Peter Kohler's photos

Purchased on eBay in June 2012 as a frameset. Back on the road 14 October. An original condition early example of the Colnago Super Pantografata, this was very unfortunately parted out and the components apparently dribbled out over time, the stem sold separately one week before the frame auction. Fortunately, it and the original bar plugs were subsequently acquired and reunited with the frame; sad when this happens and a rare, possibly complete machine reduced to a frame, stem and bar plugs but there you have it! The Merckx pattern drilled chainring which was fitted to many of these pre-1973 Pantografatas is a modern replica as is the pantographed seatpost. Only the rare pantographed brake levers are missing. The original finish was in fair condition (maybe a 7 out of 10) with good decals, poor chrome and a great many paint chips entailling extensive touching up. The results are not perfect by any means (perhaps passing the "five-foot test"!) but I preferred not to have this completely repainted and lose its originality. This is a very early Pantografata and the only one I've seen without bottle cage bosses on the downtube. These initial models are also without the "wreath" style seat tube decal. The Ride This is an exceptionally sensitive and responsive mount, a true racing machine. The characteristic very tight, almost track bike like front end of Colnagos of this era is even more apparent in this large frame size where the head tube angle is just shy of 75 degs. making the steering instanteous and the front end feels exceptionally light with only the one and three-quarters of an inch fork rake preventing toeclip overlap and dampening the ride somewhat . Mating the steep head tube to the traditional 73 angle seat tube gives an almost perfect balance and stability to the machine overall and a perfect pedaling position to provide a responsiveness and thrust to the pedals as suited to sprinting as to out of the saddle hill climbing. A brilliant ride that is exhilarating, challenging and immensely satisfying. Frame Material: Columbus double-butted frame and forks Finish (original): Molteni Team orange enamel, chrome-plated fork crown and head lugs, "club" cut-outs on lugs and fork crown black-filled. Size: seat tube 64 cm (c to t) (25”), 61 cm (c to c) top tube 60 cm (c to c) Chainstay length: 42 cm (c to c) Bottom bracket height: 10.75 inches Wheelbase: 101 cm (40) inches (c to c) Angles: 75º head 73º seat Fork offset: 4.30 cm (1.69 inches) Rear spacing: 120 mm Lugs: Colnago pattern with large club cut-out on lower head lug, smaller club on top head lug and top seat lug Fork Crown: Investment Cast with chromed cap with club cut-outs black-filled Dropouts: Campagnolo long forged Braze-ons: Campagnolo cable guides top of bb shell and chain stay cable stop Frame/fork features: Colnago club cut-outs on heads lug and top seat lugs, fork tangs with two holes, fork crown caps and bottom bracket shell. Fluted seat stay caps and oversized chain stay bridge Serial nos: none but stamped "49" on driveside drop-out and fork steerer tube. Components Rear derailleur: Campagnolo Nuovo Record 1020/a pat. 72 Front deralleur: Campagnolo Nuovo Record 1052/1 Gear levers: Campagnolo 1014 (cut-out) with Campagnolo clamp Chainset: Campagnolo Record Strada 1049, 52t x 45t, 172.5 mm cranks, no date code. Drilled Colnago "Merckx" pattern on large chainring Bottom bracket: Campagnolo Nuovo Record 1046 Italian thread Headset: Campagnolo Record 1039 Italian thread with stamp on lower crown race Stem: Cinelli 1A Colnago Pantographed, 120 mm, bolt fixing (original to frame) Handlebars: Cinelli Criterium No. 65, 39 cm, Velox black cotton tape and REG Colnago club white plastic plugs (original) Brakes: Campagnolo Nuovo Record 2040 side-pull, nutted bolt fitting Brake levers: Campagnolo Record Brake cable clips: Campagnolo chrome-plated Seatpost: Campagnolo Record 130mm Colnago pantographed (reproduction) 27.2 mm Seat binder bolt: Campagnolo Saddle: Cinelli Unicanitor no. 4 Pedals: Campagnolo Record Superleggera Toeclips and straps: ALE chromed steel clips, Binda leather toe straps Rims: Nisi polished alloy 700x20mm 36-hole sprints Hubs: Campagnolo Record 36-hole low-flange with Campagnolo straight-lever quick release skewers Spokes: 3x 15 straight-gauge stainless steel Freewheel: Regina Oro, 12-14-15-17-19t, five-speed Chain: Regina Tyres: Tufo Jet-Pro sew-ups 700x19 Accessories: Colnago bidon and REG bottle cage Weight: 22.1 lbs.

Purchased on eBay in June 2012 as a frameset. Back on the road 14 October. An original condition early example of the Colnago Super Pantografata, this was very unfortunately parted out and the components apparently dribbled out over time, the stem sold separately one week before the frame auction. Fortunately, it and the original bar plugs were subsequently acquired and reunited with the frame; sad when this happens and a rare, possibly complete machine reduced to a frame, stem and bar plugs but there you have it! The Merckx pattern drilled chainring which was fitted to many of these pre-1973 Pantografatas is a modern replica as is the pantographed seatpost. Only the rare pantographed brake levers are missing. The original finish was in fair condition (maybe a 7 out of 10) with good decals, poor chrome and a great many paint chips entailling extensive touching up. The results are not perfect by any means (perhaps passing the "five-foot test"!) but I preferred not to have this completely repainted and lose its originality. This is a very early Pantografata and the only one I've seen without bottle cage bosses on the downtube. These initial models are also without the "wreath" style seat tube decal. The Ride This is an exceptionally sensitive and responsive mount, a true racing machine. The characteristic very tight, almost track bike like front end of Colnagos of this era is even more apparent in this large frame size where the head tube angle is just shy of 75 degs. making the steering instanteous and the front end feels exceptionally light with only the one and three-quarters of an inch fork rake preventing toeclip overlap and dampening the ride somewhat . Mating the steep head tube to the traditional 73 angle seat tube gives an almost perfect balance and stability to the machine overall and a perfect pedaling position to provide a responsiveness and thrust to the pedals as suited to sprinting as to out of the saddle hill climbing. A brilliant ride that is exhilarating, challenging and immensely satisfying. Frame Material: Columbus double-butted frame and forks Finish (original): Molteni Team orange enamel, chrome-plated fork crown and head lugs, "club" cut-outs on lugs and fork crown black-filled. Size: seat tube 64 cm (c to t) (25”), 61 cm (c to c) top tube 60 cm (c to c) Chainstay length: 42 cm (c to c) Bottom bracket height: 10.75 inches Wheelbase: 101 cm (40) inches (c to c) Angles: 75º head 73º seat Fork offset: 4.30 cm (1.69 inches) Rear spacing: 120 mm Lugs: Colnago pattern with large club cut-out on lower head lug, smaller club on top head lug and top seat lug Fork Crown: Investment Cast with chromed cap with club cut-outs black-filled Dropouts: Campagnolo long forged Braze-ons: Campagnolo cable guides top of bb shell and chain stay cable stop Frame/fork features: Colnago club cut-outs on heads lug and top seat lugs, fork tangs with two holes, fork crown caps and bottom bracket shell. Fluted seat stay caps and oversized chain stay bridge Serial nos: none but stamped "49" on driveside drop-out and fork steerer tube. Components Rear derailleur: Campagnolo Nuovo Record 1020/a pat. 72 Front deralleur: Campagnolo Nuovo Record 1052/1 Gear levers: Campagnolo 1014 (cut-out) with Campagnolo clamp Chainset: Campagnolo Record Strada 1049, 52t x 45t, 172.5 mm cranks, no date code. Drilled Colnago "Merckx" pattern on large chainring Bottom bracket: Campagnolo Nuovo Record 1046 Italian thread Headset: Campagnolo Record 1039 Italian thread with stamp on lower crown race Stem: Cinelli 1A Colnago Pantographed, 120 mm, bolt fixing (original to frame) Handlebars: Cinelli Criterium No. 65, 39 cm, Velox black cotton tape and REG Colnago club white plastic plugs (original) Brakes: Campagnolo Nuovo Record 2040 side-pull, nutted bolt fitting Brake levers: Campagnolo Record Brake cable clips: Campagnolo chrome-plated Seatpost: Campagnolo Record 130mm Colnago pantographed (reproduction) 27.2 mm Seat binder bolt: Campagnolo Saddle: Cinelli Unicanitor no. 4 Pedals: Campagnolo Record Superleggera Toeclips and straps: ALE chromed steel clips, Binda leather toe straps Rims: Nisi polished alloy 700x20mm 36-hole sprints Hubs: Campagnolo Record 36-hole low-flange with Campagnolo straight-lever quick release skewers Spokes: 3x 15 straight-gauge stainless steel Freewheel: Regina Oro, 12-14-15-17-19t, five-speed Chain: Regina Tyres: Tufo Jet-Pro sew-ups 700x19 Accessories: Colnago bidon and REG bottle cage Weight: 22.1 lbs.

Purchased on eBay in June 2012 as a frameset. Back on the road 14 October. An original condition early example of the Colnago Super Pantografata, this was very unfortunately parted out and the components apparently dribbled out over time, the stem sold separately one week before the frame auction. Fortunately, it and the original bar plugs were subsequently acquired and reunited with the frame; sad when this happens and a rare, possibly complete machine reduced to a frame, stem and bar plugs but there you have it! The Merckx pattern drilled chainring which was fitted to many of these pre-1973 Pantografatas is a modern replica as is the pantographed seatpost. Only the rare pantographed brake levers are missing. The original finish was in fair condition (maybe a 7 out of 10) with good decals, poor chrome and a great many paint chips entailling extensive touching up. The results are not perfect by any means (perhaps passing the "five-foot test"!) but I preferred not to have this completely repainted and lose its originality. This is a very early Pantografata and the only one I've seen without bottle cage bosses on the downtube. These initial models are also without the "wreath" style seat tube decal. The Ride This is an exceptionally sensitive and responsive mount, a true racing machine. The characteristic very tight, almost track bike like front end of Colnagos of this era is even more apparent in this large frame size where the head tube angle is just shy of 75 degs. making the steering instanteous and the front end feels exceptionally light with only the one and three-quarters of an inch fork rake preventing toeclip overlap and dampening the ride somewhat . Mating the steep head tube to the traditional 73 angle seat tube gives an almost perfect balance and stability to the machine overall and a perfect pedaling position to provide a responsiveness and thrust to the pedals as suited to sprinting as to out of the saddle hill climbing. A brilliant ride that is exhilarating, challenging and immensely satisfying. Frame Material: Columbus double-butted frame and forks Finish (original): Molteni Team orange enamel, chrome-plated fork crown and head lugs, "club" cut-outs on lugs and fork crown black-filled. Size: seat tube 64 cm (c to t) (25”), 61 cm (c to c) top tube 60 cm (c to c) Chainstay length: 42 cm (c to c) Bottom bracket height: 10.75 inches Wheelbase: 101 cm (40) inches (c to c) Angles: 75º head 73º seat Fork offset: 4.30 cm (1.69 inches) Rear spacing: 120 mm Lugs: Colnago pattern with large club cut-out on lower head lug, smaller club on top head lug and top seat lug Fork Crown: Investment Cast with chromed cap with club cut-outs black-filled Dropouts: Campagnolo long forged Braze-ons: Campagnolo cable guides top of bb shell and chain stay cable stop Frame/fork features: Colnago club cut-outs on heads lug and top seat lugs, fork tangs with two holes, fork crown caps and bottom bracket shell. Fluted seat stay caps and oversized chain stay bridge Serial nos: none but stamped "49" on driveside drop-out and fork steerer tube. Components Rear derailleur: Campagnolo Nuovo Record 1020/a pat. 72 Front deralleur: Campagnolo Nuovo Record 1052/1 Gear levers: Campagnolo 1014 (cut-out) with Campagnolo clamp Chainset: Campagnolo Record Strada 1049, 52t x 45t, 172.5 mm cranks, no date code. Drilled Colnago "Merckx" pattern on large chainring Bottom bracket: Campagnolo Nuovo Record 1046 Italian thread Headset: Campagnolo Record 1039 Italian thread with stamp on lower crown race Stem: Cinelli 1A Colnago Pantographed, 120 mm, bolt fixing (original to frame) Handlebars: Cinelli Criterium No. 65, 39 cm, Velox black cotton tape and REG Colnago club white plastic plugs (original) Brakes: Campagnolo Nuovo Record 2040 side-pull, nutted bolt fitting Brake levers: Campagnolo Record Brake cable clips: Campagnolo chrome-plated Seatpost: Campagnolo Record 130mm Colnago pantographed (reproduction) 27.2 mm Seat binder bolt: Campagnolo Saddle: Cinelli Unicanitor no. 4 Pedals: Campagnolo Record Superleggera Toeclips and straps: ALE chromed steel clips, Binda leather toe straps Rims: Nisi polished alloy 700x20mm 36-hole sprints Hubs: Campagnolo Record 36-hole low-flange with Campagnolo straight-lever quick release skewers Spokes: 3x 15 straight-gauge stainless steel Freewheel: Regina Oro, 12-14-15-17-19t, five-speed Chain: Regina Tyres: Tufo Jet-Pro sew-ups 700x19 Accessories: Colnago bidon and REG bottle cage Weight: 22.1 lbs.

