Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Conversion of a Nishiki Century early 80's to a fixed gear

Hi, I am thinking of purchasing and old bike and convert it to fixed gear. That will imptove my stroke and cadence. I have the opportunity to get a Nishiki Century early 80's model with hi-ten steel.
Is it possible to convert this bike to a fixed gear; and what will it involve to make it a decent one?

Yes, your conversion is entirely possible.

Give these 2 articles a read first, they both explain the steps necessary better than I or any one else on this forum can.

http://sheldonbrown.com/deakins/how-to-fixed-conversion.html

http://sheldonbrown.com/fixed-conversion.html


If you have more specific questions after reading the articles, please ask them.


Good luck and have fun!

This bike should make a fine conversion to fixed gear. If you are mechanically minded you can do it yourself. Read Sheldon Brown's fixed-gear conversions page. Read it several times actually. If you want to make it nice, I would recommend a new wheelset, with a flip-flop hub.

1. Strip all unnecessary parts from the bike, ie derailleurs and shifters.
2. Take one of the chainrings off and replace chainring bolts with single stack bolts. In my experience, the chainline works out better with the chainring on the inner part of the spider. YRMV.
3. At this point it is easy to make it a singlespeed. If you want to go fixed, I strongly recommend a fixed-specific rear hub (with reverse threading for a lockring).

Please post some pics, and if you have any further (specific) questions we can help.

Regards,
Dersu

Thank you guys for your feedback. I am going to check the fitting now and if good I am buying it.

I just finished mine. A 1985 Nishiki Tri-A. I say go for it...!!!