Sprung Leather Bicycle Saddles (Part 5)

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In the previous four posts, Sprung Leather Bicycle Saddles (Part 1), (Part 2),  (Part 3) and (Part 4) we took a look at various leather saddle styles from the 1950's: (800 series), (750 series), (900 series) and (500 series), respectively.

In this installment we shall take a glance at yet another style, albeit a lesser known one.  

Depending on the manufacturer the model number varied but this saddle style was commonly referred to as the 600 series.

Compared to the front suspension in the other models we've seen so far (800 series), (750 series), (900 series) and (500 series) , less suspension in the front, only double base springs (wires).

Two coiled springs in the rear, similar to those on the (750 series), (900 series) and (500 series).

A narrower profile compared to all those seen so far (800 series), (750 series), (900 series) and (500 series).

As far as utility cycles go, this is about the minimum amount of suspension.

The next step down would be a sports model, having only a single base spring compared to the 600 series double base spring.

And a step down from the sports model would be entering the racing (100 series) which has no suspension.

In the next post we shall continue to take a look at another style of leather sprung saddles.

Sprung Leather Bicycle Saddles (Part 4)

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In the previous three posts, Sprung Leather Bicycle Saddles (Part 1), Sprung Leather Bicycle Saddles (Part 2), and Sprung Leather Bicycle Saddles (Part 3) we took a look at the three most popular sprung leather bicycle saddle styles from the 1950's: hammock saddle (800 series), 3-spring saddle (750 series) and 900 series.

Starting with this installment we shall begin to look at a few of the lesser known styles from the 1950's.  First up is this unusual design. Depending on the manufacturer the model number varied but was most commony referred to as the 500 series, with other variants depending on the type of suspension in the nose.

It has loops in the nose, similar to the 800 series and 900 series, and, two coiled springs in the back similar to the 750 series and 900 series. What sets this sadde apart from the others is its unique base spring (wires) which are looped.

Two coiled springs in the back.

Top profile.

In the 500 series, as previously mentioned, different model numbers for different suspension in  nose.
Compare the following.

560

570

590

In the next English post we shall continue to take a look at another saddle model from the 1950s.

Sprung Leather Bicycle Saddles (Part 3)

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In the previous two posts, Sprung Leather Bicycle Saddles (Part 1), and Sprung Leather Bicycle Saddles (Part 2), we took a look at the hammock saddle and  3-spring saddle.  I mentioned that I am old fashioned, I make a conscious effort to appreciate the simple things and not allow myself to be carried away by mass marketing and conspicuous consumption.  I enjoy taking care of things that are made well from genuine materials.  I believe that, if you take care of "something", that "something" will take care of you.  Sprung leather saddles are a good example, if one takes care of the leather, the saddle will provide long lasting comfort, and, last a long time.

In this series we are looking at  a few of the main models from the 1950's, focusing on the suspension as the majority of the saddles varied mainly based more on how the saddle was sprung, i.e. the suspension, rather than the top profile. 

In this installment, let's take a look at a design that is basically a combination of the hammock saddle (800 series) and 3-spring saddle (750 series). Although individual manufacturers had their own model numbers in general this combination of the hammock saddle and  3-spring saddle was commonly known as the 900 series.

900 series


It has a loop in the nose and 2-spings in the back.


Loops in the saddle nose.
This portion of the design is taken from the hammock saddle (800 series) .

And, 2-springs in the rear.
This portion of the design is taken from the 3-spring saddle (750 series)

Top profile

The main difference among the 900 series appears to be the number of flat base springs and the size and number of loops in the saddle nose.  Compare the following.

900 A

900 B

900 C

The 900 series has more parts compared with the 800 series or "hammock" saddle and 750 series 3-spring saddle.

In the next English post we shall continue to take a look at another main saddle model from the 1950s.

Sprung Leather Bicycle Saddles (Part ２)

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In the previous post, Sprung Leather Bicycle Saddles (Part 1), we took a look at the hammock saddle.  I mentioned that I am old fashioned, I make a conscious effort to appreciate the simple things and not allow myself to be carried away by mass marketing and conspicuous consumption.  I enjoy taking care of things that are made well from genuine materials.  I believe that, if you take care of "something", that "something" will take care of you.  Sprung leather saddles are a good example, if one takes care of the leather, the saddle will provide long lasting comfort, and, last a long time.

In this series we are looking at  a few of the main models from the 1950's, focusing on the suspension as the majority of the saddles varied mainly based more on how the saddle was sprung, i.e. the suspension, rather than the top profile. 