Purchased on eBay in June 2012 as a frameset. Back on the road 14 October. An original condition early example of the Colnago Super Pantografata, this was very unfortunately parted out and the components apparently dribbled out over time, the stem sold separately one week before the frame auction. Fortunately, it and the original bar plugs were subsequently acquired and reunited with the frame; sad when this happens and a rare, possibly complete machine reduced to a frame, stem and bar plugs but there you have it! The Merckx pattern drilled chainring which was fitted to many of these pre-1973 Pantografatas is a modern replica as is the pantographed seatpost. Only the rare pantographed brake levers are missing. The original finish was in fair condition (maybe a 7 out of 10) with good decals, poor chrome and a great many paint chips entailling extensive touching up. The results are not perfect by any means (perhaps passing the "five-foot test"!) but I preferred not to have this completely repainted and lose its originality. This is a very early Pantografata and the only one I've seen without bottle cage bosses on the downtube. These initial models are also without the "wreath" style seat tube decal. The Ride This is an exceptionally sensitive and responsive mount, a true racing machine. The characteristic very tight, almost track bike like front end of Colnagos of this era is even more apparent in this large frame size where the head tube angle is just shy of 75 degs. making the steering instanteous and the front end feels exceptionally light with only the one and three-quarters of an inch fork rake preventing toeclip overlap and dampening the ride somewhat . Mating the steep head tube to the traditional 73 angle seat tube gives an almost perfect balance and stability to the machine overall and a perfect pedaling position to provide a responsiveness and thrust to the pedals as suited to sprinting as to out of the saddle hill climbing. A brilliant ride that is exhilarating, challenging and immensely satisfying. Frame Material: Columbus double-butted frame and forks Finish (original): Molteni Team orange enamel, chrome-plated fork crown and head lugs, "club" cut-outs on lugs and fork crown black-filled. Size: seat tube 64 cm (c to t) (25”), 61 cm (c to c) top tube 60 cm (c to c) Chainstay length: 42 cm (c to c) Bottom bracket height: 10.75 inches Wheelbase: 101 cm (40) inches (c to c) Angles: 75º head 73º seat Fork offset: 4.30 cm (1.69 inches) Rear spacing: 120 mm Lugs: Colnago pattern with large club cut-out on lower head lug, smaller club on top head lug and top seat lug Fork Crown: Investment Cast with chromed cap with club cut-outs black-filled Dropouts: Campagnolo long forged Braze-ons: Campagnolo cable guides top of bb shell and chain stay cable stop Frame/fork features: Colnago club cut-outs on heads lug and top seat lugs, fork tangs with two holes, fork crown caps and bottom bracket shell. Fluted seat stay caps and oversized chain stay bridge Serial nos: none but stamped "49" on driveside drop-out and fork steerer tube. Components Rear derailleur: Campagnolo Nuovo Record 1020/a pat. 72 Front deralleur: Campagnolo Nuovo Record 1052/1 Gear levers: Campagnolo 1014 (cut-out) with Campagnolo clamp Chainset: Campagnolo Record Strada 1049, 52t x 45t, 172.5 mm cranks, no date code. Drilled Colnago "Merckx" pattern on large chainring Bottom bracket: Campagnolo Nuovo Record 1046 Italian thread Headset: Campagnolo Record 1039 Italian thread with stamp on lower crown race Stem: Cinelli 1A Colnago Pantographed, 120 mm, bolt fixing (original to frame) Handlebars: Cinelli Criterium No. 65, 39 cm, Velox black cotton tape and REG Colnago club white plastic plugs (original) Brakes: Campagnolo Nuovo Record 2040 side-pull, nutted bolt fitting Brake levers: Campagnolo Record Brake cable clips: Campagnolo chrome-plated Seatpost: Campagnolo Record 130mm Colnago pantographed (reproduction) 27.2 mm Seat binder bolt: Campagnolo Saddle: Cinelli Unicanitor no. 4 Pedals: Campagnolo Record Superleggera Toeclips and straps: ALE chromed steel clips, Binda leather toe straps Rims: Nisi polished alloy 700x20mm 36-hole sprints Hubs: Campagnolo Record 36-hole low-flange with Campagnolo straight-lever quick release skewers Spokes: 3x 15 straight-gauge stainless steel Freewheel: Regina Oro, 12-14-15-17-19t, five-speed Chain: Regina Tyres: Tufo Jet-Pro sew-ups 700x19 Accessories: Colnago bidon and REG bottle cage Weight: 22.1 lbs.

Purchased on eBay in June 2012 as a frameset. Back on the road 14 October. An original condition early example of the Colnago Super Pantografata, this was very unfortunately parted out and the components apparently dribbled out over time, the stem sold separately one week before the frame auction. Fortunately, it and the original bar plugs were subsequently acquired and reunited with the frame; sad when this happens and a rare, possibly complete machine reduced to a frame, stem and bar plugs but there you have it! The Merckx pattern drilled chainring which was fitted to many of these pre-1973 Pantografatas is a modern replica as is the pantographed seatpost. Only the rare pantographed brake levers are missing. The original finish was in fair condition (maybe a 7 out of 10) with good decals, poor chrome and a great many paint chips entailling extensive touching up. The results are not perfect by any means (perhaps passing the "five-foot test"!) but I preferred not to have this completely repainted and lose its originality. This is a very early Pantografata and the only one I've seen without bottle cage bosses on the downtube. These initial models are also without the "wreath" style seat tube decal. The Ride This is an exceptionally sensitive and responsive mount, a true racing machine. The characteristic very tight, almost track bike like front end of Colnagos of this era is even more apparent in this large frame size where the head tube angle is just shy of 75 degs. making the steering instanteous and the front end feels exceptionally light with only the one and three-quarters of an inch fork rake preventing toeclip overlap and dampening the ride somewhat . Mating the steep head tube to the traditional 73 angle seat tube gives an almost perfect balance and stability to the machine overall and a perfect pedaling position to provide a responsiveness and thrust to the pedals as suited to sprinting as to out of the saddle hill climbing. A brilliant ride that is exhilarating, challenging and immensely satisfying. Frame Material: Columbus double-butted frame and forks Finish (original): Molteni Team orange enamel, chrome-plated fork crown and head lugs, "club" cut-outs on lugs and fork crown black-filled. Size: seat tube 64 cm (c to t) (25”), 61 cm (c to c) top tube 60 cm (c to c) Chainstay length: 42 cm (c to c) Bottom bracket height: 10.75 inches Wheelbase: 101 cm (40) inches (c to c) Angles: 75º head 73º seat Fork offset: 4.30 cm (1.69 inches) Rear spacing: 120 mm Lugs: Colnago pattern with large club cut-out on lower head lug, smaller club on top head lug and top seat lug Fork Crown: Investment Cast with chromed cap with club cut-outs black-filled Dropouts: Campagnolo long forged Braze-ons: Campagnolo cable guides top of bb shell and chain stay cable stop Frame/fork features: Colnago club cut-outs on heads lug and top seat lugs, fork tangs with two holes, fork crown caps and bottom bracket shell. Fluted seat stay caps and oversized chain stay bridge Serial nos: none but stamped "49" on driveside drop-out and fork steerer tube. Components Rear derailleur: Campagnolo Nuovo Record 1020/a pat. 72 Front deralleur: Campagnolo Nuovo Record 1052/1 Gear levers: Campagnolo 1014 (cut-out) with Campagnolo clamp Chainset: Campagnolo Record Strada 1049, 52t x 45t, 172.5 mm cranks, no date code. Drilled Colnago "Merckx" pattern on large chainring Bottom bracket: Campagnolo Nuovo Record 1046 Italian thread Headset: Campagnolo Record 1039 Italian thread with stamp on lower crown race Stem: Cinelli 1A Colnago Pantographed, 120 mm, bolt fixing (original to frame) Handlebars: Cinelli Criterium No. 65, 39 cm, Velox black cotton tape and REG Colnago club white plastic plugs (original) Brakes: Campagnolo Nuovo Record 2040 side-pull, nutted bolt fitting Brake levers: Campagnolo Record Brake cable clips: Campagnolo chrome-plated Seatpost: Campagnolo Record 130mm Colnago pantographed (reproduction) 27.2 mm Seat binder bolt: Campagnolo Saddle: Cinelli Unicanitor no. 4 Pedals: Campagnolo Record Superleggera Toeclips and straps: ALE chromed steel clips, Binda leather toe straps Rims: Nisi polished alloy 700x20mm 36-hole sprints Hubs: Campagnolo Record 36-hole low-flange with Campagnolo straight-lever quick release skewers Spokes: 3x 15 straight-gauge stainless steel Freewheel: Regina Oro, 12-14-15-17-19t, five-speed Chain: Regina Tyres: Tufo Jet-Pro sew-ups 700x19 Accessories: Colnago bidon and REG bottle cage Weight: 22.1 lbs.

