David E’s 1982ish Soma Competition

Posted

This is newcomer David E’s early ’80s Soma Competition. I can’t argue with your reasoning; your bike is welcome here.

Here’s my first submission to your famous gallery. Despite the obvious modernization, I believe this bike qualifies because:

1. a similarly modified Trek was accepted, 2. I’ve stayed true to the original group, I just moved from 80’s Shimano 600 to 90’s Shimano 600 3. this deserves special consideration in light of the dearth of information online about the old Soma brand 4. shellac’ed bartape 5. chrome 6. pinstriped lugs 7. it’s awesome

This is a 1984 (possibly ’82?) Soma Competition frame (Champion #2 Butted Chromoly by Kuwahara) with a modernized build. I believe the original component group would have been Shimano 600 Arabesque, but I purchased the frame by itself at the Denver Veloswap. Any information on the original model and brand is welcome. Note the fantastic engraved Kuwahara fork ends and dropouts.

When I bought this frame the seller asked me if I was going to make it into a fixed gear. I laughed and told him ‘fat chance!’ and I’m glad I did, this old Soma is a dream to ride.

Related posts:

  1. Brian McG’s 1986 Trek 400 Elance
  2. John’s Sekine Medialles 10-Speed
  3. Ramon’s 1981 Raleigh Competition
  4. Zombi’s 1980s Shogun
  5. Jeff V’s Diskus Prolog 10-Speed
  • BeaterRezQ

    David E.,
    I just love those Made in Japan oldies, Kuwahara made is like icing on the cake!
    Sheldon Brown stated that Champion #1 and 2 were right up there with Reynolds and Columbus tubing, your Soma is one classy ride. Frame/components/headbadge/CHROME, one beautiful and complete package. SO glad that you kept it close to original minus the upgrades, too nice of a ride to nick and tuck or spay and neuter.
    BRQ

  • BeaterRezQ

    **nip and tuck

  • DOCSPROCKET

    IT KILLS ME WHEN SOME OF THESE YOUNGSTERS DESTROY A BEAUTY LIKE THIS TO MAKE THOSE FIXED GEAR JOBS WHAT A WASTE & LACK OF VISION NICE JOB MAN I LOVE CHROMOLY FRAME THEY FLEX & RIDE LIKE NO OTHERS ALUMINUM IS JUST TO RIGID & BEATS YOU TO DEATH ON THE ROAD
    2 THUMBS UP MAN

    • BeaterRezQ

      Doc,
      ..other day at one of the local bike shops a “younger” rider had a nice old vintage Ciocc that had been converted to a SS/fixie. Steel lugged frame, just a beauty…but the poor thing looked like Fido after just leaving the vet neutered, kinda not all there. I nearly wept–
      B

  • Ryan Surface

    I can’t really add anything about this Japanese lugged beauty (love the dropout shots!) beyond what the venerable BRQ and Dr. Sprock have already said. Thanks for adding this one Cameron, beyond the beauty of this ride, David E would have deserved it if for no other reason that he laughed at the idea of turning it into a fixie 😉

  • Marcus Fowler

    How much did you pay for the frame? I’m about to negotiate a price with some fella for just the frame.

  • dihummer

    If it is a Kuwahara built frame then the serial number will indicate the year and month that the frame was built. The first two numbers are the year and the next one or two numbers are the month.
    The serial number is on the seat tube, non-drive side, above the BB; or on the bottom of the BB.