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