Purchased on eBay in June 2012 as a frameset. Back on the road 14 October. An original condition early example of the Colnago Super Pantografata, this was very unfortunately parted out and the components apparently dribbled out over time, the stem sold separately one week before the frame auction. Fortunately, it and the original bar plugs were subsequently acquired and reunited with the frame; sad when this happens and a rare, possibly complete machine reduced to a frame, stem and bar plugs but there you have it! The Merckx pattern drilled chainring which was fitted to many of these pre-1973 Pantografatas is a modern replica as is the pantographed seatpost. Only the rare pantographed brake levers are missing. The original finish was in fair condition (maybe a 7 out of 10) with good decals, poor chrome and a great many paint chips entailling extensive touching up. The results are not perfect by any means (perhaps passing the "five-foot test"!) but I preferred not to have this completely repainted and lose its originality. This is a very early Pantografata and the only one I've seen without bottle cage bosses on the downtube. These initial models are also without the "wreath" style seat tube decal. The Ride This is an exceptionally sensitive and responsive mount, a true racing machine. The characteristic very tight, almost track bike like front end of Colnagos of this era is even more apparent in this large frame size where the head tube angle is just shy of 75 degs. making the steering instanteous and the front end feels exceptionally light with only the one and three-quarters of an inch fork rake preventing toeclip overlap and dampening the ride somewhat . Mating the steep head tube to the traditional 73 angle seat tube gives an almost perfect balance and stability to the machine overall and a perfect pedaling position to provide a responsiveness and thrust to the pedals as suited to sprinting as to out of the saddle hill climbing. A brilliant ride that is exhilarating, challenging and immensely satisfying. Frame Material: Columbus double-butted frame and forks Finish (original): Molteni Team orange enamel, chrome-plated fork crown and head lugs, "club" cut-outs on lugs and fork crown black-filled. Size: seat tube 64 cm (c to t) (25”), 61 cm (c to c) top tube 60 cm (c to c) Chainstay length: 42 cm (c to c) Bottom bracket height: 10.75 inches Wheelbase: 101 cm (40) inches (c to c) Angles: 75º head 73º seat Fork offset: 4.30 cm (1.69 inches) Rear spacing: 120 mm Lugs: Colnago pattern with large club cut-out on lower head lug, smaller club on top head lug and top seat lug Fork Crown: Investment Cast with chromed cap with club cut-outs black-filled Dropouts: Campagnolo long forged Braze-ons: Campagnolo cable guides top of bb shell and chain stay cable stop Frame/fork features: Colnago club cut-outs on heads lug and top seat lugs, fork tangs with two holes, fork crown caps and bottom bracket shell. Fluted seat stay caps and oversized chain stay bridge Serial nos: none but stamped "49" on driveside drop-out and fork steerer tube. Components Rear derailleur: Campagnolo Nuovo Record 1020/a pat. 72 Front deralleur: Campagnolo Nuovo Record 1052/1 Gear levers: Campagnolo 1014 (cut-out) with Campagnolo clamp Chainset: Campagnolo Record Strada 1049, 52t x 45t, 172.5 mm cranks, no date code. Drilled Colnago "Merckx" pattern on large chainring Bottom bracket: Campagnolo Nuovo Record 1046 Italian thread Headset: Campagnolo Record 1039 Italian thread with stamp on lower crown race Stem: Cinelli 1A Colnago Pantographed, 120 mm, bolt fixing (original to frame) Handlebars: Cinelli Criterium No. 65, 39 cm, Velox black cotton tape and REG Colnago club white plastic plugs (original) Brakes: Campagnolo Nuovo Record 2040 side-pull, nutted bolt fitting Brake levers: Campagnolo Record Brake cable clips: Campagnolo chrome-plated Seatpost: Campagnolo Record 130mm Colnago pantographed (reproduction) 27.2 mm Seat binder bolt: Campagnolo Saddle: Cinelli Unicanitor no. 4 Pedals: Campagnolo Record Superleggera Toeclips and straps: ALE chromed steel clips, Binda leather toe straps Rims: Nisi polished alloy 700x20mm 36-hole sprints Hubs: Campagnolo Record 36-hole low-flange with Campagnolo straight-lever quick release skewers Spokes: 3x 15 straight-gauge stainless steel Freewheel: Regina Oro, 12-14-15-17-19t, five-speed Chain: Regina Tyres: Tufo Jet-Pro sew-ups 700x19 Accessories: Colnago bidon and REG bottle cage Weight: 22.1 lbs.

Purchased on eBay in June 2012 as a frameset. Back on the road 14 October. An original condition early example of the Colnago Super Pantografata, this was very unfortunately parted out and the components apparently dribbled out over time, the stem sold separately one week before the frame auction. Fortunately, it and the original bar plugs were subsequently acquired and reunited with the frame; sad when this happens and a rare, possibly complete machine reduced to a frame, stem and bar plugs but there you have it! The Merckx pattern drilled chainring which was fitted to many of these pre-1973 Pantografatas is a modern replica as is the pantographed seatpost. Only the rare pantographed brake levers are missing. The original finish was in fair condition (maybe a 7 out of 10) with good decals, poor chrome and a great many paint chips entailling extensive touching up. The results are not perfect by any means (perhaps passing the "five-foot test"!) but I preferred not to have this completely repainted and lose its originality. This is a very early Pantografata and the only one I've seen without bottle cage bosses on the downtube. These initial models are also without the "wreath" style seat tube decal. The Ride This is an exceptionally sensitive and responsive mount, a true racing machine. The characteristic very tight, almost track bike like front end of Colnagos of this era is even more apparent in this large frame size where the head tube angle is just shy of 75 degs. making the steering instanteous and the front end feels exceptionally light with only the one and three-quarters of an inch fork rake preventing toeclip overlap and dampening the ride somewhat . Mating the steep head tube to the traditional 73 angle seat tube gives an almost perfect balance and stability to the machine overall and a perfect pedaling position to provide a responsiveness and thrust to the pedals as suited to sprinting as to out of the saddle hill climbing. A brilliant ride that is exhilarating, challenging and immensely satisfying. Frame Material: Columbus double-butted frame and forks Finish (original): Molteni Team orange enamel, chrome-plated fork crown and head lugs, "club" cut-outs on lugs and fork crown black-filled. Size: seat tube 64 cm (c to t) (25”), 61 cm (c to c) top tube 60 cm (c to c) Chainstay length: 42 cm (c to c) Bottom bracket height: 10.75 inches Wheelbase: 101 cm (40) inches (c to c) Angles: 75º head 73º seat Fork offset: 4.30 cm (1.69 inches) Rear spacing: 120 mm Lugs: Colnago pattern with large club cut-out on lower head lug, smaller club on top head lug and top seat lug Fork Crown: Investment Cast with chromed cap with club cut-outs black-filled Dropouts: Campagnolo long forged Braze-ons: Campagnolo cable guides top of bb shell and chain stay cable stop Frame/fork features: Colnago club cut-outs on heads lug and top seat lugs, fork tangs with two holes, fork crown caps and bottom bracket shell. Fluted seat stay caps and oversized chain stay bridge Serial nos: none but stamped "49" on driveside drop-out and fork steerer tube. Components Rear derailleur: Campagnolo Nuovo Record 1020/a pat. 72 Front deralleur: Campagnolo Nuovo Record 1052/1 Gear levers: Campagnolo 1014 (cut-out) with Campagnolo clamp Chainset: Campagnolo Record Strada 1049, 52t x 45t, 172.5 mm cranks, no date code. Drilled Colnago "Merckx" pattern on large chainring Bottom bracket: Campagnolo Nuovo Record 1046 Italian thread Headset: Campagnolo Record 1039 Italian thread with stamp on lower crown race Stem: Cinelli 1A Colnago Pantographed, 120 mm, bolt fixing (original to frame) Handlebars: Cinelli Criterium No. 65, 39 cm, Velox black cotton tape and REG Colnago club white plastic plugs (original) Brakes: Campagnolo Nuovo Record 2040 side-pull, nutted bolt fitting Brake levers: Campagnolo Record Brake cable clips: Campagnolo chrome-plated Seatpost: Campagnolo Record 130mm Colnago pantographed (reproduction) 27.2 mm Seat binder bolt: Campagnolo Saddle: Cinelli Unicanitor no. 4 Pedals: Campagnolo Record Superleggera Toeclips and straps: ALE chromed steel clips, Binda leather toe straps Rims: Nisi polished alloy 700x20mm 36-hole sprints Hubs: Campagnolo Record 36-hole low-flange with Campagnolo straight-lever quick release skewers Spokes: 3x 15 straight-gauge stainless steel Freewheel: Regina Oro, 12-14-15-17-19t, five-speed Chain: Regina Tyres: Tufo Jet-Pro sew-ups 700x19 Accessories: Colnago bidon and REG bottle cage Weight: 22.1 lbs.

Serial no. H 440 Purchased on eBay 13 December 2012 for $667 as a frameset, back on the road 30 March 2013 Founded in 1965, the Osaka-based Zunow (Japanese slang for genius) Ind. Ltd. firm had as its true genius and founder master framebuilder Takeru Kageyama. Before starting his own company, he made NJS stamped and approved track racing frames of the highest quality. Like many Japanese framebuilders of his era, Kageyama was initially heavily influenced by Italian racing bike design and details and his early models were not only Italianate in concept with short top tubes, short wheelbases and sloping fork crowns but in lug details including the De Rosa-esque spade cut-outs and even Campagnolo drop-outs on some models. Many of the top-end models had a mix of both Campagnolo/Cinelli and Japanese components. Almost all of the production of this era was custom ordered with the "KGYM" series of road, track and touring models made to order. If the 1970s were derivative in frame design yet establishing Zunow as one of the top Japanese framemakers in terms of workmanship, the mid to late 1980s was revolutionary with Kageyama pioneering and patenting a number of unique and innovative designs under his own name. These included the "Pentagla" pentagon-shaped chainstays (1985), "Ditchex" frame tubing with built-in cable channels (1985), "Trited" tubing (triple-butted Tange) (late 1970s), a pioneering range ("Zero")of lost-wax process propriatary bb and lug castings (1985) and unique mono seatstays (1993). Zunows were renown, too, for their spectacular and unconventional paint and decal schemes and extensive pantographing of components (even bb spindles!). Introduced in 1986, the Z-1 Ditchex Road Racer incorporated all of the latest Zunow innovations of the time, other models included Di Picce (c. 1990) and the Hummingbird mid-priced range that was designed by Kageyama but built by sub-contractors. Zunow was an early pioneer of aero designs as well with the Aercs model introduced in 1984. At the heart of Kageyama frames was superb bespoke craftsmanship and his racing bikes were appreciated for their handling and cornering. With just 600 frames turned out per annum (circa 1986) by Mr. Kageyama and two assistants and only 20 per cent exported, Zunows are not common. As such, the marque is cherished today both in Japan and abroad both for its quality and comparitive rarity. Mr. Kageyama retired from framebuilding in 2002 and although bikes are still made under the Zunow name, the true "genius" of the firm is sadly missing. The 1984 Zunow showcased here is in many ways the antithesis of the very progressive and almost provocative Zunows of the late 1980-90s but equally representative of many of Kageyema's earlier Italianate racing models in its simple yet elegant pearl white (over a fully chromed frame) and conventional yet distinctive frame details: the Zunow hummingbird trademark pantographed seatstay caps, chromed head lugs with Italianate spade cut-outs and the elegant bird-like bb cut-out. In many aspects, these are the most Italian of Japanese-crafted frames yet with a bespoke craftsmanship and quality that frankly had vanished from many Italian marques in the 1980s. This particular frame came from California and was prior to its eBay offering a complete machine with, like so many Zunows of the era, mainly Shimano 600 components with Italian stem/bars. The large size is unusual for a Japanese-made frame and it is shared by several other similar examples in the US most of which seem to have been bought in Okinawa by US servicemen stationed there. Most of these have the same pearl white scheme and details as this frame and date c. 1980-85. In restoring this frame to the road, it was decided to leave the somewhat cosmetically challenged paint alone to retain the originality of the characteristic Zunow finish and to kit it out in the best of all-Japanese componentry of the late 70s-mid 80s. The only things not made in Japan are the Czech tyres, Swiss spokes and Italian water bottle. The Ride Avoiding the extremes that so large a frame might present, the geometry of this is unusual for the era with only 72 deg parallel angles giving a short toptube and a ride that's both stable and comfortable but also very responsive. The cornering manners are especially pleasing and a hallmark of Zunows and the whole machine exudes a solid, quality "feel", a custom-built job that's as ideal in size and handling for its present owner as I assume it was for its first. Frame Material: Zunow Trited Tubing (triple butted Tange) frame and forks Finish: (original) pearl white over chrome with chromed head lugs, front fork, driveside chainstay chainslap apron, rear drop-out facings and seat stay caps Size: seat tube 62.5 cm (c to c ), 64 cm (c to t) top tube 58 cm (c to c) Chainstay length: 42 cm/16.5" (c to c) Wheelbase: 40 inches (c to c) Bottom bracket height: 10.50" Angles: 72˚ (head) 72˚ (seat) Fork offset: 2" Rear spacing: 126 mm Lugs: Prugnat type S with Zunow spade cut-outs on chromed lower head lugs Fork Crown: Tange C-22 investment cast sloping crown Dropouts: Shimano EF forged date code IG (1984 July) rear and Shimano front Braze-ons: gear lever bosses, chainstay gear cable stop, bb cable guides, chain rest, top tube brake cable clips and pair of bottle cage bolt bosses on downtube Frame features: chromed and pantographed (Zunow hummingbird) seatstay caps, spade cut-out in lower head lug and bird-shaped cut-out in bb shell. Components Rear derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace EX Black Series Front deralleur: Shimano Dura-Ace EA-100 Black Series Gear levers: Shimano Dura-Ace SL-7200 Black Series Chainset: Sugino Mighty Competition MCVP black, 42t x 52t drilled black chainrings, 173 cm cranks, date code G-7 (1977 July) Bottom bracket: Sugino Mighty English thread, 68-112 spindle Headset: Shimano Dura-Ace UA-100 Black Series English thread Stem: SR fluted with black and yellow fills 125 mm Handlebars: Sakae SR Royal World Custom 39cm, Cat Eye shiny yellow plastic tape and plugs Brakes: Shimano Dura-Ace EX 7100 Side-Pull Black Series Brake levers: Shimano Dura-Ace EX 7100 slotted Brake/gear cable housing: generic lined yellow Seat pillar: Sakae SR Extra Light fluted with black and yellow fills 26.7mm, 200g Seat binder bolt: Sugino Allen bolt Saddle: Koga, 350g Pedals: SunTour Superbe PL4000 290g Toeclips and straps: MKS black anodised alloy and generic yellow leather straps Rims: Araya R50 415g 700x20.5 36-hole black anodised Hubs: Shimano Dura-Ace HS-731/HS-831 36-hole small-flange Black Series with Dura-Ace quick release skewers Spokes: 3x DT Revolution double-butted black anodised stainless steel Tyres: Tufo Jet Pro sew-ups Freewheel: Dura-Ace six-speed 13-19t Chain: Shimano Accessories: Minoura AB100 bottle cage 41 g./bottle Weights: frame: 4.5 lbs fork: 1.6 lbs complete machine: 21.6 lbs

