Classic & Vintage - It's amazing how much 3" changes things...

So I got the Nishiki Sport that I was looking at yesterday for free!. SunTour everything, alloy 27" rims, LEATHER saddle (a cheap one, but it looks and feels REALLY nice anyway), steel seat post and handlebars, and a 14 speed set of stem shifters. I'll try to post pics of it a bit later.

It's turquoise blue, and is really gorgeous - no rust, and only a few scratches here and there. Actually, the color is almost exactly a non-metallic version of Raleigh mink - just a little bit darker.

So I get it home, and measure the seat post...on my Univega, it's 22-1/2 and is pretty comfortable with a riser stem and NR bars (although the top tube is pretty short). On this Nishiki, it's 19-1/2. The stupid thing was almost unrideable. I swapped wheels from the Uni, since I didn't have the cash or time to run to the store and took it for a ride. Sprightly little bugger, and everything works perfectly...it's just teeny! I think I'm going to give it to my sister once I get it completely fixed up - she's been wanting a drop bar bike...

BTW, is it weird to love the sound that the freewheel on this thing makes? It's a really hollow, mechanical, LOUD ticking. I love it.

As an aside, I was looking at an old Huffy Olympia (red step through, 26X1-3/8, etc) that I picked up at some garage sale somewhere for the 26" parts and ergo brake levers, and realized that it's got a Huret rear derailleur...

BTW, is it weird to love the sound that the freewheel on this thing makes? It's a really hollow, mechanical, LOUD ticking. I love it.

I know exactly what you mean. My Raleigh Grand Prix does the same thing. At first I didn't like it and was going to try and make it stop, but I've grown attached. It also serves a purpose. If I'm coming up on a group of people that aren't paying attention, I just let it coast and the ticking sound alerts them to my presence. That's a lot cooler than a horn or yelling.

mickey, How about posting pics. Better yet, if you have not already done so, how about posting the serial number and pics in the Nishiki Serial Number Database thread on this forum. Nice find, I'll bet its a Chromoly frame. The later Sport models had chromoly main tubes. They're usually nice riders.

I'll try to get pictures of it this week. I don't have a digital camera of my own, so I'll probably ride it to school one day this week...

And I'll get the serial number for you by tomorrow. It is a chromoly frame - says so right under the top tube on the seat post - 4130.

As an aside, I was looking at an old Huffy Olympia (red step through, 26X1-3/8, etc) that I picked up at some garage sale somewhere for the 26" parts and ergo brake levers, and realized that it's got a Huret rear derailleur...

If it's an Allvit model, be afraid, be very afraid. Total POS.

I always look for excuses to post my converted Nishiki Sport. It has plenty of room for big tires.

http://i43.tinypic.com/20uzbti.jpg

http://i42.tinypic.com/fokgbc.jpg

BEFORE:

http://i39.tinypic.com/23k4xz7.jpg

This one fits 38c really comfortably, but probably wouldn't take fenders...and the 38c makes the thing look vaguely like the road version of a Surly Pugsley...lol

I always look for excuses to post my converted Nishiki Sport. It has plenty of room for big tires.

http://i43.tinypic.com/20uzbti.jpg

http://i42.tinypic.com/fokgbc.jpg

BEFORE:

http://i39.tinypic.com/23k4xz7.jpg

Very nice. What kind of tensioner is that? Does this bike have vertical dropouts?

Very nice. What kind of tensioner is that? Does this bike have vertical dropouts?

I made the tensioner. It had near horizontal dropouts. Before it was my single speed cyclocross bike, it was my fixed gear and I dremelled the dropout off, yes I drewed it. I was younger...

I made the tensioner. It had near horizontal dropouts. Before it was my single speed cyclocross bike, it was my fixed gear and I dremelled the dropout off, yes I drewed it. I was younger...

Interesting - do you have a closeup of the tensioner, or can you describe how you made it?
(sorry about derailing the thread)

so as not to hijack the thread anymore, I posted a link about it on my blog

LINK (http://plusonelap.blogspot.com/2009/03/homemade-tensioner.html)