Classic & Vintage - NISHIKI Build Thead

yeah. im a Noob. and on top of that, the only bikes ive ridden are old 20 inch BMX and Mountain bikes. any way, i was at a swap meet in alsip IL and stumbled across a green/yellow bike. it called to me. seller wanted $30, so i rode around with it, felt good and shifted ok. $25 later it was mine. now, im not really too sure what direction im gonna go with it, first of all, i gotta figure out what kind it is. it has suntour pieces all over the place, but i know suntour makes brakes. the numbers are what fascinate me. i wanna find out what i have before i tear into it. this should be an interesting thread. :D ill let the pics do the talking. and yeah, tires and brake adjustment is first on my list o' things to do

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j251/volcomskater77/Pedal%20Power/Nishiki/IMGP3025.jpg
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j251/volcomskater77/Pedal%20Power/Nishiki/IMGP3022.jpg
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j251/volcomskater77/Pedal%20Power/Nishiki/IMGP3026.jpg

now some beauty shots
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j251/volcomskater77/Pedal%20Power/Nishiki/IMGP3023.jpg
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j251/volcomskater77/Pedal%20Power/Nishiki/IMGP3028.jpg
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j251/volcomskater77/Pedal%20Power/Nishiki/IMGP3036.jpg
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j251/volcomskater77/Pedal%20Power/Nishiki/IMGP3033.jpg

well, looked up the vin, and noted that it is a PRE-75 frame. so thats pretty cool, but the but i still cant figure out the numbers on the post. and i gotta figure out what model it is. any info?

Suntour didn't make brakes. Just rebranded Dia-Compes with their name. What size are those wheels?

cool old bike - looking forward to more pics on the tear down / rebuild - i say just overhaul the bearings on her and have a good time - i like those big numbers on it too - my type of bike fo sho

thanks guys. im honestly not sure what size they are. ill measure it tonight. im taking it to the local bike shop in town and see what they think of the whole thing, if they have any knowledge on them or what not. i did re grease the crank bearings and tightened everything up. i have been riding it around every chance i get tho. pretty good stress reliever. i get lots of waves actually. im not sure why. lol i have access to a powdercoater tho. so if i decide to go all out on this thing, its gonna be nice. probably a lot of original parts, with new paint and some polish. i want black powdercoated rims and hubs, and stainless spokes. but that would mean i have to relace them. might just have it all black, cept the polished bits and the frame. got it all planned out in my head. lol

aw dont paint it - its ol cheesey paint w the cool and mysterious '6508aw' on it that makes this bike bad@$$ - if u paint it - i fear its mojo will be gone...along w those unsolicited waves

The 6508AW looks like a registration number (like you would see on a boat or camper in some parts of the country). I think the big numbers and the slushy green give it patina... if it were me, I would struggle with whether it should be kept it like it is or redo it. The scars carry a history and a story.

Looks like an Olympic to me.

i know, if i were to paint it, it would be the SAME color. like exact color match sprayed through a gun. and i would keep the letters. i might leave it

btw - what did your LBS think - probably lots of yawning - too bad - tough to find enthusiasm for this type of bike at an LBS - btw - ace those tires - sidewalls look sketchy

he walked out and just said it was worth what i paid for it lol. and preceded to tell me **** i already knew. like i cant fully extend my legs to get full power. DUH. and that its really small, like squished and looks awkward with the 27-inchers. i know, thats why i bought it. and its been repainted at one point, really? i thought they came from the factory with a red base coat then another of drippy cracking lime green. i was fuming. not because he told me stuff that i already knew, but because he had this aura of arrogance. like he knew everything and anything about old vintage road bikes. he very well might have, but when he tells me hes never seen one before, and he has no way to place a value on it other that how it looks cosmetically, that doesnt really convey wisdom/knowledge to me. sorry for venting. lol

the tires are gonna get replaced for sure. im just making sure i dont slide against curbs, because itll rip right through the sidewall. it holds air great tho. and thanks for the ID WRK. that should help me find out more about it. i think i might just tear it down and replace what needs to be fixed, fix the tension on the shifter linkages, because my chain rubbs a bit on it in certain gears. seat is hella unfomfortable, but looks killer. and almost brand new. im gonna get rid of the reflectors also. any other ideas?