Free Bridgestone left at the curb....

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

DH and I were almost home from our 23 mile bike ride yesterday when we saw a bike left right by the highway curb near a stretch of houses, clearly left there for anyone who wanted it. Most of these such free bikes we just pass on by because they usually need LOTS of work and money to fix back up. But this one had spent many years protected in a nice garage or basement- it is in pretty good shape! Even the double ring teeth and chain looked fairly unworn.
We have not yet cleaned or inspected it yet- hopefully no frame or bottom bracket cracks, etc. But it would need new tires and cables at least.
I can't test ride it because it's flat and needs new 27" tires, which we don't have on hand.

Anyway, it may be slightly small for me, but then again it might be ok to ride around for fun. If it's way to small I could sell it I guess. I have about 1 1/2" standover clearance- not too bad. We'll see as we clean it up and get a closer look. One funny thing was that the previous taller owner had jacked up the seatpost and the stem about 2 whole inches beyond the "Maximum Extension" marks. they 'really' must have wanted to ride that little frame!
But I insisted to my husband that we simply could NOT leave a 1970's 10 speed Bridgestone bike with Suntour components there as thoug it was a piece of garbage and not take it home. Poor thing!! I stood with it for 20 minutes while DH went home to get the car for it.
Unfortunately, it's not a lugged steel top-of-the-line Petersen-era Bridgestone beauty. It's one of their 1969-early 70's experimental stainless steel models...the "Kabuki/Submariner". It has a cool Kabuki face head badge.

Who could resist, if it was in decent shape, I ask you??
First thing I need to do (when i get a chance soon) is give it a good scrubbing so we can get a closer inspection for cracks or other problems.

[OakLeaf]

Wow, what a find!

Happy restoration.

[Tri Girl]

Wow- it's gorgeous!!!! Great find!

[Zen]

That's beautiful. I think it's well worth restoring.

[Biciclista]

great looking bike!! I hope you do decide to make it cherry again.

[Blueberry]

Wow!! That's pretty fabulous! Enjoy the restoration

CA

[Trek420]

WOW!! Beautiful. I love the Logo, the headbadge, the rainbow decal.

Cleaned up this is gonnay be one puhrty puhrty bike.

Welcome TE to the new "Lugged Steel Beauty" thread as we watch the transformation from from litter to lovely.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

WOW!! Beautiful. I love the Logo, the headbadge, the rainbow decal.

Cleaned up this is gonnay be one puhrty puhrty bike.

Welcome TE to the new "Lugged Steel Beauty" thread as we watch the transformation from from litter to lovely.

Thanks. I agree, it's a pretty bike! Not really a true lugged steel frame though:
"The Kabuki line used some unusual construction techniques, specifically, they had a system of sticking the frame tubes into a special mold and forming cast aluminum "lugs" in place around the ends of the tubes. The most notable of this line was the "Submariner" which used un-painted stainless steel tubing, and was marketed in seacoast areas for its rust-resistance."
The aluminum sleeves into which the stainless steel tubes are inserted have 'fake lug' edges molded on them- too funny!

Still, it's worth a closer look for cracks and then a little cleaning. If it passes that stage, we'll get it some new tires and test ride it.
Judging from the head tube it's quite possible it's too small for me. If it rides ok but is too small I guess I would then sell it with the new tires on it.
If it fits me well enough I could use it for fun and see how I can get up hills here with a 10 speed double.

[lunacycles]

is that the "Submariner?" if it has stainless tubing, that is actually pretty trick! It looks kinda small for you, Lisa! Might fit me, though. Feel free to send it on to Santa Fe and I will take very good care of it for you
Nice find, anyway. (Nice research, too.)

[tctrek]

Now that is a great find and free is a really good price!

[surgtech1956]

very nice find

[shootingstar]

Have fun with the restoration. How lucky you are!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

is that the "Submariner?" if it has stainless tubing, that is actually pretty trick! It looks kinda small for you, Lisa! Might fit me, though. Feel free to send it on to Santa Fe and I will take very good care of it for you

I see you are excited over it. Say, I'll make an even trade with you for another custom Luna for me! (ha ha ha)

Yes, it's the Amazing Kabuki Submariner, with 'Nev-R-Rust' stainless steel tubing! Heavier and less costly than titanium!
(ok now I'm envisioning a masked Kabuki theatre character dramatically roaming the seven seas in a silver submarine.)

[HillSlugger]

It's so pretty! Quite a find.

[lunacycles]

You have no idea what folks will pay for a stainless frame these days...