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Thursday, August 26, 2010

1958 KATAKURA SILK ☆ A PIECE OF JAPANESE KEIRIN HISTORY

THIS BIKE WAS BUILT BY ME, meaning some parts are newer than others and are not all from the same year. I tried to be as accurate as possible, but I take precedence on the esthetics rather than historical accuracy. For instance, the handlebar is a brand new B123, definitely not something from the late 50s. So are the wooden rims - it was probably still part of a tree last year (apologies to all you tree-huggers). I know a bit of history about the frame though. The original owner was in the Japanese Olympic Team for the Tokyo Olympics. It was sold to someone in the eighties whom I suspect had it rechromed. The third owner, whom I bought the frame from, told me the previous owner was a hardcore collector who had dehumidifiers in the room where he kept all his bikes. So I could be wrong about the rechroming - I was told it wasn't but it seems a bit odd that something from '58 has absolutely no rust or spots. Needless to say, it is startlingly beautiful and even the head badge is in mint condition. Sorry that I can't supply you with more detailed information.  I am open to negotiations, so don't hesitate.
FRAME / SIZE / YEAR: 1958 KATAKURA SILK / SEAT TUBE 54.5 (C-T) / TOP TUBE 56 (C-C)
HANDLEBARS ; STEM: NITTO B123 37CM / VINTAGE NITTO NJS ADJUSTABLE STEM
HUB / RIM / TIRES: CAMPAGNOLO (HUB) / WOODEN RIMS (HICKORY AND AGED ASH) / CONTINENTAL STEHER/STAYER TIRES
CRANKSET: MIRROR POLISHED CAMPAGNOLO PISTA 165MM (ABSOLUTELY FLAWLESS)
SADDLE / SEAT POST: ANCIENT BEYOND RECOGNITION (BUT RIDABLE)
CLICK ON PICTURE TO ENLARGE