Vintage Japanese Bicycles: Magnet Restoration

Having recently come back from Japan, I was very, very impressed by the quality of the brake-rod roadsters I saw there. But honestly, most were of newer vintage. What about the OLD stuff? Surely there had to be some good old brake-rodders around? I had seen some in Beijing, but where were they in Japan?

This question has an answer. And the answer can be found with Richard, the author of the stupendous blog Vintage Japanese Bicycles. 

Man, was his blog a shock. Not only are the old bikes better than the new bikes, but they very well may be better than any other brake-rod roadster ever made. And among the best may be Richard's very own Magnet restoration. Most of the restoration consisted of a thorough cleaning and polish such is the durability of the old machines.

This example was bought for a mere $50 US as "Junk". It was originally produced by Okubo Works in Tokyo during the 1950's. However little information exists on this company, and it likely went extinct a long time ago.

Enough talk. More pictures!! Let's take a look at Richard's handiwork. Here we see the head tube before...and after.

 
 
That's what I am talking about!!! One thing you should know is that almost every inch of a Japanese roadster is covered with detail. Often in the form of logos. This includes the fender braces. Again...a before and after shot. Note the bolt heads are also logo'd!!

 

But what about the rest of the fender itself? Let's have a look.
  

 

I hope you noticed the elaborate fender ornament. A lot of Japanese bikes have these. It's a nice touch. 

    

But what about the rear of the bike? Cloisonné,you say?

 

Cloissonne indeed! Nice brass too!  What a little jewel. And what did it all look like together?

Before...

 

..and after...

 

Now that is a magnetic looking machine!! Note the cotter caps and mud flaps. Many of the Japanese roasters seem to come equipped with little detail items such as these. Truly a very, very, fine machine.

Special thanks to Richard. Hopefully his bikes will become a regular feature here. Of course, you can also go to his blog to check them out in the original Japanese!  Don't be surprised if you see some pictures of Beijing bikes there as well. Guess where they came from...

Vintage Japanese Bicycles

Comments

[Richard]

Hey Jeff
Happy New Year. Thanks for the post and getting my New Year off to a great start. Here is to 2010, may it be filled with lots of vintage roadsters, parts and information.
Thanks again,
Richard

[mark]

hi, first saw reference to you in oldroads--avoided your blog till now not wanting to get "hooked" on any other bike stuff--well it's beautiful! anyhow, i was wondering if any of these Japanese cycles were ever imported to th USA--i kinda doubt anything was till the bike boom years. Also you wanted to see pix of roadsters that i mentioned seeing in Guadalajara, i will try to get those to you. i am still kicking myself--seeing your Japanese saddle--for not buying a similar made in Mexico one i saw there in a bike shop. P.s., back before i cared much about bikes i owned a roadster bought in Mexico called "Bufalo" do you know anywhere on the web or elsewwhere these are mentioned? thanks, MArk

[12inchtoys]

Great 'find' MArk...Richard's blog on Japanese vintage bike is really something. Guess I'll stay my own 'quest' now in searching for Japanese roadsters in Singapore. But I doubt I'll be successful but that'll be a real challenge. Cheers and happy new year!

[Yuichi Ishikawa]

I have introduced your wonderfull site by Richard-san of Japanese vintage bicycle. I also interested old Japanese bicycles. I enjoy cycling to reduce my weight for health since June,1998.
I collected 6 Japanese,1 British and 1 Swiss Army bike.
Please look my page of my bicycles. Sorry for Japanese text only, but photos say many things.
http://homepage2.nifty.com/CCV/BICYCLESWISS.htm

You will also find two links of Youtube.

Thanks for nice pages for vintage bicycles.
Ishikawa, Saitama,Japan

[Chris Hawke]

Hello,
I'd like to get in touch with you. Can you please send me an email?

Chris

[sally soo ming lee]

i am very interesting in the bicycle , kindly send me an email., thanks.

[clayton durham]

Hi all I am in desprite need of some info. I just bought a vintage Maruishi bicycle and need some help with parts for sale and info. Thanks Clayton

[mike]

I just got a hattorei h cycle at a garage sail. it looks a lot like the magnet bike in the picture. dose anyone know any thing about it i cant find it any ware on line. id like to know what its worth

[Andy Black]

Can anyone please help me???? I am looking for any info on a bicycle called Roadrunner it's made in Japan but I cannot find any info in it whatsoever. It has early Shimano parts is a 1970's 10 speed not sure what year exactly...

[William Prichard]

I recently had two old Japanese bicycles stolen, one man's and one woman's. I can identify these bikes. I would appreciate getting this information to bike dealers and collectors in hopes of retrieving them. Any suggestions on how I might be able to locate them would be very helpful.