Late 80s early 90s Nishiki Tri-A: What's Stock?

[Smithie]

I'm going to be picking up this Tri-A tomorrow and was wondering if anyone one knew what was stock on these. Brakes, levers, drive train, and cranks are all Suntour GPX which I assume is definitely stock. What I'm most curious about is the saddle, pedals, and stem. These pedals look to be crap and definitely a late entry, saddle is Specialized and also not original. I'm also suspicious of the stem, as one does not often see a riser on a racing frame. Does anyone know what was original to this model? I always like to bring'em back to factory settings....

Over in the "what's it worth," someone suggested this was a 1989, any confirmation on this would be great too.


DSC_0036.jpg

[mikemowbz]

Too bad about the pedals not matching the rest of the group - I just picked up some GPX pedals, which are really cool, very big platform and take toe clips very nicely. What are the ones on there? Look a bit like MKS AR-2s (which are quite decent), but a lot of pedals look like that.

You can see what the GPX pedals look like in this scan from the catalogue entry on the GPX group (which may be of some interest to you generally):

http://equusbicycle.com/bike/suntour...GPX-page-2.jpg

Saddle looks newer to me, but I really don't know. Ditto for the stem. But I'm sure others have ideas...

[Andycapp]

I have an '87 Tri-A 'equipe'. It's came stock with Shimano 600 and Sante' shifters and derailleurs. The non 'equipe' model this year was full 600. Unlike yours mine has lugs all around. A buddy of mine has an '89 Nishiki International with the same frame as yours with the mono seat-stay and fillet-brazed construction. His also came with Suntour GPX components and says 'Performance Equipe' on the down tube. I'll check what stem he has next time I see him. My bike came with a stem (pretty sure it's a re-branded SR, I'll check when I get home) that has an "N" on the front like this-

nishiki_riviera_gt_stem.jpg

You should be able to determine the year using the date code on you components. Look for two letters on the back side of your rear derailleur and look it up here - http://www.vintage-trek.com/component_dates.htm

As far as the saddle goes, I have no idea what would have been stock, but I'd go with something 'period' and comfy as this was/is the first thing we change for personal preference anyway.

-Andy

[Bianchigirll]

[roccobike]

I have very little information specific to 1989. However, although the Tri-A was not available in 1988, I can tell you that in 1988, that level Nishiki would have had a "Vetta Racing" saddle. In 2001, the Vetta Gel was found on all the mid and upper level road and MTBs. It's a good bet that if you put a Vetta on there, it will look original. White or Black, either will do, but white is REALLY hard to find.
Edit: No way that's the original stem.

[Smithie]

Bianchigirll - I'm going to have to figure out how to size my own photos so you stop having to do it for me....

I'll check those numbers on the rear derailleur. I also think that even if they weren't stock, getting a pair of the GPX pedals would round out the components into the full group nicely. But, it would still be nice if the pedals on there aren't complete junk so I can use them elsewhere.

Andycapp - That would be great! I figured this stem was definitely an add-on, and an SR would make sense, but I thought Nitto, 3t, or Cinelli were also a possibilities.

[Smithie]

So, the derailleurs are stamped "EG" for July 1988, making this either a 1988 or 1989, if roccobike is correct in that they didn't offer a Tri-A in 1988, then it is definitely a 1989.

One more question. If I was to replace the brake lever hoods, what model of the currently available replacement hoods would fit? Can I make due with any of the Hudz stuff, for example, or will this not work?

[Andycapp]

Sorry for the short notice, but here's you stem - http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nishiki-Badg...#ht_500wt_1413

[RobbieTunes]

No modern hoods are exact fits, and Shimano's aren't as close as the Dia Compe aero hoods.
A little trimming with a razor knife may work out just fine. If the hoods are black and just faded, consider dyeing them.

[Smithie]

Crap.....totally missed that stem Andycapp, thanks for the heads up though. Oh well, the wife seems to like the riser, so for now, I suppose I'll let her use it...

The hoods are servicable, I think I might take a little cleaner to them to get some of the sticky off, but no major rips or tears, so hopefully they'll last a bit.

Went with a pair of matching GPX pedals.