ossy

I also have two Nishikis in Finland, white one I got today! Both of them has F-code. Orange one is Nishiki Triathlon (86F00919) and white one is Nishiki Road Master (87F11132).

Hummer

Hello @ossy,

thank-you for posting the serial numbers and pictures. This helps to confirm a unique serial number format for Nishiki's from Finland.

Do your bicycles also have "Designed by Nishiki" decals on the chainstay? And a "Japan" decal on the bottom of the seat tube?

Also do you know what company imported and distributed these bicycles in Finland?

ossy

Yes and Yes Does those decals tell that frames are build by Kawamura or what?

I guess Raul Hellberg Ltd has imported those to Finland. Raul Hellberg imports Nishikis also nowadays in Finland, or exactly Raul Hellberg assembles finnish Nishiki cycles in Emäsalo, in south part of Finland, and so it has long tradition with Nishiki.

Hummer

Thanks for posting more pictures and the information about the importer to Finland.

Your question about Kawamura is what I am trying to find out. I assume that the frames were built by Kawamura but I do not know for sure. Some one needs to compare the Nishiki/Kawamura frames with serial numbers that start with "E" to the Finland frames.

The serial numbers that start with "E" (for Europe?) seem most common in the Netherlands and Sweden.

Nishiki's in Denmark have another serial number format to conform with Danish law. In Denmark the Nishiki Importers were: Taarnby A/s and Nordisk Cykelfabrik A/S.

ossy

Importer Raul Hellberg states next in their short history here in finnish: Nishikin 45 vuotta | Nishiki polkupyörät

Kawamura Cycle ryhtyi 1970-luvun puolivälissä tuomaan pyöriä Eurooppaan; ensimmäisenä Nishiki lähti Hollannin markkinoille vuonna 1975 ja sen jälkeen Saksaan. Pohjoismaista ensimmäiset pyörät tuotiin Ruotsiin vuonna 1979 – Suomeen Nishikit rantautuivat vuonna 1981 Raul Hellberg Oy:n ansiosta. Viimeiset Japanissa valmistetut Nishikit tuotiin Eurooppaan 1990-luvun alkupuolella.

Which is in english: Kawamura Cycle started to import cycles to Europe in the middle of '70. At first to Netherlands in 1975 and then to Germany. Sweden in a northern Europe received first Nishikis in 1979 and Finland in 1981 thanks to Raul Hellberg . Last Japan made Nishikis imported to Europe in beginning of '90.

This is, Raul Hellberg has imported all Japan made Nishikis in Finland, I strongly trust it.

Hummer

Thanks @ossy,

that is a great piece of historical information.

joshua4594

Hey guys can you help me identify this roadie if it's a Nishiki roadie. The serial number is KC101317. Thanks
P.S. There were 3 to 4 different layers of paint on it and the decals have been removed so I really can't tell...

TheVintage

Here is my recent thrift store find. It is a Nishiki Pro (1977?) The serial number appears to be NP7230030. Any other info would be greatly appreciated.

Bianchigirll 

Hello and welcome to the forums. Some of these guys are smart but not that smart. How about some more pics and info on the bike? What kind of components are on it, is there a tubing decal?

kRaSh79

Just signed up as well.
I want to thank the original poster of this thread for his work on this.

I have a Nishiki Custom Sport from the early 1970s.
According to the chart my father's bike, now mine, was made in USA prior to 1975 with the serial number KS274060.

TheVintage

Here are more pics of what I think is a 1977 Nishiki Pro. It appears to be Italian. The serial number is NP7230030

Hummer

Hi joshua4594,

are you sure about the serial number? I cannot match this frame to any Nishiki from 1983 or 1984.

Hummer

This model of Nishiki was written about in Bicycling Magazine Aug 1976.

From what I have read this model was ordered from Nishiki as a frameset only. Wheels and components where added by the customer ( or the local bike shop). Nishiki began this model in 1976.

joshua4594

Hey, @Hummer.
Thanks for responding. I'm not sure but as far as my father remembers, it's a Nishiki. Not sure though cause by the sound of him saying that it is, is doubtful. Are there no model similar to the bike's build?