Serial no. H 440 Purchased on eBay 13 December 2012 for $667 as a frameset, back on the road 30 March 2013 Founded in 1965, the Osaka-based Zunow (Japanese slang for genius) Ind. Ltd. firm had as its true genius and founder master framebuilder Takeru Kageyama. Before starting his own company, he made NJS stamped and approved track racing frames of the highest quality. Like many Japanese framebuilders of his era, Kageyama was initially heavily influenced by Italian racing bike design and details and his early models were not only Italianate in concept with short top tubes, short wheelbases and sloping fork crowns but in lug details including the De Rosa-esque spade cut-outs and even Campagnolo drop-outs on some models. Many of the top-end models had a mix of both Campagnolo/Cinelli and Japanese components. Almost all of the production of this era was custom ordered with the "KGYM" series of road, track and touring models made to order. If the 1970s were derivative in frame design yet establishing Zunow as one of the top Japanese framemakers in terms of workmanship, the mid to late 1980s was revolutionary with Kageyama pioneering and patenting a number of unique and innovative designs under his own name. These included the "Pentagla" pentagon-shaped chainstays (1985), "Ditchex" frame tubing with built-in cable channels (1985), "Trited" tubing (triple-butted Tange) (late 1970s), a pioneering range ("Zero")of lost-wax process propriatary bb and lug castings (1985) and unique mono seatstays (1993). Zunows were renown, too, for their spectacular and unconventional paint and decal schemes and extensive pantographing of components (even bb spindles!). Introduced in 1986, the Z-1 Ditchex Road Racer incorporated all of the latest Zunow innovations of the time, other models included Di Picce (c. 1990) and the Hummingbird mid-priced range that was designed by Kageyama but built by sub-contractors. Zunow was an early pioneer of aero designs as well with the Aercs model introduced in 1984. At the heart of Kageyama frames was superb bespoke craftsmanship and his racing bikes were appreciated for their handling and cornering. With just 600 frames turned out per annum (circa 1986) by Mr. Kageyama and two assistants and only 20 per cent exported, Zunows are not common. As such, the marque is cherished today both in Japan and abroad both for its quality and comparitive rarity. Mr. Kageyama retired from framebuilding in 2002 and although bikes are still made under the Zunow name, the true "genius" of the firm is sadly missing. The 1984 Zunow showcased here is in many ways the antithesis of the very progressive and almost provocative Zunows of the late 1980-90s but equally representative of many of Kageyema's earlier Italianate racing models in its simple yet elegant pearl white (over a fully chromed frame) and conventional yet distinctive frame details: the Zunow hummingbird trademark pantographed seatstay caps, chromed head lugs with Italianate spade cut-outs and the elegant bird-like bb cut-out. In many aspects, these are the most Italian of Japanese-crafted frames yet with a bespoke craftsmanship and quality that frankly had vanished from many Italian marques in the 1980s. This particular frame came from California and was prior to its eBay offering a complete machine with, like so many Zunows of the era, mainly Shimano 600 components with Italian stem/bars. The large size is unusual for a Japanese-made frame and it is shared by several other similar examples in the US most of which seem to have been bought in Okinawa by US servicemen stationed there. Most of these have the same pearl white scheme and details as this frame and date c. 1980-85. In restoring this frame to the road, it was decided to leave the somewhat cosmetically challenged paint alone to retain the originality of the characteristic Zunow finish and to kit it out in the best of all-Japanese componentry of the late 70s-mid 80s. The only things not made in Japan are the Czech tyres, Swiss spokes and Italian water bottle. The Ride Avoiding the extremes that so large a frame might present, the geometry of this is unusual for the era with only 72 deg parallel angles giving a short toptube and a ride that's both stable and comfortable but also very responsive. The cornering manners are especially pleasing and a hallmark of Zunows and the whole machine exudes a solid, quality "feel", a custom-built job that's as ideal in size and handling for its present owner as I assume it was for its first. Frame Material: Zunow Trited Tubing (triple butted Tange) frame and forks Finish: (original) pearl white over chrome with chromed head lugs, front fork, driveside chainstay chainslap apron, rear drop-out facings and seat stay caps Size: seat tube 62.5 cm (c to c ), 64 cm (c to t) top tube 58 cm (c to c) Chainstay length: 42 cm/16.5" (c to c) Wheelbase: 40 inches (c to c) Bottom bracket height: 10.50" Angles: 72˚ (head) 72˚ (seat) Fork offset: 2" Rear spacing: 126 mm Lugs: Prugnat type S with Zunow spade cut-outs on chromed lower head lugs Fork Crown: Tange C-22 investment cast sloping crown Dropouts: Shimano EF forged date code IG (1984 July) rear and Shimano front Braze-ons: gear lever bosses, chainstay gear cable stop, bb cable guides, chain rest, top tube brake cable clips and pair of bottle cage bolt bosses on downtube Frame features: chromed and pantographed (Zunow hummingbird) seatstay caps, spade cut-out in lower head lug and bird-shaped cut-out in bb shell. Components Rear derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace EX Black Series Front deralleur: Shimano Dura-Ace EA-100 Black Series Gear levers: Shimano Dura-Ace SL-7200 Black Series Chainset: Sugino Mighty Competition MCVP black, 42t x 52t drilled black chainrings, 173 cm cranks, date code G-7 (1977 July) Bottom bracket: Sugino Mighty English thread, 68-112 spindle Headset: Shimano Dura-Ace UA-100 Black Series English thread Stem: SR fluted with black and yellow fills 125 mm Handlebars: Sakae SR Royal World Custom 39cm, Cat Eye shiny yellow plastic tape and plugs Brakes: Shimano Dura-Ace EX 7100 Side-Pull Black Series Brake levers: Shimano Dura-Ace EX 7100 slotted Brake/gear cable housing: generic lined yellow Seat pillar: Sakae SR Extra Light fluted with black and yellow fills 26.7mm, 200g Seat binder bolt: Sugino Allen bolt Saddle: Koga, 350g Pedals: SunTour Superbe PL4000 290g Toeclips and straps: MKS black anodised alloy and generic yellow leather straps Rims: Araya R50 415g 700x20.5 36-hole black anodised Hubs: Shimano Dura-Ace HS-731/HS-831 36-hole small-flange Black Series with Dura-Ace quick release skewers Spokes: 3x DT Revolution double-butted black anodised stainless steel Tyres: Tufo Jet Pro sew-ups Freewheel: Dura-Ace six-speed 13-19t Chain: Shimano Accessories: Minoura AB100 bottle cage 41 g./bottle Weights: frame: 4.5 lbs fork: 1.6 lbs complete machine: 21.6 lbs

Serial no. H 440 Purchased on eBay 13 December 2012 for $667 as a frameset, back on the road 30 March 2013 Founded in 1965, the Osaka-based Zunow (Japanese slang for genius) Ind. Ltd. firm had as its true genius and founder master framebuilder Takeru Kageyama. Before starting his own company, he made NJS stamped and approved track racing frames of the highest quality. Like many Japanese framebuilders of his era, Kageyama was initially heavily influenced by Italian racing bike design and details and his early models were not only Italianate in concept with short top tubes, short wheelbases and sloping fork crowns but in lug details including the De Rosa-esque spade cut-outs and even Campagnolo drop-outs on some models. Many of the top-end models had a mix of both Campagnolo/Cinelli and Japanese components. Almost all of the production of this era was custom ordered with the "KGYM" series of road, track and touring models made to order. If the 1970s were derivative in frame design yet establishing Zunow as one of the top Japanese framemakers in terms of workmanship, the mid to late 1980s was revolutionary with Kageyama pioneering and patenting a number of unique and innovative designs under his own name. These included the "Pentagla" pentagon-shaped chainstays (1985), "Ditchex" frame tubing with built-in cable channels (1985), "Trited" tubing (triple-butted Tange) (late 1970s), a pioneering range ("Zero")of lost-wax process propriatary bb and lug castings (1985) and unique mono seatstays (1993). Zunows were renown, too, for their spectacular and unconventional paint and decal schemes and extensive pantographing of components (even bb spindles!). Introduced in 1986, the Z-1 Ditchex Road Racer incorporated all of the latest Zunow innovations of the time, other models included Di Picce (c. 1990) and the Hummingbird mid-priced range that was designed by Kageyama but built by sub-contractors. Zunow was an early pioneer of aero designs as well with the Aercs model introduced in 1984. At the heart of Kageyama frames was superb bespoke craftsmanship and his racing bikes were appreciated for their handling and cornering. With just 600 frames turned out per annum (circa 1986) by Mr. Kageyama and two assistants and only 20 per cent exported, Zunows are not common. As such, the marque is cherished today both in Japan and abroad both for its quality and comparitive rarity. Mr. Kageyama retired from framebuilding in 2002 and although bikes are still made under the Zunow name, the true "genius" of the firm is sadly missing. The 1984 Zunow showcased here is in many ways the antithesis of the very progressive and almost provocative Zunows of the late 1980-90s but equally representative of many of Kageyema's earlier Italianate racing models in its simple yet elegant pearl white (over a fully chromed frame) and conventional yet distinctive frame details: the Zunow hummingbird trademark pantographed seatstay caps, chromed head lugs with Italianate spade cut-outs and the elegant bird-like bb cut-out. In many aspects, these are the most Italian of Japanese-crafted frames yet with a bespoke craftsmanship and quality that frankly had vanished from many Italian marques in the 1980s. This particular frame came from California and was prior to its eBay offering a complete machine with, like so many Zunows of the era, mainly Shimano 600 components with Italian stem/bars. The large size is unusual for a Japanese-made frame and it is shared by several other similar examples in the US most of which seem to have been bought in Okinawa by US servicemen stationed there. Most of these have the same pearl white scheme and details as this frame and date c. 1980-85. In restoring this frame to the road, it was decided to leave the somewhat cosmetically challenged paint alone to retain the originality of the characteristic Zunow finish and to kit it out in the best of all-Japanese componentry of the late 70s-mid 80s. The only things not made in Japan are the Czech tyres, Swiss spokes and Italian water bottle. The Ride Avoiding the extremes that so large a frame might present, the geometry of this is unusual for the era with only 72 deg parallel angles giving a short toptube and a ride that's both stable and comfortable but also very responsive. The cornering manners are especially pleasing and a hallmark of Zunows and the whole machine exudes a solid, quality "feel", a custom-built job that's as ideal in size and handling for its present owner as I assume it was for its first. Frame Material: Zunow Trited Tubing (triple butted Tange) frame and forks Finish: (original) pearl white over chrome with chromed head lugs, front fork, driveside chainstay chainslap apron, rear drop-out facings and seat stay caps Size: seat tube 62.5 cm (c to c ), 64 cm (c to t) top tube 58 cm (c to c) Chainstay length: 42 cm/16.5" (c to c) Wheelbase: 40 inches (c to c) Bottom bracket height: 10.50" Angles: 72˚ (head) 72˚ (seat) Fork offset: 2" Rear spacing: 126 mm Lugs: Prugnat type S with Zunow spade cut-outs on chromed lower head lugs Fork Crown: Tange C-22 investment cast sloping crown Dropouts: Shimano EF forged date code IG (1984 July) rear and Shimano front Braze-ons: gear lever bosses, chainstay gear cable stop, bb cable guides, chain rest, top tube brake cable clips and pair of bottle cage bolt bosses on downtube Frame features: chromed and pantographed (Zunow hummingbird) seatstay caps, spade cut-out in lower head lug and bird-shaped cut-out in bb shell. Components Rear derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace EX Black Series Front deralleur: Shimano Dura-Ace EA-100 Black Series Gear levers: Shimano Dura-Ace SL-7200 Black Series Chainset: Sugino Mighty Competition MCVP black, 42t x 52t drilled black chainrings, 173 cm cranks, date code G-7 (1977 July) Bottom bracket: Sugino Mighty English thread, 68-112 spindle Headset: Shimano Dura-Ace UA-100 Black Series English thread Stem: SR fluted with black and yellow fills 125 mm Handlebars: Sakae SR Royal World Custom 39cm, Cat Eye shiny yellow plastic tape and plugs Brakes: Shimano Dura-Ace EX 7100 Side-Pull Black Series Brake levers: Shimano Dura-Ace EX 7100 slotted Brake/gear cable housing: generic lined yellow Seat pillar: Sakae SR Extra Light fluted with black and yellow fills 26.7mm, 200g Seat binder bolt: Sugino Allen bolt Saddle: Koga, 350g Pedals: SunTour Superbe PL4000 290g Toeclips and straps: MKS black anodised alloy and generic yellow leather straps Rims: Araya R50 415g 700x20.5 36-hole black anodised Hubs: Shimano Dura-Ace HS-731/HS-831 36-hole small-flange Black Series with Dura-Ace quick release skewers Spokes: 3x DT Revolution double-butted black anodised stainless steel Tyres: Tufo Jet Pro sew-ups Freewheel: Dura-Ace six-speed 13-19t Chain: Shimano Accessories: Minoura AB100 bottle cage 41 g./bottle Weights: frame: 4.5 lbs fork: 1.6 lbs complete machine: 21.6 lbs

