Nozawa No. 28 3-Speed Premium Sportster (Part 2)

 次回、この記事の日本語版を投稿します。

In the previous post we began our look at an extremely rare Nozawa No. 28 3-Speed Premium Sportster.  This bicycle was discovered tucked away in the far corner of a storage building where it had been asleep for 65 years.  Sportsters like this one became popular in the late 1950s early 1960s as the bicycle trend in Japan shifted from utility to leisure.

Let's start at the front and work our way back. The bicycle is nearly identical to the specifications listed in the 1959 Nozawa catalog shown in Nozawa No. 28 3-Speed Premium Sportster (Part 1)  The photos were taken just as I found the bicycle, just lightly dusted it off and pumped up the tires.

Typical of bicycles from the 1950s and very early 1960s, this bicycle is loaded with the company name and/or trademark appearing on nearly all parts.  First up is the infamous Nozawa fender ornament. Note that the fenders are white with red pinstripes, same as listed in the 1959 specifications.

Rims 26x1-3/8 W/O (Consistent with specifications in 1959 catalog)
Tires are not whitewalls as listed in the 1959 specifications.  


Allrounder handlebars. Dual head lamps are add-ons.

Bell with Nozawa logo.

3-speed throttle type shifter.
(This differs from the trigger type shifter shown in the 1959 catalog.)

Head lamp bracket with Nozawa trademark.
 

Nozawa headbadge (chipped)

Ornate fork crown with "N" for Nozawa.
Channel type front caliper brake.


Mud flap with Nozawa trademark.

Same exact lettering design on frame as shown in 1959 catalog.
 

26 x 20 inch high-tension steel lugless frame
Standard light-grey color 
"SPORTS CYCLE" on downtube.

"28 NOZAWA" on seat tube.

"NOZAWA"

In the next installment of the series, Nozawa No. 28 3-Speed Premium Sportster, we will continue to examine the details of this very rare sportster model and compare it to the 1959 catalog specifications.