Sekine (Ultra-Special Class)

次回この記事の日本語版を投稿します。

Loyal fans may recall that about six months back I posted a fine restoration of a Hirori bicycle by M-san.  Well, M-san is back and this time with a really fine Sekine restoration.  Let's take a look.

Here she is.  Probably just over 60 years old,  A Sekine Ultra-Special Class model.



Years ago, having acquired a NOS (New Old Stock) Sekine frame (Sorry Japanese only) and collected parts to build my own Sekine.  But M-san's Sekine is all original.


Note the badge (sorry Japanese only) on the front fender.  Three layer black enamel paint. And to top off the black enamel paint  fancy gold transfer pinstriping.


The headlight bears "National" and "Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd."on it.
"National" was the brand name of bicycle lamps produced by Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd, which later became the electronics giant "Panasonic".  Matsushita is the last name of the company's founder Konosuke Matsushita who began producing  bicycle lamps in 1927.  Matsushita's brother-in-law Toshio Iue founded Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. in 1947 and began producing lamp generators.


Original hammock saddle in great shape considering it is well over
half a century old.


Sekine （セキネ）stamped on the rear carrier brace.


As we saw on the front fender, an exquisite rear fender stay badge (←Japanese only), even the bolt heads are original bearing the Sekine (CS) mark.


Sekine originally started out producing chaincases, this one is a beauty.


Note the badge on the down tube.   


Original celluloid grips complete with the Sekine (CS) mark.

Since the Sekine mark (CS) on the rubber block pedals show only a little sign of wear, it is obvious that the bicycle was rarely ridden.  The pedals have the rare white celluloid cover on the pedal spindles.


Another sign that this was one of the high-end bicycles that Sekine produced at the time is the handlebars.  Note the pointed crown and brass plate which covers the spring housing for the rod brakes.


An all leather top tube frame cover.


Nice ornate head badge.


"Sekine" engraved/stamped into the sides of the fork crown cover.


Rare Sekine Special Class whitewall tires.


Note that "SEKINE" is molded into the tread.


Heavy duty ornate lock.


Original Sekine rear band brake bearing the Sekine (CS) mark.
Note that the stand and fender stay also bear the Sekine (CS) mark.
If you are going to put your name on it, it had better be good.


Note the black center line with gold pinstriping on the rim.


"Sekine" mud flap.

A big thanks goes out to M-san for sharing photos of his superb Sekine Ultra-Special Class bicycle.  If you would like to share photos of your vintage Japanese bicycle with other enthusiasts please send them to showajitensha@hotmail.co.jp