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.