Technical & Reference Section > Tech and Restoration

Akibo Pro / Mystery Tange Frame?

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monkian:
So most of you know I have a bit of a fetish for Japanese OSBMX, especially anything connected with Tange and that I also love trying to solve a bike ID mystery:

http://www.radbmx.co.uk/forum/index.php'topic=145607.0

I’ve been intrigued by the Akibo Pro, ever since seeing the test feature in BMX Bi-Weekly (v5 i10) and discovering it was sold through Hotshot, a local dealer based in Oxford that I remember from bitd. It’s got a proper light weight race frame with what I thought was a unique Tange tube configuration and came complete with pretty decent parts. A really tidy frame-set came up on eBay a while back and I regret not going for it. What can I say, I’m kinky and it tickled my fancy and I guess some itches just need to be scratched ;)





So after hunting around for one in the usual shady places, I stumbled across this neglected beauty. Looking at it, it seemed to tick all the boxes and even though it wasn’t as shiny as it should be I thought it must have just been painted by a former owner. After a little dance with the owner, I managed to land it and it showed up this morning.



I’m a bit stumped now though as it turns out the decals are original and on top of the paint. Thankfully there was also part of an original bike-shop label on it, (JE) James, Sheffield, and as it goes they’re still in business so I gave them a quick call. I spoke to a guy who’s been there since 1986 and sent him some images of the bike so hopefully he might be able to provide some more info. He seemed to think it was unlikely they put shop labels on second hand bikes so there’s a good chance this was sold as a new bike with a painted finish so bang went my theory of it being owner painted.







I bought it as a complete bike and a lot of the parts meet the Akibo Pro spec: ARX Forks, Strong Clamp & Post, Araya Aero Rims, Sealed Suntour Hubs, Win Stem, KKT SMX Pedals & DID Chain. The tube configuration looks to be the same, 19” round 1,1/8” OD top tube, 1,1/4” OD down tube, classic Tange flared seat tube, Giant style dropouts and a slightly different take on the more typical Tange BB stamp, again this is consistent with the Akibo Pro.







The frame decals have been brutally removed but you can make out part of one on the down tube that starts with M then possibly A. I’ve searched through a few bikes on the museum but haven’t found a match yet. The M looks a bit like the Motobecane logo but it’s not quite the same. Does anyone on here have any ideas or remember the BMX at JE James in Sheffield bitd?

Mikku:
Am flippin' loving this mate! Subscribed for progress reports and build pics!! :daumenhoch:

monkian:
Thanks Mick, I’ve managed to get in touch with a family member of the Hotshot shop owner which is a real buzz. Hopefully there’ll be some more things to add :)

Mikku:
With your track record, I'd expect nothing less! & of course you know I like my Japanese old school! :daumenhoch:

What are your current plans for the frame? Keep it og, assuming that the paintwork is just that, or refinish, etc, etc? Fwiw, I love that weathered silver/white finish, otherwise known as "patina" (whatever that is) but then I'm a sucker for survivor builds. :D

monkian:
I was thinking of stripping the paint but now it seems to be original, I’m just going to clean up what I’ve got, add a few parts, grease and make myself a rat ride. It could all change though depending on what I find out ;)

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