Serial no. H 440 Purchased on eBay 13 December 2012 for $667 as a frameset, back on the road 30 March 2013 Founded in 1965, the Osaka-based Zunow (Japanese slang for genius) Ind. Ltd. firm had as its true genius and founder master framebuilder Takeru Kageyama. Before starting his own company, he made NJS stamped and approved track racing frames of the highest quality. Like many Japanese framebuilders of his era, Kageyama was initially heavily influenced by Italian racing bike design and details and his early models were not only Italianate in concept with short top tubes, short wheelbases and sloping fork crowns but in lug details including the De Rosa-esque spade cut-outs and even Campagnolo drop-outs on some models. Many of the top-end models had a mix of both Campagnolo/Cinelli and Japanese components. Almost all of the production of this era was custom ordered with the "KGYM" series of road, track and touring models made to order. If the 1970s were derivative in frame design yet establishing Zunow as one of the top Japanese framemakers in terms of workmanship, the mid to late 1980s was revolutionary with Kageyama pioneering and patenting a number of unique and innovative designs under his own name. These included the "Pentagla" pentagon-shaped chainstays (1985), "Ditchex" frame tubing with built-in cable channels (1985), "Trited" tubing (triple-butted Tange) (late 1970s), a pioneering range ("Zero")of lost-wax process propriatary bb and lug castings (1985) and unique mono seatstays (1993). Zunows were renown, too, for their spectacular and unconventional paint and decal schemes and extensive pantographing of components (even bb spindles!). Introduced in 1986, the Z-1 Ditchex Road Racer incorporated all of the latest Zunow innovations of the time, other models included Di Picce (c. 1990) and the Hummingbird mid-priced range that was designed by Kageyama but built by sub-contractors. Zunow was an early pioneer of aero designs as well with the Aercs model introduced in 1984. At the heart of Kageyama frames was superb bespoke craftsmanship and his racing bikes were appreciated for their handling and cornering. With just 600 frames turned out per annum (circa 1986) by Mr. Kageyama and two assistants and only 20 per cent exported, Zunows are not common. As such, the marque is cherished today both in Japan and abroad both for its quality and comparitive rarity. Mr. Kageyama retired from framebuilding in 2002 and although bikes are still made under the Zunow name, the true "genius" of the firm is sadly missing. The 1984 Zunow showcased here is in many ways the antithesis of the very progressive and almost provocative Zunows of the late 1980-90s but equally representative of many of Kageyema's earlier Italianate racing models in its simple yet elegant pearl white (over a fully chromed frame) and conventional yet distinctive frame details: the Zunow hummingbird trademark pantographed seatstay caps, chromed head lugs with Italianate spade cut-outs and the elegant bird-like bb cut-out. In many aspects, these are the most Italian of Japanese-crafted frames yet with a bespoke craftsmanship and quality that frankly had vanished from many Italian marques in the 1980s. This particular frame came from California and was prior to its eBay offering a complete machine with, like so many Zunows of the era, mainly Shimano 600 components with Italian stem/bars. The large size is unusual for a Japanese-made frame and it is shared by several other similar examples in the US most of which seem to have been bought in Okinawa by US servicemen stationed there. Most of these have the same pearl white scheme and details as this frame and date c. 1980-85. In restoring this frame to the road, it was decided to leave the somewhat cosmetically challenged paint alone to retain the originality of the characteristic Zunow finish and to kit it out in the best of all-Japanese componentry of the late 70s-mid 80s. The only things not made in Japan are the Czech tyres, Swiss spokes and Italian water bottle. The Ride Avoiding the extremes that so large a frame might present, the geometry of this is unusual for the era with only 72 deg parallel angles giving a short toptube and a ride that's both stable and comfortable but also very responsive. The cornering manners are especially pleasing and a hallmark of Zunows and the whole machine exudes a solid, quality "feel", a custom-built job that's as ideal in size and handling for its present owner as I assume it was for its first. Frame Material: Zunow Trited Tubing (triple butted Tange) frame and forks Finish: (original) pearl white over chrome with chromed head lugs, front fork, driveside chainstay chainslap apron, rear drop-out facings and seat stay caps Size: seat tube 62.5 cm (c to c ), 64 cm (c to t) top tube 58 cm (c to c) Chainstay length: 42 cm/16.5" (c to c) Wheelbase: 40 inches (c to c) Bottom bracket height: 10.50" Angles: 72˚ (head) 72˚ (seat) Fork offset: 2" Rear spacing: 126 mm Lugs: Prugnat type S with Zunow spade cut-outs on chromed lower head lugs Fork Crown: Tange C-22 investment cast sloping crown Dropouts: Shimano EF forged date code IG (1984 July) rear and Shimano front Braze-ons: gear lever bosses, chainstay gear cable stop, bb cable guides, chain rest, top tube brake cable clips and pair of bottle cage bolt bosses on downtube Frame features: chromed and pantographed (Zunow hummingbird) seatstay caps, spade cut-out in lower head lug and bird-shaped cut-out in bb shell. Components Rear derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace EX Black Series Front deralleur: Shimano Dura-Ace EA-100 Black Series Gear levers: Shimano Dura-Ace SL-7200 Black Series Chainset: Sugino Mighty Competition MCVP black, 42t x 52t drilled black chainrings, 173 cm cranks, date code G-7 (1977 July) Bottom bracket: Sugino Mighty English thread, 68-112 spindle Headset: Shimano Dura-Ace UA-100 Black Series English thread Stem: SR fluted with black and yellow fills 125 mm Handlebars: Sakae SR Royal World Custom 39cm, Cat Eye shiny yellow plastic tape and plugs Brakes: Shimano Dura-Ace EX 7100 Side-Pull Black Series Brake levers: Shimano Dura-Ace EX 7100 slotted Brake/gear cable housing: generic lined yellow Seat pillar: Sakae SR Extra Light fluted with black and yellow fills 26.7mm, 200g Seat binder bolt: Sugino Allen bolt Saddle: Koga, 350g Pedals: SunTour Superbe PL4000 290g Toeclips and straps: MKS black anodised alloy and generic yellow leather straps Rims: Araya R50 415g 700x20.5 36-hole black anodised Hubs: Shimano Dura-Ace HS-731/HS-831 36-hole small-flange Black Series with Dura-Ace quick release skewers Spokes: 3x DT Revolution double-butted black anodised stainless steel Tyres: Tufo Jet Pro sew-ups Freewheel: Dura-Ace six-speed 13-19t Chain: Shimano Accessories: Minoura AB100 bottle cage 41 g./bottle Weights: frame: 4.5 lbs fork: 1.6 lbs complete machine: 21.6 lbs

