Info on Kabuki Track Frame?
#1
Info on Kabuki Track Frame?
So after I got my BFSSFG Iro Group buy frame (well bike) stolen
I managed to track down (heh) a sweet deal on this kabuki track frame with sugino BB and headset ($80 CAD
). I know that Kabuki was built by Bridgestone but I can't get any info beyond that. Anyone seen anything like this before?

Got the official Colbert seal of approval!
Also, does anyone know what size seatpost this should take? My calipers say 27.2 but I tried a post I had lying around and it was too big. 26.8 maybe?
I'll post more pics once I've got it built up.
I managed to track down (heh) a sweet deal on this kabuki track frame with sugino BB and headset ($80 CAD
). I know that Kabuki was built by Bridgestone but I can't get any info beyond that. Anyone seen anything like this before?
Got the official Colbert seal of approval!
Also, does anyone know what size seatpost this should take? My calipers say 27.2 but I tried a post I had lying around and it was too big. 26.8 maybe?
I'll post more pics once I've got it built up.
#9
The Colbert cutout was from the publicity package we got at the bookstore I work at. We didn't have room to put it up so being the biggest fan in the store I was awarded the cutout!!
My IRO theft was part frustrating part stupidity. It was stolen one night from the bike room/common stairwell that all 4 apartments share. I asked around and nobody had any problems with bikes being stolen and I just went ahead and left it there unlocked cause I figured it would be safe. Well a month later it turns out that the basement neighbours are total sketch balls and the bike was stolen from the front hall :-(
I now keep my bike on the front porch lovingly wrapped in the thickest chain I could find.
My IRO theft was part frustrating part stupidity. It was stolen one night from the bike room/common stairwell that all 4 apartments share. I asked around and nobody had any problems with bikes being stolen and I just went ahead and left it there unlocked cause I figured it would be safe. Well a month later it turns out that the basement neighbours are total sketch balls and the bike was stolen from the front hall :-(
I now keep my bike on the front porch lovingly wrapped in the thickest chain I could find.
#10
Originally Posted by moki
cool frame. I've never ever seen one of those before. I think Kabuki/b-stone made weird lugged aluminum frames for a while... I'd avoid those like the plague.
The bike is steel and is either a really clean tig job or a fairly sloppy fillet (filet?)
I'll post some more pics of the tube joints after work tonight
#11
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 849
Likes: 1
From: Philadelphia
Bikes: 1985 Pinarello Catena Lusso / 1983 Pinarello Montello / Raleigh Marathon / Camel Cigarettes conversion / 1957 Worksman cruiser / Puch 140 / Raleigh Grand Prix
I heard that too. From what sheldon brown says, Kabuki is more of a product line by bridgestone than an company so I'm wondering if this is actually a kabuki.
The bike is steel and is either a really clean tig job or a fairly sloppy fillet (filet?)
I'll post some more pics of the tube joints after work tonight
The bike is steel and is either a really clean tig job or a fairly sloppy fillet (filet?)
I'll post some more pics of the tube joints after work tonight
#13
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 849
Likes: 1
From: Philadelphia
Bikes: 1985 Pinarello Catena Lusso / 1983 Pinarello Montello / Raleigh Marathon / Camel Cigarettes conversion / 1957 Worksman cruiser / Puch 140 / Raleigh Grand Prix
#15
extra bitter

Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,588
Likes: 7
Bikes: Miyata 210, Fuji Royale II, Bridgestone Kabuki, Miyata Ninety
Regardless, that looks like a pretty good find at that price.
#16
https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespeed-fixed-gear/335616-kabuki-track-frame.html
I rode a kabuki conversion as well, but the track frames don't use the aluminum lug construction. An Izuzu trooper was nice enough to total the bike with me on it, so if anyone is ever in need of a replacement seatpost, just let me know
My conversion is exactly one of these weirdos -- a steel Kabuki with aluminum lugs. Completely bizarre in that regard, but the only headache is the seatpost: can't clamp down the aluminum lug with a seatpost collar, so it has a wedge like you'd find on a stem. If I ever break that seatpost, I'm hosed, but otherwise it's as good as any other bike boom frame. I think they even made an unpainted stainless steel version called the Submariner.
Regardless, that looks like a pretty good find at that price.
Regardless, that looks like a pretty good find at that price.
#18
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,544
Likes: 1
This is definitely not a conversion of the Bridgestone Kabuki road bike. No fake lugs, has a seat binder, fork ends and an undrilled fork.
It's most likely this: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/bridgest...es/kabuki2.jpg
It's most likely this: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/bridgest...es/kabuki2.jpg
#19
Originally Posted by Yoshi
This is definitely not a conversion of the Bridgestone Kabuki road bike. No fake lugs, has a seat binder, fork ends and an undrilled fork.
It's most likely this: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/bridgest...es/kabuki2.jpg
It's most likely this: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/bridgest...es/kabuki2.jpg
THANKS! Now i can try to build it up all original!!
#21
extra bitter

Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,588
Likes: 7
Bikes: Miyata 210, Fuji Royale II, Bridgestone Kabuki, Miyata Ninety
In case my previous post was a little confusing, *my* ride is the standard weird Kabuki frame, and yours is clearly a whole different frame. I'm sure you're bummed not to have those sweet, sweet aluminum lugs.
Nice find with the old photo on Sheldon's site. And I upgrade my assessment from "good find" to "crazy steal." But maybe that's just b/c I have a soft spot for Kabuki. Please just don't mess with that paint job -- it's just too posh.
Nice find with the old photo on Sheldon's site. And I upgrade my assessment from "good find" to "crazy steal." But maybe that's just b/c I have a soft spot for Kabuki. Please just don't mess with that paint job -- it's just too posh.
#22
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,544
Likes: 1
In case my previous post was a little confusing, *my* ride is the standard weird Kabuki frame, and yours is clearly a whole different frame. I'm sure you're bummed not to have those sweet, sweet aluminum lugs.
Nice find with the old photo on Sheldon's site. And I upgrade my assessment from "good find" to "crazy steal." But maybe that's just b/c I have a soft spot for Kabuki. Please just don't mess with that paint job -- it's just too posh.
Nice find with the old photo on Sheldon's site. And I upgrade my assessment from "good find" to "crazy steal." But maybe that's just b/c I have a soft spot for Kabuki. Please just don't mess with that paint job -- it's just too posh.
I wish Sheldon Brown's site had a higher res scan of that old photo.
#23
^^
Me too!!
In reference to the paint job, it's in pretty bad shape but i do love the "pearl" of the original job. I think i'll look into getting it powdercoated in the original color then try and track down some decals. if no powdercoat then definitely a paint job.
Me too!!
In reference to the paint job, it's in pretty bad shape but i do love the "pearl" of the original job. I think i'll look into getting it powdercoated in the original color then try and track down some decals. if no powdercoat then definitely a paint job.
#24
extra bitter

Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,588
Likes: 7
Bikes: Miyata 210, Fuji Royale II, Bridgestone Kabuki, Miyata Ninety
I really like that green fade. But the paint does look a bit dinged up, and it is your bike (unless you want to sell it to me! and, um, make it smaller...). It would be pretty slick to replicate the decal. I'm guessing it's a lost cause trying to find a true replacement -- my "typical" Kabuki, had different decals.
Mine actually has a killer head badge:
Anything similar on this frame?
PS: That's a photo from when I first got the bike. It's still no diamond, but I'm not that bad to my ride.
Mine actually has a killer head badge:

Anything similar on this frame?
PS: That's a photo from when I first got the bike. It's still no diamond, but I'm not that bad to my ride.



