Blog - Page 3 - Classic Japanese Bicycles

Ravanello Track Bicycle: By S.Takamura

Post author By James Hickman Bio
Post date August 22, 2026

Quick Answer: The Ravanello track bicycle is a fully custom, hand-built frame from Ravanello (Bicycle Engineering Pro Shop Takamura Manufacturing Co.), founded by former Japanese track athlete Seiichi Takamura in Tokyo’s Nerima Ward. This build uses Tange steel with NJS-certified Sugino 75 crankset and Nitto handlebars and stem — the same certification standard required for Japanese keirin racing.

By James Hickman, former USA Cycling Expert-level coach and Masters-category racer
Amazon Affiliate I earn from qualified purchases

Special thanks to eBay’s satansmothers09 for the images and bike specs referenced in this article.

I feature builds like this one because I’ve spent years with my hands on Japanese steel — you can see the restorations and component teardowns on my Bicycle Restoration Man YouTube channel. The Ravanello isn’t one I’ve personally restored, but the Tange tubing, NJS hardware, and build quality on display here are the same things I look for — and look at closely — on every bike that comes through my own shop.

Who Builds the Ravanello Track Bicycle

This Ravanello track bicycle is this week’s Japanese Bicycle of the Week. Ravanello — officially Bicycle Engineering Pro Shop Takamura Manufacturing Co. — has built fully custom track and road frames one at a time since the workshop opened in 1977 under the phrase “Ravanello for Ride.” The pro shop that preceded it opened three years earlier, in 1974.

Ravanello builds road, track, randonneur, mini-vélo, and tandem frames in steel, aluminum, and carbon, each tailored to the rider ordering it. The aluminum and carbon frames are made in Italy, while steel builds — like the track bike featured here — stay in-house in Japan.

Building or restoring a track bike of your own? JensonUSA stocks the fixed-gear cranksets, track hubs, and NJS-adjacent parts that keep a build like this one true to form. Shop track bike components at JensonUSA →

The Visionary Behind Ravanello Bicycles: Seiichi Takamura

Seiichi Takamura, born March 1, 1943, founded Ravanello. A former top-level track athlete who represented Japan at the Asian Games during his university years, Takamura opened his bike shop in 1974 and began building frames in 1977. He is self-taught in frame construction — a fact that makes his reputation among Japanese track riders, and the nickname “Riding Ravanello,” more notable rather than less.

Track Bicycle: A Legacy of Excellence and Passion

Takamura’s frames are known among elite Japanese riders for their light weight and cornering feel. He also runs Team Ravanello, a club team with three Tour de Hokkaido wins to its name. The brand takes its name from the Nerima daikon radish — “Ravanello” is Italian for radish — a nod to the shop’s home in Tokyo’s Nerima Ward.

Sourcing period-correct saddles or seatposts for a project like this can take weeks of eBay hunting. JensonUSA carries modern equivalents from Selle, Fizik, and others if you’d rather ride than wait. Browse saddles and seatposts at JensonUSA →

Built with Tange Steel

This track bicycle is built from Tange steel, a tubeset chosen for its strength-to-weight balance rather than for cost. Steel of this quality holds up to intricate lug work without giving up the responsiveness a track frame needs, which is part of why it remains a preferred material for serious track builders decades after aluminum and carbon became mainstream elsewhere.

Tange Headset

The Tange headset handles steering duty. It’s a straightforward, well-made component — precise, durable, and built to take repeated track-standing and hard cornering without developing play.

Sugino 75 NJS Crankset

The Sugino 75 NJS crankset is built and certified to NJS (Nihon Jitensha Shinkokai) standard — the spec Japanese keirin racing requires of every component on a sanctioned track bike. That certification means the crankset has passed testing most consumer parts never see, which is a large part of why NJS components carry a premium and a following well outside keirin racing itself.

Nitto NJS Handlebars and Stem

The Nitto NJS handlebars and stem are the other NJS-certified components on this build. Nitto’s reputation in track cycling rests on decades of consistent, minimal-flex construction — not marketing — which is why the brand shows up on nearly every serious Japanese track build, Ravanello’s included.

