Return to

The Catalog of Reminiscence

The Invitation for Cycling by Mr.Gami

Part 36: Katakura Silk Custom frame in 1976




Here is the catalog of custom frame of Katakura in 1976.
The catalog introduced semi-order frames of Road-racing model and Touring model. Other than Katakura, there were several mass-production makers which had sold semi order frame such as Kawamura Nishiki in those days.
Although it was called "semi-order", what you could select were only four frame sizes, six frame colors and several kinds of special frame works. One of my friend had ordered this frame, and assembled a Road-racer.
Katakura also sold complete bicycle which based on this semi-order frame. Therefore I introduce them along with frames.



This is the front cover. Artistic sense is not so refined, rather simple.
By the way, the silhouette of Road-racing bicycle didn't look to be assembled with domestic parts. It seemed to be equipped with Campagnolo set of those days. And Tour model seemed to be equipped with Campagnolo rear derailleur Rally, JOS electric equipments, Mafac brake set, and AD-HOC pomp.






This is the back cover. You see the stamp of a bicycle shop which I had ordered a Silk Road-racing bicycle.






This is a general explanation about the custom frame. Four frame sizes and six colors were prepared. As for the frame size, it's so kind because we could select 570 mm.






The catalog explained about the trait of frame.






This is the specification of a Road-racing frame. It was suitable for Silk, because the catalog wrote the thicknesses of a frame tube.






This is the frame skeleton of a Road-racing frame. 73 degrees 30 minutes parallel was slightly gentle even in those days.






This is the specification of a Touring frame. Most of required frame works were done in standard. Only the shift lever plinth was option. It was necessary, because there were several kinds of lever such as Shimano, Campa, Simplex, Hulet, other than Suntour in those days.






This is the skeleton of a Touring frame. 72 degrees 30 minutes parallel was ordinary in those days. I guess that the inner width of the fork F96 mm*R124 mm wasn't already standard in those days.






There were a complete bicycle which based on semi-order frame in the catalog for sports bicycle in 1976.
The bicycle was equipped with Sanshin Pro-AM hub, Mighty-Compe chain wheel, Pro-Compe freewheel, Cyclone derailleur set, Unique road pedals, and so on. The composition of the parts was appropriate for the Silk. The price was 118,000 yen.





This is a randonneur custom model which based on a Touring frame. The wheels size was 26*1-1/2(650*38B). The front fender was long enough. The front carrier which was made by 7 mm tubes was parallel with the ground. It was also equipped with aluminum bottle as standard equipment.
The bicycle was really made appropriately as a Touring model. The price was 115,000 yen.





inserted by FC2 system