Asian Serial Number Guide
#376
WGB
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Niagara Region
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Bikes: Panasonic PT-4500, Miele Touring and Batavus Pro
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Confused by a serial number
Fuji Espree - FJ410669
I thought that F was 10 week but thought J was January. Will add photo if required.
Can someone point out what I'm missing..???
Fuji Espree - FJ410669
I thought that F was 10 week but thought J was January. Will add photo if required.
Can someone point out what I'm missing..???
#377
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Should be a 1985 model manufactured in October 1984. Fuji has 4 different serial number formats during 1971-1989. In this case, 'F' is the production facility. 'J' represents the 10th month (October) and '4' is the calendar year 1984. See the 1980-1989 format for Fuji in post #1.
#378
Newbie
I have a branded Concorde Prestige with serial S95XXX540, built of TIG welded Tange Prestige OS Road and spec'd with Shimano 6400 8-speed, Ritchey seatpost, seat, tires. It also features Ritchey vertical dropouts. In all fairness the paint is rather thin and delicate and the decals look like they could have come from a dollar store.
I get the impression that the frame was a generic catalog offering, which companies would purchase in quantity and brand as their own; however, I can't imagine such examples to be abundant given the calibre of its build and the declining popularity of steel racing bikes in the 90's.
#379
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Of what provenance are these frames?
I have a branded Concorde Prestige with serial S95XXX540, built of TIG welded Tange Prestige OS Road and spec'd with Shimano 6400 8-speed, Ritchey seatpost, seat, tires. It also features Ritchey vertical dropouts. In all fairness the paint is rather thin and delicate and the decals look like they could have come from a dollar store.
I get the impression that the frame was a generic catalog offering, which companies would purchase in quantity and brand as their own; however, I can't imagine such examples to be abundant given the calibre of its build and the declining popularity of steel racing bikes in the 90's.
I have a branded Concorde Prestige with serial S95XXX540, built of TIG welded Tange Prestige OS Road and spec'd with Shimano 6400 8-speed, Ritchey seatpost, seat, tires. It also features Ritchey vertical dropouts. In all fairness the paint is rather thin and delicate and the decals look like they could have come from a dollar store.
I get the impression that the frame was a generic catalog offering, which companies would purchase in quantity and brand as their own; however, I can't imagine such examples to be abundant given the calibre of its build and the declining popularity of steel racing bikes in the 90's.
#381
Senior Member
Thread Starter
based on the bicycles where we've seen these formats, I'd say they were at least mid-size, mass volume manufacturers. They don't appear to be small or limited volume manufacturers, concentrating on high grade bicycles.
#382
Senior Member
The highest end Concordes (at least in the 80's through early 90's) were hand built in Italy. I often hear that these lugged frames were built in the same shop that was building Ciocc's at the time, but I don't believe I've ever seen that confirmed. Not sure about the source of the tig-welded more recent fames or their lower end frames of any vintage. From someone who knew more about them than I, I got the impression that, in the 80's at least, their high end bikes (and sponsorship of the PDM/Ultech racing team) was mainly to draw attention to their larger lower end bikes (Dutch company after all). Not sure where I heard that last bit about a larger lower end road and city bike bit as I don't remember seeing any catalogs that showed that. I do have one of the Italian built lugged frames from ~1990 (the Aquila, it was second from the top and made of SLX, their top model was made of TSX but I can't remember the name, Squadra? or was that the step down, not sure). Super nice rider.
#383
Full Member
Centurion Turbo
I just picked up a nice centurion Turbo 56 cm. Any info or comments are appreciated!
as you can see, serial number is N2S2005.
as you can see, serial number is N2S2005.
#384
Newbie
The highest end Concordes (at least in the 80's through early 90's) were hand built in Italy. I often hear that these lugged frames were built in the same shop that was building Ciocc's at the time, but I don't believe I've ever seen that confirmed. Not sure about the source of the tig-welded more recent fames or their lower end frames of any vintage. From someone who knew more about them than I, I got the impression that, in the 80's at least, their high end bikes (and sponsorship of the PDM/Ultech racing team) was mainly to draw attention to their larger lower end bikes (Dutch company after all). Not sure where I heard that last bit about a larger lower end road and city bike bit as I don't remember seeing any catalogs that showed that. I do have one of the Italian built lugged frames from ~1990 (the Aquila, it was second from the top and made of SLX, their top model was made of TSX but I can't remember the name, Squadra? or was that the step down, not sure). Super nice rider.
#385
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Last edited by T-Mar; 05-26-21 at 06:55 AM.