Dura-Ace Aero Seatpost and Kashimax Aero Saddle

A Dura-Ace aero seatpost and Kashimax aero saddle finish the cockpit. The pairing keeps the rider’s position low and adjustable without adding drag — a small detail, but on a track bike built for speed, exactly the kind of detail that matters.

If you enjoyed learning about this week’s featured bicycle, don’t miss out on more classic bike content. Visit our other site, pacelinebikes.com, for cycling information you can use. And check out our YouTube channel, Bicycle Restoration Man, for restoration videos and finished builds. Subscribe and join the community.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Ravanello Track Bicycle

Who built the Ravanello track bicycle?
Seiichi Takamura, a former top-level Japanese track athlete, built it. He opened his bike shop in 1974 and began framebuilding under the Ravanello name in 1977, and is self-taught in frame construction.

Is the Sugino 75 crankset on this bike NJS-certified?
Yes. The Sugino 75 crankset and the Nitto handlebars and stem are all NJS-certified, meaning they meet the standard required for Japanese keirin racing.

What does “Ravanello” mean?
Ravanello is Italian for radish. The name refers to the Nerima daikon radish, a nod to the brand’s home in Tokyo’s Nerima Ward.

What does “NJS certified” mean on a track bike component?
NJS certification comes from the Nihon Jitensha Shinkokai, Japan’s keirin racing authority. A component earns it by passing strength and durability testing beyond typical consumer standards, which is why NJS-stamped parts like the Sugino 75 crankset and Nitto handlebars carry a premium among collectors and racers alike.

PANASONIC BICYCLE PICS TITANIUM 1988

Post author By James Hickman Bio
Post date August 16, 2026

Quick Answer: The Panasonic PICS (Panasonic Individual Custom System) was a semi-custom bicycle program launched in 1987 that let riders select frame material (including titanium), groupset, and one of roughly 1,000 paint combinations, then receive a made-to-order bike from Japan in two to six weeks. The 1988 titanium PICS model shown here remains one of the most sought-after Panasonic bikes among collectors for its aerospace-grade tubing and factory-direct customization.

Special thanks to the Panasonic Bike Museum and Darin Nederhoff for the images used in this article.
Amazon Affiliate I earn from qualified purchases

Panasonic Titanium cockpit

This week’s Japanese Bicycle of the Week is a 1988 titanium Panasonic built through the company’s PICS program — a system that, for a brief window in the late 1980s, let an ordinary rider spec a bike closer to a custom framebuilder’s order form than anything else on a shop floor. Introduced in 1988, the Panasonic PICS system represented a genuine leap forward for off-the-shelf bicycles: it married mass-production speed with individual measurements, component choice, and paint. Constructed from aerospace-grade titanium, the frame was prized for a strength-to-weight ratio that steel simply couldn’t touch at the time, and for a ride quality that riders of the era described as noticeably smoother over rough pavement than comparable steel frames.

What Was the Panasonic PICS System?

PANASONIC BICYCLE PICS TITANIUM Seat Post

Panasonic Corporation, founded in 1918 by Konosuke Matsushita, built its early reputation on electronics and household appliances before expanding into automotive components, batteries, industrial equipment, and — starting in the 1950s — bicycles. By the mid-1980s, Panasonic’s bicycle division had the manufacturing precision to attempt something few competitors could: true build-to-order production at scale.

PANASONIC BICYCLE PICS TITANIUM saddle and seat stays

That effort became reality in 1987, when Panasonic introduced their PICS program (Panasonic Individual Custom System), giving customers the ability to spec a high-quality custom bicycle through their local dealer rather than ordering from a boutique framebuilder. Turnaround ran two to six weeks — remarkably fast for the era. Participating shops were equipped with a VHS player that ran a factory tour video, walking customers through exactly how their bike would be built before they ever signed an order form.

