Originally Posted by
Doohickie
Here is my later Derby-built Nishiki, from probably around 2000 or 2001 just before the brand died in the U.S. Serial number is R935040900.
If you're only looking for Kawamura-built Nishikis, my apologies.
I found
Sheldon Brown's guide to dating American made Raleighs manufactured in Kent, Washington, by Derby Cycle. The same factory built Nishikis for the American market.
The following is copied from that site but I substituted my serial number:
Sample number: R
935040900 (A)
* R (all)
* Digits 1 & 5 are year. Sample is from 1994
* Digits 2,3,4 are day (001-365). Sample is from December 16
* digits 6-9 are sequential. Sample is the 900th bike built that shift.
Note: I have no idea if 900 is a reasonable production quantity; it could be that the number also has some brand information encoded in the last four digits, to differentiate Raleighs and Nishikis which were built in the same plant.
* A = morning shift B= evening shift.
Letter code may or may not be present, depending on production schedule.
Sample had no shift code
Is anyone out there knowledgeable enough to know if this is correct?