Steve wrote:
I came across a steel frame bicycle frameset that looks to be of good quality, but now markings that allow me to identify its maker. The serial number is KH 05653, and there is a large "K" cutout in the bottom of the bottom bracket. My first thought was a KHS, but the representative with whom I spoke said they never did a "K" in the bottom bracket, and the serial number doesn't jive with any of theirs.
It's a lugged frame, vertical rear dropouts, and over-the-bottom bracket hanger cable guides. Steerer tube is threaded. Tange front dropouts, and Suntour rear dropouts. The lugs of the mail tubes have cutouts that look like a stylistic tulip flower with three points at the top. Rear spacing is 120mm, and it for sure a road frame.
Any ideas what it is?
I DON'T THINK THIS IS A MIYATA AS SUGGESTED BEFORE. I WORKED FOR THE CANADIAN MIYATA IMPORTER AND THE SERIAL NUMBER DOES NOT JIVE AT ALL. NOR DOES THE FACT OF THE MIXED DROP-OUTS. MIYATA WAS PERHAPS THE MOST INDUSTRIALIZED OF THE JAPANESE BIKE MANUFACTURERS AND THEY WOULD NOT MIX DIFFERENT DROP-OUTS. THE TULIP ALSO DOES NOT CORRESPOND EITHER AS THE TEAM BIKES USED BY TULIP WERE LATE ENOUGHT OT USE UNDER THE BB CABLES. THE STYLIZED FLOWER COULD ACTUALLY BE A LOTUS WHICH I BELIEVE WAS MADE BY THE SAME BUILDER AS KUWAHARA, WHICH WOULD JIVE WITH THE KH SERIAL NUMBER AND K CUTOUT. ANY OTHER IDEAS?
--
Steven Maasland
Moorestown, NJ