1976 Nagasawa (2010 Fixed.org.au Readers Choice Award Winner!)

General Post your ride
1


nagasawa side by 2joes2, on Flickr

Newest Update:

Nagasawa Pantograph Stem by 2joes2, on Flickr

Finally I got the chance to upload photos of this;

1976 NAGASAWA Frame

Suntour Superbe Pro Track Crankset
Suntour Superbe Pro Pedal Set
Suntour Superbe Pro Hub Set
Suntour Superbe Pro Seat Post

Dura Ace BB and Headset
3ttt Bar/Cinelli Bar
Araya Gold Tubulars
Toshi Singles/MKS alloy clips
Kashimax X Nagasawa Saddle

Ive been in Japan for a few months this year and often watch Yahoo auctions. I was lucky enough to find this Nagasawa frame in my size for extremely cheap. It does have some damage but this is coveniently covered up by my tt protector.

The frame has many unique points to it. Firstly the paint is Nakano red, a colour Nagasawa has now retired in respect to his 10 time world champion rider. All the new Nakano reds now have gold sparkles. This alone shows the age of the frame. It was in fact build in Novermber 1976, the first year Nagasawa built under his own name having returned from Italy training under De Rosa.

All the parts are Suntour except for the BB and Headset and this is due to two things. Firstly, having just arrived back from Italy, Mr Nagasawa was yet to create his own lug work and therefore used De Rosa lugs he brought home with him. As well as this he was only used to working with Italian thread. Secondly, I was lucky enough to have a mate take the frame out to his factory and Nagasawa and his son regreased the bb and head set, put new bearings in the head set and polished them both up. I will upload some photos of this asap.

The BB now spins forever!

Furthermore, being such an early frame, Nagasawa was yet to gain NJS certification so this has no stamp. So all you njs haters can enjoy too!:smiley: the frame dons no Nagasawa stamps anywhere on the frame. The bb, seatstays, and rear drop outs are all bare.

I hope there arent too many photos, I got a little carried away. Please enjoy. I do everytime I got on to ride this. I will try to get a photo of Nagasawa playing with the frame at a later date. My mate said Nagasawa felt very nostalgic commenting that it was such low quality yet couldnt take the smile off his face the whole evening.

DOZO!

2

Yowzers. You lucky thing. Beautiful.

3

wow dude. beautiful bike, and story to match.

i was going to say you should throw nitto bars/stem on, but given the interracial history, i think the current combo works!

4

very very nice, a keeper for sure!

5

beautiful! that thing is soo gorgeous and you are one lucky man! are they singles (tubulars) wrapped around those hubs? very good work

6

That is smokin’ hot!

7

Never too many photos in this case. Great build.

8

Tops!!!

PS you ride on that saddle? Or just for show?

9

So nice, that story could have gone on a lot longer.

Really enjoyed it as i’m sure you do the build.

10

that is absolutely amazing!

its perfect

11

Well done !!

Perfect :wink:

12

sorry they are araya gold tubulars.

and sir kev; this saddle only gets ridden in good weather and no denim allowed :stuck_out_tongue: im borrowing a mates saddle cover too.

Thanks for the comments, will get the action shots with Nagasawasan asap. and maybe add to the story just for you dirtbag.

13

Sugoi!

Dai ski desu

14

This thing is stunning! Such a gorgeous looking bike.

15

man, i love a frame with a story behind it. so interesting!

16

amazing … reminds me of the poster i have thanks to Cog mag

17

perfect…

18

Wow duder. That thing is beautiful! When are you coming back?

19

Minor thread-jack: I think if Nagasawa himself is installing Superbe Pro cranks on a Dura Ace BB, then that confirms that they’re both ISO taper, and the “Suntour Taper” is probably a myth. I mean, of anyone, he would know his shit right?

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No, it means that it works well enough. Measuring the tapers accurately will confirm 1.8 vs 2 degrees.