[CR]Help needed completing old Japns. folder

(Example: Framebuilders:Norman Taylor)

From: "Tim Potter" <bikes@msu.edu>
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Date: Wed, 22 Nov 2006 11:44:44 -0500
Organization: MSU Bikes Service Ctr
Thread-Index: AccOVYOmkfyDX7ykTMWMLTIMK0RAkA==
Subject: [CR]Help needed completing old Japns. folder

Hello,

I'm the manager of a new university-funded bike shop which grew out of a volunteer-run operation where we've been restoring/ recycling old abandoned bikes for the past 4 yrs., painting them our school color (green) and loaning them out to promote bicycling. I have a customer in his mid-80's, Bob Gibbs, who's asked us to complete the restoration of a very old folding bike which he says he bought in the late 30's from Leroy Vandecar in Lansing, MI. He is planning on giving it to one of his grandchildren as a gift. But I have to introduce myself before continuing on that project:

I've been an avid cyclist since the early '70s; my first light-weight racer was a Dawes Galaxy that I bought used at the time with sew-ups; raced it for a number of years. That might have been the only bike I've owned that qualifies as a Classic by this group's standards. I currently ride a mid-80's custom Japanese MTB setup for commuting which is about the only thing I have time for these days. My family is also really into cycling: my older brother, Jeff Potter, is a frequent poster and publisher of Out Your Backdoor (his '74 Paramount is a bike that I "found" on campus and negotiated away from the clueless student who was neglecting it).

My father-in-law, Seiichi Nishiji, was the National Keirin champion of Japan in the early 60's and raced 35 years before retiring at age 53 in 1985 with a total of close to 900 career victories (which ranks him 7th in Keirin history); he also raced in the World Championship of 1961 and just about dethroned the reigning world sprint champion of the day (an Italian named Maspeis [sp?]). My brother-in-law, Kousuke Nishiji, raced in the S1-class of the Keirin circuit for about 10 years and occasionally defeated Nakano Koichi (holds 10 straight world sprint champion titles) and other tops Keirin racers of his day (late 70's- late 80's). This web photo gallery shows some pics of them in action: http://www.bikes.msu.edu/greatest_cyclists/keirin-web/index.htm

Back to the folder project. Leroy told Bob that it was made in Japan, but according to Bob it didn't have a head badge at the time nor any decals. He said it was already quite old and rusty and looked as if it had been hand-painted with a brush. Photos of the frame are here: http://www.bikes.msu.edu/bob-gibbs-folder/index.html

If anyone could help ID the manufacturer of this frame and possibly an approx. date of manf. we'd greatly appreciate it. I believe the BB shell has been replaced since it fits the modern BB cartridge that's currently installed (the '1982' stamped into it would seem to indicate it's from another bike manf. In 1982) but Bob says he didn't pay anyone to replace the shell. Also, Bob has asked us to outfit this folder with modern lightweight wheels and componentry to make it a fun, responsive, light bike to ride. If anyone has recommendations on components I'd greatly appreciate that input as well or links to vendors or specialty shops that specialize in folding bike gear that would be very much appreciated.

Many thanks in advance.

Tim

******************** Tim Potter Coordinator MSU Bikes Service Center Bessey Hall Auditorium, Lower level Along the River Trail at the Farm Lane Bridge E. Lansing, MI 48824-1033

Ph: 517/432-3400 Fax: 517/432-2743 Email: <mailto:tbpotter@pplant.msu.edu> tbpotter@pplant.msu.edu Web: http://www.bikes.msu.edu http://www.bikes.msu.edu | http://www.transportation.pp.msu.edu http://www.transportation.pp.msu.edu