Hello;
I called Mr. Higashikawa and asked him. Mr. Masahiro Higashikawa began frame-building about 25 or 26 years ago. He was amateur racer in his young age, and he also worked in machine industry. After he retired racer, he learned frame-building from Mr. Toshio Kajiwara. Mr. Kajiwara was top builder at that time, and he was chief builder at Tsuchiya Seisakusyo ("Everest" brand). Everest is one of the pioneer brand of Japanese sports bicycle. After Mr. Higashikawa learned frame-building from Mr. Kajiwara half a year, he became independent and started his own factory at Osaka. He mainly builds bicycles for professional Keirin racers. About twenty years ago, he was also building many bicycles for amateur racers and tourists. But now, most bicycles which he builds are bicycles for professional Keirin racers. He builds five or six bicycles in one month. He only builds custom made bicycle to order from customer. He only builds fine steel frames, never builds aluminum, titanium or carbon-fiber frame. The "Levant" of a brand name is the meaning an "east" in French. Higashikawa of his name is the meaning an "eastern river" in Japanese. "Levant" means "Higashi". The numbers on BB "78/10/46" means "the 46th frame of the October, 1978 manufacture". The decals of "Levant" at eBay is the old type. It changed to the new decals about ten years ago. When you will repaint this frame, you can not get same old decals. Mr. Higashikawa has no website, and also no e-mail address.
Kenji Fusejima Yokohama Japan
At 0:21 AM -0400 02.4.12, Mark Poore wrote:
>This track bike was of interest,anyone have a clue about the history or
>Higashikawa?
>
>http://ebay.com/<blah>