Beck326

Forgive me if I'm not posting this correctly, but I'm new to this forum. I just bought an old Nishiki 10 speed and I'm trying to date it. The only serial number I can find on the frame is four digits long located on the seat tube above the top tube. The number is : L139.

I'd appreciate any information. Thanks.

gokillzz

hi there im new here..
could anyone help me to identify my frame?
due the website regulation i cannot post the photos here.
the serial number shows at the rightside of bottom bracket JP2405123
thank you..
cheers 🍻

gokillzz

and the frame decals is peugeot, idk if its original or not

T-Mar

I can't recall seeing anything like that on a Nishiki. Nishiki typically have the S/N stamped on the bottom bracket shell or rear dropouts. Rarely, they're seen on the lower seat tube. Please post photographs of your bicycle. Ignore the forum warning about requiring 10 posts before be able to post photographs. They won't attach to a post but they will upload to a gallery album, where myself and other members can view them.

T-Mar

My initial thoughts was that it might be Maruishi manufacture but their format doesn't appear to fit with the apparent age of the frame. It's an obvious repaint and Peugeot did license manufacturers in foreign countries but I can't say that this is or isn't one of them. I don't know what it might be.

Link to photo:

T-Mar

My initial thoughts was that it might be Maruishi manufacture but their format doesn't appear to fit with the apparent age of the frame. It's an obvious repaint and Peugeot did license manufacturers in foreign countries but I can't say that this is or isn't one of them. I don't know what it might be.

Link to photo album: https://www.bikeforums.net/g/user/541232

cb400bill

Beck326

T-Mar,
I just posted two photos of my yellow Sports Cycle Nishiki.
Thanks again.

T-Mar

Thank-you for the photos. That's a very early Nishiki. The first year for the brand was 1972, so it's no older than that. The Sports Cycle name was only used for a year or two before being renamed the Custom Sport around 1974. At the time, it was the bottom model in the Nishiki 10 speed line. Original MSRP was $99.00 US in 1973.

Beck326

Even though she doesn't have a chromoly frame and all the extras I'm going to hang onto her. My next hunt will be for a 70s to early 80s Nishiki International with the chromoly etc.

Thanks again. Take care.

KiraY

I have a very old bike that was passed down to me. None of the serial numbers match the bike I have. It looks similar to a Nishiki bike (rockhound or bushwacker) but the serial doesn't match... Does anyone know what this bike is?

Brakes: Lee Chi
Shifter: Suntour
Derailleur: Suntour
Rims: Just says "Made in Belgium"
Pedals: Says "Custom A"
Serial: RA6 0411
The serial number is on the seat downtube near the crank

T-Mar

Welcome to the forums. Outside of the serial number, that's not much information. Two companies come immediately to mind. Ross and Raleigh Canada. Either way it was manufactured in a year ending in a "6" (i,e, 1976, 1986, etc.). Please post photographs of your bicycle. Ignore the forum warning about requiring 10 posts before be able to post photographs. They won't attach to a post but they will upload to a gallery album, where myself and other members can view them.

KiraY

Thanks! I replied with some images but my post didn't show up, I'm guessing it worked.

T-Mar

Yes, the photos uploaded. See https://www.bikeforums.net/g/user/541324

Based on the components, it was manufactured in 1986 and is an entry level model. Generally, Raleigh Canada stamped the S/N at the top of the seat tube but I've seen cases where it had been stamped at the bottom and those do look like the dropouts that Raleigh Canada was using during this period. Furthermore, I see that you are located in Canada. However, even the entry level, Raleigh branded models from this era typically have Raleigh embossing on the stay caps and fork crown. Consequently, I suspect this is one of the numerous private label brands that Raleigh manufactured, such as Supercycle. This greatly complicates identification of brand and model.

KiraY

Wow! Thanks so much for the detailed response!

Would it be worth spending the time/money to restore the bike? It's much lighter than the other mountain bikes we have and everything still works after testing it. However, lots of things are breaking and cracking and the shifters are really difficult to use.

gokillzz

thank you for the responsre, by looking to the lugs and model can you tell me what years this frame might be produce?
btw the fork is not the original, because i put alan fork on it..

T-Mar

If lots of things are starting to break, then this could quickly turn into a money pit, especially if you're not capable of doing your own work. There's a very real probability that you could buy an even better ATB in good, ready to ride condition, for less than what you'll end up spending. Unfortunately, my crystal ball bearing isn't working at the moment.

T-Mar

I've got some mixed feelings about the frame but my overall impression is mid-1980s. Given the serial number, it might be a 1983 model manufactured in late 1982.

seypat

I have a good one for you, T-Mar.
1985 Centurion Prestige. 54cm frame.

seypat

I also have a 1984 Centurion Turbo frame that I got from the banned, but not forgotten RT. The 2nd stamping that runs along the BB edge is either 99188 or 09188.

T-Mar

I don't know what the 2nd set of numbers represents. However, the alpha-numeric format is consistent with that used by Matsu****a/National of Panasonic fame and indicates very early 1984. I recently confirmed with an ex-WSI employee that they used that source around this time, so there's high confidence in the manufacturer's identity.

seypat

Thanks for the info.

3speedslow

A 90’s GT mtb, probably an Avalanche. Serial# F(Fairly) of Taiwan. 97025826 from bottom of BB. On the other side of the bottom are the numbers 0258

T-Mar

Could you please post a photograph. I'd like to know if it's 1989-1990 or 1999-2000. TIA.

3speedslow

T-Mar

Sure, Frame only though. It’s a Ball burnished one so pretty sure it’s not one of the early ones. I have two steel Karakoram frames and they are both(T) Toyo from Japan.

Threadless stem I believe original is dated 97 01 and a Kore