Employees newest bike: 58CM NJS approved Rap pista

     This bike belongs to our employee Steve and is the newest addition to his stable. He currently works at the shop part time and also works as a courier in the city full time. The frame is an NJS approved Keirin frame straight from Japan made by RAP. There is not a whole lot of info regarding the builder. Steve tells me that it was made by a man named Morimoto San (perhaps) and is a very small marque. The frame is very well built with nice crisp file work and clean lines. It is unusual to see NJS frames in larger sizes like this (58CM). Most are more petite, in the 50-55CM range. 
     Keirin racing in Japan is a big deal and began  as a betting sport  in 1948, and has since become very popular there. In 1957, the Nihon Jitensha Shinkōkai (NJS; also known in English as the Japanese Keirin Association) was founded to establish a uniform system of standards for the sport in Japan. Today Keirin racing is regulated by the JKA Foundation.
     Aspiring professional Keirin riders in Japan compete for entrance into the Japan Keirin School. The 10 percent of applicants who are accepted then undergo a strict, 15-hours per day, training regimen. Those who pass the graduation exams, and are approved by the NJS become eligible for professional Keirin races in Japan.
     Japanese races for women were reintroduced in July of 2012, under the title of Girl's Keirin. Women were previously permitted to participate from 1949 until 1964. Like the men, the women must also undergo a strict training regimen at the Keirin School.
     The bike is built nicely with mostly Shimano Dura-Ace components and Campagnolo Nuovo Record pista hubs. This is his work (courier) bike and Steve says he loves it, very stiff and light weight Yes, he knows the seat post is out past the limit. Enjoy!

For Sale: Late 1970's Soma Dura-Ace model

     This is a pretty cool bike I have not seen before. whenever I come across something new, I want to find out as much as possible about it. Information about this bike (model) is a bit elusive so far. If anyone can help, I am all ears.
     It is a Soma Dura-Ace equipped model. Made in Japan in the mid to late 1970's I believe. I date it mostly by the component group. It is out fitted with an early generation Shimano Dura-Ace  group. the black anodized group was first introduced in 1976 (that's the spirit!). The rear derailleur is a later year production because the first ones were still called Crane and had black anodized parts. I assume this was a nod to Campagnolo's Super Record group which was also in production at the time, and Shimano's main competition in the high end road market.
     The frame is very well constructed. All the lugs are nicely thinned and the brazing is very clean. The paint is relatively thin and as so reveals imperfections quite easily. It has a very nice fully sloping Cinelli style fork crown. The tubing is unknown because of a lack of decal, but it is double butted and very light. I am guessing Ishiwata, perhaps, or maybe Tange Prestige? Soma made a full line of bikes in the 1970's and there is not a whole lot of info about them out there. I am guessing this was their top of the line offering due to the fine construction, classic styling and high end component group. The Dura-Ace decal on the down tube appears to be original from the factory as well as the others. Nice orange paint shimmers in the sun. Serial number stamped on seat tube by the BB shell is: 77 1636.
     It currently is missing pedals. The rear wheel will need to be re-built because the rim has a couple cracks at the eyelets. Also, the brake levers are Suntour Superbe, not Dura-Ace. The measurements are as follows:

• 57CM CTC seat tube
• 55CM CTC top tube
• 33" stand over height

The components are as follows:

• Shimano Dura-Ace low flange 36 hole black anodized hubs laced to 700C Rigida eyeletted rims.
• Shimano Dura-Ace rear derailleur, black anodized (later model)
• Shimano Dura-Ace front derailleur, black anodized.
• Shimano Dura-Ace crank set 52-42 ring combo 170mm arms "B H" date code, black anodized.
• Shimano Dura-Ace bottom bracket.
• Shimano Dura-Ace brake calipers with original pads and wheel guides, black anodized.
• Shimano Dura-Ace head set, black anodized.
• Shimano Dura-Ace brake cable guides.
• SR bars and stem.
• Suntour Superbe brake levers with nice gum hoods.
• Vetta saddle with alloy pillar seat post.
• Shimano Dura-Ace clamp on shifters, black anodized.
• No pedals.

     Please email at bikeville@gmail.com for price and any questions you may have.
Thanks!