Classic & Vintage - Another Nishiki Question for T-Mar

T-Mar (or anyone with serial number dating info),

I picked up this Nishiki Professional at a local swap and would like to put a date to it. Serial # KH20106, with the typical mix of that era (Sugino, SunTour, DiaCompe), but with the nice addition of Bullseye hubs. It had lived it's life on the west coast of California and had seen a bit too much salt air, which had not done the chrome or chrome components any good. A quick swipe with some wet aluminum foil shows that it will shine again, but the pits are here to stay. It was only $30. :D

http://home.mchsi.com/~shufford/nishiki.html

Thanks in advance,

Bob Hufford
Springfield, MO

Based on the serial number it should be 1978 or possibly 1979, but based on the graphics and components it looks to be one of the early models, circa 1972-1974. Time to start checking component date codes and double check the the serial number! Could it be KS20106?

T-Mar,

Thanks for the quick reply! The only date code I can get to readily is the crank and, from what I can tell at vintage-trek.com, it decodes to August of 1971 (46-8 is the code). I'm standing by the serial number (see the pic).

Bob

I concur with the crankset year based on my understanding of the Showa era, and the graphics and components are consistent with that period, so it's probably a 1972 model bicycle. The models started out that year as American Eagles but based on other cases appear to have changed to Nishiki by year end. So it appears that you have one on the very early Nishiki.

Yes, the serial number is you stated. I asked for verification because all of the serial number data that I've collected on other Nishiki from this period have started with KS. Maybe they used a different serial number format on the high end, butted frames but, if I recall correctly, John E. has a Semi-Pro with a KS serial number. Oh well, here's another serial number mystery to solve.

Oh well, here's another serial number mystery to solve.
Sounds like that mid-80s Schwinn mess we're always dealing with. :p

Thanks T-Mar! You've been most helpful.

Bob

Nice find! I had always wished that I had spent a few more $$$ and upgraded to the Pro from my International.

My guess as to age would be 72-73, based on components and decals.

Nice find Bob. I think old Nishikis are very cool. I'm in the process of building an early 90's Ariel mountain bike, you know the one with the strange Cunningham designed down tube. Good luck with your Pro.

Nice bike, Bob. For what it's worth, the serial number on my 1971 Nishiki Competition was KS78091. The cranks do look like early 1970s. I don't think the Professional was introduced until at least 1973; when I rode the Double Century in June 1972, the top-of-the-line Nishiki was the Road Compe.

Let me know what you do with the chrome. I need to get to work on my 1960 Capo, which has similar issues.

Thanks for the kudos guys. I'll report back on the brake component date codes when I get those pulled off. I'm going to deal with the "Lambert" first (as there is money in it -- see the Catch of the Day thread) and a pile 'o parts and catalogs that I've been meaning to deal with anyway. I've also got to build up a Schwinn Cimarron frame that was given to me and then I'll probably dive into the Nishiki.

Has anyone got a lead on any Nishiki catalogs from the '72 - '73 timeframe?

Thanks,

Bob Hufford
Springfield, MO