Here is the catalog of Silk R2 road-racing bicycle which was typical model of Katakura Silk. My first custom made bicycle was a "full-skeleton-order" model which was based on R2-4 of the catalog of 1974.
At here, I introduce R2 road-racing model which was announced from 1974 to 1981.

The catalog in 1974

This was the catalog of sports bicycle. Eight models were introduced in this catalog.

PR10-4: Perfect Quick (Rinko)
PR10-4D: Perfect Quick DX (Rinko)
PR10-4L: Perfect Quick Lady (Rinko)
SC15-4: Camping
27S-4: Speed Master (Sail fast)
27S-4D: Speed Master DX (Sail fast)
SR10-4: Speed Master (Touring)
R2-4: Road-Racer


This R2 was equipped with Sugino Pro-dynamic chain-wheel, Yoshigai 500 brake, "Suntour Compe-V front derailleur and V-lux rear derailleur", and Mikashima Unique-road pedal. The price was 70, 400 yen.

My first custom made bicycle was made by "full-size-order" which was based on R2. However, the derailleur set was a new model Suntour Cyclone. I still have seat post (Fujita Hupel-rider), brakes (Yoshigai 500), and derailleur set which were used for this bicycle.

The below is my order sheet. You can see several sizes such as "74 degree parallel", "rear-center 420 mm", and "front-center 571". I used to ride such a short "front-center length" bicycle in mountain pass.

The catalog in 1975.

This was the catalog which specialized in sports bicycle. Eleven models were introduced in this catalog.

PR10-5D: Perfect-quick DX (Rinko)
PR10-5L: Perfect-Quick Lady (Rinko)
PR2-5D: Perfect-Quick Mini (22 inch Rinko)
SC15-5: Camping
27S-5: Speed-Master (Sail Fast)
27S-5D: Speed-Master DX (Sail Fast)
27S-A: Speed-Master (Fast run)
SR5-5: Speed-Master (Promenade)
R2-5: Road-Racer
R2-X: Road-Racer Super (Equipped with Dura-ace first model, the same one in front page)
R1-5: Truck-Racer (Pista)


R2 was upgraded. It was equipped with Sugino Mighty-compe chain-wheel, Yoshigai 162 brake (previous model was 144), Suntour SL front derailleur (previous model was Compe-V), Pro-compe freewheel.
The price was 80,000 yen.

The catalog in 1976

This was the catalog which specialized in sports bicycle such as road-racing model and Sportif model. Seven types were introduced in this catalog.

27S-R: Speed-Master (Sail fast)
27S-DR: Speed-Master DX (Sail fast)
27S-CR: Speed-Master Custom (Fast run)
R2-R: Road-racer, R2-X: Road-racer Super (Equipped with Dura-ace first model)
RR-CR: Road-racer Custom (Custom made frame model)
R1-R: Track-racer (Pista).


R2 was almost same as previous model. Only the brake was upgraded to Yoshigai 500G which had a quick release lever. The price was 84,000 yen.

The catalog in 1977

This is the catalog which specialized in sports bicycle. Fourteen models were introduced in this catalog.

R2-XK: Road-racer Super (equipped with Superbe first model)
R2-K: Road-racer
R2-PK: Road-racer (Reasonable model)
R1-K: Track-racer (Pista)
27S-K: Speed-Master (Sail fast)
27S-DK: Speed-Master (Sail fast)
27S-CR: Speed-Master Custom (Fast run)
PR10-DK: Randoneur DX (Rinko)
PR10-k: Perfect-Quick (Rinko)
PR10-L: Perfect-Quick Lady (Rinko)
PR2-5D: Perfect-Quick Mini (22 inch/ Rinko)
SC15-K: Camping
RP-CK: Road-racer Custom (Custom made frame model)
RT-CK: Randoneur Custom (Custom made frame model)


R2 was changed drastically in this year.
Unno D2*D2 lug-less frame and round-shape fork with double shoulder were changed to Ishiwata 022 lug frame and oval-shaped fork. The half-plating on the front and rear fork disappeared. Front and rear derailleur was changed to Suntour Cyclone.
The price was 96,000 yen.

The catalog in 1978

This was the catalog which specialized in sports bicycle. The catalog explained about the full-order frame. Eleven models were introduced in this catalog.

R2-XW: Road-racer Super (Equipped with Suntour Superb first model)
R2-W: Road-racer
R1-W: Track-racer (Pista)
RAW: Gloire Sportif (700C-WO)
KWC: Gloire Sportif (Reasonable model)
PR10-DW: Randoneur DX (Rinko)
PR10-L: Perfect-Quick Lady (Rinko)
SC15-W: Camping
TAW: Gloire Touring (Reasonable model).


