Cobweb-Cycle’s Unidentified 10-Speed

Posted

Today’s OTS, a debadged 10-speed, comes to us from Cobweb-Cycle.  I get the feeling this might not be a Japanese bike, and I also think it could be later than a ’73.  The defaced headbadge is awfully ambiguous in shape, and then the lugs are a bit more “showy” than what I would expect from a mid-70s Japanese frame.  Any ideas OTS’scholars?

Year- 1973 (48-9 date code on drive crank)
Make- unknown (Japanese I’m thinking)
Model- unknown

SunTour Seven rear / SunTour Spirt front
Mikashima unique track pedals
Sugino crank set
Shimano 333 hubs
Dia-Compe brakes
Seamless BS saddle
Sakae road champion handlebar
SunTour shifters
SR quill/stem
Serial # 1JUU396

Any help with the ID is much appreciated, I’ve owned the bike 10 years or better. I had it tuned up at a bike shop when I first got it, who replaced the rear tire and tube, and trued the wheels. It rides pretty good. The rattle can paint job happened before I got it. I tried to see what was under the badge but it was sanded smooth.

Thanks Cobweb

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  4. Sprinks’ 1967 Atala
  5. Andy T’s 1981 Carlton Raleigh Competition
  • julie s

    The shape of the head badge is the same as C.Itoh/I’ve never seen the same shape with anything else on it. Happy cycleing!

  • Jeff V

    Here’s a link to a great website all about derailleurs. I didn’t see the suntour “7”, but check this out. It’s very useful in dating OTS. http://www.disraeligears.co.uk/Site/Derailleurs_from_Japan.html

  • bigkev57

    I believe its a Miyama..and if tyhats the case one sold very similar to this in Melbourne Australia recently for $350.00 Aud..if this proves to be one also then you have a valuable piece of Japanese rocketry here on your hands..at the time i didnt realise the value of the bike displayed in the auction …that showed that to be not the case…they were either bidding furiously for the componentry (as can be the case)or the whole bike as a collectors item…hope this helps your search..though by no means do i speak with any great authority..Rgds Kev.

  • bigkev57

    2nd punt from me..if its not the Miyama ..then lets go with a “Tiger”and based only on some of the components and the sillhouette of the head badge decal outline…yibbida yibbida..thats all folks.

  • Cobweb-Cycle

    Thank you for everyone’s input on the identity of my OTS. I see what your saying about the lugs being more decorative than that of Japanese bikes. So it’s a European bike with Japanese components? Now I’m even more curious to what it is!
    >John

  • FRED DE JOSIE

    I HAVE ONE JUST LIKE IT. I WOULD LIKE MORE INFO ON IT IF ANYONE CAN HELP. MY ADDRESS IS 2701 SOUTHAMPTON ROAD PHILADELPHIA, PENNA 19154 THANK YOU ….RUNS LIKE A CHARM…. HAD IT FOR TEN YEARS NOW AND ALL I DID TO IT WAS A BACK TIRE AND A CRANK SHIM…..STILL HAS THE SAME TIRE AS IN THE PICTURE…..I’M 52 AND IT KEEPS ME GOING…..

  • Spike

    It’s Japanese, the lugs are not exactly typical but they are not any European style either. It’s a quality frame, judging from the diameter of the seat stays and the forged dropouts. Could be a Miyata, I’ve never seen such an early one so no basis for comparison.

  • J

    It looks like a Shogun. This bike would have had a black logo.