Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Classic & Vintage
Reload this Page >

Asian Serial Number Guide

Notices
Classic & Vintage This forum is to discuss the many aspects of classic and vintage bicycles, including musclebikes, lightweights, middleweights, hi-wheelers, bone-shakers, safety bikes and much more.

Asian Serial Number Guide

Old 05-22-21, 02:08 PM
  #376  
WGB
 
WGB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Niagara Region
Posts: 5,645

Bikes: Panasonic PT-4500

Mentioned: 45 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1780 Post(s)
Liked 2,299 Times in 1,361 Posts
Confused by a serial number

Fuji Espree - FJ410669

I thought that F was 10 week but thought J was January. Will add photo if required.

Can someone point out what I'm missing..???
WGB is offline  
Old 05-22-21, 08:25 PM
  #377  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 23,233
Mentioned: 651 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4719 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3,034 Times in 1,874 Posts
Originally Posted by WGB
Confused by a serial number

Fuji Espree - FJ410669

I thought that F was 10 week but thought J was January. Will add photo if required.

Can someone point out what I'm missing..???
Should be a 1985 model manufactured in October 1984. Fuji has 4 different serial number formats during 1971-1989. In this case, 'F' is the production facility. 'J' represents the 10th month (October) and '4' is the calendar year 1984. See the 1980-1989 format for Fuji in post #1.
T-Mar is offline  
Old 05-22-21, 08:47 PM
  #378  
Newbie
 
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 39

Bikes: Ritchey Road Logic 2.0 (2017), Concorde Prestige (199?)

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 21 Post(s)
Liked 12 Times in 8 Posts
Originally Posted by T-Mar
S(1) (Japan): MSyxxxxx

S(2) (Japan): SyFxxxx

S(3) (Japan): sMyxxxxx

S(4) (Japan): Sy mm xxxx(x)
Of what provenance are these frames?

I have a branded Concorde Prestige with serial S95XXX540, built of TIG welded Tange Prestige OS Road and spec'd with Shimano 6400 8-speed, Ritchey seatpost, seat, tires. It also features Ritchey vertical dropouts. In all fairness the paint is rather thin and delicate and the decals look like they could have come from a dollar store.


I get the impression that the frame was a generic catalog offering, which companies would purchase in quantity and brand as their own; however, I can't imagine such examples to be abundant given the calibre of its build and the declining popularity of steel racing bikes in the 90's.
mruneedahelmet is offline  
Old 05-22-21, 09:15 PM
  #379  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 23,233
Mentioned: 651 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4719 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3,034 Times in 1,874 Posts
Originally Posted by mruneedahelmet
Of what provenance are these frames?

I have a branded Concorde Prestige with serial S95XXX540, built of TIG welded Tange Prestige OS Road and spec'd with Shimano 6400 8-speed, Ritchey seatpost, seat, tires. It also features Ritchey vertical dropouts. In all fairness the paint is rather thin and delicate and the decals look like they could have come from a dollar store.
I get the impression that the frame was a generic catalog offering, which companies would purchase in quantity and brand as their own; however, I can't imagine such examples to be abundant given the calibre of its build and the declining popularity of steel racing bikes in the 90's.
You'll have to explain what you mean "provenance".
T-Mar is offline  
Old 05-22-21, 09:25 PM
  #380  
Newbie
 
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 39

Bikes: Ritchey Road Logic 2.0 (2017), Concorde Prestige (199?)

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 21 Post(s)
Liked 12 Times in 8 Posts
i.e. did these frames come form large factories or small builders?
mruneedahelmet is offline  
Old 05-25-21, 02:14 PM
  #381  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 23,233
Mentioned: 651 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4719 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3,034 Times in 1,874 Posts
Originally Posted by mruneedahelmet
i.e. did these frames come form large factories or small builders?
based on the bicycles where we've seen these formats, I'd say they were at least mid-size, mass volume manufacturers. They don't appear to be small or limited volume manufacturers, concentrating on high grade bicycles.
T-Mar is offline  
Old 05-25-21, 04:49 PM
  #382  
Senior Member
 
