sensitivejonah

I am looking to get a cheap, but reliable single speed built. I found an old Nishiki on CL for $50 bucks. (It also includes an old Raleigh Rampar) Do you guys know what model Nishiki this might be? Would it be worth turning onto a single speed? The seller says the Nishiki frame is really rusty, will this be a problem? Sorry I'm a newb.

Also, I will probably be able to pick up a schwinn le tour, world sport or a similar frame for about $50 bucks at a local shop. Would that option be better than trying to use the Nishiki frame?

I attached a picture of the Nishiki and the Rampar incase you guys think that one might be better.[ATTACH][ATTACH][ATTACH]NISHIKI.jpg[/ATTACH]

Kactus 

Those are two totally different sizes. Which one would fit you better?

Neither one is a high end model so it's not like you will messing up a valuable frame during the conversion.

Insidious C. 

It is reasonable to think you could build a cheap, reliable bike with something like that Nishiki. The frame rust means you will do more prep work before painting (that bike needs paint). The Nishiki has the features typical of entry level road bikes. Bikes of that caliber and in that condition can be acquired for free if you are patient. But if you really want that particular bike, $50 is not outrageous.

cb400bill

How tall are you?

sensitivejonah

I am 5'10. My inseam is about 33 or 32 inches.
How would one get one for free?

cb400bill

The Raleigh Rampar is too small for you.

T-Mar

The Nishiki is the bottom of the line Sport model, circa 1972-1974.

zukahn1 

The Nishiki would make and alright SS and the price isn't to bad with the Rampar included. Yet it will cost about about $75-100 to do decent cheap conversion and around $200 if you do a nice conversion with proper SS/FG wheel set and crank if you do the work your self. So you will would likely be better off buying a SS bike conversions of nicer bikes and pretty good late models start at $150-200 used in nice ready to ride condition in most markets.

Insidious C. 

In my case I have found them on CL, despite living in bike-crazy Portland. One was a Nishiki Sport. I recently gave away a bike myself, and two frames to BF members (one pending pick up).

One BF member has a nice website for people getting into bikes as a hobby. It includes info on how to find bikes. Check it out. Bicycle Finding Methods

For inspiration, check out the thread "Your Catch of the Day / Saved from the Dump!" in the main C&V forum.

Welcome to BF and good luck with whichever bike you pick.

sensitivejonah

Thanks for the advice guys! How would this Nishiki frame compare to a 70-late 80s schwinn letour or world sport that I could grab for 50 bucks?

zukahn1 

A world sport or letour would be about the same frames wise with maybe a bit better components like alloy wheels and crankset depending on year

Clang

What Michigan CL subsection are you looking in?

That Nishiki's too beat to consider. $50 sounds cheap, but it'll need tires, etc. If they're 80's, the Schwinns will at least have a chromoly main triangle. If the Le Tour is 70's it'll be a hi-ten steel frame.

Online catalog resources here: Schwinn Years by Model

Is it just the frame they have to sell? Building a bike from the frame-up will run you more than you think. I'd look for a complete bike. CL might be barren now, but selection will increase in the Spring.

sensitivejonah

I am looking in Grand Rapids, but that listing is in Indiana. I will be down there in the near future. He is selling both bikes with all of the components. The frames I am talking about would come from a small donation run bike shop in GR they have all sorts of parts laying around.

Clang

This is the nicest bike for the money locally. Vertical rear dropouts, so it'd require a chain tensioner to make it a SS.

1995 Trek 750 - $80 (SE Grand Rapids)

Trek Multitrack Road Bike

Andy_K 

I bought a 1973 Nishiki Olympic last summer for $25 and turned it into a single speed. It had similar components to the one you've asked about. That one is probably about the right size for you. One thing to note is that the stem may very well be 21.15 (Schwinn size) not the more common 22.2. There are options available to deal with that, but it limits your choices a bit. The brakes on the one I bought had sufficient reach to switch from the 27" steel wheels it came with to 700c alloy wheels. The pads on the front of that one look like they're near the end of the slot, so it might not work out quite as well for you.

The advantage to buying one of the frames you mentioned at a local shop is that you could talk about your plan with a mechanic at the local shop could and they could tell you any problems you're likely to run into. I agree that you can probably do better for $50, but it might take some patience.

sensitivejonah

Thanks Andy K!
The seller told me that he thought it was a 53 or 54 cm frame, so it is probably the Schwinn size... As far as the price goes, I am going to lowball him and see how low he will go. I am hoping to get it for 35 or 40 bucks, but either way, I am going to sell the rampar... Do you like how your Nishiki rides?

Hummer

I think that the complete model name for that time period was Sports Cycle.

T-Mar

That all depends on the exact year. It could be either a Sports Cycle or a Custom Sport. Since the exact year is indeterminate, I prefer to just call it a Sport.

Hummer

The decals on the seat tube are a match for the Sports Cycle model.

The decals are for 1972 or earlier. I have never seen a Custom Sport model from this time period or decal pattern. There was a Sports Special model from this time period. It had different seat tube decals.

bmthom.gis

If you do end up with that Nishiki, strip it all the way down and take it to someone to sandblast and powder coat. Probably the cheapest way to take care of external rust problems. Just had a friend do that locally and it only cost him $75.
Personally, I'd take the Schwinn.

auto_jumble

I have an Azuki Sports Cycle just like your Nishiki. They are sister brands and these bikes are identical.
There is a seller on Ebay with the Nishiki version listed at $599. It's pretty beat. They are an antique dealer, so probably a bad comp.
My Azuki came in a pretty good package, so it was next to free. I'm in the process of repainting it. But I will sell it off.

Not sure it's worth powder coating, or keeping. This frame is heavy. There are plenty of other lighter vintage bikes.

Hatchet

I've used some of the methods from that link and have gotten two free entry-level road bikes so far. Some people are just happy to get some space back in the garage/basement.