Please accept this submission to the "current classics" section of cyclofiend.

This is my 1985 Shogun 2000. Shogun was a small importer of Japan- built bicycles, with a distribution channel focused mainly in the Northeast US. This was Shogun's loaded touring model with long wheelbase, relaxed angles and a full complement of braze-ons for racks, fenders and bottle cages. I purchased the complete bike from an eBay auction in September, 2009. The original dark blue metallic paint was in generally rough condition, but mechanically the bike appeared to have had very few miles of use. The component set was in surprisingly good condition and largely top of the line. I was also surprised at the build quality of the frameset itself: the lug brazing and attention to manufacturing detail rank as fine as any bike I've seen. My intent was to build it up as a touring bike in the spirit of the classic French Randonneurs. After having the frameset powdercoated by Long Beach Custom Fabrication of Plymouth, MA and hand- painting the lug details, I built it up using the original wheelset and much of the original component set.

Frameset: Tange 2 seamless double-butted chromoly main tubes, Tange 5 chromoly fork and stays. Forged dropouts.

Geometry: 72 degree seat tube angle, 58cm seat tube c-t, 55cm top tube c-c, 103cm wheelbase.

Finish: Tiger powdercoat, RAL6034

Wheelset: Araya 16A (27 x 1-1/4") rims, 40H rear, 36H front. Suzue sealed bearing hubs. Panaracer Pasela Tourguard 27 x 1-1/4" tires.
Bottom bracket: Shimano UN54 sealed cartridge.
Crankset: Takagi AR-T triple (50/45/30, aka "half-step plus granny gear"), 170mm cranks arms. MKS sylvan pedals.
Freewheel: Shimano 600 (MF-6208) 6-speed, 14-32.
Front/rear derailleurs: Shimano Deore XT (FD-M700/RD-M700, aka "Deer head"). Suntour Barcon shifters.
Brakes: Shimano Deore XT (BR-MC70) cantilevers w/original pads. Shimano 600 levers w/original hoods.
Saddle: 1973 Brooks Professional. Sugino SP-K seatpost, 26.8mm.
Stem/bars: Nitto Technomic. Nitto B135 Grand Randonneur, 45cm. Tressostar bar tape, brown.
Headset: Tange, sealed

Extras: Honjo 43mm hammered fenders, Nitto M12 front rack, MKS toe clips w/generic straps, Velo-Orange bottle cage, VO braided stainless steel shifter/brake cabling.

Actual weight as shown with fenders, rack and Brooks saddle is 26lb.

tutter@mac.com