Originally Posted by
jonwvara
The frame to my Nishiki Prestige starts with KE, which would seem to indicate that it's an 85 (E=5, yes?), although if it's an 85 the K should be a W. Maybe this is one of those cases where the exception proves the rule--whatever the hell that means. Sigh. From the original components and tubing (Tange 2) I'd think 1985 should be right--certainly not 1975. It's a nice rider.
JV
The database has 6 samples of confirmed 1985/1986 models, all with a WExxxxx serial format. A Prestige would definitely be from that period.
There are a number of explanations as to why it starts with a KE, but they are all speculation. First there may have been a transition period, early in the year. Knowing your complete serial number would help. Secondly, Kawamura may have pre-stamped the W or K on the bottom brackets. Yours may have started in 1984, but got finished in 1985 or maybe a batch of older, pre-stamped bottom bracket turned up in 1985. We could work our way down to less probable situations like an employee being on sick leave or vacation, then coming back and not realizing the serial number format had changed.
The bottom line is that there could be numerous explanations and we'll probably never know which is the case. It seems you always find a couple of anomalies in every serial number format.