1974 Nishiki Competition

**wasabiboi** · 12-31-11, 11:05 PM

I just bought it.
Is there any specific history for this bike? Like what kind of tier (1st, 2nd, 3rd) would it have been on in 1974?

Does anyone know how to restore the decals? Mine are roughed up like someone tried to remove the Nishiki text.

**acoffin** · 01-01-12, 01:19 AM

Very very nice. That's a top tier bike. I've got a 74 international and absolutely love it, your bike is well above mine.

**Sixty Fiver** · 01-01-12, 01:26 AM

Usual heirarchy puts the Competition at #2 below the Professional... had a later '83 Competition and the only difference between it and the Professional was componentry and in '83 the Comp was actually a better equipped bike as it was fitted with Suntour Mk 2 Cyclone.

Looks like a great find... am not sure that anyone is doing repro decals for Nishikis (yet).

**Rabid Koala** · 01-01-12, 01:32 AM

Those Nishiki decals are fragile, on my long gone 73 International they were gone in a matter of months. On my 73 Competition, which was apparently put away when brand new, they are damaged but mostly still there. I love the early Nishikis, I rode the hell out of my International back in the day.

**zukahn1** · 01-01-12, 03:32 AM

This is a just a great bike as is I wouldn't twick on anything that is not worn out or broke. As for date my guess is 74-76. The wrap around chain stays seeem to date the bike along with the components noticiably higher end center pulls gives me little doubt this is a Disco era bike.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nishiki_(bicycle)

**Rabid Koala** · 01-01-12, 09:46 AM

Originally Posted by zukahn1

This is a just a great bike as is I wouldn't twick on anything that is not worn out or broke. As for date my guess is 74-76. The wrap around chain stays seeem to date the bike along with the components noticiably higher end center pulls gives me little doubt this is a Disco era bike.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nishiki_(bicycle))

That was interesting, I had no idea that West Coast Cycles was responsible for Royce Union.....

I would guess that the OP's bike is a couple of years newer than my 73 due to the absence of chrome, but not too much newer due to similar decals. Either way it is a nice ride, and shows why Japanese manufacturers grabbed such a large market share.

**acoffin** · 01-01-12, 10:13 AM

VeloCals has Nishiki International decals from that era listen on their website. I would contact them and see if they can print a batch up for your Competition.

**T-Mar** · 01-01-12, 10:42 AM

Hierarchy will depend on the actual year and how you determine hierachy. It could rank anywhere from 2nd to 4th. The decals place it 1972-1974 and possibly even early 1975, based on some new evidence. However, the fully painted forks place it in the latter portion of the timeframe. During 1972-1973 the top model was the Professional followed by the Road Compe, then the Safari and next the Competition. At the current time, there is no available Nishiki literature for 1974-1975 and my database does not show any known Road Compe from this period, so it is possible it may have been dropped. Also, while the Safari was priced higher than the Road Compe, many people do not count it, as it was a grand touring model and the price included panniers, handlebar bag, racks, fenders and a lighting sytem, which they consider artifically inflated the price of the basic bicycle.

You should post this bicycle inthe Nishiki Serial Number Database thread, including the serial number and details of the components.

**wasabiboi** · 01-05-12, 02:02 AM

Does anyone know if that blue ink outlining the lugs original? It looks poorly done.

**gaucho777** · 01-05-12, 09:48 AM

Originally Posted by T-Mar

At the current time, there is no available Nishiki literature for 1974-1975 and my database does not show any known Road Compe from this period, so it is possible it may have been dropped.

How would you differentiate between a '74 Competition and a '74 Road Compe (if it even existed). I have what I pegged as a 1974 Competition, but I wonder if it might be a Road Compe instead. Here's a link to my post of it in the Nishiki Serial Number Database: LINK. Apologies for the sidetrack.

Originally Posted by wasabiboi

Does anyone know if that blue ink outlining the lugs original? It looks poorly done.

wasabiboi, I believe the lug lining is original. If you click the link above in my comment to T-Mar, you will see my Nishiki also has the same somewhat-crude, blue outlining, though over a different base color.

**Rabid Koala** · 01-07-12, 02:37 PM

There was no blue lug lining (or any other color) on the Nishiki International that I bought new in early 1973, or on my current Competition of the same vintage. I also worked on a similar age International for my son's friend and it had no lug lining either.

I will vote not original.

**randyjawa** · 01-07-12, 03:54 PM

I also have a Competition but it is too big for me. I also have a Continental and today, I picked up a mid seventies Nishiki International at the Dump...

