This bike used to be my mother’s, I wouldn’t know what year it is. I recognize the parts, but couldn’t see any numbers to determine the year and make.
I would like to restore it and bring it in a bit more modern state to gift it to my dad.
by Razno_
This bike used to be my mother’s, I wouldn’t know what year it is. I recognize the parts, but couldn’t see any numbers to determine the year and make.
I would like to restore it and bring it in a bit more modern state to gift it to my dad.
by Razno_
4 Comments
Here is some information on [Shimano Altus Selecta](https://www.shimano.com/en/100th/history/products/result.php?id=21) which is from ~1978
Shogun was an import brand, owned by Marui who contracted with factories in Japan to build bikes for the export market with a Japanese sounding name.
https://classicjapanesebicycles.com/shogun/
The bike has some aluminum components, so its not junk, but it has some aspects of a cheaper bike like no-name steel tubing and stamped dropouts.
I used to sell these at a bike shop in the Detroit area around 1981-82. The shop imported these and another brand Marushi as a wholesaler to compete with Nishiki and similar Japanese made bikes. My goal was to demonstrate to customers that while our brands were not well known they were comparable for a lower price, up to 20% cheaper.
The Shogun models as I recall were a lower end 400, a 600, a 1000 that came in a race version of a touring version and I think there was also a 3000 that was also more of a touring bike coming with fenders and racks. My 1000 had vertical rear drops but strangely also lugs for racks or fenders.
The 1000 and up had double butted Tange tubing.
I can’t tell which model yours is from the photo. Maybe a 400?
Is there a serial number on the BB shell?
Shogun made some black iron pipe frames and some nice thin wall Reynolds frames. I want to say Panasonic made the better frames, but I could be wrong.
Edit to add: with the claw derailleur I would say it was a lower, mid level offering. The frame has lots of dropouts which is nice. Might make a good gravel grinder with the addition of some component upgrades.