Hi all!

My parents found this Late 1980's Nishiki Mountain Bike and I think I want to try my hand at restoring this hardtail MTB. I think im going to just try to update it as much as possible without breaking the bank. Things look pretty far gone on this thing. Off this photo, does anyone think I should stay true and keep it original?

I wouldn't do much more the time/condition replacements and servicing. Not saying that's not an insignificant amount though. Tires, tubes, chain (and maybe cog set), round rings (that's just me), maybe stem/seat/bars/grips to suit me. Andy Oh and a complete clean and grease.

I agree with Andy. That bike comes from a time when the quality/feature/value curve had peaked. Replace the normal wear & tear parts, overhaul the hubs, bottom bracket, and headset, go ride. It'll be good for another 30 years.

That looks better than most of the bikes I pick up !
What Andy said .........

I'm thinking that my above post was a bit flippant, and not helpful - But I think you can make that into a nice bike, with just a little work.
IMO, buying a bike like this is an opportunity to learn, and become your own bike mechanic.

Pick up a copy of Lennard Zinn's "Zinn and the Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance".
Numerous editions of it - Pick one that covers the era of your Nishiki.
It will talk you through every tool and procedure needed to refurbish that bike.

It looks like it has plastic bake levers, if so I would replace those with some used aluminum levers, otherwise I would only replace what is broken. Cool bike

Great suggestions everyone! I will pick it up sometime tomorrow and get crackin!

Would be nice to practice on this so I can properly fix my CX bike on my own.

Cool find! I love the 80's-90's mtb's. If that were me, just like the others have said, replace consumables, regrease. Polish and wax,etc.etc. Parts still look good, at least from your photo.
Keep us up to date!

There's probably nothing wrong with that bike that a little lubrication can't fix. The rubber (tires and brake pads) may be deteriorated.

Does it have horizontal dropouts? ...

That's what I might have suggested until I used the plastic levers on my Triple-Cross. I found then to be quite nice, and in cool weather, more comfortable.

They make a good utility bike too... add mudguards , racks / a basket ..
battery lights.. street tires .

and make it fit, if as is it does not..


...

When you get the bike home, try inflating the tires. If they hold air, check to see if the tire tread and sidewalls exhibit any dryness and cracking. If the inner tubes hold air and the tires look good you will have saved a fair bit of money at zero cost
Getting the bike back into ridable condition should be the goal, not updating it. This looks like a pretty good quality bike, and it certainly doesn't look "far gone" at all. It needs work, but most of the work needed has no cost involved. If the tires hold air, all it may need so that you will be able to ride it would be a new chain, plus a full overhaul and cleaning

This book is essential for Mountain Bike owners, who wish to learn how to repair and maintain their own bikes. I borrowed a library copy, found it so essential, that I hunted down a era specific edition. It explains so much very well, and in a easily understood format. Best wishes on getting the Nishiki in top order, and enjoying many more years and miles of nice rides, this is always a joy.

Pretty sure that's a 1989 year Nishiki, made by Giant in Taiwan. Decent frame for sure. I would keep it close to oem if I could. Pull it completely apart and use a good cleaner-wax on the paint. Give it some love, and she'll shine up pretty nice.