Project Nippon

Where to start... Jeebus.

Yes, NJS parts would be the most ideal, I just heard that the keirin frames aren't particularly strong, so wanted some info on stronger Japanese frames, something that can handle some uneven roads every so often!

With a name like Nippon, sounds like the guy with the answers I need... maybe

NO, he wouldn't.
And you've heard wrong too, like in any other country (business), there's better products and maybe less good ones. To say that 'Japanese' frames are not very strong sounds inaccurate and doesn't make much sense.
Sounds to me you've been told the same old stories about the NJS gods... a bit late, but feel free to join the bandwagon.

he doesn't have the answers. i promise.
keirin frames are often seen as not as strong because the keirin frames that are easy to get hold of have often been crashed. but then again, they are specialist frames, not suited to riding on roads. lots of people do though.

As much as any other true track frame SuperJoe, track frames are track frames, to use in tracks.
That info that NJS frames can't 'touch' tarmac is BS.
They shouldn't, no. They're not commuting bikes, but they'll take it.

Rob, if your budget is sub £1k, don't bother with an all jap build. It will not happen. Sorry.

1k, I don't know many people who's bikes have even cost half that, seriously.
The guy understands fuck all about Japanese bikes, why would he melt 1k with them....?
You can reallistically do something nice with half.
Specially if his missus's Japanese and can understand the lingo.

rob, i wouldnt settle for second-rate parts over having every single thing njs.
if you want full njs and have a small budget then you might just have to settle with your build taking a very long time. if you could settle for small things not being njs and some things not even being japanese then you could easily build yourself a very nice bike for around six or seven hundred quid.

Yep, pretty much that.

Here's your shopping list. Google and ebay the prices on each of these and see what it totals.

• frame & forks
  
• headset
  
• bottom bracket
  
• cranks (and chainring...and chainring bolts... and crank bolts)
  
• chain
  
• pedals
  
• straps
  
• stem
  
• bars
  
• grips
  
• Wheels (made from probably dura ace hubs + araya rims)
  
• cog + lockring
  
• seatpost
  
• saddle
  
  

Not trying to put you off, just trying to give you an idea of what the deal is. ...

Which ideally should put everyone off, if the intention is not to spend money...lol.
Getting exclusive bikes from Japan, and not spending money is so 2007....
Sorry, not happening. Just being realistic.

....
*The frame is the most important part and this will probably be where I have to compromise the mos*t....

My friend Rob... that's where you're compromising the most actually.
The frame should be your least of worries.
Frames come and go. You can crash it, brake it, get it nicked...etc...
Want a piece of advice: Get yourself quality components, good wheelset, if you so like Japanese get them
full DA or Suntour, but get them right and solid.
The frame is 2nd, it can be what you really want now and you'll love it but then you'll want to change in 6months... same shit everywhere, with everyone.
Like this, if that happens you'll still have the nicest components and will simply have to swap them from one frame to the next.
We've all been there, I've also learned that frames shouldn't be your priority and I've had a fair share of Keirin ones.
Like Hugo7 says above, don't go for NJS shite unless you're prepared to spend Dorrah.
There's no 'budget' in sending stuff over from Nipponland.
Peace.