In 1985 I was told it was an Ultra Light. Decal saying something which would have cleared its name up peeled off after 6 months, you can see the shadow. Frame not made, but possibly marketed, by Shimano. Also came in fluoro yellow, white and I think flouro green (Miami Vice was big in the day). Goose neck was s600 AX, I think from unused necks in the warehouse. I think the bars were also.
Parts I'm chasing are: kashimax seat and pole n bracket, s600 ax bars (I think), s600 ax neck, original pedals (dunno – they were a cage and strap in the day). All those parts were lost some time ago.
Thanks for.taking the time to help a stranger. Good on ya for that.
But, if there's a book or manual for the bike I'd be beside myself.
I did a google search about 5 years ago and found the exact bike in the USA. Not branded an Ultralight.
Four kids at school had them (2 x pink 1985, 1 x white n Red 1986, and a Blue 1986/7) and we had a little Ultralight group – so we called it, possibly in error.
by Maxxiethegreat
5 Comments
What you have is not the AX group but a couple of generations after that. Just go on ebay and look up Shimano 600 6207.
Shimano makes components, not frames. That’s just a sticker.
Take better frame pictures and post it to see if someone can identify it.
Edit: the frame sticker even says it.
Shimano JC date stamp from the crank arm puts it at October 1985. Seems consistent with other parts.
I know the temptation of trying to build a period-correct bike. But you may want to rethink sourcing 40 year old load-bearing parts when new good quality parts will be much better made, and a lot safer. And as for a kashimax saddle, I’ve ridden one, and it feels like a brick. A narrow brick
I think this is one of those N(1) frames they have been wondering about over on BikeForums.net for years. Nobody is really sure who made these, but there are some theories. Your 1985 date lines up with their reading of the serial numbers. Your memory of the Miami Vice paint schemes might make sense with the theory that Tano made these. There is also some evidence for National being the maker.
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/1042901-asian-serial-number-guide.html
Regarding replacement parts, a bike made in Japan in 1985 is likely to have standard threading on pretty much everything. A 1″ threaded headset, standard ISO/British sized bottom bracket, etc.