Hummer

Hi milbournosphere,

thanks for posting the pictures and serial number.

Assuming the components are original, the a 1988 Prestige. The Prestige model was Suntour Accushift equipped.

The Modulus model was similar, but Shimano SIS equipped.

Both models were Tange 900 double butted.

Hummer

Hi Lawrence,

thanks for posting the pictures and the serial number.

Usually there is a decal at the top of the seat tube which describes the tubing material. I cannot see the decal in your pictures.

There was a period where the International was made with Hi-Tensile steel and there was a green decal. During the late 1970s most International models where made of Chrome Molybdenum.

To find out what the fork was made from you may need to remove the fork and read the engraving on the steering tube.

Hummer

Hi agoodmanwa,

thanks for posting the serial number. Based on the serial number the year of the bicycle is probably 1973 or1974.

To identify the model you will need to post some detailed pictures of the frame, the lugs, the braze-ons, the drop outs.

The wrap around seat stays indicates the Competition model.

bmthom.gis

I have what looks like a '91 Nishiki Backroads to add. I am not sure if the components are original, I picked it up in a lot of 20 bikes I split with my friend. Missing seatpost, needs new cables and housing, but other than that seems to be in good shape. The main triangle and fork are CroMo, not sure about the stays. S/N R917110081

agoodmanwa

Some pictures of the early 70's repainted and re-componented Nishiki. Any comments appreciated.
Thanks,
Agoodmanwa

Hummer

Hi agoodmanwa,

the frame and fork are the Competition model, 1973-74. As you say re-componeneted.

The paint job looks almost like a Nishiki Ultimate from 1980-81.

Hummer

hi @bmthom.gis ,

thanks for posting your pictures and serial numbers. Your frame was made by Raleigh USA in Kent, Washington.

Your serial number is explained in this post:

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...ml#post8034305

agoodmanwa

Thanks again...

Sloperute

Thanks!!!. I wonder why it wasn't in the catalog? Seems that Nishiki/Giant made a few not standardized bikes.

mkuivama

Could someone confirm is this bike Nishiki Trim Master? Serial number is EJ102299 so it would be then made for European market in 1980?

dmlingo

I am the original owner of a 1990 Nishiki Performance Equipe Sport. It is teal with pink lettering. This is my first bike and I have had it hanging in my garage for many years. I decided it was time to restore it and get some enjoyment out of it once again. I plan on using it for flat rides and am looking forward to the project. I would like to learn a little more about this frame so I thought I'd search for a serial number database. Well, this one has me stumped. The closest I can find to a match is actually a Raleigh serial number from the 80's.

The serial number is HD90700106. This bike has Shimano SIS derailleurs, Diacompe brakes, Sagae Handlebars and crank and is made from 4130 Chrome moly. Any ideas?

Oh, the serial number is on the Seat Stay, opposite the chain side.

Hummer

Hello mkuivama,

cannot see enough of the bicycle to determine what model.

Here is a link to a Trim Master with a similar serial number: https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...l#post14638228

Hummer

Hello dnlingo,

Derby Cycle aquired the Nishiki Brand name in the USA in 1988 or 1989. Your bicycle is from this period. The frame was not made by Raleigh USA. The frame was probably made in Taiwan. There have been three other posts with similar serial numbers: two Rallys and an Altron.

dmlingo

Thanks, Hummer. I did see those posts but wasn't clear on the answers to them.

Hajo

As a relatively newbie in the world of classic steel road race bikes, my first buy a couple of years ago was a Nishiki Roadmaster in a size that suits me good (62,5 cm c/t).







At first I just bought the frame and several monts later I finished building my bicycle with a complete Shimano 600EX Ultegra groupset, apart from the bottom bracket. As the seller told me, it had to be from the year 1992, but after checking the serial number today (WN72651M) I still can't make any sense of the year my frame was built.

W (I know it is a USA built frame)
N (14th digit, that's the problem, what year is it?)
72651 (the 72651st frame built that year)
M (what is the meaning of this additional letter?)

I am sure that there is a lot of knowhow here, somebody please help me ...

wrk101

I have many, many bikes that did not show up in catalogs. Catalog layouts are sent out to printers months ahead of actual production. Decisions get changed, models get added or deleted, and so on. Catalogs are more about what the brand "planned to sell" and less about what they "actually sold".

Add to this you have a brand that outsourced production. So they sometimes changed manufacturers and with it, specs would change. Then you have companies that pulled out frames made several years prior, and decided to work off the inventory.

I treat catalogs as an interesting guide but always assume there will be accuracy issues.

Hummer

I agree.

Hummer

Hello Hajo,

welcome and thank-you for posting the pictures and the serial number.

European Nishikis have several serial number formats. Hence, there can be much confussion.

The serial number on your bicycle is the Danish VIN system format. The letter "M" at the end indicates the year, 1996 (or 1975, but your bicycle is too new for that year)

For more details: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danish_bicycle_VIN-system

capricec

Hello,

I have a Nishiki Custom Sport with a somewhat unique frame, serial KJ 07100. Based on the serial and the logo on the bike, I'm guessing it was made in 1970? But that seems too early. I can't seem to find any Nishiki frames to match. Anyone have any ideas when and where it was made??

Hummer

Hello capricec.

Welcome to the forum. Thanks for posting the pictures and serial number.

The frame is sometimes called a "camel back" frame. Designed for shorter riders. During this period some manufacturers would make one model with the option of an extra small frame and one or two models with the option of an extra large frame.

Your bicycle frame was manufactured in 1980.

Here are two links to Custom Sports that were manufactured in the same year:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/119347...57646365620779

Identify My Nishiki Please....

capricec

Thanks, Hummer. You rock!

Hajo

Thanks Hummer for your reply. Now I am getting more confused .... doesn't the W mean it is a USA build frame? How come there is a Danish VIN number on it then?

Hummer

Hello Hajo,

Yes, there were "W" serial numbers for some years in the USA. But the format of these serial numbers was different from your bicycles serial number.

Your Nishiki model is a Roadmaster. This was not a Nishiki model for the USA market. There were no Roadmasters in the USA. Therefore the USA market serial numbers do not apply.

The serial number for your bicycle matches other European Nishiki serial numbers of the Danish VIN format.

Hajo

Strange, very strange ... I haven't been able to find any information about Nishiki bikes like brochures yet, so thanks for explaining the frame number to me. Now I also see why a Dura Ace 7410 headset was included when I bought this frame. As I have Always tried to built my bikes period-correct, the Shimano 600EX Ultegra group is a nice replacement for the Dura Ace group.

jimbodajanitor

Hi i'm trying to decipher the searial number on a nishiki MONSHEE SN# TS96A05741 can you help please?