Titanium vs. Steel: The Two PICS Frame Options

PANASONIC BICYCLE PICS TITANIUM Top Tube

The first step in a PICS order had customers choosing their bike style — road, mountain, or time trial — and then their frame material: steel or titanium. Sizing ran across a wide range for both mountain and road platforms, so the “semi-custom” claim held up in practice, not just in the brochure. Titanium commanded a premium over steel but delivered the lighter, more compliant ride that made the 1988 model, in particular, a standout among PICS-era bikes.

Components and Paint: Building a One-of-a-Kind Panasonic

PANASONIC BICYCLE PICS TITANIUM Head tube

The customization extended to the group set as well as the frame. Mountain builds could be speced with either of two Shimano mountain component tiers, while road builds offered a real ladder to climb: Shimano 105, 600, Sante, or Dura-Ace. Paint was equally deep. A glossy dealer brochure displayed single, dual, and tri-color schemes alongside a wide range of stripe, panel, and fade treatments — enough that no two PICS orders needed to look alike.

In fact, bike shops kept roughly a thousand different paint combinations on hand as sample tubes so a customer could see the actual finish, not just a printed swatch, before committing. Panasonic pushed personalization further than most manufacturers dared: each PICS bike could carry up to 12 laser-etched characters on the stem, or a silkscreened name on the top tube — a level of detail closer to a track bike commissioned from a Japanese keirin builder than anything typically found on a production frame.

Ordering Process: Fax Machines, VHS Tapes, and FedEx Delivery

PANASONIC BICYCLE PICS TITANIUM bottom bracket

Once finalizing all selections, the shop used a dedicated Panasonic fax machine to transmit the order form directly to Japan — cutting-edge logistics technology for 1988, when most bike orders still moved by mail or phone. After a short production window, the finished bike arrived by Federal Express, completing what was, for its era, a remarkably fast and personalized build-to-ship pipeline.

Why the 1988 PICS Titanium Still Matters to Collectors

PANASONIC BICYCLE PICS TITANIUM drive train

The 1988 Panasonic PICS titanium is long out of production, but its influence on how manufacturers think about customization hasn’t faded. It’s an early, tangible example of mass-customization done right — years before “build your own bike” configurators became a standard part of any brand’s website. Collectors and restorers seek these frames out today specifically because titanium ages well: unlike steel, it doesn’t rust, so a well-kept PICS frame from 1988 can still ride true nearly four decades later.

To this day, cycling enthusiasts actively seek out, restore, and preserve these vintage PICS models. Panasonic’s legacy in the cycling world endures as a case study in what a manufacturer can pull off when it treats customization as a real engineering problem rather than a marketing gimmick — a period when pioneering materials and meticulous, per-order design briefly changed how riders could get a bike built.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the Panasonic PICS system?

PICS (Panasonic Individual Custom System) was a build-to-order bicycle program Panasonic launched in 1987. Customers chose their bike type, frame material, component group, and paint scheme through a dealer, and received a custom-built bike from Japan within two to six weeks.

What made the 1988 titanium PICS frame special?

The 1988 model used aerospace-grade titanium tubing, giving it a lighter weight and smoother ride than the steel PICS option while resisting the corrosion that affects steel frames over decades. That combination is a major reason it’s still actively collected today.

Can you still buy a Panasonic PICS bicycle today?

No — the PICS program and the 1988 titanium model are long out of production. Surviving frames circulate through vintage bicycle collectors, restoration enthusiasts, and occasionally specialty auctions or marketplaces for classic Japanese bikes.

3Rensho Super Record Export Aerodynamics: Konno’s 1980s Original

Post author By James Hickman Bio
Post date August 10, 2026

Quick Answer: The 3Rensho Super Record Export “Aerodynamics” is a mid-1980s Japanese steel road frame handbuilt by Yoshi Konno in Chiba, Japan. It replaced the earlier non-aero Super Record Export and is identified by its aero fork crown, teardrop-section seatstays and flush down tube shifter bosses. This example is a 575mm center-to-top frame in original paint and decals, built with Ishiwata “Super Strong” tubing and a Shimano 600 groupset, with 3Rensho-engraved stem, seatpost and branded tubular tires. Unrestored, well-preserved originals like this are the most collectible configuration.

