My latest ‘Barn Finds’

[Mo_Gearhead]

Sometimes you go to Estate Sales and you find items they pulled out of a barn - but occasionally you also find items that actually came …off the top of a barn.



This is an old copper and brass weather vane that I got yesterday. Perfectly weathered patina and in very nice condition (no hail damage, dents or lightning strikes). I have been attending auctions for decades and I have never had the opportunity to purchase one of these at a reasonable price.

They are now considered as folk-ark and it is RARE to encounter one at a random sale. These are relics of the past and most old barns or homes that had them on their roofs have been torn down. There is a large Amish community about an hours drive from where we live and if I had to place odds, you MIGHT (possibly) find one of these there - slowly rotating in the sun - maybe.

Now this next item was indeed stored inside.



It’s a Nishiki Superbe 10-speed. Covered in dust and both tires are flat, but I could not pass on it because it too went cheap and I was amazed at how clean and original it looked.



The leather handle bar wraps look amazing with seemingly minimal wear and all threads intact. It has a steel frame but many aluminum pieces - very light weight, at least to my uneducated eye. ( My knowledge of bikes would certainly not cause an overflow of a thimble.)

The handle bars are marked: “SR” (There is a Eagle) and below that “SAKAE” On the other side of the bars it is marked; “World Custom Japan.” The serial number is: KH 05859.

If any of you bike enthusiasts can let me know what I have here, your thoughts would be appreciated.

[widebody911]

I had a bike similar to that in high school

[speeder]

I'd say double-score. The weather vane is awesome, I love those things. Believe it or not, the apartment building across the street from me in L.A. has one. Built in the 1920s.

I don't know bikes much either but any high-quality 10-speed is worth something. Good hunting!

[Mo_Gearhead]

QUOTE: "Believe it or not, the apartment building across the street from me in L.A. has one. Built in the 1920s."
_______________

That's cool Speeder. I'm surprised it hasn't been stolen. (But that's just the urban cynic in me.)

I think over the years many in rural areas got removed as people realized that placing a metal device, with sharp edges/corners on it, may actually invite the wrath of THOR - and a subsequent fire.

Can someone 'date' the bike for me?

[LeeH]

Nishiki's have a good following. I think that's a 1978 Superbe:
Nishiki Serial Number Database

[Tim Hancock]

here is a link where someone else is discussing a similar 1978 Superbe that is only a few numbers off from your serial number. Probably built the same day by Kuwahara in Japan. http://www.bikeforums.net/archive/index.php/t-195276.html

[Superman]

Originally Posted by Tim Hancock

here is a link where someone else is discussing a similar 1978 Superbe that is only a few numbers off from your serial number. Probably built the same day by Kuwahara in Japan. Nishiki Superbe [Archive] - Bike Forums

You guys are friggin' spooky.

[Tim Hancock]

Originally Posted by Superman

You guys are friggin' spooky.

I was bored and did just a few minutes of googling.

I am not really into road bikes, but occasionally I get the itch and always find myself gravitating/looking at old school stuff. My uncle, a lifelong cyclist who always has the latest/greatest $8000 custom built Scott CR1, Cervalo etc has a few high old end bikes tucked in his basement from early 70's. One of these days I am gonna try to get one from him.

[NutmegCarrera]

Very nice Nishiki-
I would have guessed early '80s. I lusted after one like it while in H.S.

I saw a neat weathervane on antiques roadshow last week. I crap you not - the guy appraised it at around $30k!!!!!! That one had some gold leaf on it. Nice shape like yours!