xtacular

Hi All, I just picked up a Nishiki Cresta 61cm (?) with a bunch of recent work and wanted to introduce myself! I'm in Washington State and I have a 2.5 mile commute and that's what this bike is for. I'm not a serious biker at all... my last riding was 2 years of commuting on a late 90s Trek Y3 ha! I wanted a simple, reliable commuter and while I was tempted to pick up a new low end Trek, I love the style of these older road bikes.

Onto the bike! It's a Nishiki Cresta and the seller said it was 61cm although from the center of the crank to the seat post is 25 inches. I'm 6'1" but long arms and it fits great. Recent work includes new chain, new aluminum wheels, new tubes and tires (700), greased bottom bracket and headset, new brake pads all around, new cables, new brake cable housings (original shifter cable housings), new free wheel, and adjustment. Might be forgetting something.

I believe it is mostly original but would love some input. I know the front derailer is not original, and they said the rear isn't either although it is a Suntour. It has Suntour bar end shifters which I love. It says is it handcrafted by Kawamura. I'm not sure if the rear cassette is original but I don't think so. The crank etc., shifters (which I was told was a factory upgrade), cable holders, bars, and I think brakes are all original. Let me know what you think!

I paid $325 which I thought was somewhat fair considering all the recent work. Plans are to add lights and fenders and ride it! Maybe next winter I will tear it down and upgrade the components. What do you all think, worth it for this bike? I've never done extensive work on a bike but I have done major suspension and engine work on my truck so hopefully with the help of Youtube and you fine folks I can learn!

xtacular

Continued









Not sure about the serial number, can anyone decipher? That's a C before the numbers. Wikipedia says Canadian but the numbers don't line up?

no1mad 

Moved from Introductions.

Welcome to the Forums

non-fixie 

Welcome! Nice bike. It's a tad large, but if you're comfortable on it, that's not a big issue. Personally, I like the French fit that comes with a large frame. Love the saddle! Take care, it's not particularly weather proof.
Some parts have definitely been replaced, but they all look like they should work, so go ride and enjoy it!

MacGyverBurrito

sweet bike.
reminds me I have a cresta in the garage that probably will never get finished.

is there a k before the c in the serial number? if so its an 83. makes sense since it has caliper brakes. original wheels should be 27 inch. I also don't believe the bar ends are original.

I'd add the fenders and leave as is.

Lascauxcaveman 

Welcome to the forums. Looks like you got a nice bike there, first time out and ready to go with nothing needed. With all those extreme close-ups, you neglected to put in a full-bike shot. Don't hold back; we like us some old touring bikes here - more pics in daylight, please. Those olde style cable housings are pretty cool - make sure you hang onto those. I think you got the right size; I'm a full inch shorter than you and I like a 25" bike too. If it feels good, do it.

And a 2.5 mile commute is great way to start out. On that bike, I'm sure you'll be stacking lots more miles on top of that before and after work; as well as on your lunch break.

Have fun and don't be a stranger!

Velocivixen

That's a nice Nishiki. I have an '85 Nishiki Riviera that has the same brake calipers. Not saying that yours in an '85, just noting similar components. If you have a bike co-op nearby I defined they're a great place to find older components like derailleurs, etc. Have fun and enjoy your ride.

What part of Washington?

Saguaro

"French Fit" I had never heard of that term before. I learn something new here all the time! I have wondered why my 57 cm Nishiki Cresta feels so right when "in theory" I should be riding a 54 cm.



To the OP, welcome to the forums! With your background in mechanics you'll have no problem working on your bike. I love your Cresta! Our bikes both have the Midnight Metallic Blue paint that came with the early models. I'm the original owner of a 1982 Nishiki Cresta so I can tell you how it came off the showroom floor. While the frame is stamped 1982, I have come to realize it was released as a 1983 model. In 2011/2012 I heavily modified my Cresta, the frame, fork, and derailleurs are the only surviving parts.

Original Spec's
1982 Nishiki Cresta frame manufactured by Kawamura Cycles, Japan
Seat Tube: 57 cm CTC, Top Tube: 57 cm CTC
Champion No. 2 chrome moly steel butted tubes
Serial No. KB 108541
Freewheel: Suntour "Perfect" 5-speed: 14, 17, 21, 26, 32
Crankset: Sugino GT Triple
RD: Suntour Cyclone MKII GT
FD: Suntour Cyclone MKII
Brakes: Dia Compe N-500, 53mm reach, recessed mount
Brake levers: Dia Compe "Regular"
Seatpost: SR fluted, 26.6mm, L=82mm
Saddle: Avocet Touring II
Wheels: 27" alloy (don't know the original manuf., long gone)
Stem: SR
Handlebar: Champion
Pedals: KKT Pro Vic II

Your serial number is a mystery. I checked mine and noticed that my cables are routed over the BB shell through guides while yours are routed under the BB shell. Wonder if there is a missing letter under the guide? (long shot) I have been told that the 1982 model had the "Cresta" on the TT in script font (Hummer) but have not verified.

