Classic & Vintage - Custom Front Rack

I have finished painting my front pannier rack that my friend custom built for me. I have a whole lot of pics on my site http://www.bicyclesmile.com.

Thought some of you here would be interested.

Anyone know the vintage of this bicycle?

looks good. i dig.

Great looking front rack!!! -- I'm extremely jealous! -- Nothing could be better than a rack built for a specific bike... That's one of the reasons people have spent thousands of dollars for custom Rene Herse and Alex Singer touring bikes. :thumb:

I'm really not very familiar with Nishiki touring bikes. But, I think you can probably get a VERY close date approximation by checking some of the date codes on the individual components. The Shimano Biopace cranks should have markings and also the Dia-Compe cantilever brakes, perhaps even the wheel hubs. All of those would appear to be original to that bike. I would guess the bike probably dates from roughly the mid-1980s - which was definitely THE BEST era for lugged steel touring bikes, like yours. I have a similar looking touring bike, also built in Japan (for Schwinn, in my case) and it is honestly the best riding bike I have ever owned.

Here is a handy link which will help you to decipher the tiny date code letters or numbers which you should find stamped on many of the Japanese components. So, get out your magnifying glass... I'm sure you'll have plenty of cold winter days to spend doing a bit of very rewarding detective work : http://www.vintage-trek.com/component_dates.htm This webpage is a wonderful tool to bookmark for future reference.

Enjoy!
Bob

Wow!

Nice rack indeed. A custom rack or fork may be the only "custom" parts I could ever afford. One day...

For your Nishiki, check the serial number and then this thread (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=390318).

Very impressive. I dig the frame rail design too, with it running parallel with the fork and still having pannier rails. +1:thumb:
-Gene-

I have done a little detective work and here is what I have come up with. Serial number on the frame is CF03594. Production number on the Dia Compe brakes is 07 86.

Based on the codes given for Nishiki serial numbers I was thinking it was possibly from 1976 (only because it states production is pre 1985 on Nishiki), but this seems too old. But now with the brake code I am thinking 1986 would be the date.

I will look for a few more part codes and see if I can confirm this.

That is an elegant way to get around the cantilever brakes, incorporating both form and function. Very nice.

Wow, that is a coolest rack. The builder of that is an artisan.

Wow, that is a coolest rack. The builder of that is an artisan.

Yes, Barrett is a true artist. He made a beautiful touring frame for himself earlier this year, as well as city bike frame for a friend of ours. I cannot find a photo that shows it all built up, but here is a link to an image of the frames after a basic coat of paint. http://www.flickr.com/photos/21493845@N08/3009962615/sizes/l/

Very nice rack!, and your Nishiki is also easy on the eyes. It's great to be in C&V where you can say that, in genuine appreciation, and not get slapped.

My friend Matt also makes beautiful custom front racks. Check em out

http://www.passstow.com/

http://www.passstow.com/rackcolor.jpg