tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post116948288751992107..comments2024-03-18T10:19:55.782-04:00Comments on The Velo ORANGE Blog: Japanese Frame BuildersVelo Orangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02835615331417822722noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-77758200220410283892009-07-19T09:08:45.623-04:002009-07-19T09:08:45.623-04:00I was glad to see AMVNA listed as one of the Japan...I was glad to see AMVNA listed as one of the Japanese constructors. I live in Sendai, Miyagi. That's a city of about 1 million in north-eastern Honshu. Matsumoto-san, the owner, has a small but well-equipped workshop on a busy business street in the Nishi-taga district of Sendai. Matsumoto is a very warm, friendly man who is quite willing to drop tools and help out the local housewife with her 'mamachari' — despite the obvious specialization of the place. He makes frames to order using braze fill or lugs. I've seen crashed keirin bikes being repaired there. He's done some work for me — aligning an old Trek racer, and I'm thinking of asking him if he will build my wife a mixte. Whether you are into competition or recreation, this skilled man can do what you want. — LORNEUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15482780624168581901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-1170136631500099322007-01-30T00:57:00.000-05:002007-01-30T00:57:00.000-05:00Very sad to hear this news, Yohei. They were very...Very sad to hear this news, Yohei. They were very nice frames I though.<BR/><BR/>http://farm1.static.flickr.com/61/189359782_0fda43ad07.jpg?v=0Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-1169787530019197712007-01-25T23:58:00.000-05:002007-01-25T23:58:00.000-05:00>Do you know if Ganwell still makes frames?oh... t...>Do you know if Ganwell still makes frames?<BR/><BR/>oh... the answer is No.<BR/>They stopped frame production now.<BR/>maybe you know the reason...<BR/><BR/>http://www.flickr.com/photos/pawls/189359782/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-1169762883295722802007-01-25T17:08:00.000-05:002007-01-25T17:08:00.000-05:00That's the guy alright.That's the guy alright.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-1169698685432396432007-01-24T23:18:00.000-05:002007-01-24T23:18:00.000-05:00Business Cycles web site said they started in 1983...Business Cycles web site said they started in 1983.<BR/><BR/>Picture of owner and his best friend at:<BR/>www.businesscycles.com<BR/>Click on "About the shop"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-1169673590382707632007-01-24T16:19:00.000-05:002007-01-24T16:19:00.000-05:00I remember a 'Business Cycles' in Miami when I liv...I remember a 'Business Cycles' in Miami when I lived there in the 1980's The fellow had just relocated to South Miami (seems like ages ago), and I used to smile at his union of bike and computer. He was computer savvy before most South Florida people knew what DOS was. Wonder if it's the same Business Cycles?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-1169665641547092712007-01-24T14:07:00.000-05:002007-01-24T14:07:00.000-05:00Chris,http://www.businesscycles.com/ganwell.htmEur...Chris,<BR/><BR/>http://www.businesscycles.com/ganwell.htm<BR/>Euro-Asia Imports is currently importing the Gan Well Pro.<BR/><BR/>Top of seat stays on the one pictured on Business Cycles says "Euro-Asia."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-1169573580621231042007-01-23T12:33:00.000-05:002007-01-23T12:33:00.000-05:00Annon, Any good frame builder can check the alignm...Annon, Any good frame builder can check the alignment of any frame.Velo Orangehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02835615331417822722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-1169571252027013522007-01-23T11:54:00.000-05:002007-01-23T11:54:00.000-05:00Thanks Chris. Good job of gathering the Japanese b...Thanks Chris. Good job of gathering the Japanese builders together on one list.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-1169565037241080872007-01-23T10:10:00.000-05:002007-01-23T10:10:00.000-05:00Chris,Can most frame builders check and correct co...Chris,<BR/><BR/>Can most frame builders check and correct correctable frame angles on any frame, like an old Raleigh or do they need specific frame fixtures they build only?<BR/><BR/>Seems like a good check to have made on steel frames after some years.<BR/><BR/><BR/>Thanks!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-1169562941399494122007-01-23T09:35:00.000-05:002007-01-23T09:35:00.000-05:00Yohei,Thank you for those links. I've added them t...Yohei,<BR/><BR/>Thank you for those links. I've added them tothelist. <BR/><BR/>I also looked at your cool photos.<BR/><BR/>Do you know if Ganwell still makes frames?Velo Orangehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02835615331417822722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-1169562319280399212007-01-23T09:25:00.000-05:002007-01-23T09:25:00.000-05:00Thanks Yohei. Nice links. I really like the Arro...Thanks Yohei. <BR/><BR/>Nice links. <BR/><BR/>I really like the Arrow designs' practical simplicity.<BR/><BR/>I am really starting to get into this Japan/US bike connection going on.<BR/><BR/>Last Fall, Outside had an article on the many out door recreation opportunities in Japan. The article said some good things about Nippon bike touring. I am mighty tempted ...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-1169511104685359392007-01-22T19:11:00.000-05:002007-01-22T19:11:00.000-05:00Chris,I am a fan of your blog from Japan!I want to...Chris,<BR/><BR/>I am a fan of your blog from Japan!