FINDING THE SEKINE SHC 271

Though it pains me to admit it, I cannot remember how I came to own this gorgeous old Sekine.  I know that probably sounds ridiculous, but it is true.  Keep in mind that I find a great many bicycles each year and I fail, from time to time, to keep a record of what came from where.  In fact, most of the information I share in this website, is a product memory, not reviewed documentation.

It is most likely that because the SHC 271 was not an exotic or near top of the line steed, I paid little attention to it.  When I first started collection vintage road bicycles, I tended to pass on anything that was not something of a relatively high end nature.  And if it was not something special, I failed to assign importance and memory was never put to use.

Things have certainly changed today.  Bicycles that were once passed over with not so much as a second glance are now sought after items.  Bicycles such as the Sekine SHC 271 have been left sitting at the Dump simply because I felt that they had no value.  I suppose that's why the original owner pitched it out in the first place!

The SHC-271 was not top of the line and that was reflected in the component grouppo.  The Silstar crank and ring set, more or less, personifies the grouppo offered.  The tapered crank set, though more modern than the cottered ones also being offered at the same time, was still entry level.  Steel rings, with a 52/42 tooth count, delivered power to the five speed middle range cog set.  In this case, middle included a 14-28 tooth spread.

The Shimano Altus transmission handled the shifting chores well enough.  Both derailleurs were in excellent condition, showing very little wear on anything.  One wonders, if this old bicycle ever saw any use.

The brake set was also a fairly common issue item in the mid seventies.  The Shimano "Tourney" center pull callipers, though very common, was one of the better sets of the day.  By the time the SHC surfaced, Shimano had copies the quick release brake cable guides, used on better European bicycles of the day, installed and these proved to be a big improvement over what had come before.  Suddenly, the wheel could be removed and installed without letting the air out of the tire.  Previously, the cable guide had included a cable tension adjustment only.  The quick release was a great improvement and became a bit of a selling feature.

The Sekine's control center consisted of an SR embossed steering stem and pantographed Sakae Custom handlebars.  The slightly faded red cotton handlebar tape presents a wonderful patina of age while still offering reasonable protection for the bars and marginal hand comfort.  Safety or Dual Position Levers, so popular during the seventies, coupled themselves to the Shimano non-aero levers.  The handlebar set came with bar tape applied.  Sekine was the only company of the day that practiced this policy, and many a local bike shop owner was thankful for it.

This particular Sekine still had the very rare Safety Lever covers installed.  Though I have run across a couple of dozen, and probably more similar bicycles, only this one sported these unusual items.

One of Sekine bicycle's features, that has no practical value what-so-ever but one that I really like anyway, is the windowed and ornate head badge that is fitted to every Sekine of Medialle range.  The Medialle badge was found on the better bicycles, while the rhinestone one on lesser mounts.  Even this absolute top of the line and incredibly rare Sekine SHX, which is not one of my bicycles, wore the Medialle badge.

All in all, in spite of a wee bit of oxidation found on some of the components, the SHC 271 was very nice "as found".  Today, I am keeping my eye open for similar Sekine bicycles.  They are very well made and my bet is, they will become increasingly popular with vintage road bicycle enthusiasts in days to come.

NEXT - BUILDING THE SEKINE SHC 271