Vintage Japanese Bicycle Models ⑥Unisex Cycle

次回この記事の日本語版を投稿します。

In the previous four posts, Vintage Japanese Bicycle (Model Types) ①Heavy-duty Cargo Cycle, ②Light-duty Cargo Cycle, ③Utility Cycle, ④Ladies Cycle, and ⑤Gents Cycle we looked at five 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 sixth type Unisex Cycle .

①Heavy-duty Cargo Cycle
②Light-duty Cargo Cycle
③Utility Cycle
④Ladies Cycle
⑤Gents Cycle
⑥Unisex Cycle

Unisex Cycle
 

Background
Before we begin, let us first set the stage.  In the 1950s, predominantly the first half, a bicycle was the only affordable means of private transportation costing two months' salary or more.  They held a status close to that of an automobile nowadays, had to be registered and even had the equivalent of a license plate. Children's bicycles were uncommon and only for the well-to-do households.  The majority of children rode the adult-size family bicycle, "triangle-style".  Thus, many households had, or could only afford, one bicycle, which served the entire "family". 

As the name "unisex" implies these bicycles were designed to suit both men and women.  So far, we have seen that the ①Heavy-duty Cargo Cycle, ②Light-duty Cargo Cycle, ③Utility Cycle and ⑤Gents Cycle  all had top tubes (crossbars).  And, as noted in ④Ladies Cycle, in the 1950s the majority of Japanese women, if wearing western-style clothing, predominantly wore skirts or dresses and the step-through frame design (no top tube/crossbar) greatly facilitated ease of mounting and dismounting.  As we shall see, the unisex model was an in-between design.

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 ↓)

①Low top tube
The important characteristic of the unisex frame design is its low top tube design.  A compromise between the gents/roadster and ladies model.

They came in two styles, fixed low top tube and movable top tube.
Fixed low top tube
Notice how the top tube is, like all other tubes, brazed in place.

Movable top tube
The top tube was hinged at the point where it connects to the head tube, and its lower end held in place with a bolt.  The bolt could be removed and the top tube raised for men or lowered for women. 

Let's take a look at an actual "movable top tube" frame.
Here is the frame with the top tube in the up position.

The top tube pivots at the head lug.


To lower the top tube the bolt at the seat tube is removed, allowing it to be lowered.



The top tube is lowered to the down position, and the bolt inserted.

Top tube in the lower position.

②Saddle
The ＃800 "hammock saddle" and the #750 saddle (both shown below) were typical saddles on unisex cycles.　

③Handlebars
The style of handlebars on unisex cycles was typically a North Road, raised or slightly raised type.

North Road

Raised

Slightly raised

④Midsize rear rack with two or four stays

⑤Truss rods (Front fork stabilizers)
Unisex cycles did not come with truss rods.   


⑥The full chaincase was standard on unisex cycles.

⑦Drivetrain
Crankwheel (Chainwheel): 44 teeth 

Freewheel: 20 


⑧Stand:
The channel stand shown below was standard on unisex cycles. 

Channel stand

⑨Rear wheel
B/E (Beaded Edge) rim, tube and tire: 26" x 1" 3/8

#14 gauge spokes
Band brake


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

#14 gauge spokes

This concludes our look at the six main single gear models.