By James Hickman — Former USA Cycling Expert Coach | Bicycle of the Week: Vintage Japanese Road Bikes
Amazon Affiliate I earn from qualified purchases

SPECIAL THANKS TO EBAY AND KOT1334 FOR THE IMAGE CONTAINED IN THIS ARTICLE!

Every so often a bike crosses my bench that I hesitate to touch. This 3RENSHO Super Record Export “Aerodynamics” is one of them. I have spent years buying, stripping, and rebuilding Japanese steel, and my instinct is almost always to disassemble and refresh. Not here. This one has survived four decades with its original finish, original decals, and its 3RENSHO-specific parts still on it. The right move is preservation, not restoration.

Yoshi Konno

Who Was Yoshi Konno?

3RENSHO was created by Yoshi Konno, who opened the CYCLONE shop in Chiba around 1974, a year after helping establish Cherubim in Tokyo with his brother Hitoshi. The name “San Rensho” means three consecutive victories, a reference to a keirin rider winning heats, semi-final and final on three straight days. It did not happen often, which was exactly the point.

Konno famously taught himself by unbrazing Cinelli frames acquired after the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, then went on to design his own proprietary lugs and fittings. At its peak the shop ran with six apprentices, two of whom, Masahiko Makino and Koichi Yamaguchi, became significant builders in their own right. Yamaguchi left in the 1980s to build for the U.S. national team. Konno’s building career ended in 1995 after a catastrophic drunk-driving crash that killed five people and left him paralyzed. The marque closed shortly after, which is a large part of why nothing new will ever be added to the supply.

3Rensho Aerodynamics handlebar and stem

What “Aerodynamics” Actually Means

The word on the top tube is not decoration. According to Andrew Muzi of Yellow Jersey, 3RENSHO’s longtime North American importer, the aero model superseded the standard Super Record Export around 1984–85. The visual tells are consistent across surviving examples: a smooth, blended fork crown instead of a traditional sloping crown, teardrop or oval-section seat stays rather than round, and the flush “type B” down tube shifter mounting that matched the aero-era Shimano groups. Get the bike up on a quality repair stand before you buy — these details are easy to miss at floor level and easy to spot at eye height.

3Rensho Aerodynamics bottom bracket

Worth knowing before you go hunting: the Super Record Export and Super Record Aero frames imported to the United States did not get 3RENSHO’s cast Super Ends dropouts. Those were reserved for premium models like the Katana and the later NJS track frames. If a seller is telling you an SRE Aero should have them, they are working from the wrong catalog page.

3Rensho Aerodynamics top tube

The Tubing Question

This frame carries the ISHIWATA 3RENSHO SUPER STRONG decal, the one with the small elephant. Here is the honest answer that most listings will not give you: Ishiwata never published a spec sheet for “Super Strong” the way it did for 015, 019, 022 and 024. Long-running owner discussions point to 022 or 024, sometimes possibly mixed within a single set, and seatpost sizing on surviving frames has not settled the argument. Treat it as a quality Ishiwata chrome-moly set chosen by Konno for a stiff, durable road frame, and be suspicious of anyone quoting an exact wall thickness with total confidence.

If you do put a frame like this back on the road, the one piece of modern equipment I will add is a computer that mounts without touching the paint — the CYCPLUS G1 wireless GPS bike computer weighs 70g and needs no wheel magnet or fork sensor, so nothing gets clamped to original chrome or decals. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.

3Rensho Aerodynamics Shimano 600

The Shimano 600 Build

The group set here is Shimano 600, and that is period-correct rather than a compromise. In the mid-1980s, 600 was Shimano’s fast road group sitting just under Dura-Ace, and on export-market 3RENSHOs it was a common factory specification. It shifts cleanly, it is still serviceable, and parts remain findable.

