Dear Richard:
 RG> Well Steve I'm not quite sure as to what type of street bikes are 
 RG> sold in Japan, but I would imagine that they have many that are 
 RG> similar to North america. 
Think a lot more along the lines of what they ride in China or other 
countries like that and you'll have a good idea.  They're not light or 
beautiful but they are cheap and work with a minimum of maintainance.  
Nobody races them or rides them off-road.  They're just transportation.
 RG> The only problem though as you have 
 RG> pointed out would be frame size. Perhaps looking in bikeshops to see 
 RG> if they have an old model still around that you could get for 
 RG> cheaper than brand new. Placing adds in the newspaper indicating the 
 RG> frame size you need could generate some possibilities. 
Nope.  I've looked through a number of catalogues for that type and 
absolute biggest size is a 27 inch.  I need a 28 or 29.  I'm about 6'2" 
tall (188cm or so) and am much taller than most of the people here.  There 
is no market at the moment for large-frame bikes.  My "good bike", the 
Trek, had to be specially-ordered and the shop clerk said I got the last 
one in the country.
 RG> As for the 
 RG> long seatpost that you are using. It does not sound very safe. It 
 RG> would be better that you get a bike of your size. Last resort would 
 RG> be ordering directly from a dealer or have a shop order a frame for 
 RG> you. As long as you do not ask for a racing light type of metal it 
 RG> shouldn't cost too much. 
I've used an extender for 4 years and never had a safety problem.  They 
have to be replaced every year or so because they bend backwards a little 
but it is the only option I have available to me right now.
See you,
Steve
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