Vintage Japanese Bicycles: Zebra Cycle

After my posting about the Magnet restoration, I was contacted by Mr.Yuichi Ishikawa, a former automotive magazine editor, Ishikawa-San took up bicycling as a restorative pastime in the aftermath of a small stroke. In the short time he has been collecting bikes he has amassed an eclectic array of classics.  But perhaps the most interesting is his 1950's NOS Zebra-Cycle. Yes NOS. Much of the bike is still wrapped in the original paper!

 

The Zebra Bicycle company started out over a century ago in Tokyo.  Mr.Choukichi Takahashi, the founder, was in the rickshaw business, but also repaired bikes. With these two similar pursuits it was not long until he started to manufacture bikes in 1901. The company carried on through various mergers and ups and downs until 1976 when it was finally merged into the Riken Rubber Company.

Of course, Ishikawa-San's brake-rod roadster is from a much later date than 1901 but is still over 40 years old. Naturally, it has many extremely high quality features indicative of Japanese manufacture. First, let's look at the chaincase. We can see here that although the chaincase is quite normal looking in some regards, it shows extreme attention to quality. It sports the company logo on the spindle surround. The company logo was also on the case itself, although it is missing in the left hand photo you can see it in the right hand one. Just in case you were doubting where the bike came from, the cranks and cottercaps also bear the trademark. That's four company logos within about 10cm of each other. The quality of the chrome seen here is quite amazing, even after 4 decades. 

 

We can also see that the chaincase is unique in that it is really FIVE pieces: A top piece, a bottom piece, a chainstay guard, A freewheel guard which HINGES on the bottom half and of course, the chrome spindle surround which seems to be riveted to the bottom half. The next series of pictures are quite astonishing to me. With the chaincase open you can see the chainwheel. This is carved with the company logo of a Zebra head...and it isn't even a visible part!!!

  

The back of the chaincase reveals more details. We can see the logo'd fender stays but also a port for oiling the chain. Also visible is a contraction band brake for wet weather stopping.

If we look at the underside of the bike we can see that the bottom bracket has an extra set of cotters. Why? Apparently these are here to better secure the bearings cups in the bottom bracket. Seems odd, but some notable Dutch bikes also used this system.
Looking at the front fender reveals even more nice touches. The fork, is still wrapped in the packing paper of course, but we can aso see the chromed Zebra logo on the headstock, as well as a very curvaceous fork crown and brake stirrups emblazoned with the company logo. Note also the WHITE brake blocks.  The fender carries not only a leaping Zebra fender ornament but also has the company logo stamped into the fender itself.

 

 

If we switch around to the back, we can see the logo repeated again this time in Chrome and enamel. A second cloisonne logo which doubles as a fender brace features an Egyptian character, perhaps indicative of the bike model itself. You can also see a third logo executed in brass and enamel on the back of the package rack.

So were Zebra's ever imported to China? The answer is "Maybe". Not so long ago I had a Zebra sighting here in Beijing. Richard, of Vintage Japanese Bicycles, tells me that the model in the photo below, is very old, possibly pre-war as the Japanese script runs in reverse. You can see the Zebra trademark just under the Egyptian head logo. It may be a survivor from the 1930's but I think it is more likely a more recent 2nd hand import.

 A special thanks to Mr.Yuichi Ishikawa. You can check out the rest of his bike collection here.

Comments

[Corey K]

Wow, that bike has some really interesting features. The chain case and cranks are really something.
Unusual to see a bike from the 50s or 60s have the angled " L"seatpost like that.
The British makers seemed to stop using those in the 30s...

Thanks for the link to Mr. Ishikawa's site, too.

[Richard]

Great post Jeff. I had the pleasure of meeting Mr Ishikawa in person and of course viewing his "Zebra" among other bicycles.

My understanding is that the cottered bottom brackets were standard issue the world over until the mid-1930s. Japan continued to used these even after WWII and they were phased out in the late 40s early 50s.

Enjoyed the post. Be sure to let me know when you take delivery on the tires!

[12inchtoys]

Hi, need your help. Recently I saw a Philips 26inch push rod brake roadster. Everything on the bike, meaning the headbadge, rear mud fender decal (faded) has the marking "Philips, England". However, other decals states different. It says "Made in China", Shanghai...Apparently, this Philips is made in China, Shanghai. I've been trying to find info regarding this but turns up nothing. Bike looks interesting enough to consider getting it as a daily ride. But sceptical about it's origin. But the paint work and fading on all parts looks authentic. Does China really manufacture Philips bicycle? I tot it later moved to India. Care to help me out? Thanks.

[JS]

Ah-Chow-

Yes Phillips has been manufactured in China for sometime.

http://www.china-phillips.com/_d269538167.htm

[12inchtoys]

Hi JS,
Thanks for the lead.The bike's now in my possesion and going through restoration.

[Jordan Retro 12]

The society brings us a lot about natural resources. Our life quality is more and more better in recent years. In order to our beautiful future, we should work more harder to return the society.

[mr A]

1940s mitsuba general bicycle " japanese " in great shape buy it @ http://liensaleauction.com

[Rui Freire]

Hi,

my name is Rui Freire and I'm from Portugal, and a friend of mine gave me a zebra bike that has a motor.

Can you tell me where can I find more information, fotos or anythink else about it.

Best regards,

Rui Freire

[dave]

hi, im in malaysia and looking for wartime japanese bikes, were they just civilian bikes, or special procucttion military bikes like the british para bike?.

what makes should i be on the look out for?, in the kampungs (villages) there are plenty of old push bikes, although the indian rolex is replacing the older british stuff....

thanks

[dave]

so sorry, i forgot to introduce myself, im dave, and can be contacted at drwhojersey001@yahoo.com

[rick rodgers]

I have a similar bike and cant find much info. the frame has a number of familiar and not familiar names. embossed kuwahara co ltd seat. rookei super cycle. super hinomoto. special cycle on frame paper and nakatani cycle co. please contact rickrodgers1@yahoo.com