Hummer

Are you bsure about the serial number? The serial number that you gave indicates that the frame was made in 1983. The model year of nishiki would be 1983 or 1984. I could not match your frame to anything from those years.

If the serial number is wrong then the frame could be from some other year.

camdogg78

I own the very same bike!!!!!!! have never seen another one like it pics and more info I will add soon!!! as shogun700 prestige im new to this site so will add info tomorrow just now found time to post info.... w90020676 is stamped on underside of bottom bracket and original shop sticker says metro cycle sport white planes new York .... its a prestige tange 1 4130

OldXrider

I really appreciate this thread and thought I'd post a few photos of my old Nishiki (serial # KS175349). I purchased it in the fall of 1972 and used it as a commuter bike around the U of W campus. Not ridden much since then. Suntour derailleurs -- Compe V on the front and GT (#4532) on the rear. Sugino crank set. Diacompe brakes. Only thing ever replaced was the tires and brake pads. I'll see if I can post a couple of pictures of it. Didn't figure out how to post a picture. Will try later, maybe. Duh! Got it.

trin1812

Hi All,
New to this forum.
I have a line on a red Richard Cunningham designed Nishiki cascade. It's Tange 4130 Cro-Mo, made in Taiwan. Serial number is W90023078 which doesn't seem to fit into the serial number chart on this thread. Anyone know what year this is? An indication on what I should offer the guy? It's in okay but not GREAT condition.
Thanks!

roccobike

This Nishiki Century was donated to our church's Bicycle Ministry. I worked on it to prepare it for a new home. It's in great shape only needing some minor adjustments, a chain lube and air in the tires. The serial number is CA80?604. There appears to be a character between "0"and "6", but it was not distinguishable and may just be a punch miss. Also on the bottom bracket housing was "BK12" but this was not next to the serial number. The rims are alloy and it has index shifting. From literature and decals I was able to determine this is a 1988 model. No doubt about it, it's a perfect match. The color is called "Gloss Cobalt Blue". I checked the stays and dropouts, there was no Giant number configuration visible so I'm guessing this was not manufactured by Giant. Note the vintage mileage computer on the right fork.

roccobike

I picked up this Nishiki Olympic 12 several years ago. It's a little too small for me so I just completed a rebuild and flipped it. It's a 1980 Olympic 12 that is almost all original. The saddle is not and the tires have been changed. Also, the original wheels were a coated steel. They were in very good condition, but they're not alloy. I had a set of alloy wheels just waiting for a home so I decided to swap them and put them on the Nishiki. The bike must have lost at least one pound due to that change.
Otherwise this is an original bike. The serial number is KI 12158

OLDYELLR

Nice bike, roccobike. I always liked the Nishikis with the faux Nervex lugs because Nervex were the top lightweight lug when I first got into cycling. Nothing wrong with upgrading to alloy rims, although I would have gone to Presta valves instead of those car-type Schraeder valves. I'd also replace that mattress roadster saddle with anything more appropriate and get rid of the safety levers and pie-plate spoke guard.

Raging_Moose

i have this bike in a dark blue have you replaced the shifting cables and brake cables on it yet ?

remy222

Just received Nishiki Cresta frame off ebay, serial number reads KC21469, so it would be 83'??
other than that i have no clue...
this will be my first build. any help would be great =)

el mundo gira

I have just rescued a decrepit and rusty Repco/Nishiki Victory Tri-A 12-speed from a roadside garbage collection. "Infinity CR-MO Tapered Double Butted Tubing Tange" frame. 700c Araya rims. Under the bottom bracket is a serial number K8N5419. I still can't figure out the year. 1990? 1988? It is now a restoration project.

OLDYELLR

You can usually date a bike from its components here. Vintage Trek Bikes- Information on Steel Road Bicycles made by the Trek Bicycle Corporation, bike