American Eagle -Nishiki
06-12-20, 06:43 PM
#1
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American Eagle -Nishiki
I came across this and can't find anything on it other than it became a Nishiki in the late '79's. Is it crazy valuable or just a nice mid 70's Japanese bike.
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06-12-20, 07:35 PM
#3
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Looks like an American Eagle Semi-pro, circa 1971-2. I had one, my upgrade from a Schwinn Varsity. I convinced my parents to pay 1/2 for my Christmas present. I think total price was around $220. Mine was also yellow. I remember the way the seat stays taper and wrap around the frame. Suntour derailleur, Sugino crank, Dia Compe center pull brakes. Suntour ratchet bar end shifters. I think the change to the Nishiki name started in 1972.
06-12-20, 07:56 PM
#4
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In the early days, Japanese bike manufacturers copied Italian & English bikes. And, they eventually succeeded in surpassing all the European brands and taking over the entire mass produced bike industry. So, it's a fine bike. But, only worth about 1/3 to 1/2 an equivalent 70's Italian or English bike to collectors. I love the old Japanese bikes because they're the easiest & least expensive bikes to restore & repair. Plus, they're extremely durable & provide excellent value. If you completely refurbish that one it will continue to provide good service for a long time. Maybe even a lifetime. Have fun. Be good.
06-13-20, 01:54 AM
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Some of the frame details look a lot like my 1973 Semi-Pro, which has both the Nishiki and American Eagle labeling. Mine has a Nishiki head badge, though, not American Eagle, so I think yours is a year or two older.
__________________
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
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06-13-20, 06:09 PM
#6
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The American Eagle Semi-Pro and the Nishiki Competition were, I believe, the very same bike. 1972-1973 seems to be the transition period between the two brands.
American Flier and Azuki brand names were similarly swapped during this same period.
All were WCC (West Coast Cycle) brands.
Somewhere between the rising status of Japanese-name bicycles and the perhaps pretentious-sounding "American" prefix used on Japanese-built bikes, the brand names needed to be revised.
My 1973 American Eagle Kokusai is double-branded (with a Nishiki head badge). The following year the exact same bike was called the Nishiki International.
American Flier and Azuki brand names were similarly swapped during this same period.
All were WCC (West Coast Cycle) brands.
Somewhere between the rising status of Japanese-name bicycles and the perhaps pretentious-sounding "American" prefix used on Japanese-built bikes, the brand names needed to be revised.
My 1973 American Eagle Kokusai is double-branded (with a Nishiki head badge). The following year the exact same bike was called the Nishiki International.
Last edited by dddd; 06-13-20 at 06:15 PM.
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06-14-20, 03:20 AM
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American Eagle transitioned to Nishiki in late 1971, for the 1972 model year. Most models retained the old names for the 1st model year after the transition. The subject bicycle does indeed appear to be an American Eagle Semi-Pro, which eventually became the Nishiki Competition. Given the era, I'd consider it a nice, upper mid-range model. It's hard to tell how much is OEM based on the non-drive side photo. If it is OEM or near OEM and cleans up well, there is some money. However, it does appear to have the OEM Sugino Mighty crankset, so we may be able to determine the year from the date codes stamped on the back of the arms (format 4x-x), The serial number would also be appreciated.
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