Procraft Karate - Finished

[greentoad]

Hi all

Found a few nice pieces, Redline STR Series straight crossbar, Suntour Forklifter Stem....and another of my old haunts -

A Chrome Procraft F&F with ACS Mike Buff Z's, Viscount Seat, Comp 3's, Suguno Stem, white headset, Takagi Crank, and some big bars.....

Any help on the Procraft - are they any good? Where were they made? Where is the serial number please? What models did they do?

Pictures to follow, but it is well tasty and light.

Any information is appreciated.

Thanks

J.

[FuNMoNsTeR]

Hi m8.... The Procraft was made in Japan by the Ishiwata factory... The rear dropouts sometimes have Ishiwata written above the knurling. If i remember right the serial number is on the outside of the left rear dropout...
   Procraft were and Anglo/American company... The Jap made frame and fork sets they put out were shit hot in my opinion...  They made Cruiser, Pro, Expert and Mini frames... i think they started up in 1983.
Some of the other items they produced like BMX shoes were not so good 
 Hope this bit of info helps... if i think of anything else i will add it on 

[greentoad]

Hi Andy

Your description is pretty much spot on. This Frame has the writing in the knurling on both sides. It also as an oval top tube, the welds are amazing and the thing is so light. I'm well chuffed and the best survivor I have saved since a mint T/A last summer.

It also has DC 3 levers, Mushrooms, Suguno Spider etc, and the bars??

These are not GT as they have a thinner top tube. Any help anyone? There is no markimg but they look quality and have a great feel. Could they be VDC, GHP etc etc.....

The whole thing is in amazing condition and the Comp 3's still have full tread. The White Suzue hubs look mint with stickers still perfect. It has hardly be ridden and does not have any damage that I can see.

Well chuffed.

How many of these are out there? I have only found 3 from browsing BMX Museum, and Vintage, but none with the same decals.

I think that there is a good chance that it is a 1983 (if that is when they started), as the bike originally came from a friends shop, and they moved in 84.


Firstly - Redline STR Series Bars with Suntour Forklifter -





Procraft survivor with shop sticker and Mike Buff Z's -



























Another one saved!

J.

[harris]

man thats a layed back post   
you had your polish out again gem best  bring some of mine over   

[greentoad]

That's how I got it Dan, straight out of the car and then take some photo's.

It has not even had a wash yet, let alone a polish and then final shine with the wire wool.

It will sparkle.....

J.

[FuNMoNsTeR]

Thats lovely m8 
  It looks like a Pro model too.... Not many of those around... Procraft sold more mini framesets than anything else. I think they also sold bars but i am not 100% on that...i will do some thumbing through the archives tonight 
 

[MartyC]

Thats lovely m8 
  It looks like a Pro model too.... Not many of those around... Procraft sold more mini framesets than anything else. I think they also sold bars but i am not 100% on that...i will do some thumbing through the archives tonight 
 

Spot on, we sold heaps of these bitd at Heff's, the mini's were very popular and I'm pretty certain that they did bars, seatposts and power disks too.  I had two of these bitd, lent my last one to a mate and never saw it again .  5 inch headtube, full cro-mo f&f and a cracking ride - really stable on the ground and in the air 

[RATTY]

I took delivery of a procraft frame and forks on Sunday, with 5" headtube, really light and great welds, the stickers look like repops though , I will try an get some pics up tomorrow

[MartyC]

I took delivery of a procraft frame and forks on Sunday, with 5" headtube, really light and great welds, the stickers look like repops though , I will try an get some pics up tomorrow

Was that the one from Germany Tony that was on egay?

[RATTY]

Yes mate, nishiki14 won it but promptly traded it with me

[greentoad]

Hi all

I think that I have ID'd the Procraft. I have been on with an old friend who had one and he thinks it was a Procraft Karate.

I have found that in -

BMX Bi-Weekly there is a test -

Volume 4 issue 22 - 1984
Racing action from Wigan on the cover.
Alan Woods, Why the B in BMX stands for BUSINESS! 2 page interview.
Wigan Final UK BMX National,
Pro Craft Karate test.

Can someone please scan the test and post the information, please.

All being well, it will be at Royston next Sunday for a leisurely cruise.

Any help, pictures, tests on Procraft are much appreciated.

Thanks

J.

[MartyC]

Dug these out J....





Marty 

[Moose]

Did you ever sell those bars and stem or are they not for sale? 

[greentoad]

So far it has had about 30 hours spent on it, and it has come up amazingly well.

The only parts that will need replacing are the Sugino Sprocket Bolts (I used other salvaged ones), the seat post (another donor) and the seat was bent (used another Viscount Dyna - Hutch).

I am really impressed in the progress. One tyre had a little rip, which was fixed from the inside (the tube no longer pushed through). The grips have come up mint. The Izumi White / Silver chain has also come up better than I thought it would, and the rust has also been kind!

The DC 890's are all in great condition, along with the cables and DC Levers.

I like to build from original components as they came with the bike. I am quite certain that the bike was built in 1984. It has some late 1983 components, and also a few 1984. I have also been speaking with the owners of the shop that it came from, and have asked them for any information.

I am hoping to get it finished for next weekend, and if so shall take it to Royston for a slow go round the track.

It needs about another 10 - 20 hours of cleaning / oiling / greasing, then fitting up.

I thought that I'd try and keep it totally original, as it is so good, but thought about maybe white brakes, white seat, and white grips.

What do you think.

Coming along well - Parts



Nice Spider -



I'm liking the rear triangle -















Now with the original Black DC 890's -











It was a real labour of love getting the rust from around the decals, but very glad I made the effort.

J.

[Moose]

Rear drop-ourts look quality

[MartyC]

Coming on well there J, I'd stick with the black components, more original 

Those tyres have cleaned up great, how did you get them so clean?

[greentoad]

Hi all,

After a few more hours (about another 30) here and there - it is finally completed.

I had to sort the DC's as usual but this time rather than get new fixings, adjusters etc, bent the originals back into shape.

The cables all had to be stripped, oiled up, then sleeve and cable put back in, the wire was a pain getting through the end of the outer cable but well worth the trouble.

It rides very well, is light, and my daughter is well chuffed with her new ride. She even said that I may be able to use it.

I am hoping to take it along to the good friend Pete B (who probably built it) and who's parents had the shop it came from.

I am still interested if anyone can ID the bars.

So, here it is. Another resto, without any new parts (just a donor post and viscount seat) or money spent, totally original as it came from the shop, with the shop decal still in place.









































J.

[FuNMoNsTeR]

Tasty that is m8.... Looks light as a feather too... i bet it weighs in at about 23 Lbs
  That hard work certainly paid off m8 

[MartyC]

WOW!  that has cleaned up great, top job that man 

[brass monkey!]

very nice Mr Toad ! Don't many of those about !

[HUTCHMAN]

very nice,you've done that proud

[FuNMoNsTeR]

** INFO UPDATE **    It looks like a Procraft Ultima from 1982... i just found this review 

[greentoad]

Thanks Andy

That'll make a good read.

Cheers

J.

[sawzall]

that looks well nice jem,nice to see something different

[gt0733]

here's an advertisement from October 1982. this is the earlest ad for Procraft i could find in my mag collection