What elevates this particular build is the small stuff. The stem is a Shimano Dura-Ace unit engraved 3RENSHO. The seatpost is a Shimano 600, also 3RENSHO engraved. Those pantographed pieces were shop-level details, not mass-production items, and they are the first things to disappear when a bike gets parted out or “upgraded” over the decades. The bike also still wears 3RENSHO-branded tubulars, which at this age are display items rather than riding tires, but their survival tells you how little this frame was used.

3Rensho Aerodynamics chain stays

Sizing: 575mm Center-to-Top

The seat tube measures 575mm center to top, with a 560mm center-to-center top tube. In modern terms that is roughly a 56cm frame with a slightly long-feeling reach by today’s standards, because 1980s road geometry paired a level top tube with a longer front-center than most riders now expect. If you normally ride a 56 with a 100mm stem, plan on a shorter stem here, and check your saddle height against the seatpost insertion before you commit.

The other thing period geometry asks of you is a bit more time in the drops, and that is where saddle comfort stops being optional. Vintage saddles look correct and ride like a plank.

3Rensho Aerodynamics crankset

A proper chamois solves most of it, and a pair of 3D-padded Bikewa cycling shorts with UPF 50+ and zipper pockets will do more for a two-hour ride on a 40-year-old frame than any component swap.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.

3Rensho Aerodynamics brake levers

Why Original Beats Restored

I restore bikes for a living and I will still say it: repainting this frame would destroy most of its value. Original 3RENSHO paint and decals cannot be replicated convincingly, and the collector market has moved decisively toward preservation. Sales data going back nearly two decades shows 3RENSHO road bikes trading well below the track and keirin frames, in part because road examples in genuinely untouched condition are uncommon. Most got ridden hard, refinished, or stripped for parts.

If you own one of these, my advice is narrow. Clean it, do not polish through the decals. Service the bearings and replace the cables and chain. Store it indoors, out of sunlight, with the tires off the ground. Photograph the serial number and every decal now, while they are intact. Everything else can wait.

Frequently Asked Questions

What year is a 3RENSHO Super Record Export “Aerodynamics”?

Most examples date to roughly 1984 through the late 1980s. The aero model replaced the standard Super Record Export around 1984–85 according to the U.S. importer. 3RENSHO serial numbers do not follow a decodable sequence, so dating relies on features like the fork crown, seatstay shape and shifter boss style.

Is Ishiwata Super Strong good tubing?

Yes. It is a butted Japanese chrome-moly set, widely believed to be in the 022/024 range, chosen for durability rather than the lowest possible weight. Ishiwata never published formal specs under the Super Strong name.

Was Shimano 600 original equipment on 3RENSHO road bikes?

Yes. Shimano 600 was a common factory specification on export-market Super Record Export models, sitting one tier below Dura-Ace in the mid-1980s lineup.

Can you use a modern bike computer on a vintage road bike?

Yes. A self-contained GPS unit is the least invasive option because it requires no wheel magnet, no fork-mounted sensor and no adhesive on the frame. Use a rubber-strap or bar-clamp mount rather than anything that grips painted tubes.

Are 3RENSHO road bikes as collectible as the track frames?

Generally the keirin and track frames command more, since that is where the marque built its reputation. Road models in original, unrestored condition with 3RENSHO-engraved components are the exception and are increasingly sought after.

Should I restore an original 3RENSHO?

No, if the paint and decals are intact. Preservation retains far more value than a repaint. Limit work to cleaning, bearing service and consumables.

1970s Cherubim Model ‘V’ Sportif: Hitoshi Konno’s Fillet-Brazed Classic

Post author By James Hickman Bio
Post date August 3, 2026

Special Thanks To Ebay and Stuck_Seatpost For The Images Contained In This Article!

Quick Answer: This week’s Bicycle of the Week is a 1970s Cherubim Model “V” Sportif, a 21″/53cm fillet-brazed frame built by master framebuilder Hitoshi Konno in Japan. It features Cherubim’s signature rear dropouts, brazed-on centerpull brake mounts for MAFAC calipers, and a period-correct build around Suntour Cyclone and TA Pro component groups. The bike was displayed at the 2024 Classic Bicycles Auburn show.

