mdang9997

Greetings!

I just received this frame for free and was planning on building it to a single speed. I was just wondering if anyone could help me identify the manufacture. I could not find any serial# on the frame due to it being repainted. The only thing I find unique about this frame that might be helpful is that down tube gets flat towards the middle.

Thanks in advance!

unworthy1

I was going to say "Huffy Aerowind"...but it's not quite there, just pretty close.
Seems to have the even weirder FFS...you'll have to consult Sheldon Brown or somebody else who knows about those cause I sure don't.
Actually, I don't know about it being a FFS, it just looks odd with the rings-and-spider there with no crank arm, and the BB shell looks unusual. too.
Sorry I'm stumped by this one.
Edit2: Yes it is an Adamas AX crank, which is not a FFS, AFAIK...now the guesswork is what "aero" (1982-83) bikes came with this gruppo and stamped dropouts?
Edit3: I think we have BINGO, here: Vista Aero...check out this thread:
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...852-Vista-Aero

mdang9997

awesome!! i can tell the original color was yellow. thanks!

T-Mar

+1. Nice work. I think you're long overdue in removing that "un" prefix from your forum ID.

unworthy1

Ah shucks!
especially coming from such a "worthy" as T-Mar...!

mdang9997

any idea where i could find out more info on this bike other than the link you posted?

non-fixie 

Here's some more. The name of Araya also popped up as a possible builder of this Jan Janssen.

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...1#post13244093

T-Mar

Araya built frames have an easily identifible serial number format, which I've decrypted and can tell owners the exact date.

non-fixie 

I just checked the serial number on the Janssen: 2B14537. I'm guessing the 2B is a February '82 date code. I read elsewhere that the bikes Araya built for others had "ARY" in the number.

T-Mar

While it is not the Araya format, it is identifiable as that used by (wait for it, here comes the auto-sensor) Matsu****a, who are famous for their Panasonic brand. Yes, it is very early 1982 manufacture.

non-fixie 

Thanks, T-Mar. Yes, that fits with what Jan Janssen jr wrote to me when I asked him about this bike. Apparently they dealt only with Shimano, who had the frames made to their specs by several Japanese manufacturers to promote their AX line.