1951 Japan’s Bicycle Guide – Preview

1951-japans-bicycle-guide-intro1951-japans-bicycle-guide-coverI am a collector of Japan’s Bicycle Guides and was able to pick up a very first 1951 edition of the catalog. Below I have provided a few quick snaps from my iPhone. I plan to scan the entire book as delicately as possible. The book is in good condition conisdering its age and purpose. However, the binding is becoming brittle and weak so I would like to minimize viewing the actual book as much as possible.

1951-bridgestone-bicycle-ad1951-japanese-track-racer-bicycleFuji-AdFor those into classic ad copy and design this is a gold mine. Fantastic vintage design work throughout. I look forward to digging in a looking at every bicycle, part and ad. This is a major score of information for a collector like myself.

Raleigh Burner Mk1 Pro Burner (05/28/2011)

Worthpoint.com reports a Raleigh Burner Mk1 Pro Burner (05/28/2011). sold for $32,928. I’m here to tell everyone that is a fluke on an enormous scale, and more than likely a false bid by the original lister that went unpaid. A mint Raliegh Burner Pro would be lucky to get $500 in today’s vintage BMX market.

As a user of Worthpoint.com it goes to show you should do additional research when it seems to good to be true.

The original article was Smart Pickers Find Gold in Vintage Bikes, by Wayne Jordan (11/08/13).

I’m really quite shocked this was stated. But it’s on the internet, so it must be real, right?

 

Fuji Design Series Mark Gorski Track – The rescue

Mark Gorski on his Fuji Design Series track bicycle

Mark Gorski on his Fuji Design Series

It seems I have a thing for abused and neglected vintage Fuji track bicycles. Two of the worst condition bicycles I have ever acquired are now both Fuji track bikes. The first was the 1975 Track Racer TF Sprint and now I have just welcomed a 1985 Fuji, Design Series, “Mark Gorksi“, track bike. That being said, this was the first, tall, Fuji Design Series track bike I had seen for-sale; I now restrict incoming bicycles in my collection to my size.

1985 Fuji Design Series "Mark Gorski" Track bicycle

1985 Fuji Design Series “Mark Gorski” Track bicycle

I’d like to thank Darryl Glascock over at Eastside Cycles in Nashville for his excellent and friendly customer service. Eastside took possession and packed up the 85 Gorski for me. I’m not sure what I will do with the bicycle yet. Every square inch has a scratch… I will clean it up, regrease, ride and then decide what I will do. In my head I imagine a repaint to its original color with some nice pinstriping around the lugs etc. I’m usually not one to refinished bicycles in my collection; I’m more of a “preservationist”, however, there is a certain point at which I believe they deserve a refresh. This one could very well fall into that category.

I am very excited about this acquisition regardless of condition. These bicycles are not easy to find and I now own both Fuji Design Series road and track models in 63cm and 61cm respectively. I feel lucky.