1977 Nikishi International -- Townie
 

Here's my 'new' ten-speed 1977 Nishiki International, configured as a "townie." I picked this up over the weekend. This should make an easy-to-own all-rounder.

It's a rich, dark, metallic maroon.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/26/40...9577a0bf_o.jpg

SN KG48990 (and below SN, on BB: "W")

Original components:
Rear D Suntour Cyclone
Front D: Suntour Cyclone
Stem Shifters: Suntour
Brakes: Diacomp, single pivot side-pull
Rims: Araya 27 x 1.25, 36h
Hubs: Shimano
Crank: Sugino Super Maxy
Seat stem: Laprade

I spent some time this afternoon, studying the bike, leveling the Blackburn, removing a bottle holder (clamped onto the downtube with hose clamps), the tattered upper gold seat tube band decals and two seat tube "license' stickers. There are nicks and scrapes galore... and a few very poor (perhaps nail-polished) repairs to the paint. While the frame has suffered 32 years of nicks and paint chips, the components indicate a bike that's been barely used.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2568/...9d3eaf9d_o.jpg

Not original: saddle, stem, pedals, handle bars, front qr skewer, blackburn rack, seat-post binder bolt (ouch). The chrome cable clips are obviously not original, theyre marked 'Specialized.'

The bike has some nice details: the long-point lugs; long front fork chrome spears; the cast seat stay ends reading NISHIKI; a decal at the base of the seat tube reading JAPAN; a decal at the top of the seat tube reading CHROME MOLYBDENUM encircled with olive leaves; and a single-tone front emblem that closely resembles the color of the frame itself. Interestingly, the bike carried two California seat tube stickers, and every single component on the bike is engraved -- with a CA number, including the rims... clearly the original component group is intact.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2533/...9093eb75_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2596/...fbe250e0_o.jpg

As you can see, the frame finish is in good but not great shape. Ouch on that binder bolt.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2692/...2780eb57_o.jpg

As an early International, this frame features some but not all CrMo. This bike will be my daily ride -- commuting, light touring... an easily enjoyable classic.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2754/...33e23d43_o.jpg

Questions/thoughts:
-- Any tips on cleaning up the gumwalls?
-- Would 1 3/8" tires workon the rims, Kenda offers some grippier 27's in that size.
-- I'd like to get a stem that's more elegant, thoughts? I like the Townie config.
-- Maybe the bike deserves a Brooks, too?
-- Bathroom scale says: 30lbs. Seems high? 2010 gas pipe rear stays?
-- Is this bike Bob-ish?
-- Off the bottom bracket, the W = West Coast Cycle Supply, the K in the SN = Kawamura?

What is this wire contraption just behind the front side-pull brakes? (edit: Tire Saver)

http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/9967/nishikithing.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2666/...330bac9e_o.jpg

1. I don't clean my gumwalls, so I'll defer to other members.

2. 27 x 1-3/8" will work on the rims. The other concren is chainstay clearance but there should be plenty.

3. Nitto Technomic? They have a classic design, are made from forged aluminum and available with extra long quills for higher handlebar positioning.

4. Maybe. Saddles are VERY personal.

5. I'd guess 28-30lbs. It's plain gauge CrMo with hi-tensile forks and stays.

6. Bob-ish?

7. Actually it's a W flanked by by two's outward facing C's = West Coast Cycle. K = Kawamura. See my Nishiki Serial Number database thread.

8. Tire cleaner. Scrapes off debris picked up from road.

30lbs could be right. Don't fret much about it though, my "light" around town bike is in the same ball park.

Wow -- I have a 1976 International and it is very different. Mine is butted Chro-Mo and it has braze-on top-tube cable stays. Where the seat stay meets the top tube and seat tube is plane rather than embossed with Nishiki. Same crank and fork, though.

Seriously... I tried searching here for "tire cleaner" but didn't come up with anything. Can you tell me more?

I'll probably take that Tire Saver off -- it doesn't seem to be doing anything at all, and if I had fenders it will be in the way.

I will add that your International is much nicer than the one I had. I think mine was a little older, high tensile steel frame and suntour VX components.

Check out stuff like RIvendell's Dirt Drop stem, or some such. It gives you the riser stem, but looks much, MUCH better...

You can also go cheap - I picked up a $20 steel stem from the LBS that's an "extra long Touring style stem" that looks almost like a knockoff of the Raleigh Sports stem, but has a bit longer (2 cm MAX) reach, points up, and is a full 11" long.

As in Bridgstone Owners Bunch

Or this: http://bikelist.org/mailman/listinfo/internet-bob

To answer my own question, this particular International is probably more Boomer than Bob.