Originally Posted by sstodvictory (Post 14430178)

Just retrieved my Sekai 2500 from long storage, after finding this thread. I did a tear down & lube in 1995 and seldom touched it after that, moving it to my shed in 2003 where its been ever since. It looks to be in good condition - should clean up nicely. The price, new in 1989 was $385 in Champaign IL. "2500 Series" is painted in white on both sides of the top tube. On the seat tube is a "Touring" sticker and "Japan 1985" lower down. The green sticker on the fork is "Mangaloy 2001". Everything is original except the seat, brake pads, racks, cateye, a flip stand, and handlebar tape (original was black cloth). My present home is in Cerro Gordo, IL.

- Serial No. Y5C3898
- Paint: black metal flake, silver metal flake on head tube
- 23" (58 cm) Mangaloy frame
- Dia-Compe cantilever brakes
- Sugino GT crankset
- SR SP-11 pedals
- Suntour MounTech derailleurs (10 speed)
- Nitto stem
- Nitto Grand Randonneur 135 handlebar
- Laprade seatpost
- Suzua hubs
- Araya 27" wheel rims
- braze ons for two water bottles and mid-fork for luggage

Steve

http://www.stevesite.us/images/sekai...8yrstorage.jpg

Originally Posted by steve25 (Post 14961888)

In the spring of 1976 I bought a silver with a brown seat, Sekai Competition. A freind had bought a black one. I put alot of miles on it for a few years and then it sat several years. I gave it away and l got it back in 2010. It is sanded down and completely apart. I had to find a few old pieces, but I think other than the decals I have everything now. Serial # is 76B91533
Can anyone tell me anything about this bicycle? I knew nothing about it whenI bought it and little more now

Originally Posted by T-Mar (Post 14962086)

Circa 1976, the Competition (model 2500) was the top end Sekai bicycle, though they did offer the even higher Superlite (model 5000) and Criterium (model 4000) as framesets. The Competition used a butted hi-tensile tubeset and was a lower mid-range model for the day. It sold for about $200 US. For 1977 the 2500 was redesignated the Gran Tour and was demoted to 2nd standing in the bicycle line with the introduction of the Professional.

Originally Posted by RaleighSport (Post 14963034)

My understanding was the model designated as 2500 went back and forth between the two, and in 77 wasn't the "top" factory model the 2700 Grand Tour Deluxe? Always love how much there's left to be learned from you man!

Originally Posted by 3alarmer (Post 15162004)

I had promised long ago to add two bikes I have in the project pile in the garage.

The first is a Sekai 2700, GT Deluxe, serial number Y1E2677. It is labeled with
a green Champion tubing decal, unlike the ones I've seen prior, states double butted
but no other designation, and feels heavy enough that I thought at first it was
straight gauge tubing.

It also has a small label "Yamaguchi sports frame, Sakai, Japan.

The components are quite beautiful, and I'll try to get some photos up here tomorrow,
prior to reassembly, as it is too dark right now. Should go together pretty quickly.

Here are the hubs, from a prior photo ( I relaced the wheels to somewhat heavier and
a little more modern hook bead Araya rims. The rims that were on it were still straight,
but very lightweight for my tastes, and a little narrow for 27x1 1/4, my current tire size
of preference for these older bikes that came with 27's.


http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=293820


The old, presumably original rims.........http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=293821


The other one in the garage is a 4000, so it ought to be interesting as well.

Originally Posted by RaleighSport (Post 15164823)

.. so what size is the 4000? :D

Originally Posted by 3alarmer (Post 15165001)

I only buy stuff in my size, so it has to be 58-60 or pretty close.

I'll dig it out and add some photos as is in the interests of historical accuracy.

This one (2700) still lacks chain, bar tape, and derailleur cables so I can probably
finish it up in a couple of hours sometime soon. It is very shiny.:D You will like it.

Originally Posted by 3alarmer (Post 15169227)

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=294085http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=294086http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=294087http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=294088http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=294089http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=294090

Originally Posted by 3alarmer (Post 15171667)

This one has some "issues", but not huge ones. It might get pushed back
until a couple of other projects are rolling (Masi, Fuso...stay tuned:D).

I find it interesting that the components on this seem to be a step below
those standard on the 2700, which would lend some credence to the idea
that you could buy them as frames and pick your own components,

These wheels are not the ones that came with the bike, but a better fit, IMO.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=294215http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=294216http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=294217http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=294218http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=294219http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=294220http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=294221http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=294222

Originally Posted by RaleighSport (Post 15199339)

That RD is Blue Line?

Originally Posted by raverson (Post 15199717)

Might be there a while at $625.