maestrohound

It is a Bridgestone Kabuki of some sort, but I don't know the exact model. I think other Kabukis I had seen said the model (like SSK) on the top tube, but this one simply says "Synchro Memory" which simply suggests the Suntour SMS MAX derailleur it has (its shifter in on the down tube, by the way).

Down tube actually says "Bridgestone," in a hand-writing-like style (not the logo), and not the trade name "Kabuki." The name "Kabuki" is only found on the head badge (which is so cool).

I will try to attach a picture. What is it??

Synchro memory system came out around the time I was born, so I am guessing this one was made within a year from my birth date. It rode so smoothly, shifted and broke well, during the test ride. This is my first "road bike." I have a single speed comfort bike(?) that I love to ride, but I am interested in mid-distance touring. Would it be suicidal to go on to 50-80 miles on this one?? Not exactly lightweight - about 30 lbs. I would guess.

Chef Bigs

I'm sorry I can't chime in a help. I will say that the headbadge is righteous looking though.

lostarchitect 

We used to sell these Kabuki bikes in my family's shop in the 80's. I don't know much about them, but I always thought they were cool. If my memory is right, they seemed like mostly low to mid range road bikes. I'm sure it will be fine on a longer ride, but you should get it tuned up and checked for safety first.

maestrohound

Thank you folks!

Lostarchitect, do you remember if any of the Kabukis came in Chromoly?? I am sure this one is an ordinary hi-tensile steel, so if any of them came in chromoly then that probably means this one belongs to the lower tier. The former owner said lugs are aluminum (which some Kabukis did have), but to be honest I don't see the difference between lugs and the rest of the frame. And, definitely not stainless steel Submariner, that's for sure!

lostarchitect 

Sorry, I don't recall.

frenchbikefan

try a magnet on the lugs, if they are aluminum it won't stick

maestrohound

Magnet! Why didn't I think of that?! Indeed, it does not stick on lugs (it does on the tubes, of course). So I am now pretty sure it is a hi-tensile steel frame with aluminum lugs.

Italuminium

Alluminium lugs with steel tubes? How did they join them? It seems like a pretty pointless exercise too me...

Anyway, awesome head badge indeed. this bike could be cleaned up well and be a very nice rider (if it's your size).

marley mission

just got rid of my kabuki mixte in a trade - it was too small - and it was a tad heavy - but it was a great ride - it had no problem on my 60 milers this summer

enjoy - btw - the kabuki badge is one of the best imo

Kobe 

Could be a Bridgestone Kabuki Super Speed. They also had aluminum lugs. Does it have a quill seatpost?

TugaDude

Bridgestone's method was to cast aluminum around the steel tubes (also used stainless and aluminum tubes) after the tubes were flared out at the end. They cannot pull out that way. There was some suspicion that the tubing was threaded and that the threads would hold the tube in the aluminum "lug", but I read in a thread here that someone broke a lug apart and found that the end of the tube was flared, not threaded.

Be careful with the quill seatpost. Overtightening will likely crack it and it is a pain to find them used or make your own.

Enjoy.

maestrohound

Thank you everyone! With your help and some searching on the board, I am getting to have a pretty good idea.

The size is perfect - I cannot imagine anything fitting any better. The saddle was at the right height more or less too so I am not even bothering to tinker with it. I read somewhere that it is a strange mechanism where you have to take off the saddle first to adjust it.

So, the one with all stainless steel (unpainted) would be a Submariner and the all-aluminum one would be a SuperLight. Hi ten model(s) should have its place lower than those two - is SuperSpeed the only model they had other than the first two (Other than the higher-end "Diamond" series) ??

I have seen a SuperSpeed (it said SSK, I believe, on the top tube) with un-indexed shifting system whose shifter was at the handle stem. Synchro Memory (which mine has) shifters came out in the year I was born (or a year later??), which is the end of the 70s - so maybe this is indeed a SuperSpeed right when Synchro Memory came out?? (This is the reason why I estimate it to be from within a year of my birth.)