R2 was basically same as the model of previous year. Only the front fork was changed to 400R-COLNAGO type crown.
The import quantity of Italian road-racing bicycle had increased in those days. Therefore Katakura must have tried to make similar image.
The price was 96,000 yen.

The catalog in 1979

This was the catalog which specialized in sports bicycle. The catalog explained about the custom made frame. Eleven models were introduced at here.

R2-XP(D): Road-racer Super (Equipped with Dura-ace EX)
R2-XP(S): Road-racer Super (Equipped with Superbe)
R2-P: Road-racer
R1-P: Track-racer (Pista)
PR10-DP: Randoneur DX (Rinko)
SC15-W: Camping
TAP: Gloire Touring (Reasonable model)
RAP: Gloire Racing (700c-WO)
KAP: Gloire Sportif (700C-WO)
KCW: Gloire Sportif 27 (Reasonable model)
RCP: Gloire Touring 26

Perfect-Quick Lady and Speed-Master DX disappeared from the catalog.

R2 was upgraded drastically. It was equipped with New-winner Ultra 6 freewheel (previous model was Pro-compe 5-speed), NGC 200 brake levers (previous model was Yoshigai GC160), Nitto Perl stem (previous model was Neo-dinamic), and French tires (previous model was SOYO #90).
As for the frame, three outer cable bands and shift lever became direct-attached types. The fork length had been changed to use small-arch brake.
The price was 104, 800 yen.

You can see the detail of the catalog in 1979 from here.

The catalog in 1980

This was the catalog which specialized in sports bicycle. The catalog explained about the special order and custom made frame.
Thirteen models were introduced in the catalog.

R2-XF: Road-racer Super (Equipped with Dura-ace EX)
R2-F: Road-racer
R1-F: Track-racer (Pista)
RAF: Gloire Racing (700C-WO)
PR10-DF: Randoneur DX (Rinko)
TAF: Gloire Touring (Reasonable model)
SC15-DF: Camping
KAF: Gloire Sportif (700C-WO)
KCF: Gloire Sportif 27 (Reasonable model)
RCP: Gloire Touring (Reasonable model)
PR2-DF: Perfect-Quick Mini (22 inch/ Rinko)
RLF: Speed-Lady (24 inch/ Mixte)
SGF: Sports-Pony.

R2 was almost same as the model of previous year. It was equipped with Nitto handlebar Universiade 104 (previous model was Olympiad 115), Ariake saddle Jagger II (previous model was Fujita Professional Seamless-Super), Sugino MCC outer ring.
As for the frame color, the traditional Pearl-shine white had been abolished in this year.
The price was 117, 000 yen.

Note: MCC means "Mighty Competition Custom". It was a lightweight model.

The catalog in 1981

This was the catalog which specialized in sports bicycle. The catalog explained about the sale of a frame (as single item).
Fifteen models were introduced in the catalog.

R2-XS: Road-racer Super (Equipped with Dura-ace EX)
R2-S: Road-racer, R1-S: Track-racer (Pista)
PBS: Gloire-racing(700C-WO)
KAS: Gloire Sportif (700c-WO)
KCW: Gloire Sportif 27 (Reasonable model)
PR10-DS: Randoneur DX (Rinko)
SC15-DS: Camping
THS: Gloire Touring (15-speed)
TAS: Gloire Touring (Reasonable model)
KBS: Aero-Sportif 27 (Equipped with Adamas-ax)
KCU: Gloire Sportif 27 (12-speed)
KDS: Gloire Sportif 27 (Reasonable model)
RCU: Gloire Touring (Reasonable model)
PR2-DF: Perfect-Quick Mini (22 inch/ Rinko)
RLF: Speed-Lady (24 inch/ Mixte)

In this year, bicycle of aerodynamics model had appeared in the lineup of most of bicycle industry. However, the aerodynamics boom had disappeared following year.
R2 was basically same as the model of previous year. Only the shift lever was upgraded to Suntour Superbe.




These are all of catalogs I have. The design of the catalog seems to be refined year after year. Later, my bicycle life had been suspended for getting a job and having marriage. So I don't have the other catalogs, including other brand.

In this page, I exhibited the catalogs of R2 which represent Silk. If you observe the catalogs carefully, you would recognize the transition of Japanese sports bicycle of those days.