Yesterday I followed a link from Archival Clothing to the Guu-Watanabe site and spent some time looking at the amazing handmade handlebar bags and panniers that this little shop produces. Next to one of the photos I found a link to Raleigh Bicycles Japan. It was interesting to see the bikes available to the Japanese that aren't available here. That's too bad as I believe bikes like the Club Sport and Club Special would be very popular in the states. By the way, Guu-Watanabe bags can be purchased through Wallingford Bicycle Parts.
The Guu-Watanabe shop.
These are some awesome, classic looking bags.
This is the picture with the link to Raleigh Japan. The bike in the photo is a Raleigh Club Sport.
The Club Sport, equipped with fenders, cantilever brakes, a sprung leather saddle, and a triple crankset. I believe this is an older model, possibly 2006.
2009 Club Sport with a quill stem. This one is also equipped with v-brakes instead of cantilevers.
Club Sport in red.
The Japanese Raleigh touring bikes come equipped with what appear to be Nitto M-12 front racks.
Raleigh Club Special in green. Note the downtube shifters, cantilever brakes, and non-aero brake levers.
Trent Sport with an 8 speed Nexus hub.
RSW Special. I thought that this was a folder when I first saw, it's not. If it doesn't fold, what's the benefit other than a slightly smaller footprint?
If you go to the Japanese site there many pages of scanned posters from various British bicycle companies.
