Re: [CR] Sekai / Sekine connection?

(Example: Framebuilders:Richard Moon)

In-Reply-To: <791268.85266.qm@web161302.mail.bf1.yahoo.com>
References: <791268.85266.qm@web161302.mail.bf1.yahoo.com>
From: "james black" <chocotaco@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 17 Jan 2011 20:16:04 -0800
To: Greg Lone <gwlone@yahoo.ca>
Cc: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: Re: [CR] Sekai / Sekine connection?


On Mon, Jan 17, 2011 at 11:11, Greg Lone <gwlone@yahoo.ca> wrote:
> Hi list. the recent thread on Sekai bikes led me to wonder about a Sekine I have owned since the mid 80's. It's from about 1980. Tange #2 tubing, Shimano 600 arabesque group, Tange forged dropouts, simple long point lugs. Serial # FU 02039 . I see the odd Sekine, but they are generally entry level. This one is definitely better than average {for a Sekine at least}, and quite a nice bike to ride. I get the impression that Sekine bikes were uncommon outside of the Canadian market. Anyone know the inside story? Are they built by Sekai, or is the similar name just a coincidence? Anyone have any info on the better quality Sekine bikes?

If I recall correctly, I saw many older Sekine bicycles when I was a tourist in Japan, so I had the impression that it's a bona fide Japanese manufacturer, more than merely a name used by a North American importer like many other brands.

James Black
Los Angeles, CA