Zebrakenko Olympic-Ace

[Elev12k]

Finally have pics of the Zebrakenko Olympic-Ace. Inside it looked like candy apple green, outside it is more like Kermit the frog green. The bike is immiculate. It needs a cleaning, possibly a tune up and some more attention here and there, but it is very nice. Almost like never used, but some signs give away it probably has been 'kinda' used at some point. Maybe a demo bike? Testing the waters for Zebrakenko in Holland?

Frame is made with Tange Champion tubing and groupset is early Dura Ace incl Crane mech.

There is a funny Lion headbadge. The badge has some depth in it what is quite cool. Actually there is more funny on the bike: The name 'Zebrakenko'. 'Zebra' sounds warm, 'kenko' with the 2 k's very hard. No idea what it stands for. 'Olympic-Ace' is also such name I find typical for far eastern manufacurers to come up with.

 

[legrandefromage]

:shock:


where??? Who??? how???


Another lovely bit of kit - I'm really warming to older road stuff

 

[hamster]

Kenko is a Japanese surname. It also means something like health or vitality.

 

[Elev12k]

Riding bikes is good for health and vitality, so it looks like we have that part solved. Now the 'Zebra' part. Healthy zebra? We know of more bicycles named after animals, like Gazelle. A Gazelle is a fast, light animal. Appropriate to name a bike after you would think. Zebras are known for black stripes on white :? Anyway the wildlife theme seemed popular with the Japanese, as than there is also the lion.

Btw if I take all names on the bike together, I end up with that the exact model designation should be: "Zebra Bicycles Golden Sports Olympic-Ace". Pretentious.

 

[driven]

very nice bike that is,i never heard of the brand?

 

[Elev12k]

Thanks. I never heard from it too ...till my eye fell on this one.

Couple more of the Zebrakenko:

Headbadge >
Seattube decal >>

Headlugs, with drop shape cut outs >>>

Crane rear mech >
1st gen Dura-Ace front mech >>

1st gen Dura-Ace front hub >
1st gen Dura-Ace brake calliper >>

 

[Senri]

Fantastic!!! Congrats on your find! Besides the really nice condition, the bike is beautiful. The colour is really nice!

 

[Old Ned]

Great bike, the components are in super condition, very hard to find like that. Looks as if they've hardly - if ever - been used.

I'm not a great fan of Green generally but that colour is attractive.

 

[otherself]

Ohhh that oozes class. The kind of colour and classy graphics found on vintage tobacco tins.

 

[fredgassit]

Perfect for L'eroica.

Very nice.