First, if you are sure it has Nishiki logo on the seat stays, then its very likely a Nishiki. Did Jocelyn actually paint that bike? He was a quadriplegic after a tragic accident in 1983. But someone into Canadian bicycle history would know a lot more.

Secondly, Nishiki was a marketing company. Their bikes were made by others. So is a Giant built Nishiki a Nishiki, or is it a Giant? Is a Kawamura built Nishiki a Nishiki or a Kawamura?

I have three Panasonic built Schwinns. Are they "Schwinns" or are they Panasonics? Certainly all of the construction details are Panasonic.


These marketing companies had the freedom to move from manufacturer to manufacturer, based on getting the best deal, or for any reason. So Nishiki had some great bikes. "Nishiki" didn't have just one head tube lug design. I've seen several different head tube lugs, made by different companies, all branded "Nishiki".

In the world of bike detective, typically a serial number at best will tell you original manufacturer and year. It will not tell you model. Nor will it tell you the brand it was marketed under. So my Panasonic Schwinns have a Panasonic serial number. If not for the Schwinn head badge and decals, you would not know it was a Schwinn.

Reproduction decals can be relatively easy to make so there are a number of fakes out there. If yours is the real deal, then its rare and special!!


Serial number punched out has a certain "fakeness" about it.