In this installment, let's take a look at what surely was one of the most common styles, the 3-spring leather saddle. Although individual manufacturers had their own model numbers in general the the 3-spring leather saddle was commonly known as the 750 series.

750 series

Three springs in total.

One spring in the saddle nose.

And, 2 springs in the rear.

Top profile
  

The 750 was pretty much the standard model and apart from juvenile and lady's models, the main difference was painted or chrome suspension and fancy coil springs.  Compare the following.

750 A (Painted suspension)

750 B (Chrome suspension with fancy coil springs)

Closeup of fancy coil springs.

The 750 series has more parts compared with the 800 series or "hammock" saddle.

In the next English post we shall continue to take a look at another main saddle model from the 1950s.

Sprung Leather Bicycle Saddles (Part 1)

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I admit it.  I am old-fashioned. I make a conscious effort to appreciate the simple things and not allow myself to be carried away by mass marketing and conspicuous consumption.  I like simple things that are made well from genuine materials, work well and with care will last a long, long time.  Preferably a lifetime.  I like the fact that, if you take care of "something", that "something" will take care of you.  Sprung leather saddles are a good example.  Leather is great, much like a fine pair of leather shoes, boots,  or a high-quality leather baseball glove, through repeated use they literally mold or conform to one's individual physique for a truly perfect fit.  If one takes care of the leather, the saddle will provide long lasting comfort.

In the 1950's the majority of the saddles varied mainly based more on how the saddle was sprung, i.e. the suspension, rather than the top profile.  In the next few posts I shall introduce some of the main models.

Let's begin with the "Hammock" saddle.  This is a classic design.  Although individual manufacturers had their own model numbers in general the Hammock saddle was referred to as the 800 series.

The profile even resembles a hammock.


Front loops.

Back loops.


Top profile.

In the 800 series, there were other variations, mainly based on additional number of coils or loops in the front and back.
Compare the following models.

800

880


890

The 800 series or Hammock saddle was indeed a simple design.
As will become self-evident over the next few posts it was the 800 series or Hammock saddle which had the fewest number of parts.

In the next English post we shall continue to take a look at another main saddle model from the 1950s.

Meal Delivery

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"Stay home!"
This is one of the battle cries being sounded in order to help quell the coronavirus. 

With the increase in people staying home, there seems to be a rise in various food and meal delivery services.
In Japan, most meal deliveries are made by scooters.  But years ago, deliveries were made by bicycle, and, in some cases, especially the soba (Japanese noodles made of buckwheat flour) deliverymen rivaled the antics of the best circus acrobats.  As you view the following photos, bear in mind that these bicycles were all steel, heavy, no gears, equipped with simple rod brakes and traversed roads often made of gravel or pockmarked with potholes; the rider steering with one hand whilst balancing an unthinkable number of soba servings atop his shoulder.  Talk about unwieldy! 

 
Courtesy of pininterest@oldpicture1900

Courtesy of あのころの 


Courtesy of そば　うどん　朝日屋（二代目朝日屋三郎）

Courtesy of そば　うどん　朝日屋（二代目朝日屋三郎）

Courtesy of 彩の国そば日和・そば屋さん達の蕎麦ブログ

Courtesy of 彩の国そば日和・そば屋さん達の蕎麦ブログ

Courtesy of  岩田 松雄


Courtesy of pininterest plaza.rakuten.co.jp

Courtesy of FUKUMIRAKU


Courtesy of  SeeSaa Blog


Courtesy of reddit

 
Courtesy of 写真が語る沿線

Courtesy of pininterest

Apart from meals many other goods were delivered via these steel mules, including soy sauce as shown in the photo below.  Imagine if you can, how unwiedly this must have been.  A high center of gravity, traversing a gravel road and the soy sauce sloshing all around.  At least he is able to have both hands on the handlebars, unlike the soba deliverymen. 

Courtesy of Minami Awaji City Web Site

A far more stable form of transporting goods was with a trailer, known in Japan as a "rear car" as the photo below of a tofu peddler shows. 

Courtesy of ケペル先生のブログ

Please stay home and stay safe!

Gold Mitsuuma (Part 7)

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Attention to detail.  But how?  How does one replicate markings to this degree of fine detail?