Anyway, hope this helps. My Cresta is a great riding bike and is now set up for long distance Brevet riding, which these relaxed geometry frames excel at. Enjoy the ride and keep us posted on your progress!

non-fixie 

And it looks right too. Good-looking machine, @Saguaro! I don't know what theory says you need 54 cm, but mine says a classic frame with a level top tube should have a "fistfull" of seat post visible. Which means yours is pretty much spot-on.

JAG410

Nice! I just finished my 83 Cresta and I'm looking forward to many miles on it. Welcome to C&V!

Saguaro

Thanks @non-fixie! I got the 54cm size by plugging my measurements into one of those on-line bike fit calculators. My Tommasini is a 54cm and fits great also but is set up "Eddy Fit". Apparently bike size and style of riding are connected.

VintageRide

There is another thread here showing a very nicely built Cresta you might want to check out, and here is my brother's 1985.He might buy a Brooks saddle one day and the bike has had just about every component changed since he purchased it about one year ago, such as the 27" wheels replaced with 700C ( tires are Soma New Xpress 35mm ). Fenders are Velo Orange 45mm hammered and fit well. Derailleurs are mid 90's Shimano XT. By the way, those Ideale leather saddles are always in demand and have not been made for years so a good one is worth a fair amount so you might want to put something else on there if you will be commuting in wet weather, it will not likely survive for too long getting soaked - it is one of the pre softened versions, probably a Model 80 or 90 - they usually go for around 100.00 or more if in good condition.

non-fixie 

They are. On a smaller frame the saddle-to-bar-drop will increase. So a more aggressive and/or more flexible rider would probably choose a smaller frame.

I've tried some of those on-line size calculators, but they tend to advise rather small sizes. One of the more serious-looking tools suggested my ideal frame size would be 57.4 cm, while my current favorite ride, a 62 cm Gitane, looks like this:


@xtacular: those older frames generally have relatively short top tubes, so getting comfortable on a larger frame is usually not an issue.

xtacular

Thanks for all the info and comments everyone. I'm on my way out of town for the weekend but I picked up some bontrager fenders and a set of lights today. I haven't been able to make the commute yet because I don't go to the office everyday, I have field days where I have to drive my rig and/or have a bunch of gear. Anyway Monday is also one of those days so Tuesday will be the first commute and I'm stoked. I'll take some better outside shots Sunday or Monday.

I'm glad everyone likes the bike. I was worried I either overpaid or it wasn't going to be a good bike. But Ive been doing research and shopping for a couple weeks so figured I was good. Also I'm in SW WA so being so close to portlabd drives up the prices of older road bikes.

xtacular

Oh and the guy at the shop knew the original owner and he said the bar end shifters he had added from the factory. He claimed the original owner was some big time tour rider that rode with Gary fisher. I don't know if that is true but I do believe he knew the owner that gave it to him and had it made special.

thumpism 

Wow, a Rebour saddle! Treat that leather well. Immediately.

xtacular

What do you guys recommend for treating the saddle? Google pointed me toward the Brooks stuff.

Tomorrow is the first commute- got the fenders and lights on! I'll try to take some better pics tomorrow.

Hummer

Your Cresta is a USA model. The stylized 'W' on the BB shell is for West Coast Cycles the USA distributor and owner of the brand name in the USA at that time.

As suggested previously for the serial number, there is probably a 'K' under the cable guide. Here is another Cresta with the same cable guides and the serial number:

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...l#post11932848

Between 1981 and 1983 there appear to have been two types of Cresta models. Your type is distinguished by:

- script font for the model name.
- tubing: Special Series Touring Cr-Mo Double Butted Tange
- cable guides below the BB shell
- 'NISHIKI' stamped seat stay caps
- vertical rear dropouts
- 1983 style Nishiki Kawamura headbadge (bamboo style 'N')

The other type as posted by @Saguaro has:
- block letter model name
- tubing: Champion No. 2 Butted.
- cable guides above the BB shell
- 'scalloped' seat stay caps
- horizontal rear dropouts
- 1984 style Nishiki Kawamura headbadge (fat 'N')

Your serial number is interesting because the 'C' indicates the frame was made in 1983. The other Crestas of your type that I have seen were made in 1981.

Saguaro

Nice comparison @Hummer

However, please note my 1982 Cresta has the same head badge decal as the OP's, not the later version:



Also, some additional differences:

Silver decals and lug lining on my 1982 frame vs. Gold on the OP's bike.

Recessed brakes on my 1982 frame vs. what appear to be nutted brakes? (need verification) on the OP's bike.

FWIW the original Dia Compe 500 brakes and SR stem on my bike were stamped 82

Hummer

Ooops. Thanks for the correction on the headbadge.

Thumpic

I had intended to flip my Cresta as seen below. However I have decided to rebuild it into a keeper. Maybe some barend shifters...better tires...leather tape.....etc.

https://