Classic & Vintage - Nishiki Royal

Just got this yesterday from the original owner, serial number indicates a 1983 but having a hard time finding any like it. The bike has a 5 speed freewheel and a triple crank, I thought for sure by 83 it would have a 6 speed freewheel, did these come equipped with a 5 speed and a triple crank?

Specs:
63.5cm Chrome Moly Frame with vertical dropouts
Sugino GT triple crank
Shimano Golden Arrow Front/Rear derailleurs and shifters
5 speed freewheel
27 x 1 1/4 Araya alloy wheels
Dia-Compe drilled brake levers and Dia-Compe side pull calipers

This will be another winter project for me, basically just needs taken apart and cleaned/polished, I'll post pics as I go along. I always make the mistake of not documenting the process and tend to forget about the previous condition of my bikes (before & after)

What a lovely bike. Can't wait to see your restoration. I'm guessing this was the top or close to it for Nishiki?

Not unusual to see 5 speed touring bikes well into the 1980s. My 1984 Centurion Elite GT had five speeds.

(Re: Nishiki Royal) Just got this yesterday from the original owner, serial number indicates a 1983 but having a hard time finding any like it. The bike has a 5 speed freewheel and a triple crank, I thought for sure by 83 it would have a 6 speed freewheel, did these come equipped with a 5 speed and a triple crank?
(before & after)

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Congrats. I think they are nice Nishiki's.

I have had 2 of these Nishiki Royal's in the same gray / silver color & 25" size.

The first (1983) I got as a frame and fork. A friend & I built it up and he had it for a while but eventually returned it to me.

Due to bad paint I had it powder coated a nice metallic Navy & set it up as a SS using a chain tensioner due to the vertical drops and. I eventually sold it.

The 2nd Royal ( a 1984) that looks almost like a mirror image of yours was complete and I am assuming original after comparing my pics to to your pics. It also had the Shimano Arrow derailers, DT shifters,the Sugino GT triple crank, & 5 speed freewheel.

The Standover Height was 34 3/4" with some 27 1/4 tires. It has a really long wheelbase of 108cm, 45cm chainstays.
I liked those lugs a lot and the overall cush ride. I completely disassembled it and built it back up. Eventually sold that 2nd one as well. It would also fit at least a 700c x 33.3 tires. My friend was running some Jack Browns on that 1st one.

I am posting some pics of mine so you can compare. They are so similar folks need to verify which bike they are viewing. Let me know if you need any more details from mine & I will try to assist. Here are 7 pics of mine as I received it. I have quite a few more pics.
Good luck with your build.

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=219703&d=1316704675

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=219705&d=1316704680

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=219707&d=1316704684

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=219708&d=1316704685

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=219704&d=1316704677

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=219706&d=1316704682

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=219706&d=1316704682

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=219702&d=1316704673

I'd love to see your pics but the attachments aren't showing.

Are you keeping the triple on it? How about the rear derailleur?

I can see the pics. Not sure why you cannot.
Adding the clickable pics.

Wow! that is almost a mirror image! cool :)