Nishiki Competition
 

I have an all original Nishiki Competiton from the '70's. This was purchased by my father and given to me in '81. Since then it has been in storage. I'm not a bike expert but here's some info: It is a bronzy/green Chrome/Moly double butted frame. It has Nishiki Competition written on the frame along with the Nishiki crest on the center tube and below it the word Japan. The shifters are bar-end "PAT Sun Tour". The handle bars on one side are etched with "KB" surrounded by a wreath and the other side is etched "Japan Champion" surrounded by a wreath. It has Dia-Compe (PAT N0862645) brake handles. Araya wheels 27x1-1/4 w/o HP (with the original tires, but these would need to be replaced). KKT PA pedals. The large front gear is marked "Mighty Competition Sugino <54> Japan". The smaller front gear is marked "Mighty Competition Sugino <48> Japan. Also on the rivets(?) it says "Sugino Chain Wheels". I'm not sure what it is but I think it changes the chain from gear to gear marked "Sun Tour V-Luxe". It has the "Taihei Material Nylon Japan, molded by Matex" seat. The rear hub(?) or spindle is marked "Pro Compe". It has the original Compe brake pads. Also it is marked "Maeda Industries, LTD Japan OH 4532. And the kick stand is "ESGE (liz) Pletscher". So, what do you think it might be worth? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Nishiki Competition's a nice bike, it could be worth $50 to $250 depending on condition. It's impossible to estimate value without seeing the bike. If you post some good pictures taken from the drive side, the side with the gears, someone here will be able to give an idea of value.

Thanks Brian. Here's some pics. Also I found the axles are "Sunshine 5345 0". This old bike is cleaning up probably better than I deserve.

Need the serial number posted over in the NSN thread. Experts over there :) I picked up a 70's pro for 215/some of the bits weren't original. That looks as close to orig that I've seen yet. Very nice.

Thanks juls! I found it. KS215562 (A few spaces below these numbers is the letter W or it could be a M) Now to find the NSN thread.

You may have to wait for the Nishiki guru to comment (Tmar) Apparently a bizzy season for him (gathered from forum chats) So keep checking back in that thread. :)

That's a nice original bike, but it needs a lot of work. Maybe about $100 to $150.

Hey, hi Brian! I think you're right. Although the more I scrub on it the better it is looking. The paint is coming on bright and shiny and the chrome extensions are cleaning up better than I thought. The brakes still work, but I wouldn't want to trust them in a panic stop! Thanks.

Well I'm beginning to believe it is a '74 model built in '73! My Sugino crank arm is marked 48-5. If others are correct, this would translate to the fifth month of 1973 or May, 1973! My derailleur was introduced in '73. My wheel deflectors are marked "F & H 100 SAE A 73" (coincidence? I think not!). Why a '74 model? My Pro Compe freewheel came out in '74. I believe the 6 hole front derailleur came out in '74. I'm not sure if the the front post badging with the oriental font used in '74 was also used in '73 or '75. And I found the same bike with the same color scheme and the owner said his is a '74. Am I having fun yet? Yessss indeed! One more thing.....

I read that West Coast Cycles said the "KB" on the handle bars stood for "KB Bicycles or Kawamura Built". I think this was a marketing ploy! Back then the mindset was totally different than it is today. Automobile manufacturers thought that Americans would never buy Japanese automobiles because "American Made" stood for quality and Americans were very patriotic. Boy, were they wrong! But I digress. I was told that it stood for the all Japanese bicycle race that took place in Kobe, Japan. The "KB" stood for Kobe. And this manufacturer won and with it the bragging rights "Japan Champion". Anyway, that's my story and I'm sticking to it!

I had an Azuki Imperial with those "ergo" handlebars and shifters. THE most comfortable bars I've ever laid hands on. I wish I could find another pair.

Exact year has no bearing on value and short of knowing inventory management back then it’s either a 1973 or 1974. I have identical bike including same color. $100 as it sits, $200 fully refurbished.

Really nice for that era = middle of the pack by the early 1980s.

Based on the color and the type of dork disc it's a 74 model. Very nice bike for it's time with some fairly desriable components. As for value I would say $150 as presented and $250 serviced with new tires and brakes redone cables pads and housing so it's safe to ride. What holds value down some on these is there were a lot of nicer Nishiki's sold and they quit a bit nicer in later years.

Zombie thread from 2011, resurrected by spedrunr. The OP has not been active since 2011.