Holks is the original brand of Yokoo Sorinkan which is at Ueno Tokyo. Yokoo Sorinkan is a long-established shop in Tokyo which was established in 1925. Its specialty is competition bicycle.

The opportunity which interested me in the cycling was Cycle sports magazine and New cycling magazine which I happened to come across at a neighbor book shop in 1972. Until then, I knew only big mass-production maker such as Bridgestone, National, Miyata, Maruishi, and Japan-America Fuji. But there were lot of advertisements of the brands which weren't mass-production maker in the magazines. The prices of such bicycle in the advertisement were extraordinary; even to amateur of junior high student could recognize the difference of appearance and parts.
While I read a number of magazines, I came to think that road-racing bicycle without mudguard, carrier, headlight was beautiful. Especially "Holks-R" of above was my favorite. The bicycle was the highest grade model, equipped with Campagnolo group-set and high grade imported parts such as Cinelli, Regina, Unica, Christophe, Binda. The price was 191,850 yen.

Of course I didn't have any kinds of knowledge about road-racing bicycle or bicycle parts. However, I had thought that it had different beauty and dauntlessness from other "Drop handle bicycle" which could see around the city.

The fact I was fascinated by the bicycle of the photo was an opportunity which interested me in 700C bicycle. I'm sure of it.

This time, I show you the catalog of 1964. Four models such as R-special, R-popular, RS-7, and RS-6 were introduced in the catalog.
R-special and R-popular was a road-racing model which was equipped with tubular tires. RS-7 and RS-6 was a sports model which was equipped with 27 inch WO tires. Only RS-6 had the fenders.
As for the frame, R-special was made of Cr-Mo (Unno D2*D2), and the others were made of high-tension steel. Nowadays the main material of frame became carbon fiber and aluminum, Cr-Mo is called simply "iron" or "steel". Back in those days, Cr-Mo frame was a lofty dream to boys who loved bicycle.
Holks continued to be the original brand of Yokoo Sorinkan until now. I'll be pleased if those who don't know about old days feel a part of the history of Japanese road-racing bicycle.

The catalog was offered by Mr. T.N

This is the front cover. The illustration that a cyclist was raising a hand might be familiar to senior reader of Cycle sports magazine and New cycling magazine.

The catalog was explaining about the specialty of Yokoo (speed-bicycle) along with the title 'what is good bicycle'.

The functional bicycle which was made according to your taste and your size

Your size: custom frame which is made for your body size.
Your taste: It would be great if it is a speed-bicycle.
The functional bicycleF It is a strong point of Holks.

The explanation was suitable for Yokoo that speed bicycle was their specialty.

This is the explanation about the frame. It explained about the standard length, the weld, and the butted tube. As for the sizes, 432 mm of chain-stay and 55 mm of fork-offset were the feeling of those days.

Low degrees weld seemed standard for a bicycle frame in those days. The frame of the highest grade model R-special was composed of Unno D2*D2, Cr-Mo double-butted tube.

This is the explanation about the import parts which was used for Holks. Those must be familiar to senior cyclists.

These are introduction of the models.

The price of R-special was 75,000 yen. Back in those days, a monthly salary of college graduated student was 20,000 yen. If convert into present value, it must be 750,000 yen.

The bicycle was equipped with the highest class parts, and its frame was also the highest class. Therefore there is no wonder even if the value of the price is same as a present high class road-racing model which has carbon fiber frame. However, more than 40 years ago, how many cyclists who could spend these expenses for one bicycle were there?

This is R-special.
It was equipped with Campagnolo drive system, Universal center-pull brakes (Model #16), Brooks saddle, Ambrosio handlebar and stem as the highest class road-racing model of those days. It didn't have direct-attached works on the frame. But half plating was done on the front and rear fork-end. It was full of atmosphere of Italian road-racing bicycle.

This is a speed model RS-7 and RS-6. It is nostalgic because both bicycles were equipped with 27 inch WO tires. The rear derailleur was Hulet Alvitt.
RS-6 was a Club-model which was equipped with pine needle type stays for the fender.

There is a photograph in the back cover. It seems the scenes of the bicycle competition in the Pre-Olympic before a year of Tokyo Olympic.
By the way Eddy Merckx had participated in the Tokyo Olympic game as an athlete of Belgium.