Hello Steve;
I found the website written about Azuki bicycle. It is the site by famous Japanese bicycle historian Mr.Yukio Ootsu. It has replied to the question from a certain American lady "what is the Azuki bicycle?". Mr.Shiro Yagami (Japanese bicycle importer/exporter) has replied to this question. The following is an outline of it.
The Azuki brand bicycles are manufactured by "Kawamura Cycle", and sold by "West Coast Bicycle"(spelling may be wrong) of California. Kawamura manufactured several models under the Azuki brand, and Azuki equipped Suntour or Shimano components for grading. The model with Suntour won popularity from American customers of those days by the quality. The Azuki brand bicycles were manufactured from about 1970 to 1980. (note: Kawamura is known as a "Nishiki" brand in the United States)
The following is a website address. However, It is written in Japanese
language.
http://www2h.biglobe.ne.jp/
Kenji Fusejima Yokohama Japan
At 6:20 PM -0700 02.5.6, Steve Maas wrote:
>I have been offered a pair of Azuki bicycles, approximately 25 years
>old. All the owner could tell me is that they are "ten speeds." (These
>are not bike people, and I doubt that they even bothered to count the
>chainrings!) I have never heard of this make, and I couldn't find much
>information scrounging around the internet. Does anyone know ANYTHING
>about this make?
>
>Any information, however trivial, will be appreciated. I've already told
>the owner I'd take the bikes. In the worst case, I'll tune them up and
>give them to someone who needs them. If they have any significance, I'll
>restore and keep them.
>
>Thanks--
>Steve