an ex-pro mech Frank Havnoonian, (ever hear of Harry Havnoonian custom pro bikes?). I wanted brake extension levers since I usually grip the top bar, but the gooey S/600 levers wouldn't adapt, so Frank threw on a pair of Dia-Compe with levers, new brake cables, and trued up the rear wheel. The original toe clip alum pedals had to go with one having bearing issues and them not being reversable, since I don't do clips, with a nice pair of period ones w/clips ( no clips though), ones that are reversable. Anyway, this thing can really ride now. More cleaning, polishing, new brake pads, adjusting calipers, tweaking derailluer and shes beginning to sing. Threw on a light rack ( use it for the occasional pizza pickup or six pack) and nice alum Greenfield kickstand and a few reflectors for that night use.
Bars were next with base layer of CatEye black cotton tape, overlaped in tan Bontrager cork. Looks sweet with the Rising Sun red paint. It is a Japanese bike after all. A little modifying to an 'ol Performace seat bag for the cable / lock and it fit great. Does have a hairline crack in rear rim. Am having Frank replace rim and install stainless spokes, this with new rim tape, tubes and a nice pair of Specialized All Condition Armadillos. This baby is back!! Just hung up the 'ol Schwinn in the garage rafters.

more on yours Chief!


Mike
Philly

Oh, and a couple nice Velox plugs resembling original CatEye items(?)

mfinger1,
I didn't fall off the planet... I'll get pictures to you soon. Sorry for the procrastination.
No native American blood that I know of; the US Navy gave me that name several years ago. HA!
Mine has the gray CatEye bar plugs and I think it came with the Zefal HP pump that's on it now.

No problem Chief. Glad to hear from one who still rides an SR. Great bikes.
Guess Chief is like E-5 in the Navy? Had a chance to pick up E-5, but that carrot under my nose wasn't enough to re-enlist. Army '76 - '80.

mfinger1,
Okay, so I can't seem to remember to take new pictures while the sun is out. Here is a less recent picture from earlier this summer. I really will get some detailed ones to you.

I'm new to this forum, and was draw to try to find out information about my bike. I bought a light blue SR Semi pro in about 1982, and my friend told me that it was a good one. Well, it's been sitting in my garage since then, and I've decided I need to get rid of it. Anyone have an idea of how much it's worth, and the best way to sell it? I'd prefer not to give it to salvation army.

Thanks