Thanks to a book loaned to me by Scott "my Masi is older than yours" Davis, names like Watanabe, River One, Yazima, Hirose, Katakura Silk and Toei are worth investigating if you're into French influenced replicas. I'm sure there are plenty of other notables unknown to this ignorant American.
Curt Goodrich
Minneapolis, MN
> Out of curiosity can the list name some of these unknown Japanese builders
?
> We've all heard of Toei, San Rensho, Zunow, Nagasawa, Fuji, Panasonic,...
> but what about others ? Even the CR site has only a limited selection of
> Japanese bikes shown.
>
> When I'm browsing EBay alot of times I'll do searches on "Japanese lugged"
> or "Old Japanese" or "Japanese Steel..." just to see what turns up
(usually
> not much).
>
> John Price
> Denver CO
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Mark Poore [mailto:rauler83@yahoo.com]
> Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2003 11:31 AM
> To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
> Subject: Re: [CR]Re: no respect for japanese bike makers ...
>
>
>
>
>
> With regards to what Dale said, "I believe top-of-the-game Japanese
> bikes/frames get great respect by those with a knowledge of the craft," I
> believe this is true for those with a knowledge of the craft, however with
> regards to many, whether general consumers or even list members there is a
> lot to be said for name recognition. This is true well beyond the
perimeters
> of the cycling world. In skiing the handmade Stockli skis are to skiing
what
> Colnago is to cycling. Although not well know in this country outside of
> racing circles many of the top World Cup racers rode Stockli skis to
> victories with their sponsor's graphics on the top skins, but it comes, as
> no surprise the consumer would shell out bigger bucks for a pair of
> Rossignol skis over the Stockli skis. Now think for a minute, the respect
or
> lack of is not only limited to the Japanese builders. Would a Bill Hurlow
> built Condor draw the admiring crowds around it say as a straight stay
> Hetchins without the long ornate lugs would. Maybe among a few on the list
> would stop and give it a long look, but many would glance at it and move
on.
> I have seen this happen many times the last two years at the Cirque with
my
> Rauler. Here is a limited production frame with lugs and workmanship out
of
> the ordinary for Italian bikes that hardly got a glance by many who then
> stopped at a Cinelli a few bikes down and they inspected the bike from top
> to bottom. In the past 3 years I have seen 3 Raulers on ebay, the two
frames
> went for around $150 and a NR Colnago pantographed equipped Rauler in nice
> shape went for nothing as compared to a Colnago of the same vintage. The
> strange thing here is that Rauler may have built many of the Colnagos that
> would have brought nearly twice the money. How many importers have brought
> very nice bikes or frames into this country they thought would be THE next
> bike to only gain no following and fade out of the market place. Faggin
and
> Scapin are only two examples of Italian bikes that didn't gain a following
> that the big name brands did and I am sure there are many of you that can
> think of many others marques from England, France and other European
> countries.
>
>
>
> In closing, I believe you can look at any country, even our own, where you
> will find some top notch frames/builders that like Rodney Dangerfield just
> got no respect.
>
>
>
> Mark Poore
> In Slatyfork, WV where the mountains were snowcapped this morning.
>
>
> ---------------------------------
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