Finished build update (Help to ID 1976 Japanese frame)

[dbwheels]

I'm stumped.

I bought this frame here in Indonesia a few years ago. It came without original paint, but there is some red showing in the head tube and droupout stamping.
The biggest clue, the downtube shifter bosses, was also a bit of a headache to figure out. Notice the orientation of the flat bits: perpendicular to the tube axis. It looks like they are meant to be for Suntour DWL L-1000 levers, although I haven't found a reference to either braze on versions or the dedicated bosses that have been used.
The dropouts and cable guides are referenced in mid 70s Suntour catalogues.
Another clue is the top tube head lug, the pressing is crooked, so the lug point is off centre. Otherwise the workmanship is good.
The frame looks to have been built for 700c wheels. I have had some work done to use 650b wheels and Dia Compe cantilevers.
The seat tube is 51cm c/c with a 52cm TT, c/c.
The seat tube inner diameter at insertion is 26.8mm.
The frame weighs 1930g and the fork 770g.
There is a stamping on the steerer tube, but I've not seen it before.
I assume Japanese origin, owing to the use of Suntour fittings and the fairly light tubing which is seamed (Tange or Ishiwata?). Also, in the mid 70s Indonesian market, quality frames and bikes were often Japanese. I have ruled out Bridgestone, though.

Any thoughts?

 

[Rod_Saetan]

There is a really useful Japanese Manufacturer’s frame numbers thread on a US bike forum, I’ll try and track it down.

 

[Rod_Saetan]

Asian Serial Number Guide - Bike Forums

Classic & Vintage - Asian Serial Number Guide - Many of you will be aware of my penchant for collecting and analyzing serial numbers. This guide compiles the results of a decade of data collection of pre-1990 Asian serial numbers. The guide is not necessarily comprehensive, as it only represents...

www.bikeforums.net

 

[non-fixie]

The fork is a Tange item made in July '76 (or maybe '86)

Could the serial number on the BB shell be missing its last digit? If so, the format is consistent with that of a July '76 Fuji-built frame. Not necessarily sold under its own name, though. Fuji built for others as well.

I assume you added the canti bosses?

A '76 Fuji catalogue is here.

 

[dbwheels]

@Rod_Saetan @non-fixie Thank you very much for your replies

 

[dbwheels]

And here it is

I painted the frame pearl green with pearl pink and white panels.
"BATAVIA" script in Jackson font.
Custom stopper plates are used to fit the BL shifters.
Suntour BL FD and RD.
Suntour grease guard hubs. 7 speed on 126mm. Pacenti Pari-Moto on Araya rims.
Sugino PX cranks with TA rings.
Avocet seatpost.
Nitto girder stem with Noodle bars.
VO rinko headset.
Dia Compe cantilevers with Weinmann QR levers.
Saddle, Some Italian job that I've had it sitting here for 30 years. The important thing is that it's pink

Rides very nicely. Shifting is spot on.

 

[non-fixie]

Looks good!

BTW, is the use of that old colonial name accepted?

 

[Blacktopdisciple]

That looks very beautiful. Love the colour scheme.

 

[dbwheels]

Looks good!

BTW, is the use of that old colonial name accepted?

For as long as I've been here it hasn't been an issue.

There are some famous commercial usages of Colonial era references, such as Cafe Batavia etc.

I used to be involved in the "Onthel" scene here: fanatics for Dutch city bikes, colonial and independence struggle nostalgia and historical reenactment. I would say that there is certainly a discourse regarding these times but not in the "let it burn" sense that I've seen elsewhere.



For more history; Batavia Wikipedia

I would probably have offended more people if I put "100% Beef" or "Fancy Bitch" on the downtube .