Thanks! Any idea what C-69-E means?

Given that it is cast into the shell, I strongly suspect that it the shell manufacturer's part number/identifier. 69 may indicate the shell width, while E may indicate English threads.

1986 (I believe) Nishiki Prestige:
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6b652b0627.jpg

SN WF07192:
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...70f0be84e6.jpg

If this follows Kawamura protocol, W= USA market, F=1986 year, 07192= 7,192nd frame manufactured that year. Correct?

Edit to add: All Suntour alpha 5000 componentry, Sugino GP 130 crank with an alpha 5000 sticker on it. 6 speed Suntour indexed DT shifters, Dia-Compe brakes labeled alpha 5000. I think its all original save the stem, saddle, tires and probably tubes. Sugino PD-1000 pedals in black.

Your interpretation is correct but in this case we know it is a 1987 model manufactured in late 1986. First, the Alpha 5000 components were not introduced until the 1987 model year. Second, the down tube decal with the series insert placed over the last three letters of Nishiki, was only used for the 1987 model year. Thank-you for posting.

Jacoblee: What a nice find !!! That is one fancy frame with all the arabesque stuff happening on the lugs. Excuse my ignorance but who was/is Bruce Gordon ??
Thanks, Rick

He was a well-regarded NorCal framebuilder who was known for touring bikes and fat 700c tires. This bike is sort of interesting because he had it made overseas, but never sold his name to the mainstream like Bontrager or Fisher. That’s probably because he didn’t do mountain bikes. If gravel bikes had been mainstream at that time, I’m pretty sure everyone would know his name.

This is totally off topic for this thread; just answering a question, or trying to!

Many thanks for the info, Jacoblee.

Any help identifying this frame? I am at a complete loss even after going through this thread. All identification has been stripped from the frame. It feels like its a lighter steel frame than most usual 80's steel frames.

OC24129 stamped on the bottom bracket
TM 0261 stamped on the front fork

All Shimano parts
Derailleurs are FD-Z202
Shifters are Z401
Bottom Bracket is a 68mm English Threads
Wheel hubs are Sansin

If you would like images, just attached this to the end of imgur dot com /a/Y2xmJDC

My leading candidates are a 1986 Univega Maxima Sport. The serial number format is consistent with Miyata who were a known contract manufacturer of Univega and indicates the 3rd fortnight of 1986. The Lifetime Frame Guarantee decal is also identical to that used by Miyata on their contract manufacture product. 1986 falls within the timeline for the Z-series components and Univega's Z-series models in 1986 were the Maximum Sport and Maxima Uno, with the difference being alumnum rims on the former and steel on the latter. Your front rim appears to be aluminum but the rear looks like it could be steel. However, only the Maxima Sport was catalogued in the Blue Mist colour of your bicycle.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...2af243fee7.jpg

You are fantastic!! The closest I was able to get was Miyata. Feels great knowing that I was at least in the ballpark! Thank you :)

Concord Confusion
 

Thanks so much for posting the guide to SNs, but the Concord decoder is confusing. I have one, with 81003 as an SN on the bottom of the downtube, drive side. It doesn't match up with Dodson or Kuwahara SN guide. Any suggestions from fellow vintage bike owners?

Trying to figure out the year of manufacture for a Diamond Back Sorrento I bought from a co-worker a few years ago. Serial number is 12L32202. It's black (original paint far as I can tell), Shimano Altus C20 front and Shimano Altus C10 rear, Shimano ST-CT15 shifters. Any help is appreciated.

Welcome to the forums. Your Sorrento is a 1993 model, as that is the only year it was spec'd with Altus C20/C10. However, based on the serial number, it would appear to have been built in December 1992. It was an entry level model, 3rd from bottom in the Diamondback ATB line and had an MSRP of $330 US.

Thank you T-Mar. Very much appreciated. I have been riding it a bit in some local rides. Enjoying it for sure!

[MENTION=20650]T-Mar[/MENTION] for your SN collection

Shogun Selectra

Having a moment trying to decipher the serial number LS783030

Components seem picked at random which doesn't help, but guessing December 87 or later due to stamping on the Strong Seatpost

Dia Compe brakes
Exage Motion levers BL A251 (89-early 90's)
Sakae Custom stem and Road Champion bars (1980's-?)
Light Action shifters SL-S434 (1987-?0
RD Shimano RD-L541 GS, Light Action (1987-1989)
FD - can't distinguish which model
Specialized Racing crankset (mid-late 80's)
Suzue hubs with Araya rims
Strong (26 8) seatpost - stamped 87 12
Italia saddle
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0baf47b30a.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0e46a20739.jpg
Serial partially covered so LS783030

Yes, it should be a 1988 model, as the S/N indcates December 1987 manufacture. Thxs for posting. BTW, the logings have booked for a visit to your region for the first weekend of August.

Thank you!

See you then

I have a Miyata 1000 with a serial number L773534.

Your frame was manufactured in 1983 but the sequential frame number is high enough that I can't rule out a 1984 model manufactured late in the calendar year. However, for the 1984 model they changed the font of the Miyata logo, added lo-rider rack bosses to the front fork and a 3rd set of bottle bosses under the down tube, so it should be easy enough to identify the model year.

I think you are right. I looked at the 1983 paint schemes and Royal Blue is not the color of my bike. The 1984 catalog has Mountain Blue as one of the options, and that spot on. So maybe a late '83 frame painted in an '84 color. The Mountain Blue is almost purple and I am having a tough time finding a proper match for touch-up.

I just saw the photos you posted in another thread. While the sequential number is high for 1983, it is a 1983 model and not a 1984 model, based on the logo font and frame features.

Ok - another head scratcher for me ... maybe T-mar or someone else can help me figure out the manufactured year for this.. It's for a Shogun Alpine GT - Serial Number : M9KA38939. The bike is blue, Shimano Exage groupset (RD- Exage LX 500; Hubs - Exage FH-HG50; Pedals - Exage Sport clips; Brake Levers - Exage Action), Shimaon Biopace Mountain LX triple crankset, 7 geared rear cluster, FD - Mountain LX. The "Alpine GT" decal is on the downtube & "Shogun" decal is on the top tube near the seat post ... opposite of where the decals are on the 1988 version of the Alpine GT. It also has a "Made in Taiwan" sticker on the headtube ... but "chromoly double butted" stickers on the frame triangle & Chromoly stickers on the front fork. the front fork has low boy mounts, the frame has 2 bottle cage mounts. Man ... will I be glad when I can simply post a picture!! Any help would be great! Thanks.

Shimano Mountain LX is 1988 to 1989 while the 500LX is 1990+. The serial number points to 1989 but I don't know how to interpret the KA. It could be a 1989 model with a replacement rear derailleur or a 1990 model built in late 1989 with some leftover Mountain LX components. Regardless, it's a pretty narrow date range. Ignore the 10 post requirement for photos. They will upload to your gallery album where other members can view them.

Thank you T-Mar! I just bought this today & know next to nothing about the Shogun brand or line up. I posted a pic to my gallery of the bike. I need a drive side pic ... so I'll add that in a few days. Sadly - there seems to be very little info on these bike (catalogs & specs) that I found on the web.