Sliverboy

I have a Nishiki Rally S/N CA01480
Does that mean it's a 1981 model?

Arjan

Hi,
See my post of 07-21-12. I have the a similar Nishiki Trim Master only a different color.
I am using it again a couple of times per week.
Arjan

T-Mar

Yes, its a 1981 Canadian Nishiki.

parnote

Thank you, T-Mar!

vqstaphbeard

I have a track frame that I would love to know some info about. It was sold to me as a Nishiki, but I am skeptical as to the accuracy. Serial number on bottom bracket shell is 2775. It has Campy track ends that have two holes drilled in each one. I posted pics and added it as a stage on PedalRoom. Here's the link: https://www.pedalroom.com/bike/virgils-track-6207

Here's a few closeups:

xtrmnop

I just picked this up over the weekend. Not sure what model is this one since all the stickers are unreadable but the serial number is KS268914. It would be great to know exactly what it is.

top506

Found this Riviera GT at a yard sale for $5. I talked it down to $4.....





Tiny full dress tourer, 47cm seattube.
Serial # WE 05741

Top

T-Mar

Nishiki did have a couple of mid-1980s road models with Campagnolo dropouts that they had contract manufactured in Italy. I've never seen or heard of a track equivalent, though that doesn't mean that they didn't exist. Is the BB Italian threaded?

T-Mar

It's really hard to tell much in the picture, Since it's taken form the non-drive side I can't identify the derailleurs or crankset. However it does have stem shifters so, it's one of the bottom three models. Unfortunately with the silver paint and strong backlight, I can't tell if or where there is chrome on the frame. No chrome would be a Custom Sport. Chrome on the lower half of the fork would be an Olympic. Chrome on the lower half of the fork and ends of the stays would be an International. I'm leaning towards the latter, based on what appears to be a cotterless crankset, though that's also a common upgrade.

T-Mar

You drive one hard bargain! FYI, that three pulley LePree was co-designed by Nishiki in conjunction with SunTour. Consequently, Nishiki got a one year exclusive deal on it's use, for 1985.

zukahn1 

Rough conditon but close to original 73/74 Competition metalic brown with chrome, Sugino competion crank Araya 27inch alloy rims, Suntour V-Gt luxe shift group with bar ends serial number KS 284593.

Ubik

Awesome thread!!! Very helpful, and exactly what I was looking for
I have a Nishiki Road Master, s/n EC102874, and this frame was most likely made for the Swedish (or possibly scandinavian) market, so my closest guess is that E is for Sweden.

michael k

Olympic 12 s/n KI 01020...Makes it a 1979??



What type of lugs are these?

T-Mar

Based on the diversity of nations that the E prefix is turning up in, it appears to stand for Europe.

T-Mar

Yes, it would appear to be a 1979, or possibly a 1980 manufactured in late 1979. From what I can see, it is spec'd identically to the Olympic 12 in the 1978 catalog. The only apparent differences are the graphics and headbadge. Your pictures are excellent and I'd appreciate a good, head-on shot of the headbadge. TIA.

Bikedued

The oldest looking Nishiki International I have EVER seen rolled into the bike shop I used to work for today. It's silver with the old style raised headbadge. Centerpull brakes, and I "guess" the earliest ever Sugino Maxy crank, with rounded spider. It looks very cool! The downtube decal said Nishiki and international, in two different fonts. No bands on the seat tube that I remember, The rear derailleur had a guard with drilled holes but was too rusted to really read the name. I think it might have said Eagle?,,,,BD

vqstaphbeard

Sorry I'm so late to reply. No the bottom bracket is English threaded. The fork is also not original. It had a chrome Tange road fork on it when I got it.

T-Mar

Unfortunately, I can't provide a definitive answer. However, we have seen those lugs on high end Nishiki road models. There were also Nishiki road models with Campagnolo dropouts and English threading. Finally, Kawamura was not the exclusive manufacturer of the high end Nishiki frames. In addition to the reportedly Italian manufactured models, the database contains samples from Katakura and at least one other, apperently Japanese source. However, up to this point I had not seen any wth a totally numeric serial number. It could be a Nishiki from a different source but I can't say for sure.

vqstaphbeard

Sweet, and thanks for the help!

cooperryder

Adding Nishiki Professional I am thinking is a 1981 model:
SN KA 145 _ _ _.

michael k

Thanks T-mar

She appears to have been a garage queen. Narley a scratch.

mccarrel

Been trying to figure out the age of my bike for awhile, Its a Nikishi kokusai. According to your system it is pre 1975 ks163424. I think I read that before 1972 they weren't called Nikishi so that puts the bike between 72 and 75. Does anyone know when they changed the Kokusai to the international, that should help narrow it down a bit more.
Here's some pic if that helps

T-Mar

They were still American Eagle at the start of 1972. Nishiki with Anglicized models names appeared in 1973. Consequently, the Nishiki with Japanese model names appear to be from some period durng 1972/1973.

eschlwc

here's my '83 kawamura nishiki international, purchased from cl in tacoma, wa, sept. 2012. it had a 'bicycle center' decal on it from santa cruz, ca.



serial: KC 03408
drops: suntour gt-iv
sr post: 26.4mm
bb: 125mm spindle length (reads 'e303 3T'), 68mm shell
steerer: 'Tange.3.C'
hubs: sunshine
gearing: suntour cyclone m-ii

wrk101

Picked up two near twins today: an American Eagle Semi Pro, and a Nishiki Competition. My guess is the Competition is a 1974 (KS 284672), while the Semi Pro is either 1972 or 1973 (KS 161175). Very similar builds: DB cromoly frames, Suntour barcons, center pull brakes, etc. The Semi Pro has some really neat (to me) high flange Sunshine hubs, even though the front rim appears to be a replacement (steel).

Sugino cranksets date codes are February 1972 and May 1974. Suntour RD date code are March 1972 and April 1975.