Vintage Maruishi Bicycles Japan

Maruishi is one of several lesser-known Japanese bike companies.  There seems to be some mystery about how old the company is/was.   It has been suggested that at one point they claimed to be the oldest bicycle company in Japan and started importing bikes in 1884.  I’ve also read 1894 and 1909 in Tokyo as their founding dates.  They seem to have made a range of bikes including some nice road bikes. 

I’m confident that they made some of the vintage Nashbar branded bikes.  It has also been suggested that they may have made some early Jamis bikes.  I’m not certain about that claim.

There is a website for a Maruishi cycles, so they may still be in business.  The site claims they have been involved with bicycles for 120 years. 

http://www.maruishi-cycle.com/

Here is a nice vintage Maruishi Emperor road bike:

Maruishi Emperor Road Bike

I’m not certain of the year of the bike would guess 70s or early 80s. It has Shimano 600 components with alloy Araya rims and bar end shifters. A neat looking bike.

Links

Vintage Bicycle Manufacturers and Brands

Vintage Bicycle Component Companies

Published by FAB Jim The Cyclist

Jim has over 40 years of experience with bicycles and loves road and mountain biking and just going for calm cruises. He is a mechanic who has built custom bikes and is also very interested in bike history.

5 thoughts on “Vintage Maruishi Bicycles Japan

  1. America on wheels is a transportation museum in Allentown Pa. We do show bikes to and we have over a dozen rare bikes on display now. We have a Maruishi Young Holiday Elecon that we know nothing about. How do the lights work? what kind of battery? is there any information of any kind out there. contact Ken.laga@rcn.com

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