Re: [CR]Most Collectable Japanese Bikes ??

(Example: Framebuilders:Bernard Carré)

Date: Mon, 24 Jan 2005 18:05:12 -0800
From: "Kenneth Stagg" <kenneth.stagg@gmail.com>
To: Donald Gillies <gillies@cs.ubc.ca>
Subject: Re: [CR]Most Collectable Japanese Bikes ??
In-Reply-To: <200501250050.QAA15682@cascade.cs.ubc.ca>
References: <200501250050.QAA15682@cascade.cs.ubc.ca>
cc: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org

On Mon, 24 Jan 2005 16:50:49 -0800 (PST), Donald Gillies <gillies@cs.ubc.ca> wrote:
> Here's a topic you don't often hear on the CR List. What are the most
> collectable Japanese Bike-boom bikes ?? Is there a Japanese bike that
> holds the same place in Japanese history as a Colnago or MASI ??
>
> I have a SEKAI 4000 that is near and dear to my heart, but I have
> heard that it's an american creation - like Lotus - and so it probably
> doesn't qualify to be king of the keirin track.

Don,

I'm a bit confused as to what you're looking for. It was my understanding that "Bike Boom" bikes would, almost by definition, imply bikes that were intended for export to the United States. If that's the case then your Sekai qualifies rather nicely. BTW, even though Sekai was an American company the owner was Japanese-American and I don't believe more than one generation removed from Japan. If you're only thinking of bikes designed for the home market that were subsequently exported then they're not really associated with the Bike Boom except in time.

For one off bikes I'll take one of those TOEIs over a 3Rensho or Zunow, but that reflects my style bias.

Ken Stagg, who wishes he still had his Sekai 4000 in Tacoma, Washington