2cam16

Got this for $10 today. Really just need to know the build date. And any other extra info you all have. T-Mar? Thanks all in advance!

3speedslow

Looks nice with a good mix of components. I would hazard an early 80's date, 83 perhaps. If you need a spare lever to replace the shifter, let me know, gratis.

3 SS

2cam16

Thanks 3SS. I may just take you up on that if and when I decide to build this.

MauriceMoss

I'm assuming the "D" in the serial would make it a 1984 (also assuming this one, just like the '85 Sport EX, was made by Maruishi)

Andrew R Stewart 

I would also guess 1984 by the components. Which might have their own date codes stamped on them. Specifically the crank arms, on their back sides. Andy.

2cam16

Thanks for the info,All!

T-Mar

Agreed, the serial number indicates it's from weeks 11-12 of 1984. It's almost a perfect match for the 1984 catalogue.

2cam16

Thanks T-Mar!

3speedslow

I like that Sakae crank. It's the same one they used on the Raleigh USA models, especially the 84 SC. Very nifty!

Don Buska

T-Mar that 1984 Nashbar catalog intrigues me. Is that your copy or is there one available for viewing on-line? I'm always on the look out for frames that used the Suntour Superbe or Superbe Pro dropouts and I was not familiar with the Nashbar line of bikes. Seeing they used the PRO dropouts on this threads bike I will now add Nashbar to my "keep a look-out" list.

Don

2cam16

I'd sell this frame to you,Don, if you were in California. lol

Don Buska

I'd have to grow a little Rob. I'm a 52-54cm frame guy. Yours would be a wee to tall. I'd have to time travel as I did live in CA back in the early 80's (LA Beach cities)

Don

Vintage Raleigh

Those pants look like they're made of rubber!

T-Mar

It's from my personal archives. The specs don't mention the dropout brand and model but the detail picture shows them being SunTour Pro, like on the OP's frame.

T-Mar

No, they're just a higher sheen Spandex/Lycra. And don't even bother asking, I won't post a detail pic for your fetish.

2cam16

Wow we ride the same size! I'd have to grow into this too. lol

Lazyass

A lot of '84 Japanese bikes had those top mount shifters. Not sure why they didn't catch on, I love them.

T-Mar

Top mounted shift levers do not permit routing the cables under the bottom bracket shell, which was much cheaper, once the injected plastic router was developed. The plastic router is lot less expensive than brazed-on fittings or a router clamp and it takes less labour to install. It's also much easier and quicker to install cables routed under the shell. The one advantage of top mount shift levers is the single boss versus two, but the other savings of side mount shifters outweigh this. So, side mount shift levers have advantages both in terms of both materials, labour and after-sales ease of maintenance.

The Way We Were

The OP got a great deal on his Nashbar bike. Japanese quality – what’s not to like?

I suspect eighties Nashbar bikes may be scarce because many bikes sold by Nashbar in that time period likely don’t have Nashbar decals on them. Decals weren’t necessarily applied at the point of production.

I purchased an Italian roadbike from Nashbar circa 1983. The frame had the Columbus SL decals, but the Nashbar decals shown in the ads were loose in the bottom of the shipping box.

Nashbar may provide good deals, but it doesn’t have much panache as a name in cycling, I expect many buyers did what I did and left the decals in the bottom of the shipping box. I still have the frame (and very nice it is too). It has never had decals on it.

A couple of years after I purchased it, I ran into a fellow who had an identical bicycle. His frame was festooned with Olmo decals. When I asked him about the decals, he claimed that he had telephoned Nashbar and had been told that his frame was made by Olmo. So, somewhere, he acquired the Olmo decals and stuck them on his frame. In truth, if the frame had had the Olmo engraving on the fork crown it would have been virtually identical to high end Olmos of the time period.

I think this is called brand name engineering.

Vintage Raleigh

I'm very disappointed.

Lazyass

Yeah, I also wondered if it was because they would get in the way of number plates on the racing bikes.

Don Buska

T-Mar any quess who might have built this Nashbar frame for them? Thanks - Don

T-Mar

Based on the serial number format, Maruishi is the leading candidate.

Don Buska

Thanks T-Mar. I'll add that to my records.

Don Buska

T-Mar I'm building up a folder since one of these bikes is now on my look-out list. Could I bug you to PM me a better copy of the right side of that catalog ad so I can read the text and keep on file.

Thanks - Don