cirp 

I had a viewer on my website send me a few pictures of this frameset and he wanted to know what company built it. The serial number is NP7040016 and appears to be a chrome frame. The serial number format is exactly
like my Nishiki ONP and certain parts of the frame our just like the ONP. The brake bridge is the same and the headset is carved the same. The unique differences are the bottom bracket has a "K" cutout and mine has
a "N" cutout. The cable guides are on top of the bottom bracket on both bike except, his are brazed on and mine are clipped/screwed on. Both appear to be built in 1977 but why they would have these differences is beyond me.
I will attempt to attach what images I have.





Any help would be appreciated.

Jim
Las Vegas, NV

T-Mar

Kawamura manufactured Nishiki Professional. I've seen chrome plated foreign market models.

cirp 

So, not an ONP but a Professional. Did they give the Professional the same serial number format as the ONP?
Thanks T-Mar

T-Mar

ONP (Order Nishiki Professional) was an acronym used only in marketing the frames in the USA, to distinguish it from the earlier version of the Pro-Professional and convey greater prestige. The frames themselves used a generic "Nishiki Pro" decal. Also, since the USA framesets were only offered in champagne, the chrome plating suggests a foreign market model, where they appear to have been marketed as Nishiki Pro/Professional. The serial number format does indicate that it came out of the Kawamura's limited volume, high end shop.