as has been pointed out, it does look like some japanese builders us a lugged drop-out. i don't know if it's a good look on all bikes but it is one of the details i like about my 3rensho.
Eric Acuna Santa Rosa, CA
------------------------------------------- I've always wondered why drop outs were attached tongue in groove rather than by a lug (i.e., a stay inserted into a cylindrical end on a dropout). A lug would seem a stronger joint and, could likely be engineered and machined to be quite light. Fabrication seems technologically feasible. Assembly seems no more difficult, perhaps even easier. A lugged bike might look more unified (and beautiful) in appearance with matching lugs at the frame ends and frame joints, rather than tongue in groove at the frame ends and lugs at the frame joints? Perhaps the KOF frame builders could weigh in here and explain why tongue in groove is preferred. I assume it must be superior for some reason, or it would not be done, but I'd like to understand why?
Don Wilson
Los Olivos, CA