todaysforecast

I bought a vintage Nishiki Olympiad off of craigslist a few years back. I don't think it has all original parts but I know the frame is pre 1975, I'm thinking 1972 with all the signs for an Olympiad frame... heart shape emblems on downtube, KS serial #, vintage Nishiki badge, KB sticker near seat post, American Eagle sticker near crank. Its a great bike and use it as a weekend ride, getting compliments from some of the fixie heads actually.

I was wondering if anyone had other info on it they can share with me. Looking for an exact date along with value if possible. I bought it because I like collecting vintage things and was hoping I scored on this one!

Thanks,
..Ric

FastJake

Pictures aren't working for me but my internet is being funny so maybe that is the problem..

Smithie

+1 on the bad attachments

roccobike

T-Mar is your best bet for an exact date, but with the American Eagle sticker on the bike, the guess of 1972 is pretty close. I believe the first year for the "Nishiki" logo was 1972 or 1973. So the American Eagle sticker indicates your bike was one of the first to have the Nishiki logo. It's probably not newer than 1973 or older than 1972.

dinobyte

did they rename the olympiad to olympic later on or are they different models?
I have a 77 Olympic.

todaysforecast

I'm reattaching the photos. let me know if these work.
Thanks!

roccobike

According to Wikipedia, the Olympiad was made under the American Eagle logo. If that's the case, then this is a unique logo setup on this frame. I don't know if the Olymiad became the Olympic.

FastJake

Looks lower end but pretty cool.

But you need a brake on the front! Rear brakes alone will take you twice as long to stop. And if this is a single speed rather than a fixed gear you need two brakes!

ozzbatt

Is anybody still paying attention on this thread?

I'll post pix if someone can help me with a mystery based on this same bike... I'm just getting back into riding after almost 30 years. I'm not big on the names of parts and specs.
The spanner in the works is "American Flyer" spacers/washers used on a Nishiki branded steel pinned crank set.


Basics:
S/N: KS144276 with a "Winnebago" type "W" stamped below on the bottom bracket.
Shimano High Flange quick release hubs w/ Araya 27" x 1.25-inch "Non HP" rims.
Shimano "Super Shifter" on a handlebar neck mount.
Shimano "Thunder" front.
Shimano "Eagle" rear.
Dia Compe quick release center pull brakes.
Dia Compe brake pulls with two position levers.
"SR" alloy handlebar neck.
Nondescript steel seatpost and handlebars.
"KB" sticker on top of downtube.
"American Eagle" sticker on downtube.
Early vintage "Nishiki" branded badge.
"Made in Japan", and no other stickers or markings except "Olympiad".
A very tall bike with a 24 or 25 inch downtube (I'm 6'2" with a 36" inseam.).


Basically the exact same bike as above except in metallic silver paint scheme, and it appears to be around 85% original with a new saddle and the usual cables and odds and ends that come with a "basket case" bike. It was given to me as a donation for basic transportation at a local VA housing project while I stayed there when I first arrived in Billings. The 70 year old facility manager was the original owner and mentioned something about buying it at True Value Hardware in the very early 70's in his early 20's.

I purchased a Trek FX-1 today, and was thinking of either selling the bike to a collector, or donating to another veteran, with a little history behind it.


Thanks in advance!
~ "Ozz"