Araya Rims Stamped S7 and S2

[GTs58]

Does anyone know why and when Araya made S7 rims? Seems kind of pointless to make a rim to fit Schwinn's bastard sized middleweight tire. Looks like they also stamped some of their rims with S2. I've had a few Araya rims but never had one of these with the S stampings. Possibly made shortly after Schwinn shut down the Chicago plant?

 

[bloo]

Good question. I recall seeing the rim size 26x2x1-3/4" (yes, really) in a 70s Araya or Ukai catalog.

I have been wondering if an oversize s7 tire, similar to what has become popular lately, might have been available in Asia way back in the 70s.

I did know Araya made a steel 26x2.125 rim. That was in their catalogs for a long time, and I have seen them on bikes, though I don't recall exactly what. It does sort of surprise me to see it marked s2, though I probably paid no attention to anything beyond "26x2.125" back then.

What kind bikes did you find the rims on?

EDIT from 1970:

Also look here for more: https://www.araya-kk.co.jp/rim/catalog.html I can't seem to find anything that is explicitly s7.

 

[GTs58]

The one stamped S7 is on the rear of a late 60's Typhoon. The others were on Schwinn lightweights. I have no idea when Schwinn stopped producing the S-7's so maybe these were made as replacements? The regular 26' x 1.75 rims are smaller and the rear calipers on a Schwinn will not reach. Years ago Fong was producing an over sized S-7 brick tread tire. When these new S-7 brick treads came out I started looking for information on Fong since I thought these new tires could have been remade by them with that F&R branding. Found out that Duro is making these new copies and Duro is business related to Fong.

 

[GTs58]

Thanks for posting that list @bloo Went threw them and didn't see anything related, even on the tubular rims. Also on those S rims they are marked W/O between the size and S markings and I'm not sure what that signifies.

 

[Gordon]

Kinda related to this thread, I have a tubular rim with Bendix hub that is marked 26 x 1 3/4 Made in Canada.

 

[GTs58]

Kinda related to this thread, I have a tubular rim with Bendix hub that is marked 26 x 1 3/4 Made in Canada.

Was there a brand name on that rim?
From what I found these Araya S rims are old school but can't find out when they were made. I have to assume they were made for a replacement.