Chuck, that is my Nagasawa frame (or at least it will be when I pick it up Saturday) that you are addressing so cavilerly regarding the logo on the head tube :-) When I was thinkin of ordering this, and was not able to find much out about them, I mentioned it to Richard Sachs. Richard said he was very impressed by Nagasawa and "inspired" by his work. I then researched Nagasawa further, and found out that he may almost be unique in Japan as the last of the classic frame builders. (And, as for the Japanese appreciation of classic lightweight bicycles, you need look no further than the publication - which is found only in its Japanese edition, of the works of Rene Herse, depicting the many Herse bicycles lovingly preserved in Japan.)
When I sent Richard a picture of this frame this morning, he was, to say the least, effusive in his praise of it as one of the absolute finest and most beautiful he had ever seen of any era. I agree wholeheartedly.
So Chuck, that logo, which has graced the Nagasawa headtube for so long, may look a bit off to you, but it has a proud heritage. Plus, I kinda like it :-)
Finally, to show that this is a true 'modern classic', some comments the man assembling the bike just sent to me about how Nagasawa still follows the finer school of building:
" Your frame also has genuine Campagnolo #626 cable guides, $620 chainstay stop and real Campagnolo#1010B ends. None of those has been made in years as far as I know.
There is a Dura Ace headset in it. He was shipping Superbe (by Tange Seiki) headsets long after Suntour died. Looks as if his cache of those is gone.
Overall you have a beautiful bike here."
Yep, but that Dura Ace headset is now 'history', and the appropriate Campy Record and like components are now nearly assembled.
Chuck, I was having some fun here, and hope you take it in the spirit with which it is being offered. A true modern classic, and I am very enthused about it, as is apparently Richard.
Dave Novoselsky,
Chicago, Illinois