French wines and desinger goods such as LV bags, Channelle, etc. are extremely big in Japan. So too are French bikes, especially Rene Herse. They were all coveted in the 1960s, but always out of reach of the average Japanese consumer.
RH showed his bikes at a Tokyo show in the early 60s and the Japanese became bike Francophiles, ever since. At that time, Japan was still a poor country rebuilding from the war.
They had serious import duties and a weak currency. The yen was pegged at about 370 per 1 US dollar then. During the rebuilding years, most people couldn't afford any imported item, especially a European bike, but the desire was there.
Still the country was infatuated with exotic imports, that they couldn't afford. To satisfy the bikers demand for French style, the Japanese frame builders patterned their custom bikes after the French and outfitted them with Japanese parts.
In the 80s and 90s, when Japan became an economic powerhouse, the yen muscled its way as high as 79 per dollar, trade duties were eased, the economic bubble inflated and Japanese bike collectors bought bikes, art collectors bought paintings and real estate speculators bought the Rockefellar Ctr and much of Hawaii.
Currently the yen is about 125 (3 times the value of the 1960s)and imported bikes and parts are "affordable."
So even on ebay standards, the collectible items are, if not reasonable, at least attainable, to the average Japanese collector. But 10 years after the economic bubble blew, how long can it last???? --Just my 2 yens worth. Scott in St. Paul, MN
> hello all,
>
> in a conversation with another list member i asked
> this and he mentioned
> asking the list.....so ken and others who have more
> of an insight please
> feel welcome to share your opinions.
>
> after selling a few items on ebay that went to
> bidders from Japan i asked a
> little about what the parts were going on and what
> they ride and collect. i
> must say i was stuck for words when seeing a few of
> their bikes - both how
> many different styles and how perfect in every
> detail they were too. many
> rare features and most were ridden too. my opinion
> would be that the 3 or 4
> that emailed pics would have category winners had
> they brought them to Le
> Cirque.
>
> mostly french bikes and not all race orientated
> either. had me wondering
> what fashioned their tastes and the style of bikes
> they sought and bought as
> its discernably different to the majority of styles
> that are predominant
> here. were herse's and singer's sold in Japan? why
> are some italian bikes
> valued by cyclists from Japan yet other big names
> (to us from the US anyway)
> not really valued?
>
> i will mention in future emails with the few ebayers
> from Japan i have met
> that perhaps they might have a look into the CR list
> - a swapping of minds
> and passions would be great - i can imagine a few
> may be a little hesitant
> but will assure them their english is fine (and
> defiantely a lot better than
> my japanese).
>
> they really have some drop dead gorgeous bikes with
> immaculate and exact
> details of many styles and if shared here would be
> something very cool. im
> sure if we drew up "the perfect bike" by those form
> the US, those from the
> British and those from Japan we would end up with 3
> very different bikes
> which is cool and common with most regional
> generalisations - but whats
> makes this so with bikes? culturally as a bike
> junkie i find it very
> interesting.
>
> views please...
>
> ciao,
>
> ben kamen, NYC
>
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