**RJM** · 01-07-12, 04:23 PM

Originally Posted by randyjawa

I also have a Competition but it is too big for me. I also have a Continental and today, I picked up a mid seventies Nishiki International at the Dump...

Man, you have an awesome dump by you. BTW, that small Nishiki International I bought of you a few months back was a gift to my wife for Christmas; she absolutely loves it. It is a sweet bike.

OP, that bike looks like it would be a blast to ride. What a great find.

**randyjawa** · 01-07-12, 04:56 PM

BTW, that small Nishiki International I bought of you a few months back was a gift to my wife for Christmas; she absolutely loves it. It is a sweet bike.

I always like to hear that I have made someone happy, when I send them a bicycle. Thanks for the update and you're right - awesome Dump in Thunder Bay. I just love each trip there, score or not.

**John E** · 01-07-12, 05:25 PM

Originally Posted by gaucho777

How would you differentiate between a '74 Competition and a '74 Road Compe (if it even existed). I have what I pegged as a 1974 Competition, but I wonder if it might be a Road Compe instead. Here's a link to my post of it in the Nishiki Serial Number Database: LINK. Apologies for the sidetrack.

The Road Compe was full seamless CrMo; the Competition, main tubes only.

Originally Posted by gaucho777

wasabiboi, I believe the lug lining is original. If you click the link above in my comment to T-Mar, you will see my Nishiki also has the same somewhat-crude, blue outlining, though over a different base color.

You guys should have seen the paint-chrome juncture on the forks of my 1971 American Eagle Semi Pro (Nishiki Competition). No wonder the factory covered them w/ tacky silver decals!

**churchilllarry** · 05-05-12, 01:09 PM

Originally Posted by T-Mar

Hierarchy will depend on the actual year and how you determine hierachy. It could rank anywhere from 2nd to 4th. The decals place it 1972-1974 and possibly even early 1975, based on some new evidence. However, the fully painted forks place it in the latter portion of the timeframe. During 1972-1973 the top model was the Professional followed by the Road Compe, then the Safari and next the Competition. At the current time, there is no available Nishiki literature for 1974-1975 and my database does not show any known Road Compe from this period, so it is possible it may have been dropped. Also, while the Safari was priced higher than the Road Compe, many people do not count it, as it was a grand touring model and the price included panniers, handlebar bag, racks, fenders and a lighting sytem, which they consider artifically inflated the price of the basic bicycle.

You should post this bicycle inthe Nishiki Serial Number Database thread, including the serial number and details of the components.

This is my first time using this foum. I just bought a Nishika Competition, Sun Tour V6 componets If the s. number is in the lower part it is S284502 the 2 is partially blocked out. Any info?

**Ciufalon** · 05-05-12, 03:22 PM

I have a 1974 Nishiki Professional that is one of the best bikes I own. The quality of the ride is outstanding. And to point you to one resource, you can find the 1974 Nishiki brochure on Velobase here.

**Rabid Koala** · 05-05-12, 05:44 PM

I love the ride of my Competition. It is somewhat heavy compared to my other bikes, but is smooth and comfortable.

**slugg** · 08-01-12, 08:28 PM

I am new to this site and this is my first post so please excuse what ever errors I may make. For the last 40 years I've done a lot of touring on my Nishiki Semi Pro. I bought the bike at Green Lake Bicycles in Seattle in 1972. I want to rebuild it with original parts so I am looking for an original model (semi pro or competition) or original parts. I live in Alaska so opportunities for finding what I am looking for are not good. So I am looking for adviseApp0008.jpg and where to go to get what I want. posted is a picture of my bike in South America in 1973, Thanks

**wasabiboi** · 08-06-12, 02:37 AM

Originally Posted by slugg

I am new to this site and this is my first post so please excuse what ever errors I may make. For the last 40 years I've done a lot of touring on my Nishiki Semi Pro. I bought the bike at Green Lake Bicycles in Seattle in 1972. I want to rebuild it with original parts so I am looking for an original model (semi pro or competition) or original parts. I live in Alaska so opportunities for finding what I am looking for are not good. So I am looking for adviseApp0008.jpg and where to go to get what I want. posted is a picture of my bike in South America in 1973, Thanks

I have actually converted my 1974 nishiki into a fixed gear. It's a little sad to see it go, but it's living a new life now. Deep down under the new paint and parts, it's still a Nishiki at heart.

I replaced many parts from it. Would you be interested in purchasing them?

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