Last year I scored an original printing of Zunow’s first catalog from Yahoo JP Auctions. The catalog is for master builder Takeru Kageyama’s line of full-custom bicycles branded “KYGM” (pronounced “Gee-mu”).

It offers a window into the early days of the Zunow brand, when Kageyama-san was producing French-inspired randonneur, road, and touring bicycles. The catalog is in Japanese, which is a challenge for a non-speaker like myself. With the help of some translation tools and my experience with bikes & bike parts filling in the gaps, there are some interesting learnings to be had. Click “Continue Reading” below to learn more and download a free copy of the catalog.

Above is a lovely illustration by Kageyama-san of his signature offering. Note the “reverse” placement of the rear cantilever brakes; this was a signature of the French constructeur Jo Routens. The catalog states that all cantilever-equipped bikes were assembled with MAFAC “Driver” brakes. Other fascinating details include the wing nuts on the hubs, and the crankset design resembling the Sugino Maxy or Pro-Dynamic.

The base model is spec’d with “chromoly 022” tubing, which was likely made by Ishiwata. The price was ¥59,000; about $500 today, although exchange rates have changed significantly since the 1970s. A note from the Japanese author of the Catalog of Reminiscence states that the KYGM bikes, “…had an attractive specification in spite of the reasonable price” so it is safe to assume that $500 for a custom frame was a notably good deal in 1973.

The base model was “lugless” and likely fillet-brazed. It came with stainless steel dropouts, a single-color paint job, and no chrome plating under the paint. The “Special” version is priced at ¥115,000 ($1000 USD) and added the options of changing the tubing to Reynolds 531 or Columbus SL, PL, or PS. The buyer could add Nervex Pro lugs, and had a choice between an Agrati fork crown or an extra-wide Vagner fork crown to accommodate 650x42B tires. The choice of Campagnolo or Shimano dropouts is offered, and rear dropout adjusters could be added for ¥4,000.

Buyers could also specify a “camper type” for an up-charge, leading me to wonder if Kageyama-san executed his camper bicycles in the same triple-triangle frame design that was popular in Japan at the time. I have never seen a Zunow triple-triangle camper, and I’ll update this article if I ever do. Given that Campagnolo road and pista dropouts are also an option, one can assume these types of bicycles could also be special ordered. The 1974 KYGM catalog (available here) specifically offers “Road Racer,” “Touring,” “Sportif,” and “Pista” versions, so this makes sense.

Above are some of the rack options offered, which were available in both chromed-steel and stainless steel options. Kageyama’s illustrations are beautiful, and reminiscent of the famous French cycling artist Daniel Rebour. The decaleur design is interesting; one part seems to screw into the top of the front rack, and then other part is affixed to the handlebar bag. The bag is connected to the decaleur in the same manner of the modern Velo Orange decaleur. The rear rack can be used with the low-rider pannier attachment only, or with an optional upper rack. A separate rack attaches to the seat stay bridge and is likely intended to hold a saddle bag while also protecting the cantilever brakes below it.

For those fluent in Japanese, there are undoubtedly more insights to be gleaned from this rare document. You can download a copy of the catalog in PDF format at this link. If anyone out there is willing to provide a translation, please get in touch. If you enjoyed this article, or have any info to share on Zunow, please leave a comment below.