By James Hickman, former USA Cycling Expert Coach and Masters racer. James has coached riders of all levels, including Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Team In Training century riders, and is a Platinum finisher at El Tour de Tucson.
Amazon Affiliate I earn from qualified purchases

1970s Cherubim Model “V” Sportif: Hitoshi Konno’s Fillet-Brazed Classic

Every so often a bike crosses my desk that makes me stop scrolling and actually lean forward — this week’s feature is one of those. It’s a 1970s Cherubim Model “V” Sportif, hand-built by Hitoshi Konno, one of the most respected names in Japanese custom frame building. This particular example, a 21″/53cm frame measured center-to-center on the top tube and center-to-top on the seat tube, was displayed at the 2024 Classic Bicycles Auburn show and recently offered for sale by eBay seller stuck_seatpost, whose listing photos and documentation form the basis for this profile.

SPECIAL THANKS TO EBAY AND STUCK-SEATPOST FOR THE IMAGES CONTAINED IN THIS ARTICLE!

Who Was Hitoshi Konno, and Why Does Cherubim Matter?

Cherubim is one of the small handful of Japanese frame builders whose work genuinely stands alongside the great Italian and French constructeurs of the same era. Hitoshi Konno founded the shop and became known for fillet-brazed construction — a technique where tubes are joined with brass filler and hand-filed into smooth, lugless transitions rather than hidden inside ornate lugs. It’s unforgiving work. There’s nowhere for a sloppy joint to hide under a lug shell, so every seam on a Cherubim frame is a direct window into the builder’s skill.

Frame Details and Unique Features

This Model “V” Sportif carries two details that tell you Konno was building this frame with a specific rider and purpose in mind. First, it uses Cherubim’s proprietary rear dropouts — not off-the-shelf Campagnolo or Suntour dropouts, but shop-made pieces that mark this as a genuine custom build rather than a production frame with a Cherubim head badge.

Second, the frame has brazed-on centerpull brake bosses specifically fitted for MAFAC calipers, front and rear. Brazed-on centerpulls were the “correct” way to run this brake style on a quality frame in the 1970s — cleaner than a strap-on setup and a clear sign the builder was thinking about braking performance, not just tube mitering.

The 21″/53cm sizing (square geometry, CTC top tube and CTT seat tube) puts this squarely in sportif territory — a frame meant for spirited club rides and fast touring rather than a dedicated racing bike or a loaded tourer. That geometry choice lines up with every other spec on this build.

Recommended Gear

Rebuilding a vintage frame like this one? Supple, high-thread-count tires make the single biggest ride-quality difference on a classic steel bike. Shop supple road tires at JensonUSA →

Full Build Specifications

Frame	Cherubim Model “V” Sportif, fillet-brazed by Hitoshi Konno, 21″/53cm (CTC top tube, CTT seat tube)
Wheels	700C Mavic MA2 rims laced to Maxicar hubs
Freewheel	Maillard 700 Course, 6-speed
Chain	Izumi, 6-speed
Tires	Soma Supple Vitesse, 28mm
Headset	Tange Levin Royal
Stem	SR Royal
Handlebars	Atax Philippe Professional
Brake Levers	Suntour Superbe
Brakes	MAFAC Competition, braze-on centerpull
Shifters	Suntour Cyclone, 1st generation
Rear Derailleur	Suntour Cyclone, 1st generation, short cage
Front Derailleur	Suntour Superbe Pro
Crankset	TA Pro 3-pin with Stronglight BIS rings (48-38)
Seatpost	American Classic titanium
Saddle	Brooks Pro

Coach James: The drivetrain here tells a story on its own. Suntour Cyclone shifters and rear mech paired with a Superbe Pro front derailleur and a TA Pro triple-pin crank is a genuinely thoughtful mixed group — riders in this era weren’t loyal to one brand’s full gruppo the way we think of “complete group sets” today. They picked the best part for the job. That 48-38 chainring spread with a 6-speed Maillard freewheel tells you this bike was set up for rolling terrain, not the high mountains.