himespau's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 13,547
Mentioned: 33 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4183 Post(s)
Liked 2,903 Times in 1,776 Posts
The highest end Concordes (at least in the 80's through early 90's) were hand built in Italy. I often hear that these lugged frames were built in the same shop that was building Ciocc's at the time, but I don't believe I've ever seen that confirmed. Not sure about the source of the tig-welded more recent fames or their lower end frames of any vintage. From someone who knew more about them than I, I got the impression that, in the 80's at least, their high end bikes (and sponsorship of the PDM/Ultech racing team) was mainly to draw attention to their larger lower end bikes (Dutch company after all). Not sure where I heard that last bit about a larger lower end road and city bike bit as I don't remember seeing any catalogs that showed that. I do have one of the Italian built lugged frames from ~1990 (the Aquila, it was second from the top and made of SLX, their top model was made of TSX but I can't remember the name, Squadra? or was that the step down, not sure). Super nice rider.
himespau is offline  
Old 05-25-21, 05:03 PM
  #383  
Full Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Posts: 292

Bikes: 64 Cinelli, 81 Merz, Haral

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 127 Post(s)
Liked 144 Times in 69 Posts
Centurion Turbo

I just picked up a nice centurion Turbo 56 cm. Any info or comments are appreciated!

as you can see, serial number is N2S2005.










gravelinmygears is offline  
Old 05-26-21, 05:08 AM
  #384  
Newbie
 
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 39

Bikes: Ritchey Road Logic 2.0 (2017), Concorde Prestige (199?)

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 21 Post(s)
Liked 12 Times in 8 Posts
Originally Posted by T-Mar
based on the bicycles where we've seen these formats, I'd say they were at least mid-size, mass volume manufacturers. They don't appear to be small or limited volume manufacturers, concentrating on high grade bicycles.
Plausible. As TIG welding became more commercially viable for frame building, it makes sense that an outfit with the capacity and technology would scale for economy. Not that that would exclude such a factory from building higher quality bikes; it would just employ different geometry, tooling, tubesets, etc. A generic frame made from top-tier tubing would still command a relatively high value once packaged and sold to market. It's unilkely that a frame like mine would have come from a large production run, given the lack of other examples. TIG welded Tange Prestige frames have little documentation; I would be curious to see any other examples but I haven't unearthed any from my research.


Originally Posted by himespau
The highest end Concordes (at least in the 80's through early 90's) were hand built in Italy. I often hear that these lugged frames were built in the same shop that was building Ciocc's at the time, but I don't believe I've ever seen that confirmed. Not sure about the source of the tig-welded more recent fames or their lower end frames of any vintage. From someone who knew more about them than I, I got the impression that, in the 80's at least, their high end bikes (and sponsorship of the PDM/Ultech racing team) was mainly to draw attention to their larger lower end bikes (Dutch company after all). Not sure where I heard that last bit about a larger lower end road and city bike bit as I don't remember seeing any catalogs that showed that. I do have one of the Italian built lugged frames from ~1990 (the Aquila, it was second from the top and made of SLX, their top model was made of TSX but I can't remember the name, Squadra? or was that the step down, not sure). Super nice rider.
Yes, I have read similar about the Columbus tubed Concordes. The handbuilt in Italy spin on the story is a bit glorified (be it Concorde or numerous contemporary brands), considering that most frames using the better quality Columbus, Reynolds, Tange tubesets would have been handbuilt, whether in Italy, England, Japan, etc. Any larger bike brands would have employed similar marketing, i.e. race bikes are marquee offerings, despite only making up fraction of sales relative to economy scaled consumer bikes. Mid to late 90's bike production is hard to keep track of, with all the material options available and global trade growing rapidly. No doubt any of the top tier bikes featured in catalogs would have been built with greater care and better materials, regardless of origin. Around this time I think these bikes could have been assembled in Taiwan or Japan, with quality that rivaled or surpassed something built in Europe. Look where we are now.
mruneedahelmet is offline  
Old 05-26-21, 06:50 AM
  #385  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 23,233
Mentioned: 651 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4719 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3,034 Times in 1,874 Posts
Originally Posted by gravelinmygears
I just picked up a nice centurion Turbo 56 cm. Any info or comments are appreciated!

as you can see, serial number is N2S2005.
The subect bicycle is a 1983 model manufactured in late 1982. The bicycles were manufactured Tano of Japan, with frame manufacture subcontracted to Nomura. At the time, it was the top model in Centurion's 6 model road line, The MSRP was $535 US. It was only manufactured for two years, 1983 and 1984. From what I can see, it appears to OEM with the exception of the bar tape and lever hoods. 1983 catalogue image attached. Enjoy your new acquisition.

