kross57

I was looking for a larger frame bike for my nephews and this one fit the bill. But what the heck is it? Nice bike, good components. For $25 I was willing to gamble.

ramzilla

You got a great deal on that for $25. Nice frame & components. I have absolutely no idea of the brand. But, I'm picking up a strong made in Japan by Kawamura or similar builder vibe. I wonder if the W stands for Western States Imports. That company was responsible for the manufacture of many fine bikes including Centurions.

bikemig 

Well I may have built that bike since I worked in the bike shop on the sticker (Freewheeling on S. Claiborne St., New Orleans) but I'm danged if I remember much about the bikes sold there. I left the shop after a while to work at a different NOLA shop and that where I worked the longest.

I know Freewheeling sold a lot of Lotus bikes but I don't know if that is what this is.

kross57

Thanks guys! Bikemig - what a coincedence! I was leaning towards Lotus, but there are a lot of folks here with way more knowledge than I have.

bikemig 

Small world isn't it? By the way if there is any problem with the bike build, it was the fault of the other guys who worked there, not me. Just sayin.

Freewheeling sold mainly Bianchis. But the two Japanese bike lines it sold, were Lotus and Sekais. In fact, Freewheeling sold a lot of Sekais and maybe that is what this is? Dunno.

BTW, that bike is a heck of a deal for $25.

kross57

Yup, could be Sekai. Yes, the $25 was well spent!

T-Mar

It's definitely a 1980 Nishiki based on the Kawamura format serial number and WCC BB shell. The derailleurs are too modern for the frame. Based on the Sugino Mighty Comp crankset and Gran Compe brakeset, the most likely candidate is a Nishiki Comp.

Edit: I just noticed that it has SunTour Cyclone shift levers, further supporting a Nishiki Comp variant.

rando_couche

This.

kross57

I was unable to find a 1980 Nishiki catalog, but the 1981 Comp II is very close.

kross57

Why would you think this is a 1980, rather than a 1981? Serial # here is KA05251.

"Kawamura serial # - 1975-1987: PYxxxxx, where P indicates the market (A = Australia, C = Canada, E = Europe, K = USA 1975-1984 and late 1980s non-ferrous frames, W = USA 1985-1987). Y designates year where E = 1975, F= 1976,.... J=1980, then A = 1981, B=1982, ... G= 1987. "

zukahn1

I had a nearly identical bike and will confirm it is a 80/81 compe great find.

kross57

I really didn't need confirmation, but there it is. Noticed this when I was servicing the headset. Thanks for all the great info, folks!