Provenance and Condition

This example has solid documentation behind it. It was shown publicly at the 2024 Classic Bicycles Auburn show, one of the better-regarded vintage and classic bicycle gatherings on the West Coast circuit, and the listing and photography come from eBay seller stuck_seatpost. If you want to see the bike in more detail or are considering it for your own collection, that listing is the place to start.

Training Tip

A frame like this Cherubim deserves fair-weather miles, not a trainer session. When conditions keep you off the steel, structured indoor training keeps your fitness on track for when it’s time to ride it again. Download Zwift and keep your FTP sharp →

Why This Bike Matters

Frames like this Cherubim Model “V” sit at an interesting intersection in Japanese bicycle history. By the mid-1970s, Japanese frame builders were no longer working in the shadow of European constructeurs — shops like Cherubim, Toei, and 3Rensho were producing frames that matched or exceeded the fit-and-finish of their French and Italian counterparts, while developing their own construction signatures. The brazed-on MAFAC mounts and shop-made dropouts on this bike aren’t decorative flourishes; they’re evidence of a builder solving problems for a specific rider rather than assembling a catalog frame.

For collectors, a documented, show-quality Konno-built Cherubim with correct-period components is a genuinely significant find. Bikes like this don’t turn up often, and complete, unmolested build kits from this era are getting harder to source every year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who built this Cherubim Model “V” Sportif?
The frame was fillet-brazed by Hitoshi Konno, founder of Cherubim, one of Japan’s most respected custom frame shops.

What makes fillet brazing different from lugged construction?
Fillet brazing joins tubes with brass filler that is hand-filed into a smooth radius at each joint, rather than hiding the joint inside a decorative lug. It requires more skill to execute cleanly since there’s nowhere for an uneven joint to hide.

What size is this frame?
It’s a 21″/53cm frame, measured center-to-center on the top tube and center-to-top on the seat tube.

What brakes does this bike use?
MAFAC Competition centerpull brakes, mounted to frame-brazed bosses rather than a strap-on adapter — a detail specific to this build.

Where was this bike shown or documented?
It was displayed at the 2024 Classic Bicycles Auburn show, and the reference photos and details for this profile come from eBay seller stuck_seatpost.

Who Builds the Ravanello Track Bicycle

The Visionary Behind Ravanello Bicycles: Seiichi Takamura

Track Bicycle: A Legacy of Excellence and Passion

Built with Tange Steel

Tange Headset

Sugino 75 NJS Crankset

Nitto NJS Handlebars and Stem

Dura-Ace Aero Seatpost and Kashimax Aero Saddle

Frequently Asked Questions About the Ravanello Track Bicycle

Related Reading

What Was the Panasonic PICS System?

Titanium vs. Steel: The Two PICS Frame Options

Components and Paint: Building a One-of-a-Kind Panasonic

Ordering Process: Fax Machines, VHS Tapes, and FedEx Delivery

Why the 1988 PICS Titanium Still Matters to Collectors

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the Panasonic PICS system?

What made the 1988 titanium PICS frame special?

Can you still buy a Panasonic PICS bicycle today?

Who Was Yoshi Konno?

What “Aerodynamics” Actually Means

The Tubing Question

The Shimano 600 Build

Sizing: 575mm Center-to-Top

Why Original Beats Restored

Frequently Asked Questions

What year is a 3RENSHO Super Record Export “Aerodynamics”?

Is Ishiwata Super Strong good tubing?

Was Shimano 600 original equipment on 3RENSHO road bikes?

Can you use a modern bike computer on a vintage road bike?

Are 3RENSHO road bikes as collectible as the track frames?

Should I restore an original 3RENSHO?

Who Was Hitoshi Konno, and Why Does Cherubim Matter?

Full Build Specifications

Provenance and Condition

Why This Bike Matters

Frequently Asked Questions