Last edited by T-Mar; 05-26-21 at 06:55 AM.
T-Mar is offline  
Old 05-28-21, 08:16 PM
  #386  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: PNW
Posts: 1,596

Bikes: One of everything and three of everything French

Mentioned: 51 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 457 Post(s)
Liked 328 Times in 206 Posts
Tsunoda data incoming. This is a Lotus Odyssey. I think model year 81, because the date code of the Mighty Tour crankset is J11. Features of frame seem correct for 81 too- side pull calipers, brazed top tube cable guides and down tube bottle bosses.
__________________
I.C.
Insidious C. is online now  
Old 05-29-21, 01:33 PM
  #387  
Full Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Posts: 292

Bikes: 64 Cinelli, 81 Merz, Haral

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 127 Post(s)
Liked 144 Times in 69 Posts
Originally Posted by T-Mar
The subect bicycle is a 1983 model manufactured in late 1982. The bicycles were manufactured Tano of Japan, with frame manufacture subcontracted to Nomura. At the time, it was the top model in Centurion's 6 model road line, The MSRP was $535 US. It was only manufactured for two years, 1983 and 1984. From what I can see, it appears to OEM with the exception of the bar tape and lever hoods. 1983 catalogue image attached. Enjoy your new acquisition.
Anyone know the biggest tire I can squeeze into this Turbo? It definitely can’t handle a 30 strada Bianca.
gravelinmygears is offline  
Old 06-03-21, 03:46 AM
  #388  
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2021
Posts: 11
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Liked 5 Times in 4 Posts
Thank You
Bochan is offline  
Old 06-05-21, 10:04 AM
  #389  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Ogden, Utah
Posts: 858
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 213 Post(s)
Liked 646 Times in 252 Posts
1990 Bianchi Axis cyclocross bike manufactured Jan 1990; Japan manufacture.



This follows the format of S(1) as noted in the initial post. So what does S(1) mean?
Smokinapankake is offline  
Old 06-11-21, 07:56 PM
  #390  
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: 🚴🏻Round Rock, TX🚴🏻
Posts: 13
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
LifeOnTwoWheels is offline  
Old 06-11-21, 08:01 PM
  #391  
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: 🚴🏻Round Rock, TX🚴🏻
Posts: 13
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Such a great wealth of knowledge here!!!!
LifeOnTwoWheels is offline  
Old 06-12-21, 05:59 AM
  #392  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 23,233
Mentioned: 651 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4719 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3,034 Times in 1,874 Posts
Originally Posted by Smokinapankake
1990 Bianchi Axis cyclocross bike manufactured Jan 1990; Japan manufacture.
This follows the format of S(1) as noted in the initial post. So what does S(1) mean?
When I don't know the identity of the manufacturer, I assign a (somewhat) arbitrary identifier to facilitate cross-reference between the bicycle brand and the manufacturer. In this case, the constant character in the manufacturer's format is a 'S'. However, there are a couple of other unknown manufacturers who also have a slightly different format with a constant 'S'. To differentiate between them, I call them S(1), S(2) and S(3).

It's nice to know that some members are using the guide as intended. Given the number of queries that I answer in this thread about bicycles that are covered in the 1st post, I sometimes wonder. Still, it has 150K+ views, so there must be others who are using it. Yet, there's not a single "like" on the original post. Go figure!
T-Mar is offline  
Old 06-14-21, 01:21 PM
  #393  
Full Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Posts: 292

Bikes: 64 Cinelli, 81 Merz, Haral

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 127 Post(s)
Liked 144 Times in 69 Posts
Nishiki Bel Air

I was told that this is an 86 Nishiki Bel Air. It’s a repaint. No catalogs anywhere so no idea what original parts are. Serial WE18 513. Bike measures 20”.






gravelinmygears is offline  
Old 06-15-21, 07:29 AM
  #394  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 23,233
Mentioned: 651 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4719 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3,034 Times in 1,874 Posts
Originally Posted by gravelinmygears
I was told that this is an 86 Nishiki Bel Air. It’s a repaint. No catalogs anywhere so no idea what original parts are. Serial WE18 513. Bike measures 20”.
I have the 1985 specs but nothing for 1986. However, based on information I've collected on other 1986 Bel-Air, it appears to be mostly OEM, with the exception of the steering compartment. It has at least new bars, stem and grips. The derailleurs, crankset, brakes and wheels are OEM (or at least consistent with other 1986 Bel-Air). The 1985 version used a different rear derailleur (LePree) and did not use the bronze anodized versions of the rims, brakes and chain rings.