Serial no. H 440 Purchased on eBay 13 December 2012 for $667 as a frameset, back on the road 30 March 2013 Founded in 1965, the Osaka-based Zunow (Japanese slang for genius) Ind. Ltd. firm had as its true genius and founder master framebuilder Takeru Kageyama. Before starting his own company, he made NJS stamped and approved track racing frames of the highest quality. Like many Japanese framebuilders of his era, Kageyama was initially heavily influenced by Italian racing bike design and details and his early models were not only Italianate in concept with short top tubes, short wheelbases and sloping fork crowns but in lug details including the De Rosa-esque spade cut-outs and even Campagnolo drop-outs on some models. Many of the top-end models had a mix of both Campagnolo/Cinelli and Japanese components. Almost all of the production of this era was custom ordered with the "KGYM" series of road, track and touring models made to order. If the 1970s were derivative in frame design yet establishing Zunow as one of the top Japanese framemakers in terms of workmanship, the mid to late 1980s was revolutionary with Kageyama pioneering and patenting a number of unique and innovative designs under his own name. These included the "Pentagla" pentagon-shaped chainstays (1985), "Ditchex" frame tubing with built-in cable channels (1985), "Trited" tubing (triple-butted Tange) (late 1970s), a pioneering range ("Zero")of lost-wax process propriatary bb and lug castings (1985) and unique mono seatstays (1993). Zunows were renown, too, for their spectacular and unconventional paint and decal schemes and extensive pantographing of components (even bb spindles!). Introduced in 1986, the Z-1 Ditchex Road Racer incorporated all of the latest Zunow innovations of the time, other models included Di Picce (c. 1990) and the Hummingbird mid-priced range that was designed by Kageyama but built by sub-contractors. Zunow was an early pioneer of aero designs as well with the Aercs model introduced in 1984. At the heart of Kageyama frames was superb bespoke craftsmanship and his racing bikes were appreciated for their handling and cornering. With just 600 frames turned out per annum (circa 1986) by Mr. Kageyama and two assistants and only 20 per cent exported, Zunows are not common. As such, the marque is cherished today both in Japan and abroad both for its quality and comparitive rarity. Mr. Kageyama retired from framebuilding in 2002 and although bikes are still made under the Zunow name, the true "genius" of the firm is sadly missing. The 1984 Zunow showcased here is in many ways the antithesis of the very progressive and almost provocative Zunows of the late 1980-90s but equally representative of many of Kageyema's earlier Italianate racing models in its simple yet elegant pearl white (over a fully chromed frame) and conventional yet distinctive frame details: the Zunow hummingbird trademark pantographed seatstay caps, chromed head lugs with Italianate spade cut-outs and the elegant bird-like bb cut-out. In many aspects, these are the most Italian of Japanese-crafted frames yet with a bespoke craftsmanship and quality that frankly had vanished from many Italian marques in the 1980s. This particular frame came from California and was prior to its eBay offering a complete machine with, like so many Zunows of the era, mainly Shimano 600 components with Italian stem/bars. The large size is unusual for a Japanese-made frame and it is shared by several other similar examples in the US most of which seem to have been bought in Okinawa by US servicemen stationed there. Most of these have the same pearl white scheme and details as this frame and date c. 1980-85. In restoring this frame to the road, it was decided to leave the somewhat cosmetically challenged paint alone to retain the originality of the characteristic Zunow finish and to kit it out in the best of all-Japanese componentry of the late 70s-mid 80s. The only things not made in Japan are the Czech tyres, Swiss spokes and Italian water bottle. The Ride Avoiding the extremes that so large a frame might present, the geometry of this is unusual for the era with only 72 deg parallel angles giving a short toptube and a ride that's both stable and comfortable but also very responsive. The cornering manners are especially pleasing and a hallmark of Zunows and the whole machine exudes a solid, quality "feel", a custom-built job that's as ideal in size and handling for its present owner as I assume it was for its first. Frame Material: Zunow Trited Tubing (triple butted Tange) frame and forks Finish: (original) pearl white over chrome with chromed head lugs, front fork, driveside chainstay chainslap apron, rear drop-out facings and seat stay caps Size: seat tube 62.5 cm (c to c ), 64 cm (c to t) top tube 58 cm (c to c) Chainstay length: 42 cm/16.5" (c to c) Wheelbase: 40 inches (c to c) Bottom bracket height: 10.50" Angles: 72˚ (head) 72˚ (seat) Fork offset: 2" Rear spacing: 126 mm Lugs: Prugnat type S with Zunow spade cut-outs on chromed lower head lugs Fork Crown: Tange C-22 investment cast sloping crown Dropouts: Shimano EF forged date code IG (1984 July) rear and Shimano front Braze-ons: gear lever bosses, chainstay gear cable stop, bb cable guides, chain rest, top tube brake cable clips and pair of bottle cage bolt bosses on downtube Frame features: chromed and pantographed (Zunow hummingbird) seatstay caps, spade cut-out in lower head lug and bird-shaped cut-out in bb shell. Components Rear derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace EX Black Series Front deralleur: Shimano Dura-Ace EA-100 Black Series Gear levers: Shimano Dura-Ace SL-7200 Black Series Chainset: Sugino Mighty Competition MCVP black, 42t x 52t drilled black chainrings, 173 cm cranks, date code G-7 (1977 July) Bottom bracket: Sugino Mighty English thread, 68-112 spindle Headset: Shimano Dura-Ace UA-100 Black Series English thread Stem: SR fluted with black and yellow fills 125 mm Handlebars: Sakae SR Royal World Custom 39cm, Cat Eye shiny yellow plastic tape and plugs Brakes: Shimano Dura-Ace EX 7100 Side-Pull Black Series Brake levers: Shimano Dura-Ace EX 7100 slotted Brake/gear cable housing: generic lined yellow Seat pillar: Sakae SR Extra Light fluted with black and yellow fills 26.7mm, 200g Seat binder bolt: Sugino Allen bolt Saddle: Koga, 350g Pedals: SunTour Superbe PL4000 290g Toeclips and straps: MKS black anodised alloy and generic yellow leather straps Rims: Araya R50 415g 700x20.5 36-hole black anodised Hubs: Shimano Dura-Ace HS-731/HS-831 36-hole small-flange Black Series with Dura-Ace quick release skewers Spokes: 3x DT Revolution double-butted black anodised stainless steel Tyres: Tufo Jet Pro sew-ups Freewheel: Dura-Ace six-speed 13-19t Chain: Shimano Accessories: Minoura AB100 bottle cage 41 g./bottle Weights: frame: 4.5 lbs fork: 1.6 lbs complete machine: 21.6 lbs

Serial no. H 440 Purchased on eBay 13 December 2012 for $667 as a frameset, back on the road 30 March 2013 Founded in 1965, the Osaka-based Zunow (Japanese slang for genius) Ind. Ltd. firm had as its true genius and founder master framebuilder Takeru Kageyama. Before starting his own company, he made NJS stamped and approved track racing frames of the highest quality. Like many Japanese framebuilders of his era, Kageyama was initially heavily influenced by Italian racing bike design and details and his early models were not only Italianate in concept with short top tubes, short wheelbases and sloping fork crowns but in lug details including the De Rosa-esque spade cut-outs and even Campagnolo drop-outs on some models. Many of the top-end models had a mix of both Campagnolo/Cinelli and Japanese components. Almost all of the production of this era was custom ordered with the "KGYM" series of road, track and touring models made to order. If the 1970s were derivative in frame design yet establishing Zunow as one of the top Japanese framemakers in terms of workmanship, the mid to late 1980s was revolutionary with Kageyama pioneering and patenting a number of unique and innovative designs under his own name. These included the "Pentagla" pentagon-shaped chainstays (1985), "Ditchex" frame tubing with built-in cable channels (1985), "Trited" tubing (triple-butted Tange) (late 1970s), a pioneering range ("Zero")of lost-wax process propriatary bb and lug castings (1985) and unique mono seatstays (1993). Zunows were renown, too, for their spectacular and unconventional paint and decal schemes and extensive pantographing of components (even bb spindles!). Introduced in 1986, the Z-1 Ditchex Road Racer incorporated all of the latest Zunow innovations of the time, other models included Di Picce (c. 1990) and the Hummingbird mid-priced range that was designed by Kageyama but built by sub-contractors. Zunow was an early pioneer of aero designs as well with the Aercs model introduced in 1984. At the heart of Kageyama frames was superb bespoke craftsmanship and his racing bikes were appreciated for their handling and cornering. With just 600 frames turned out per annum (circa 1986) by Mr. Kageyama and two assistants and only 20 per cent exported, Zunows are not common. As such, the marque is cherished today both in Japan and abroad both for its quality and comparitive rarity. Mr. Kageyama retired from framebuilding in 2002 and although bikes are still made under the Zunow name, the true "genius" of the firm is sadly missing. The 1984 Zunow showcased here is in many ways the antithesis of the very progressive and almost provocative Zunows of the late 1980-90s but equally representative of many of Kageyema's earlier Italianate racing models in its simple yet elegant pearl white (over a fully chromed frame) and conventional yet distinctive frame details: the Zunow hummingbird trademark pantographed seatstay caps, chromed head lugs with Italianate spade cut-outs and the elegant bird-like bb cut-out. In many aspects, these are the most Italian of Japanese-crafted frames yet with a bespoke craftsmanship and quality that frankly had vanished from many Italian marques in the 1980s. This particular frame came from California and was prior to its eBay offering a complete machine with, like so many Zunows of the era, mainly Shimano 600 components with Italian stem/bars. The large size is unusual for a Japanese-made frame and it is shared by several other similar examples in the US most of which seem to have been bought in Okinawa by US servicemen stationed there. Most of these have the same pearl white scheme and details as this frame and date c. 1980-85. In restoring this frame to the road, it was decided to leave the somewhat cosmetically challenged paint alone to retain the originality of the characteristic Zunow finish and to kit it out in the best of all-Japanese componentry of the late 70s-mid 80s. The only things not made in Japan are the Czech tyres, Swiss spokes and Italian water bottle. The Ride Avoiding the extremes that so large a frame might present, the geometry of this is unusual for the era with only 72 deg parallel angles giving a short toptube and a ride that's both stable and comfortable but also very responsive. The cornering manners are especially pleasing and a hallmark of Zunows and the whole machine exudes a solid, quality "feel", a custom-built job that's as ideal in size and handling for its present owner as I assume it was for its first. Frame Material: Zunow Trited Tubing (triple butted Tange) frame and forks Finish: (original) pearl white over chrome with chromed head lugs, front fork, driveside chainstay chainslap apron, rear drop-out facings and seat stay caps Size: seat tube 62.5 cm (c to c ), 64 cm (c to t) top tube 58 cm (c to c) Chainstay length: 42 cm/16.5" (c to c) Wheelbase: 40 inches (c to c) Bottom bracket height: 10.50" Angles: 72˚ (head) 72˚ (seat) Fork offset: 2" Rear spacing: 126 mm Lugs: Prugnat type S with Zunow spade cut-outs on chromed lower head lugs Fork Crown: Tange C-22 investment cast sloping crown Dropouts: Shimano EF forged date code IG (1984 July) rear and Shimano front Braze-ons: gear lever bosses, chainstay gear cable stop, bb cable guides, chain rest, top tube brake cable clips and pair of bottle cage bolt bosses on downtube Frame features: chromed and pantographed (Zunow hummingbird) seatstay caps, spade cut-out in lower head lug and bird-shaped cut-out in bb shell. Components Rear derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace EX Black Series Front deralleur: Shimano Dura-Ace EA-100 Black Series Gear levers: Shimano Dura-Ace SL-7200 Black Series Chainset: Sugino Mighty Competition MCVP black, 42t x 52t drilled black chainrings, 173 cm cranks, date code G-7 (1977 July) Bottom bracket: Sugino Mighty English thread, 68-112 spindle Headset: Shimano Dura-Ace UA-100 Black Series English thread Stem: SR fluted with black and yellow fills 125 mm Handlebars: Sakae SR Royal World Custom 39cm, Cat Eye shiny yellow plastic tape and plugs Brakes: Shimano Dura-Ace EX 7100 Side-Pull Black Series Brake levers: Shimano Dura-Ace EX 7100 slotted Brake/gear cable housing: generic lined yellow Seat pillar: Sakae SR Extra Light fluted with black and yellow fills 26.7mm, 200g Seat binder bolt: Sugino Allen bolt Saddle: Koga, 350g Pedals: SunTour Superbe PL4000 290g Toeclips and straps: MKS black anodised alloy and generic yellow leather straps Rims: Araya R50 415g 700x20.5 36-hole black anodised Hubs: Shimano Dura-Ace HS-731/HS-831 36-hole small-flange Black Series with Dura-Ace quick release skewers Spokes: 3x DT Revolution double-butted black anodised stainless steel Tyres: Tufo Jet Pro sew-ups Freewheel: Dura-Ace six-speed 13-19t Chain: Shimano Accessories: Minoura AB100 bottle cage 41 g./bottle Weights: frame: 4.5 lbs fork: 1.6 lbs complete machine: 21.6 lbs