Together throughout this series (links below) we have witnessed a superior restoration.
Gold Mitsuuma "Junk or Jewel" (Part 1)
Gold Mitsuuma "Junk or Jewel" (Part 2)
Gold Mitsuuma "Junk or Jewel" (Part 3)
Gold Mitsuuma "Junk or Jewel" (Part 4)
Gold Mitsuuma "Junk or Jewel" (Part 5)
Gold Mitsuuma "Junk or Jewel" (Part 6)

Although there are many noteworthy aspects, high on the list has got to be the dedication to original detail.
Especially, markings.  Unlike his first project Yamaguchi MARUWAI-GO, where Mr. H had the decals recreated, in this project Mr. H did them all himself using paint.  "But how?", you may ask.  Mr. H was kind enough to share how he managed to recreate the markings so let's take a look.

According to Mr. H, the hardest part is research.  Finding a photo of a bicycle manufactured over 65 years ago is hard enough, but finding a close up of a marking is next to impossible.  But, search and you shall find.  Mr. H contacted various collectors, utilized references from the Bicycle Culture Center, which has an extensive library and is well worth a visit if you live in the Tokyo area, to find materials from which an exact copy of the marking could be reproduced.

From the reference material, using software like Photoshop one can trace the image in detail. Or, even better, Illustrator, since it has a "pass" function which allow the image to be scanned.  Fine tune the design until it is an exact copy of the original.

Next, the image data is sent to a cutting machine to create masking sheets.

First, the colored portions, everything but the gold is painted.

Then the colored portions are masked and gold portions painted.

Then, after rubbing and applying a coat of urethane, the result is an exact duplicate of the original marking.

All markings were duplicated in this fashion.
The results are certainly impressive.

Gold Mitsuuma ‶Junk or Jewel″ (Part 6)

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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!!!

Gold Mitsuuma ‶Junk or Jewel″ (Part 5)

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As mentioned in the previous post,  Gold Mitsuuma ‶Junk or Jewel″ (Part 4), in this installment we shall begin taking a close look at the details of this restoration project.  Mr. H spent two years on this project juggling work, family and in-depth research to find information and actual photos in order to restore the bicycle to its original glory.  

 Fender ornament  （Before/After)
Also note the fender itself which has been repainted, re-pinstriped to its original glory. 

 Chrome tipped fork （Before/After)
Also note the black enamel gloss finish and two-tone pinstripes.

Front brake　（Before/After)

Generator　（Before/After)
Badge recreated to an exact copy of an original.





Front hub (Before/After)
Along with the hub itself, fender stays, bolts, washers are all original.





Black center line rims  (Before/After)
Even the gold pinstripes which border the black center line have been reproduced.

Cloisonne enamel badges 
Check out the paint job.  Unbelievably, no transfers were used, only paint. (Before/After) 

Back brake hardware (Before/After)
Also note the head lug transfer.  Reproduced from painstaking research.   

Handlebars
 "Through the bar" style, found on high-end models. 
The leather grips are hand-stitched by Mr. H and imprinted with the Mitsuuma trademark.

Original bell cover complete with the Mitsuuma trademark acquired and added.

Front fender badge
Mitsuuma trademarks reproduced on these tiny bolt heads.
Also note the hand-stitched leather mud flap.
 





 Tope Tube, Down Tube, Seat tube emblems/badges  (Before/After)
Note 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 recreated with paint.

Note a rare original guarantee medal was acquired and added.

  
 

Is she "Junk" or "Jewel"?   
You be the judge.
But wait, don't pass judgement just yet.

Wait until all the evidence is in. In the next installment in this series we shall continue to take a closer look at the remaining details of this bicycle restoration. 

Gold Mitsuuma ‶Junk or Jewel″ (Part 4)

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As mentioned in the previous post,  Gold Mitsuuma ‶Junk or Jewel″ (Part 3), we shall begin taking a look at what extent Mr H. was able to breath life back into this Special-Grade Gold Mitsuuma. In this installment we will take a look at the overall bicycle, before and after.

Here she is, a weather-beaten, broke-down rusty relic.  This is what Mr. H started with. Since a photo is worth a thousand words, I will let the photos speak for themselves.

Right-side (Before/After)

Left-side (Before/After)

Mr. H, who loyal fans will recall previously restored a Yamaguchi MARUWAI-GO, fell in love with this Special-Grade Gold Mitsuuma and deeply felt someone had to restore it for prosterity, so that current and future generations can appreciate the attention to detail and workmanship of these amazing machines at a time when, bicycles were prized possesions, literally holding the status of today's automobile.

Is she "Junk" or "Jewel"?   
You be the judge.
But wait, don't pass judgement just yet.
Wait until all the evidence is in.

In the next two installments we shall take a close look at the details of this restoration project.