If it is a repaint, at least the previous owner used the correct style of replacement decals. Besides the difference in components and decals between the 1985 and 1986 models, there were several of variations in frame characteristics that confirm this is a 1986 model manufactured in 1985, such as the chain stay bend, down tube stops and bottom bracket cable guides.

BTW, there is no need to cross-post between the Nishiki Serial Number Database thread and this one. I try to monitor both of them. Regardless, the extra data and contribution are appreciated.
T-Mar is offline  
Old 06-15-21, 07:35 AM
  #395  
Full Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Posts: 292

Bikes: 64 Cinelli, 81 Merz, Haral

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 127 Post(s)
Liked 144 Times in 69 Posts
Steering

Do you know what the original steering components were?
gravelinmygears is offline  
Old 06-16-21, 08:28 PM
  #396  
WGB
 
WGB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Niagara Region
Posts: 5,645

Bikes: Panasonic PT-4500

Mentioned: 45 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1780 Post(s)
Liked 2,299 Times in 1,361 Posts
Went to view a Bianchi - "an original made in Italy". Anyway, here is the SN for your Asian serial number collection.

Serial of H1C5037. Has a made in Tiawan sticker on head tube.

Equipped with Shimano 300EX (seat post replaced and wheel set now mismatched)

Assuming Hodaka made but SN seems to be short a few digits. In the SN photo it looks like there are other numbers stamped but painted over

Sorry for photos, garage not well lit



WGB is offline  
Old 06-17-21, 05:54 PM
  #397  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 23,233
Mentioned: 651 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4719 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3,034 Times in 1,874 Posts
Originally Posted by WGB
Went to view a Bianchi - "an original made in Italy". Anyway, here is the SN for your Asian serial number collection.

Serial of H1C5037. Has a made in Tiawan sticker on head tube.

Equipped with Shimano 300EX (seat post replaced and wheel set now mismatched)

Assuming Hodaka made but SN seems to be short a few digits. In the SN photo it looks like there are other numbers stamped but painted over

Sorry for photos, garage not well lit.
It's a 1991 Bianchi Premio, manufactured by Hodaka of Taiwan in March of that year. It was the bottom model in Bianchi's six model, road line. MSRP was $420 CDN. Thxs for posting.
T-Mar is offline  
Old 06-17-21, 06:45 PM
  #398  
WGB
 
WGB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Niagara Region
Posts: 5,645

Bikes: Panasonic PT-4500

Mentioned: 45 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1780 Post(s)
Liked 2,299 Times in 1,361 Posts
T-Mar.

Thanks for replying. Nice ride to the bike. I tried to get it to shift with the 6 speed FW but no luck. Serious improvement with a 7 speed FW though. Not sure it is or was a$400+ bike but ride was pretty smooth. Pic for posterity - tried to load earlier but guess they didn't load.



Last edited by WGB; 06-17-21 at 07:16 PM.
WGB is offline  
Old 06-17-21, 07:00 PM
  #399  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 23,233
Mentioned: 651 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4719 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3,034 Times in 1,874 Posts
Originally Posted by WGB
T-Mar.

Thanks for replying. Nice ride to the bike. I tried to get it to shift with the 6 speed FW but no luck. Serious improvement with a 7 speed FW though. Not sure it is or was a$400+ bike but ride was pretty smooth.
OEM spec was 7 speed, so the SIS shift levers would definitely have an issue handling 6 cogs.
T-Mar is offline  
Old 06-18-21, 08:10 PM
  #400  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 23,233
Mentioned: 651 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4719 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3,034 Times in 1,874 Posts
Unfortunately, I can't positively identify the 1986 Bel-Air steering components from the photos and they are not listed in the 1985 spec sheet.
T-Mar is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.