Serial no. H 440 Purchased on eBay 13 December 2012 for $667 as a frameset, back on the road 30 March 2013 Founded in 1965, the Osaka-based Zunow (Japanese slang for genius) Ind. Ltd. firm had as its true genius and founder master framebuilder Takeru Kageyama. Before starting his own company, he made NJS stamped and approved track racing frames of the highest quality. Like many Japanese framebuilders of his era, Kageyama was initially heavily influenced by Italian racing bike design and details and his early models were not only Italianate in concept with short top tubes, short wheelbases and sloping fork crowns but in lug details including the De Rosa-esque spade cut-outs and even Campagnolo drop-outs on some models. Many of the top-end models had a mix of both Campagnolo/Cinelli and Japanese components. Almost all of the production of this era was custom ordered with the "KGYM" series of road, track and touring models made to order. If the 1970s were derivative in frame design yet establishing Zunow as one of the top Japanese framemakers in terms of workmanship, the mid to late 1980s was revolutionary with Kageyama pioneering and patenting a number of unique and innovative designs under his own name. These included the "Pentagla" pentagon-shaped chainstays (1985), "Ditchex" frame tubing with built-in cable channels (1985), "Trited" tubing (triple-butted Tange) (late 1970s), a pioneering range ("Zero")of lost-wax process propriatary bb and lug castings (1985) and unique mono seatstays (1993). Zunows were renown, too, for their spectacular and unconventional paint and decal schemes and extensive pantographing of components (even bb spindles!). Introduced in 1986, the Z-1 Ditchex Road Racer incorporated all of the latest Zunow innovations of the time, other models included Di Picce (c. 1990) and the Hummingbird mid-priced range that was designed by Kageyama but built by sub-contractors. Zunow was an early pioneer of aero designs as well with the Aercs model introduced in 1984. At the heart of Kageyama frames was superb bespoke craftsmanship and his racing bikes were appreciated for their handling and cornering. With just 600 frames turned out per annum (circa 1986) by Mr. Kageyama and two assistants and only 20 per cent exported, Zunows are not common. As such, the marque is cherished today both in Japan and abroad both for its quality and comparitive rarity. Mr. Kageyama retired from framebuilding in 2002 and although bikes are still made under the Zunow name, the true "genius" of the firm is sadly missing. The 1984 Zunow showcased here is in many ways the antithesis of the very progressive and almost provocative Zunows of the late 1980-90s but equally representative of many of Kageyema's earlier Italianate racing models in its simple yet elegant pearl white (over a fully chromed frame) and conventional yet distinctive frame details: the Zunow hummingbird trademark pantographed seatstay caps, chromed head lugs with Italianate spade cut-outs and the elegant bird-like bb cut-out. In many aspects, these are the most Italian of Japanese-crafted frames yet with a bespoke craftsmanship and quality that frankly had vanished from many Italian marques in the 1980s. This particular frame came from California and was prior to its eBay offering a complete machine with, like so many Zunows of the era, mainly Shimano 600 components with Italian stem/bars. The large size is unusual for a Japanese-made frame and it is shared by several other similar examples in the US most of which seem to have been bought in Okinawa by US servicemen stationed there. Most of these have the same pearl white scheme and details as this frame and date c. 1980-85. In restoring this frame to the road, it was decided to leave the somewhat cosmetically challenged paint alone to retain the originality of the characteristic Zunow finish and to kit it out in the best of all-Japanese componentry of the late 70s-mid 80s. The only things not made in Japan are the Czech tyres, Swiss spokes and Italian water bottle. The Ride Avoiding the extremes that so large a frame might present, the geometry of this is unusual for the era with only 72 deg parallel angles giving a short toptube and a ride that's both stable and comfortable but also very responsive. The cornering manners are especially pleasing and a hallmark of Zunows and the whole machine exudes a solid, quality "feel", a custom-built job that's as ideal in size and handling for its present owner as I assume it was for its first. Frame Material: Zunow Trited Tubing (triple butted Tange) frame and forks Finish: (original) pearl white over chrome with chromed head lugs, front fork, driveside chainstay chainslap apron, rear drop-out facings and seat stay caps Size: seat tube 62.5 cm (c to c ), 64 cm (c to t) top tube 58 cm (c to c) Chainstay length: 42 cm/16.5" (c to c) Wheelbase: 40 inches (c to c) Bottom bracket height: 10.50" Angles: 72˚ (head) 72˚ (seat) Fork offset: 2" Rear spacing: 126 mm Lugs: Prugnat type S with Zunow spade cut-outs on chromed lower head lugs Fork Crown: Tange C-22 investment cast sloping crown Dropouts: Shimano EF forged date code IG (1984 July) rear and Shimano front Braze-ons: gear lever bosses, chainstay gear cable stop, bb cable guides, chain rest, top tube brake cable clips and pair of bottle cage bolt bosses on downtube Frame features: chromed and pantographed (Zunow hummingbird) seatstay caps, spade cut-out in lower head lug and bird-shaped cut-out in bb shell. Components Rear derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace EX Black Series Front deralleur: Shimano Dura-Ace EA-100 Black Series Gear levers: Shimano Dura-Ace SL-7200 Black Series Chainset: Sugino Mighty Competition MCVP black, 42t x 52t drilled black chainrings, 173 cm cranks, date code G-7 (1977 July) Bottom bracket: Sugino Mighty English thread, 68-112 spindle Headset: Shimano Dura-Ace UA-100 Black Series English thread Stem: SR fluted with black and yellow fills 125 mm Handlebars: Sakae SR Royal World Custom 39cm, Cat Eye shiny yellow plastic tape and plugs Brakes: Shimano Dura-Ace EX 7100 Side-Pull Black Series Brake levers: Shimano Dura-Ace EX 7100 slotted Brake/gear cable housing: generic lined yellow Seat pillar: Sakae SR Extra Light fluted with black and yellow fills 26.7mm, 200g Seat binder bolt: Sugino Allen bolt Saddle: Koga, 350g Pedals: SunTour Superbe PL4000 290g Toeclips and straps: MKS black anodised alloy and generic yellow leather straps Rims: Araya R50 415g 700x20.5 36-hole black anodised Hubs: Shimano Dura-Ace HS-731/HS-831 36-hole small-flange Black Series with Dura-Ace quick release skewers Spokes: 3x DT Revolution double-butted black anodised stainless steel Tyres: Tufo Jet Pro sew-ups Freewheel: Dura-Ace six-speed 13-19t Chain: Shimano Accessories: Minoura AB100 bottle cage 41 g./bottle Weights: frame: 4.5 lbs fork: 1.6 lbs complete machine: 21.6 lbs

Serial no. H 440 Purchased on eBay 13 December 2012 for $667 as a frameset, back on the road 30 March 2013 Founded in 1965, the Osaka-based Zunow (Japanese slang for genius) Ind. Ltd. firm had as its true genius and founder master framebuilder Takeru Kageyama. Before starting his own company, he made NJS stamped and approved track racing frames of the highest quality. Like many Japanese framebuilders of his era, Kageyama was initially heavily influenced by Italian racing bike design and details and his early models were not only Italianate in concept with short top tubes, short wheelbases and sloping fork crowns but in lug details including the De Rosa-esque spade cut-outs and even Campagnolo drop-outs on some models. Many of the top-end models had a mix of both Campagnolo/Cinelli and Japanese components. Almost all of the production of this era was custom ordered with the "KGYM" series of road, track and touring models made to order. If the 1970s were derivative in frame design yet establishing Zunow as one of the top Japanese framemakers in terms of workmanship, the mid to late 1980s was revolutionary with Kageyama pioneering and patenting a number of unique and innovative designs under his own name. These included the "Pentagla" pentagon-shaped chainstays (1985), "Ditchex" frame tubing with built-in cable channels (1985), "Trited" tubing (triple-butted Tange) (late 1970s), a pioneering range ("Zero")of lost-wax process propriatary bb and lug castings (1985) and unique mono seatstays (1993). Zunows were renown, too, for their spectacular and unconventional paint and decal schemes and extensive pantographing of components (even bb spindles!). Introduced in 1986, the Z-1 Ditchex Road Racer incorporated all of the latest Zunow innovations of the time, other models included Di Picce (c. 1990) and the Hummingbird mid-priced range that was designed by Kageyama but built by sub-contractors. Zunow was an early pioneer of aero designs as well with the Aercs model introduced in 1984. At the heart of Kageyama frames was superb bespoke craftsmanship and his racing bikes were appreciated for their handling and cornering. With just 600 frames turned out per annum (circa 1986) by Mr. Kageyama and two assistants and only 20 per cent exported, Zunows are not common. As such, the marque is cherished today both in Japan and abroad both for its quality and comparitive rarity. Mr. Kageyama retired from framebuilding in 2002 and although bikes are still made under the Zunow name, the true "genius" of the firm is sadly missing. The 1984 Zunow showcased here is in many ways the antithesis of the very progressive and almost provocative Zunows of the late 1980-90s but equally representative of many of Kageyema's earlier Italianate racing models in its simple yet elegant pearl white (over a fully chromed frame) and conventional yet distinctive frame details: the Zunow hummingbird trademark pantographed seatstay caps, chromed head lugs with Italianate spade cut-outs and the elegant bird-like bb cut-out. In many aspects, these are the most Italian of Japanese-crafted frames yet with a bespoke craftsmanship and quality that frankly had vanished from many Italian marques in the 1980s. This particular frame came from California and was prior to its eBay offering a complete machine with, like so many Zunows of the era, mainly Shimano 600 components with Italian stem/bars. The large size is unusual for a Japanese-made frame and it is shared by several other similar examples in the US most of which seem to have been bought in Okinawa by US servicemen stationed there. Most of these have the same pearl white scheme and details as this frame and date c. 1980-85. In restoring this frame to the road, it was decided to leave the somewhat cosmetically challenged paint alone to retain the originality of the characteristic Zunow finish and to kit it out in the best of all-Japanese componentry of the late 70s-mid 80s. The only things not made in Japan are the Czech tyres, Swiss spokes and Italian water bottle. The Ride Avoiding the extremes that so large a frame might present, the geometry of this is unusual for the era with only 72 deg parallel angles giving a short toptube and a ride that's both stable and comfortable but also very responsive. The cornering manners are especially pleasing and a hallmark of Zunows and the whole machine exudes a solid, quality "feel", a custom-built job that's as ideal in size and handling for its present owner as I assume it was for its first. Frame Material: Zunow Trited Tubing (triple butted Tange) frame and forks Finish: (original) pearl white over chrome with chromed head lugs, front fork, driveside chainstay chainslap apron, rear drop-out facings and seat stay caps Size: seat tube 62.5 cm (c to c ), 64 cm (c to t) top tube 58 cm (c to c) Chainstay length: 42 cm/16.5" (c to c) Wheelbase: 40 inches (c to c) Bottom bracket height: 10.50" Angles: 72˚ (head) 72˚ (seat) Fork offset: 2" Rear spacing: 126 mm Lugs: Prugnat type S with Zunow spade cut-outs on chromed lower head lugs Fork Crown: Tange C-22 investment cast sloping crown Dropouts: Shimano EF forged date code IG (1984 July) rear and Shimano front Braze-ons: gear lever bosses, chainstay gear cable stop, bb cable guides, chain rest, top tube brake cable clips and pair of bottle cage bolt bosses on downtube Frame features: chromed and pantographed (Zunow hummingbird) seatstay caps, spade cut-out in lower head lug and bird-shaped cut-out in bb shell. Components Rear derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace EX Black Series Front deralleur: Shimano Dura-Ace EA-100 Black Series Gear levers: Shimano Dura-Ace SL-7200 Black Series Chainset: Sugino Mighty Competition MCVP black, 42t x 52t drilled black chainrings, 173 cm cranks, date code G-7 (1977 July) Bottom bracket: Sugino Mighty English thread, 68-112 spindle Headset: Shimano Dura-Ace UA-100 Black Series English thread Stem: SR fluted with black and yellow fills 125 mm Handlebars: Sakae SR Royal World Custom 39cm, Cat Eye shiny yellow plastic tape and plugs Brakes: Shimano Dura-Ace EX 7100 Side-Pull Black Series Brake levers: Shimano Dura-Ace EX 7100 slotted Brake/gear cable housing: generic lined yellow Seat pillar: Sakae SR Extra Light fluted with black and yellow fills 26.7mm, 200g Seat binder bolt: Sugino Allen bolt Saddle: Koga, 350g Pedals: SunTour Superbe PL4000 290g Toeclips and straps: MKS black anodised alloy and generic yellow leather straps Rims: Araya R50 415g 700x20.5 36-hole black anodised Hubs: Shimano Dura-Ace HS-731/HS-831 36-hole small-flange Black Series with Dura-Ace quick release skewers Spokes: 3x DT Revolution double-butted black anodised stainless steel Tyres: Tufo Jet Pro sew-ups Freewheel: Dura-Ace six-speed 13-19t Chain: Shimano Accessories: Minoura AB100 bottle cage 41 g./bottle Weights: frame: 4.5 lbs fork: 1.6 lbs complete machine: 21.6 lbs