<BR/>I want to introduce the following great builders to you.<BR/><BR/>Nakagawa Cycle Works<BR/>http://www.nakagawa-cw.co.jp/<BR/><BR/>Arrow<BR/>http://www.arrowtr.co.jp/<BR/><BR/>CHERUBIM<BR/>http://www2u.biglobe.ne.jp/%7Echerubim/<BR/><BR/>Zunow<BR/>http://www.zunow.net/<BR/><BR/>enjoy international bike order! :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-1169507980623247982007-01-22T18:19:00.000-05:002007-01-22T18:19:00.000-05:00yeah - the new RS model:Rene Singeryeah - the new RS model:<BR/>Rene Singere-RICHIEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13004654079480170475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-1169506624462617472007-01-22T17:57:00.000-05:002007-01-22T17:57:00.000-05:00Richie,Now that you have perfected your craft, do ...Richie,<BR/>Now that you have perfected your craft, do you have at least one French style constructeur bike in your future?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-1169505060770423732007-01-22T17:31:00.000-05:002007-01-22T17:31:00.000-05:00sorry -make that:the messengers and singlespeeders...sorry -<BR/><BR/>make that:<BR/>the messengers and singlespeeders ARE doing more than...e-RICHIEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13004654079480170475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-1169504786581798472007-01-22T17:26:00.000-05:002007-01-22T17:26:00.000-05:00the messengers and singlespeeders ate doing more t...the messengers and singlespeeders ate doing more than most in keeping the light shined on handmade japanese frames. here are just two threads that give the builders props:<BR/><BR/>http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=262079<BR/><BR/>and<BR/><BR/>http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=260233<BR/><BR/>paste the links in your browser should the lines break.e-RICHIEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13004654079480170475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-1169504698056799432007-01-22T17:24:00.000-05:002007-01-22T17:24:00.000-05:00neil m berg, FYI, IRD Freewheels Center to center ...neil m berg, <BR/><BR/>FYI, IRD Freewheels Center to center for 5 speed is 5mm, and your 7 speed was 5mm, so its safe to assume 6 speed is also 5mm.<BR/><BR/>5mm IRD freewheel space between rear forks was 122.5mm, so 6 and 7 speed would 'require' 127.5mm and 132.5mm. Of course different hubs, wheels, dishing, ...<BR/><BR/>The puzzle has an answer.<BR/><BR/>In effect, all IRD freewheels are Ergo 8 compatiable. Just got my Centaur short rd last night, and just have to get 9 speed pulleys now and 9 speed chain for ergo to work with Ergo 8, which I will (for ANY campy rd 1999 and up).<BR/><BR/>Except don't know if I'll ever get (right side) ergo with my Suntour Power rachet shifters on top in my Profile Century aerobar cockpit via Profile Swift Shift. Another ergo option for using rachet friction shifts not seen as of yet (its allot of work though converting).<BR/><BR/>No spam, but am proud to figure this puzzle of gaining two hands control on one bar or both for controlled shifting. Safety first! :-)<BR/><BR/>Just keeping my options open. I've also found some unique control factors in aerobars that are not widely known elsewhere, so will report those when get everything fitted in next few weeks (every custome interface has a leadtime/$$ 'catch').Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-1169500345319616802007-01-22T16:12:00.000-05:002007-01-22T16:12:00.000-05:00Nagasawa is certainly at the top of the craft - th...Nagasawa is certainly at the top of the craft - that said, in my humble opinion, I have never seen a finer frameset than those built by JP Weigle. <BR/>nvAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-1169498288680520122007-01-22T15:38:00.000-05:002007-01-22T15:38:00.000-05:00Chris,Nice new front VO handlebar bag. Classy!Mic...Chris,<BR/>Nice new front VO handlebar bag. Classy!<BR/><BR/>MichaelAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-1169495525897908272007-01-22T14:52:00.000-05:002007-01-22T14:52:00.000-05:00I am. It's a Visa. I'm committing financial suicid...I am. It's a Visa. I'm committing financial suicide. It cheaper than bicycles. Chris sent me a discrete note with a link to the tiny url site...and wasn't even sarcastic about it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-1169490387367542882007-01-22T13:26:00.000-05:002007-01-22T13:26:00.000-05:00I don't have any, but I prefer the black chrome pl...I don't have any, but I prefer the black chrome plastic fenders (at this point in time). Black chrome color matches almost any color nicely with black tape, seat, and tires. They also seem, if mounted correctly, as good as any of them. But that's just an early opinion. Fiberglass fenders may be best, but plastic and extra mounts are my second favorite.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-1169489737947514662007-01-22T13:15:00.000-05:002007-01-22T13:15:00.000-05:00I fixed the Nagasawa link. The first link was to t...I fixed the Nagasawa link. The first link was to the Nagasawa club.Velo Orangehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02835615331417822722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-1169488569195763762007-01-22T12:56:00.000-05:002007-01-22T12:56:00.000-05:00It's a shame to see plastic fenders on that grey T...It's a shame to see plastic fenders on that grey Toyo.<BR/><BR/>MichaelAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-1169487270618082552007-01-22T12:34:00.000-05:002007-01-22T12:34:00.000-05:00576460762315868600576460762315868600Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com