Japhy recently picked up this incredible, NJS stamped Japanese keirin frame from Makino, and has assembled an appropriately sharp build to match the stunning red frame. NJS track frames don’t come through the shop too often, so we had to take a closer look at this eye catching red and sparkle track build. The NJS stamp is the mark of approval from the Nihon Jitensha Shinkokai, or the Japanese Keirin Association, designed to ensure racers were on frames and parts of a certain standard so that gamblers betting on the races could bet without worrying about a racers bike affecting the races outcome.
Japhy’s Makino frame is in the traditional red Makino colours, but with very sharp sparkling branding on the characters, and Makino’s distinctive ‘The possibility for victory is unlimited.’ monogram. An NJS stamped 1” threaded Shimano Dura-Ace headset attaches an Eddy Merckx pantographed Cinelli stem. At the end of that stem are Nitto B809-cross heat treated bars, with ESI grips and, covering the little details, MASH Transit bar ends.
The drivtrain consists of Suntour Suberbe Pro cranks driving an elusive 44RN chaingring and a 17 tooth Euroasia cog. Unassuming MKS pedals and plastic pink cages are attached to Toshi brand leather pedal straps. All of which moves Mavic Open Pro CD rims (the special, hard anodized version of Mavic’s Open Pro) built around Paul hubs. Rounding out this already on point build, a Selle Italia Flite Ti saddle perches atop a Thompson Elite seat post. In Parker’s words “the only option if you know what you’re doing.”
The full head tube details, and slight evidence of the frames racing heritage on the top tube
A Steel frame and traditional 1” headset give the Makino an increasingly unique profile
NJS stamped, 1” threaded Dura-Ace headset from Shimano
The beautifully built fork has all the clearance you need
Flawlessly lugged seat tube-seat stay junction; sparkly Japanese characters
More incredibly, hand filed lug work on the headtube and fork crown
More sparkly letters, and tight tolerances between the down tube and tyre
Even the seatstay arch is lugged
Eddy Merckx pantographed Cinelli quill stem
Nitto heat treated riser bars
44rn’s distinctive cut-out pattern, attached to Suntour Superbe Pro cranks
Thompson Elite post and Selle Italia titanium railed Flite saddle. No regrets.
17t cog from Euroasia, and more intricate lug work at the dropouts
Mavic Open Pro CD rims, the special, hard anodized version of the Open Pro
California made 32 hole hubs from Paul Components Engineering
More Paul hi-flanged goodness up front. Also 32 hole
Vittoria’s Randonneur’s start out with quite a bit of extra rubber …
Toshi brand leather straps. Again, Japhy’s hit all the details on this build
Right down to the riser bar appropriate MASH Transit bar ends
