Gold Mitsuuma ‶Junk or Jewel″ (Part 6)

次回この記事の日本語版を投稿します。

As mentioned in the previous post,  Gold Mitsuuma ‶Junk or Jewel″ (Part 5), in this installment we shall continue to examine the remaining details on this bicycle. 

Let's start at the right side. 

 In Part ５ we covered the front half up to the seat tube. We shall start with the chaincase and continue working toward the rear.　This is an upper-lower split-type chaincase.

The chaincase is a perfect example of Mr. H's policy of "re-use" and "restore" original parts whenever possible and only "replace" as a last resort. 

This can only be described as "Mr. H Magic". 
Amazing!
No need for words here, the "before" and "after" photos say it all.

Let's turn our attention to the left-side.

The original pedal rubber blocks were severly worn down indicating this bicycle saw quite a bit of use.
Rubber blocks are replacements.  Great effort poured into finding same-style vintage rubber blocks.
Also note the before/after cotter-pin cover.



Original hardware "re-used" and painstakingly brought back to its original glory.

Transfer on the bottom bracket worn away.
As mentioned in Gold Mitsuuma ‶Junk or Jewel″ (Part 5),   most of the original transfers had either faded or worn away leaving only a vague trace behind.
Using actual archived photos, instead of recreating transfers, all the wording, pinstripes and decorative scroll work was meticulously recreated with paint.

So much rust.  But no match for Mr. H Magic!

Original hardware "re-used" and painstakingly brought back to its original glory.

Rear carrier complete with "Mitsuuma Bicycle" stamped in Japanese.

三馬自転車＝"Mitsuuma Bicycle"

Mitsuuma Trademark on rear carrier

Cloisonne enamel badge with Mitsuuma trademark.

Rear reflector complete with the Mitsuuma trademark.
Difficult to see here but the Mitsuuma trademark is casted into the tiny bolt heads, same as the front fender stay badge bolts.

The details on this bicycle clearly indicate that, back in the early 1950's, this was certainly one of the top high-end models.
And now, after Mr. H worked his magic I belive all will agree that he turned what at first glance looked like junk into a "jewel".   
Hats off to Mr. H!!!