Bicycle Assembly ③

次回、この記事の日本語版を投稿します。

As mentioned in Bicycle Assembly①　in Japan retailers were actually extended factory processes since bicycles were shipped as "kits", and, "final assembly" and "final inspection" were both performed at the retailer.  The introduction of JIS ensured that individual parts met specific industrial standards.  However, again, since bicycles were shipped as kits and assembled at the retailer there were no standards governing the final assembly and inspection process.  In Bicycle Assembly②, it was noted that in the late 1950's the process of applying JIS to the retailers began.  And, by 1960 retailers had to be qualified in assembly and inspection, and, enter into a contract with the manufacturer in order to sell completed bicycles bearing the coveted JIS mark. 

Below is a Bicycle Assembly Flowchart with times given for each step.  Total time for a veteran to assemble and inspect a complete bicycle is 2 hours, 3 minutes and 19 seconds.  Click on the figures below to enlarge.

Note: 
⑥Only five minutes and six seconds to true a wheel.  Amazing.
⑦Cut spokes.  Something rarely, if ever, done today.
⑧ & ⑨ Only three minutes twenty-eight seconds to attach a BE tire.
⑩Since the bicycle was first assembled upside down, a jig was used in place of the handlebars, and the actual handlebars shipped with the kit were not assembled until the late stage of the assembly process (see ㉔）.