Vintage Japanese Bicycle (Model Types) ②Light-duty Cargo Cycle

次回この記事の日本語版を投稿します。

In the previous post, Vintage Japanese Bicycle (Model Types) ①Heavy-duty Cargo Cycle, we looked at the first of the six main single gear rod brake bicycles.  In this post we continue our look into Vintage Japanese Bicycle (Model Types) and will examine the second type Light-duty Cargo Cycle.
①Heavy-duty Cargo Cycle
②Light-duty Cargo Cycle
③Utility Cycle
④Ladies Cycle
⑤Gents Cycle
⑥Unisex Cycle

Light-duty Cargo Cycle
Also known as a light-duty carrier cycle, these were one notch down from the heavy-duty cargo cycles. If heavy-duty carrier cycles were human powered trucks on two wheels, the light-duty cargo cycles were vans or pickup trucks on two wheels.  These too were used to carry large heavy items as well as haul trailers, but were a downsized version of the heavy-duty cargo cycle.
(↓click on photo to enlarge ↓)

Specifications varied depending on the manufacturer and model; however, there are common characteristics.
Let's look at 10 common characteristics.
  (↓click on photo to enlarge ↓)


①Heavy-duty frame with long wheelbase
Frame designs varied but, since these bicycles would be carrying heavy loads, tubing was thick walled, and, in order to increase stability, many were designed to lower the rider's center of gravity.  Thus, the saddle position is often slightly lower than the top tube.  

Typical diamond (double-triangle) bicycle frame design.
Note how the saddle is slightly offset to lower the center of gravity; thereby providing greater stability.  However, not nearly as low as a heavy-duty cargo cycle frame design.

②Saddle
The #750 saddle (shown below) was the most common; however, the #600 (above photo) and #800 (hammock) were also used.

③Wide flat handlebars

④Large rear rack with two or four stays
The light cargo cycle rear rack shown below is slightly shorter and narrower than the heavy-duty cargo cycle rear rack.
(Note the fewer crossbars and tie-pegs.) 


⑤Truss rods (Front fork stabilizers)
Truss rods helped to absorb shock while at the same time stiffen the fork.  
Compare these with the heavy-duty type used on heavy-duty cargo cycles.

⑥The full chaincase is more common on the light-duty cargo cycle, as opposed to the half chaincase which is the standard for heavy-duty cargo cycles.
 

⑦Drivetrain
Crankwheel (Chainwheel): 42 teeth or 44 teeth

Freewheel: 20 or 22 teeth
Chain: Around 112~116

⑧Stand: Box stand or Roller stand
The box stand (below) was more common on light-duty cargo cycles; however, if carrying heavier loads, as seen in the previous post, the roller stand was used.

⑨Rear wheel
B/E (Beaded Edge) rim, tube and tire: 26" x 1" 3/4

#12 or #13 gauge (black enamel) spokes
Heavy duty spindle 7/16" or 3/8" spindle
Band brake 

⑩Front wheel
B/E (Beaded Edge) rim, tube and tire: 26" x 1" 3/8

#14 gauge (black enamel) spokes
Rim brake 

It should be noted that we have looked at the two ends of the cargo cycle spectrum, heavy-duty and light-duty; however, between these there were intermediate, medium-duty models which utilized a combination of both characteristics.  A good example is the model below which is a blend of both heavy-duty and light-duty characteristics.
Heavy-duty cargo cycle characteristics: frame saddle position noticeably lower, roller stand, heavy-duty fender stays, heavy-duty cargo cycle front rim brake shoes.
Light-duty cargo cycle characteristics: long wheelbase (not extra-long), full chaincase, large (but not extra-large) rear luggage rack with only two stays, rear tire/rim size 1" 3/4.
Note the leather saddle suspension.  This design is a #900 series model which is basically a combination of the hammock saddle (800 series) and 3-spring saddle (750 series).

In the next English post, we will continue our look at the six main single gear models with the next model being the utility cycle.