BUILDING THE SEKINE SHC 271

Though I never had any intention of doing anything with this beautiful old bicycle, I did end up building it - sort of.  The SHC model, as mentioned, is more of a middle of the line offering.  I already own and ride a much higher end example of the Sekine line-up and had little interest in adding this old, but lesser, gem to my collection.

A lady, let's call her River even though her name rhymes with book, bought a late sixties or early seventies Bottecchia frame set from me.  Her intention was to build up a single speed bicycle for herself.  I shipped the frame set to her, however; the frame set was damaged by the shipping company en-route.  It does happen from time to time.

River e-mailed me as soon as she became aware of the damage.  I immediately started working my way towards helping her out.  She filed a claim with the shipping company, to get the damage claim ball rolling.  However, shipping claims can take time to complete.  River expected a bicycle and riding season was already underway.  With that in mind, I offered to build her up a single speed bicycle, using this gorgeous Sekine frame and fork set.  I would prepare the set, as quickly as I could, and send it to her right away.  I could sort the shipping damage claim out later, after she had a bicycle to ride.

Actually, I would not build the bicycle completely.  That would be River's job.  My job, and I offered to do this, would be to ensure that she had all of the components needed to assemble the bicycle herself.  River was surprised, at my generous offer, and that made me feel good.

I rebuilt the frame set, cleaning, inspecting, measuring and lubricating everything necessary.  The biggest challenge was cleaning the light patina of oxidation that had formed, here and there on some of the components.  And that task took less than half an hour. Many of the components that I felt River would need, I included.  I even prepared a set of Single Speed wheels for her.  Everything went into the box and away it went, shipping paid.  I did hear back from River one time since then.  She once again  expressed her thanks for my help.  I would, however, like to see a picture of the Sekine as it is now.  Perhaps it looks a bit like a subsequent Sekine SHC 270 Single Speed that I built for myself

Less than a couple of years ago, bicycles similar to the Sekine were of little or no value.  People at Yard Sales could not give them away.  And no one, on Ebay, would spend a penny, for such a steed.  I even tended to turn my nose up at these fine old road bicycles.

True, these old Sekines are not the most sophisticated mounts, but then neither is a full blown Cinelli from the early seventies, when compared with the technologies of today.  The simple fact is, these old road bicycles, be they super high end or of entry to mid level quality, are fun to ride.  They are certainly inexpensive to purchase.  And they are easy to work on, with most maintenance tasks being well with-in the reach of most interested people.  I might add that the Single Speed vintage road bicycle interest is really picking up.  Almost every frame set that I sell these days is destined to be converted to Single Speed use.

Today, I look more closely at bicycles like the Sekine SHC-271. I remember that it is usually just such a bicycle that I will pick for my every day ride.  Which, by the way, is where most of my miles are piled up.

NEXT - RIDING THE SEKINE SHC 271