Bridgestone Kabuki
 

I just scored a nice blue Bridgestone Kabuki for $15. As I understand it the Kabuki was an entry level Bridgestone line from the 70's or possibly 80's. I'm not expecting a lot but for $15 I figured I can't really lose too much. I'll get it tuned up maybe update a few things. Been wanting a Japanese bike.

pics?

Show me yours and I'll show you mine.

kevistopheles, Yeah, photos. :) They have a pretty cool head badge, eh?

Brad

Turned a stainless steel Submariner into a single speed; very cool bike. Kabuki's have a fan club, albeit a small one.

They made some high end stuff as well. I have a VERY Nice '82 Diamond Formula D with full Superbe. I have only every seen one other of these. I wish i could get someone to reproduce the decals as the ones I have are peeling off. I have found very little information on them though. After three years of looking, I did find someone with an '82 catalog who was willing to scan it for me. I sent the scans to VeloBase and Sheldon brown over a month ago, but they have not posted them.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=333692 http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=333693

These are from the CL ad...I'll take better ones when I get home from work today. The badge is definitely cool and I figure for the cost of a pizza it was worth the risk.I think at the very least I'll upgrade a few of the components. We have a couple of great shops locally where you can get some nice used bits.

Better saddle, maybe build some wheels (I'm learning to build wheels so it'll give me good practice).

I told you I'd show you mine.

I'm not ready to join the fan club, but it's fun to ride.

http://imageshack.us/a/img17/2193/e3zi.jpg

Okay here are some better shots and first impressions...

The bike is heavy but I quite like it. The paint is chipped here and there but as I said for $15 I wasn't expecting much so I feel like I got the best of that deal. It's got a combination of Suntour and Shimano parts, center pull brakes. The frame doesn't have damage other than the scrapes and scratches and my first thought was to swap out a few bits and it might make a fun commuter.

I think a dynohub and change the location of the gear levers. The fork width looks more standard than that of my Raleigh so I should have a lot more options with regard to wheels and hubs.

I'm happy with it. Of course now I have 2 project bikes...I can see where this can get addictive.

The best thing about the Kabuki is the headbadge. And the best day I had with it was the day I sold the frameset.
I feel they are heavy and about as dynamic to ride as a Schwinn Continental. :eek:
Also, it had the quill seat post, which the OP's has and GB's does not.

But I hope you have a torrid love affair with yours!

My Raleigh is heavy and I find it pretty fun to ride. Then again I am thinking cruiser roadster style ride so heavy is really not that big an issue. The head badge is cool. I figure it's pretty low risk. If I hate it I'll donate it to local recycled bike shop.

It doesn't need to be a torrid affair...a friends with benefits arrangement would suffice. :eek:

For the sake of information, here is the 1982 Kabuki brochure/catalog:

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps1a539e68.jpg

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q...psae86d628.jpg

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q...psce1411fa.jpg

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q...psbed950ff.jpg

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q...psbf879080.jpg

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q...psa8e79d58.jpg

Mine's a Super Speed

What makes you think mine doesn't have a quill seat post? That cast aluminum seat lug means that's the only way. I substituted aluminum for the original heavy stainless pipe.

http://imageshack.us/a/img109/2773/uy12.jpg

In your bike stand photo it appears you have a bolt behind the seatpost. The OPs nor my Kabuki do not have the "ears" to retain the bolt.

Mine has a bolt hole behind the seat post. It's there to mount a hanger for center pull brakes and for no other reason. There are no "ears". It's solid with no split.

When I was a kid in the 80's, we sold these in my grandfather's toys and sporting goods store. I remember thinking the headbadge was super cool. I never actually had one myself--grandpa was too cheap! ;)