Here's an open-ended question with no agenda or presumed answer:
We all know many of the keenest classic lightweight enthusiasts are from Japan. Or at least we think so because of their, shall we say, enthusiastic eBay bidding tendencies. If there's a Simplex skewer with the little plastic wing-nut intact that hasn't gone to Japan via eBay, I'll put it up my left nostral.
But having said that, where is the evidence of this enthusiasm beyond the acquisition of the bikes and the bits? Are there Japanese websites devoted to all this primo stuff in the hands of Japanese collectors? Do the Japanese organise veteran cycle rides? Or does all this stuff just get hung on walls and squirreled away? Are there Japanese books or magazines on classic lightweights?
I know of one of two PX-10 websites from Japan, one on Campagnolo components but that's about it. Is there is Japanese version of the CR List?
My own and rewarding experience with Japanese enthusiasts is with ocean liners where they are active historians, writers and publishers. I just wonder if I am missing something here with bicycles. I conjure up this image of 200 PX-10s all with Simplex skewers with the plastic wingnuts being ridden in some epic mass ride... if it's happened, I've missed it.
Peter Kohler Washington DC USA
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