Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - 1971 Nishiki International

Hello all,

I am looking at this on ebay as a possible addition to my stable. I have always wanted to own a Nishiki ever since I saw one in high school (mid '70's) and this one is currently only $10.00.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250441418070&_trkparms=tab%3DWatching

Any Nishiki gurus out there who can tell me if it is worth getting? I know for the price it is not a bad deal, even though it needs tires/tubes. I am just wondering if it is a entry level Nishiki, or mid level one. I am not too familiar with their models, and were they stand in the pecking order. Also, is it still possible to get decals for this? It will be my first vintage bike purchase, and I would like to restore it, possibly even painting it. If so, I would want to put the original decals back on it. If they are not available, I will just have to settle for a good cleaning.

I have not put a bid on it yet, as I have to find out if I can arrange for a local pickup. It is about 220 miles south of me, but I have relatives and a friend down there who may be able to help get it. Any comments are welcome.

I am no Nishiki expert but I have owned an International in the past. I believe the International was 3rd from the top in the lineup for most of the years it was produced. Specs varied from year to year to meet price points. Mine had a crappy hi-ten frame, this one has a much better chromolly frame. Some parts are obviously not original like the seat, handlebars, stem and brake levers.

The drivetrain on this bike is good and solid but nothing to get really excited over. Suntour VX derailleurs, Sugino Maxy crank etc. The rims are aluminum and should be decent if they are straight with good spokes. The decals on my International were not so great and I have heard similar experiences. I doubt it would be easy to find affordable reproductions of the decals if at all.

Basically, it's a somewhat decent bike... nothing really really special. It's worth it if it stays really low but I personally wouldn't go over 30 dollars or so, especially with the drive you have to get it.
It may stay low due to the local pick up so keep an eye on it.

I hope this helps,
Matt

Thanks for the info. I do not plan on bidding too high for this. I can always wait to find one on my local CL. Just thought for $10 it is a good deal even at that distance. The friend I know down there is coming up this way in the next month anyway, so if I were to get it, he could bring it along with him. If he was not coming this way I would not bid on it, because my relatives have no way to get it up here, and my truck is running crappy right now, and don't want to chance a 200+ mile drive for a $10 bike.

Yeah it's worth it if your friend can bring it along. Just make sure to give your friend a little something for the favor!

Almost anything is worth 10 dollars, except maybe a next, magna or roadmaster.

In case you end up having to ship, be advised I just shipped a bike, 31 lbs., via UPS ground two days ago and even though the online calculator gave me an estimate of $55 for dropoff, my total ended up being $81, including insurance on a $600 estimate. Freight/fuel charges have gone up considerably recently.

I won't have to ship it. Even if the friend does not come up sometime this month, or in July (we are supposed to get together and help other Ford Truck Club members clean up a past member's yard as a favor to his widow) he says he will store the bike until he comes up in October or November. This is not a must have bike, just a nice to have bike, so I don't mind the wait. If I can get my truck running before then, I can always go down and get it.

Shipping would be too expensive (at $81) to justify getting this one. Like Mckeller234 stated it is not a high end or very desirable model, so if I don't get it, it will not break my heart. Thinking of gas prices, even with my little 4 cylinder Ranger, going down there and back will cost about $60.:( So if I am to win this auction, I will just wait for my friend to come up here, and I'll give him $20-30 for his time.

Local pickup only is where you can really catch a deal on ebay. Seller doesn't realize how limiting that can be. Good luck! Looks like a pretty decent bike: alloy rims, cromoly frame, three piece crankset. I highly doubt that bike came with the flat handlebars, but that can be readily addressed. I had a 1975 Nishiki, and the decals had the same distinctive print style.

I am thinking this is a 73-75 model. The owner is not 100% sure about the year, and according to the Nishiki database thread, they were not called Nishiki until 1973, they were called American Eagle before that. The handlebars, and seat are another reason I like this bike, it makes it look similar to my KHS comfort bike just with a road frame. The KHS has no connections for a rear rack though, so I could set this one up as my grocery getter with panniers, and maybe a handlebar bag. Assuming I win the auction, two other bidders are trying to get it now too.

I see it's at $20.50 now. I wonder why the seller didn't list it on CL? It could be a good deal as others have mentioned.
I had an American Eagle recently just like this Nishiki and the ride was good and not too heavy of a frame. It had faded orange paint, exact same cranks, fork etc. I got it with 6 other bikes I bought all at once is various stages of decay.
Here's a pic after it got healed.

I had not thought about looking specifically for local pick up bikes on the bay to find a deal but I have bought a bike before that was local and worked out really well.
I will have to expand my searching.

I live close to that seller but have no interest in it. My crystal ball tells me it will go to $40. I hope you get it for less.

I need a new crystal ball.

Yeah It is at $42.25 right now, and I dont know if I want to spend that much on it. I was wondering why he had not used CL too. Maybe he did not think about it, or does not know of it (highly unlikely). The crest on the head tube looks the same as the one on ebay except for Nishiki instead of American Eagle. How much did you pay for yours? I may just wait for one to pop up here locally. However, I noticed someone on CL has put out a want ad for a early 70's Nishiki so it looks like I have some competition. I sent him an email letting him know about the one in Cerritos, but don't know if he wants to travel that far.

o How much did you pay for yours? .

Technically I didn't pay anything for it since I bought 6 bikes at once, 4 of which I cleaned up and sold. The other 2 became donor bikes. If a person has a place to put that many bikes for awhile it's a very good way to fund your bike habit and get spare parts for future builds.

I did have to get a cheap saddle and new bar tape so I put $20 into it. It was a mess before. here's a pic.

Hopefully you can find something locally like I did that needs work and build your grocery getter.

The one on ebay sold for $78. I found a '72 Nishiki International locally for $99 on Craigslist. All black, but with no decals. Since it has no decals, and Nishiki used the letter S to identify its bikes for several years before '75 it will be impossible to know for sure what year it really is unless he produces a receipt. It is said to be all original with the exception of new tires and tubes. I will contact the seller tomorrow and find out more about it.