Project Nippon

Ok so I'm really getting into the FG culture and I'm looking to start my own project when I get the funds in order. I've been thinking about putting a themed project bike together and want peoples suggestions and thoughts on putting together a complete Japanese build. The mrs is Japanese and although she doesn't share my enthusiasm in the project she is quite helpful when it comes to finding parts to import. I want good quality components but I am on a budget!

I just want to know what parts people suggest particularly with the frame as I've heard Keirin frames can be a bit flimsy to say the least. So Kalavinka, Nagasawa or another make for the frame. I'm pretty set on A Sugino and MKS combination and some Token components too. I want the bike to be aesthetically pleasing, performance is a bonus.

I'd love to get your combined knowledge on this as it will be my first build.

Cheers
Rob

well if you want it to be one hundred percent authentic japanese then you will probably want every single part on the bike to be njs certified.

Is Nippon still here?

You could get advice from him, a true fixie fuckwit if ever one existed.

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

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

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.

...[I] want peoples suggestions and thoughts on putting together a complete Japanese build...I want good quality components but I am on a budget!

...

I'd love to get your combined knowledge on this as it will be my first build.

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

In theory you could do it by converting a random jap road frame. You could also save some money here and there going second hand, using sugino messenger cranks, maybe...

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

In theory you could do it by converting a random jap road frame. You could also save some money here and there going second hand, using sugino messenger cranks, maybe...

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.

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. If I were you I'd re-approach the project. What do you like about your current bike? What don't you like? Based on this what would you change? What new build would be better?

If you want a shop to look in and people to talk to, go to Tokyo Fixed Gear

すごい高い、頑張ってヨ！

http://njs-keirin.blogspot.com/2010/10/uno-complete.html

Full njs - just under $2400 plus fuck knows how much in customs and shipping. Just build a nice bike that suits your needs and budget.

Thanks for the advice guys, some valuable information and I will digest all the info I can from it.

NJS stamps would be nice to have, however I'm aware that this comes at a price. I think I want the bike to look a lot better than my Plug beater tbh! I know that won't be hard to do.

The frame is the most important part and this will probably be where I have to compromise the most. I don't mind getting some good quality second hand parts and I keep a close eye on the classifieds here. I might just settle on a similar frame geometry and look then use some of the money saved towards a nice paint job!

I've not visited the TFG shop yet, but often go on their website. I was meant to go out to Japan again this summer which would have been the ideal opportunity to shop for parts. That's on hold until next year now though.

ありがとう!

Is Nippon still here?

You could get advice from him, a true fixie fuckwit if ever one existed.

I actually thought this thread was about him and his Nagasawas.... disappoint.

That's on hold until next year now though.

Fancy taking part in a Tokyo - Kyoto cycle ride in 2012?

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.

Fancy taking part in a Tokyo - Kyoto cycle ride in 2012?

Would love to Shinigami. Not sure when I'll be over there though and I'll probably be based in Sapporo for most of my time over there with the future in-laws.

Wow, nuknow, that's a pretty thorough response there! You're right, I'm pretty much an amateur at this bike building game. Have messed around with bikes for many years in my youth though and know how to use tool properly.

I thought a themed bike would provide me with something to aim for and a clearer vision while I plan the build. Perhaps it needs more thought though! But that's why I posted here in the first place, for advice.

Interesting info on the frame (thanks nuknow) it makes sense what you mention about the components and I guess I was just thinking about what the major money was being spent on. I'm now thinking just to take inspiration from Japanese styles but not go for the complete Japanese build, but we'll see how this project unfolds down the line.

Cheers

...

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.

...

Really? You don't know many people who's builds don't even come to £500?

current projects >>>>>>

When they came out OTP Plug's and Fuji Track's came to numbers close to that. Especially once a few changes have been made.

I'm not saying you can't build a sub £1k bike. I'm just saying that unless you get really lucky it's hard to build a bike with topend stuff for much less than that and he needs to know this. I've got some great deals, but it all still adds up. When you're starting with a build that's going to have a +£300 F&F, +£150 wheelset, and +£100 cranks. It's going to be a struggle to keep costs down.

How much did your campag Moscow wheelset cost all in?

Lol, I knew that would come... I mean majority.
Off course I know people like that, even most of my bikes cost over 500gn,
But defo not the majority, sorry Hugo... being realistic, specially because the
OP states he's not really into the whole NJS/tarck thingy.

Just to give you an example: A very known member of the Forum managed to get a fully OG
Colnago Master Olympic, back together (*Full* C-Rec), for less than 500gn.;)

how much did your campag moscow wheelset cost all in?

±250.

If the Mrs speaks Japanese (and even better if she knows people who can have stuff delivered and send it on, or there's a service you can use for it) you should get looking on yahoo auctions. eBay doesn't exist in Japan and Yahoo auctions is a great source, though quite difficult to use for anyone who doesn't speak japanese.

Worse is to get it shipped over here.
His Mrs being japanese means she'll have an address (hopefully)
where to send there, before being sent over to the UK.

Japanese hub porn. I've been lusting after them ever since I learned of their existence. I personally can't justify spending $300 on a pair of hubs though.. If you can, then do it.

holy shit. those are so nice.

...I personally can't justify spending $300 on a pair of hubs though.. If you can, then do it.

That's 185 pounds. Cheaper than Campy.