#386
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: PNW
Posts: 1,587
Bikes: One of everything and three of everything French
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Tsunoda data incoming. This is a Lotus Odyssey. I think model year 81, because the date code of the Mighty Tour crankset is J11. Features of frame seem correct for 81 too- side pull calipers, brazed top tube cable guides and down tube bottle bosses.
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I.C.
I.C.
#387
Full Member
The subect bicycle is a 1983 model manufactured in late 1982. The bicycles were manufactured Tano of Japan, with frame manufacture subcontracted to Nomura. At the time, it was the top model in Centurion's 6 model road line, The MSRP was $535 US. It was only manufactured for two years, 1983 and 1984. From what I can see, it appears to OEM with the exception of the bar tape and lever hoods. 1983 catalogue image attached. Enjoy your new acquisition.
#389
Senior Member
1990 Bianchi Axis cyclocross bike manufactured Jan 1990; Japan manufacture.
This follows the format of S(1) as noted in the initial post. So what does S(1) mean?
This follows the format of S(1) as noted in the initial post. So what does S(1) mean?
#392
Senior Member
Thread Starter
It's nice to know that some members are using the guide as intended. Given the number of queries that I answer in this thread about bicycles that are covered in the 1st post, I sometimes wonder. Still, it has 150K+ views, so there must be others who are using it. Yet, there's not a single "like" on the original post. Go figure!
#393
Full Member
Nishiki Bel Air
I was told that this is an 86 Nishiki Bel Air. It’s a repaint. No catalogs anywhere so no idea what original parts are. Serial WE18 513. Bike measures 20”.
#394
Senior Member
Thread Starter
If it is a repaint, at least the previous owner used the correct style of replacement decals. Besides the difference in components and decals between the 1985 and 1986 models, there were several of variations in frame characteristics that confirm this is a 1986 model manufactured in 1985, such as the chain stay bend, down tube stops and bottom bracket cable guides.
BTW, there is no need to cross-post between the Nishiki Serial Number Database thread and this one. I try to monitor both of them. Regardless, the extra data and contribution are appreciated.
#396
WGB
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Niagara Region
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Went to view a Bianchi - "an original made in Italy". Anyway, here is the SN for your Asian serial number collection.
Serial of H1C5037. Has a made in Tiawan sticker on head tube.
Equipped with Shimano 300EX (seat post replaced and wheel set now mismatched)
Assuming Hodaka made but SN seems to be short a few digits. In the SN photo it looks like there are other numbers stamped but painted over
Sorry for photos, garage not well lit
Serial of H1C5037. Has a made in Tiawan sticker on head tube.
Equipped with Shimano 300EX (seat post replaced and wheel set now mismatched)
Assuming Hodaka made but SN seems to be short a few digits. In the SN photo it looks like there are other numbers stamped but painted over
Sorry for photos, garage not well lit
#397
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Went to view a Bianchi - "an original made in Italy". Anyway, here is the SN for your Asian serial number collection.
Serial of H1C5037. Has a made in Tiawan sticker on head tube.
Equipped with Shimano 300EX (seat post replaced and wheel set now mismatched)
Assuming Hodaka made but SN seems to be short a few digits. In the SN photo it looks like there are other numbers stamped but painted over
Sorry for photos, garage not well lit.
Serial of H1C5037. Has a made in Tiawan sticker on head tube.
Equipped with Shimano 300EX (seat post replaced and wheel set now mismatched)
Assuming Hodaka made but SN seems to be short a few digits. In the SN photo it looks like there are other numbers stamped but painted over
Sorry for photos, garage not well lit.
#398
WGB
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Niagara Region
Posts: 3,123
Bikes: Panasonic PT-4500, Miele Touring and Batavus Pro
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T-Mar.
Thanks for replying. Nice ride to the bike. I tried to get it to shift with the 6 speed FW but no luck. Serious improvement with a 7 speed FW though. Not sure it is or was a$400+ bike but ride was pretty smooth. Pic for posterity - tried to load earlier but guess they didn't load.
Thanks for replying. Nice ride to the bike. I tried to get it to shift with the 6 speed FW but no luck. Serious improvement with a 7 speed FW though. Not sure it is or was a$400+ bike but ride was pretty smooth. Pic for posterity - tried to load earlier but guess they didn't load.
Last edited by WGB; 06-17-21 at 07:16 PM.
#399
Senior Member
Thread Starter
OEM spec was 7 speed, so the SIS shift levers would definitely have an issue handling 6 cogs.
#400
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Unfortunately, I can't positively identify the 1986 Bel-Air steering components from the photos and they are not listed in the 1985 spec sheet.