Serial no. H 440 Purchased on eBay 13 December 2012 for $667 as a frameset, back on the road 30 March 2013 Founded in 1965, the Osaka-based Zunow (Japanese slang for genius) Ind. Ltd. firm had as its true genius and founder master framebuilder Takeru Kageyama. Before starting his own company, he made NJS stamped and approved track racing frames of the highest quality. Like many Japanese framebuilders of his era, Kageyama was initially heavily influenced by Italian racing bike design and details and his early models were not only Italianate in concept with short top tubes, short wheelbases and sloping fork crowns but in lug details including the De Rosa-esque spade cut-outs and even Campagnolo drop-outs on some models. Many of the top-end models had a mix of both Campagnolo/Cinelli and Japanese components. Almost all of the production of this era was custom ordered with the "KGYM" series of road, track and touring models made to order. If the 1970s were derivative in frame design yet establishing Zunow as one of the top Japanese framemakers in terms of workmanship, the mid to late 1980s was revolutionary with Kageyama pioneering and patenting a number of unique and innovative designs under his own name. These included the "Pentagla" pentagon-shaped chainstays (1985), "Ditchex" frame tubing with built-in cable channels (1985), "Trited" tubing (triple-butted Tange) (late 1970s), a pioneering range ("Zero")of lost-wax process propriatary bb and lug castings (1985) and unique mono seatstays (1993). Zunows were renown, too, for their spectacular and unconventional paint and decal schemes and extensive pantographing of components (even bb spindles!). Introduced in 1986, the Z-1 Ditchex Road Racer incorporated all of the latest Zunow innovations of the time, other models included Di Picce (c. 1990) and the Hummingbird mid-priced range that was designed by Kageyama but built by sub-contractors. Zunow was an early pioneer of aero designs as well with the Aercs model introduced in 1984. At the heart of Kageyama frames was superb bespoke craftsmanship and his racing bikes were appreciated for their handling and cornering. With just 600 frames turned out per annum (circa 1986) by Mr. Kageyama and two assistants and only 20 per cent exported, Zunows are not common. As such, the marque is cherished today both in Japan and abroad both for its quality and comparitive rarity. Mr. Kageyama retired from framebuilding in 2002 and although bikes are still made under the Zunow name, the true "genius" of the firm is sadly missing. The 1984 Zunow showcased here is in many ways the antithesis of the very progressive and almost provocative Zunows of the late 1980-90s but equally representative of many of Kageyema's earlier Italianate racing models in its simple yet elegant pearl white (over a fully chromed frame) and conventional yet distinctive frame details: the Zunow hummingbird trademark pantographed seatstay caps, chromed head lugs with Italianate spade cut-outs and the elegant bird-like bb cut-out. In many aspects, these are the most Italian of Japanese-crafted frames yet with a bespoke craftsmanship and quality that frankly had vanished from many Italian marques in the 1980s. This particular frame came from California and was prior to its eBay offering a complete machine with, like so many Zunows of the era, mainly Shimano 600 components with Italian stem/bars. The large size is unusual for a Japanese-made frame and it is shared by several other similar examples in the US most of which seem to have been bought in Okinawa by US servicemen stationed there. Most of these have the same pearl white scheme and details as this frame and date c. 1980-85. In restoring this frame to the road, it was decided to leave the somewhat cosmetically challenged paint alone to retain the originality of the characteristic Zunow finish and to kit it out in the best of all-Japanese componentry of the late 70s-mid 80s. The only things not made in Japan are the Czech tyres, Swiss spokes and Italian water bottle. The Ride Avoiding the extremes that so large a frame might present, the geometry of this is unusual for the era with only 72 deg parallel angles giving a short toptube and a ride that's both stable and comfortable but also very responsive. The cornering manners are especially pleasing and a hallmark of Zunows and the whole machine exudes a solid, quality "feel", a custom-built job that's as ideal in size and handling for its present owner as I assume it was for its first. Frame Material: Zunow Trited Tubing (triple butted Tange) frame and forks Finish: (original) pearl white over chrome with chromed head lugs, front fork, driveside chainstay chainslap apron, rear drop-out facings and seat stay caps Size: seat tube 62.5 cm (c to c ), 64 cm (c to t) top tube 58 cm (c to c) Chainstay length: 42 cm/16.5" (c to c) Wheelbase: 40 inches (c to c) Bottom bracket height: 10.50" Angles: 72˚ (head) 72˚ (seat) Fork offset: 2" Rear spacing: 126 mm Lugs: Prugnat type S with Zunow spade cut-outs on chromed lower head lugs Fork Crown: Tange C-22 investment cast sloping crown Dropouts: Shimano EF forged date code IG (1984 July) rear and Shimano front Braze-ons: gear lever bosses, chainstay gear cable stop, bb cable guides, chain rest, top tube brake cable clips and pair of bottle cage bolt bosses on downtube Frame features: chromed and pantographed (Zunow hummingbird) seatstay caps, spade cut-out in lower head lug and bird-shaped cut-out in bb shell. Components Rear derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace EX Black Series Front deralleur: Shimano Dura-Ace EA-100 Black Series Gear levers: Shimano Dura-Ace SL-7200 Black Series Chainset: Sugino Mighty Competition MCVP black, 42t x 52t drilled black chainrings, 173 cm cranks, date code G-7 (1977 July) Bottom bracket: Sugino Mighty English thread, 68-112 spindle Headset: Shimano Dura-Ace UA-100 Black Series English thread Stem: SR fluted with black and yellow fills 125 mm Handlebars: Sakae SR Royal World Custom 39cm, Cat Eye shiny yellow plastic tape and plugs Brakes: Shimano Dura-Ace EX 7100 Side-Pull Black Series Brake levers: Shimano Dura-Ace EX 7100 slotted Brake/gear cable housing: generic lined yellow Seat pillar: Sakae SR Extra Light fluted with black and yellow fills 26.7mm, 200g Seat binder bolt: Sugino Allen bolt Saddle: Koga, 350g Pedals: SunTour Superbe PL4000 290g Toeclips and straps: MKS black anodised alloy and generic yellow leather straps Rims: Araya R50 415g 700x20.5 36-hole black anodised Hubs: Shimano Dura-Ace HS-731/HS-831 36-hole small-flange Black Series with Dura-Ace quick release skewers Spokes: 3x DT Revolution double-butted black anodised stainless steel Tyres: Tufo Jet Pro sew-ups Freewheel: Dura-Ace six-speed 13-19t Chain: Shimano Accessories: Minoura AB100 bottle cage 41 g./bottle Weights: frame: 4.5 lbs fork: 1.6 lbs complete machine: 21.6 lbs

Serial no. H 440 Purchased on eBay 13 December 2012 for $667 as a frameset, back on the road 30 March 2013 Founded in 1965, the Osaka-based Zunow (Japanese slang for genius) Ind. Ltd. firm had as its true genius and founder master framebuilder Takeru Kageyama. Before starting his own company, he made NJS stamped and approved track racing frames of the highest quality. Like many Japanese framebuilders of his era, Kageyama was initially heavily influenced by Italian racing bike design and details and his early models were not only Italianate in concept with short top tubes, short wheelbases and sloping fork crowns but in lug details including the De Rosa-esque spade cut-outs and even Campagnolo drop-outs on some models. Many of the top-end models had a mix of both Campagnolo/Cinelli and Japanese components. Almost all of the production of this era was custom ordered with the "KGYM" series of road, track and touring models made to order. If the 1970s were derivative in frame design yet establishing Zunow as one of the top Japanese framemakers in terms of workmanship, the mid to late 1980s was revolutionary with Kageyama pioneering and patenting a number of unique and innovative designs under his own name. These included the "Pentagla" pentagon-shaped chainstays (1985), "Ditchex" frame tubing with built-in cable channels (1985), "Trited" tubing (triple-butted Tange) (late 1970s), a pioneering range ("Zero")of lost-wax process propriatary bb and lug castings (1985) and unique mono seatstays (1993). Zunows were renown, too, for their spectacular and unconventional paint and decal schemes and extensive pantographing of components (even bb spindles!). Introduced in 1986, the Z-1 Ditchex Road Racer incorporated all of the latest Zunow innovations of the time, other models included Di Picce (c. 1990) and the Hummingbird mid-priced range that was designed by Kageyama but built by sub-contractors. Zunow was an early pioneer of aero designs as well with the Aercs model introduced in 1984. At the heart of Kageyama frames was superb bespoke craftsmanship and his racing bikes were appreciated for their handling and cornering. With just 600 frames turned out per annum (circa 1986) by Mr. Kageyama and two assistants and only 20 per cent exported, Zunows are not common. As such, the marque is cherished today both in Japan and abroad both for its quality and comparitive rarity. Mr. Kageyama retired from framebuilding in 2002 and although bikes are still made under the Zunow name, the true "genius" of the firm is sadly missing. The 1984 Zunow showcased here is in many ways the antithesis of the very progressive and almost provocative Zunows of the late 1980-90s but equally representative of many of Kageyema's earlier Italianate racing models in its simple yet elegant pearl white (over a fully chromed frame) and conventional yet distinctive frame details: the Zunow hummingbird trademark pantographed seatstay caps, chromed head lugs with Italianate spade cut-outs and the elegant bird-like bb cut-out. In many aspects, these are the most Italian of Japanese-crafted frames yet with a bespoke craftsmanship and quality that frankly had vanished from many Italian marques in the 1980s. This particular frame came from California and was prior to its eBay offering a complete machine with, like so many Zunows of the era, mainly Shimano 600 components with Italian stem/bars. The large size is unusual for a Japanese-made frame and it is shared by several other similar examples in the US most of which seem to have been bought in Okinawa by US servicemen stationed there. Most of these have the same pearl white scheme and details as this frame and date c. 1980-85. In restoring this frame to the road, it was decided to leave the somewhat cosmetically challenged paint alone to retain the originality of the characteristic Zunow finish and to kit it out in the best of all-Japanese componentry of the late 70s-mid 80s. The only things not made in Japan are the Czech tyres, Swiss spokes and Italian water bottle. The Ride Avoiding the extremes that so large a frame might present, the geometry of this is unusual for the era with only 72 deg parallel angles giving a short toptube and a ride that's both stable and comfortable but also very responsive. The cornering manners are especially pleasing and a hallmark of Zunows and the whole machine exudes a solid, quality "feel", a custom-built job that's as ideal in size and handling for its present owner as I assume it was for its first. Frame Material: Zunow Trited Tubing (triple butted Tange) frame and forks Finish: (original) pearl white over chrome with chromed head lugs, front fork, driveside chainstay chainslap apron, rear drop-out facings and seat stay caps Size: seat tube 62.5 cm (c to c ), 64 cm (c to t) top tube 58 cm (c to c) Chainstay length: 42 cm/16.5" (c to c) Wheelbase: 40 inches (c to c) Bottom bracket height: 10.50" Angles: 72˚ (head) 72˚ (seat) Fork offset: 2" Rear spacing: 126 mm Lugs: Prugnat type S with Zunow spade cut-outs on chromed lower head lugs Fork Crown: Tange C-22 investment cast sloping crown Dropouts: Shimano EF forged date code IG (1984 July) rear and Shimano front Braze-ons: gear lever bosses, chainstay gear cable stop, bb cable guides, chain rest, top tube brake cable clips and pair of bottle cage bolt bosses on downtube Frame features: chromed and pantographed (Zunow hummingbird) seatstay caps, spade cut-out in lower head lug and bird-shaped cut-out in bb shell. Components Rear derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace EX Black Series Front deralleur: Shimano Dura-Ace EA-100 Black Series Gear levers: Shimano Dura-Ace SL-7200 Black Series Chainset: Sugino Mighty Competition MCVP black, 42t x 52t drilled black chainrings, 173 cm cranks, date code G-7 (1977 July) Bottom bracket: Sugino Mighty English thread, 68-112 spindle Headset: Shimano Dura-Ace UA-100 Black Series English thread Stem: SR fluted with black and yellow fills 125 mm Handlebars: Sakae SR Royal World Custom 39cm, Cat Eye shiny yellow plastic tape and plugs Brakes: Shimano Dura-Ace EX 7100 Side-Pull Black Series Brake levers: Shimano Dura-Ace EX 7100 slotted Brake/gear cable housing: generic lined yellow Seat pillar: Sakae SR Extra Light fluted with black and yellow fills 26.7mm, 200g Seat binder bolt: Sugino Allen bolt Saddle: Koga, 350g Pedals: SunTour Superbe PL4000 290g Toeclips and straps: MKS black anodised alloy and generic yellow leather straps Rims: Araya R50 415g 700x20.5 36-hole black anodised Hubs: Shimano Dura-Ace HS-731/HS-831 36-hole small-flange Black Series with Dura-Ace quick release skewers Spokes: 3x DT Revolution double-butted black anodised stainless steel Tyres: Tufo Jet Pro sew-ups Freewheel: Dura-Ace six-speed 13-19t Chain: Shimano Accessories: Minoura AB100 bottle cage 41 g./bottle Weights: frame: 4.5 lbs fork: 1.6 lbs complete machine: 21.6 lbs