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Anyone good with Novara serial #s?
I picked up a Novara Randonee last month that I think is a mid 80's. Looking at the serial number decoder it seems like like Novara should be FAIRLY (Taiwan): Fymmxxx(xx) however the serial number below doesn't seem to match that and the frame indicates its made in Japan.
F indicates an alpha character designating the fortnight (i.e. A= weeks 1-2, B=weeks 3-4,....Z = weeks 51-52) y indicates a numeric character designating the last digit of the year (i.e. 1 = 1971 or 1981, 2 = 1972 or 1982, etc.). With such codes, you have to determine the decade based on frame characteristics, components, etc. mm indicates two numeric characters designating the month (i.e 01 = January, 02=February,..... 12= December) Any suggestions? https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...47d5fe5697.jpg Serial # https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...1f8698ad3a.jpg The bike |
No takers huh?, I am going with the following -N(1) (Japan): NyFxxxx Manufacturer unknown. which makes the second character 4 = 1984 and the 3rd character weeks 1-2 of 1984. The frame sticker says made in Japan and the Suntour Cyclone II RD is 1981- per velobase so I am settling on 84.
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This serial number format and stamping is found on several brands of bicycles, most notable Centurion in the USA in the late1970s and 1980s.
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If all you are trying to do is figure out the year, have you tried looking for an REI bike catalogue from that time? I think they had one in 84. Or send a photo to REI customer service and see if they can cross reference. Based on what I know from visiting their stores about this time, 84 seems right based on the logo. As far as the maker, I was told that the Taiwan Novaras came from Fairly, but Japan Novaras came from another company whose name I can’t recall. But what I do recall is that they came via Western States Imports. Which gives you another way to track age...find a Centurion with similar equipment, and you will know what year Novara you have. |
It's was manufactured in January 1984 by a Japanese company believed to be Tano. As noted in the 2nd paragraph of the guide,"The guide is not necessarily comprehensive, as it only represents what has been collected and decrypted." We are constantly finding and making new additions to the guide, as bicycles like your surface.
It's reminiscent of a Centurion Elite GT-15, with a few additional cost reductions. |
Well shoot if this isn't timely as I just picked up and refurbished a 1985 (late 1984 stamped serial number) Novara Strada with the same graphics scheme. I was informed that it had a Suntour LePree RD, which further corroborates the SN. Sugino GLP crankset, in 175mm! It looks like the Strada, with its Infinity and Magaloy 2001 tubing plus the Suntour stuff, was a solidly mid-level bike. Maybe upper mid-level. The original headset's chrome was toast--rusty and flaking. I replaced it with a nice used Tange Falcon unit. Short reach brake caliper setup with 700C wheels, yet with fender eyelets. The frameset looks a lot better now, and I am figuring out what to do with it!
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8c0736eb5c.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...998e87fcad.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f6c0732760.jpg |
My wife has one. It’s maybe a year or two newer than yours as it has SIS and more Miami Vice colors. Strata was the entry level road bike when she bought hers. Went for a little under 500 bucks out the door by the time we got benotto tape to match and some smaller bars.
what size is yours? |
I don't recall many LePree equipped models, but can think of a couple:
1985 Fuji League, $339: Fuji Valite 1769, SunTour Lepree, Sugino RT, Dia-Compe 400N 1985 Nishiki Prestige, $299: Tange CrMo DB, Sun Tour Le Pree, Sugino GP, Dia-Compe 500G. Based on these date points, the 1985 Novara Strada was probably in the $300-$350 range. Given the components and tubing, I'd consider it lower mid-range. Thank-you for the serial number. |
Originally Posted by T-Mar
(Post 20837609)
It's was manufactured in January 1984 by a Japanese company believed to be Tano. As noted in the 2nd paragraph of the guide,"The guide is not necessarily comprehensive, as it only represents what has been collected and decrypted." We are constantly finding and making new additions to the guide, as bicycles like your surface.
It's reminiscent of a Centurion Elite GT-15, with a few additional cost reductions. |
Originally Posted by RiddleOfSteel
(Post 20838557)
Well shoot if this isn't timely as I just picked up and refurbished a 1985 (late 1984 stamped serial number) Novara Strada with the same graphics scheme. I was informed that it had a Suntour LePree RD, which further corroborates the SN. Sugino GLP crankset, in 175mm! It looks like the Strada, with its Infinity and Magaloy 2001 tubing plus the Suntour stuff, was a solidly mid-level bike. Maybe upper mid-level. The original headset's chrome was toast--rusty and flaking. I replaced it with a nice used Tange Falcon unit. Short reach brake caliper setup with 700C wheels, yet with fender eyelets. The frameset looks a lot better now, and I am figuring out what to do with it!
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...998e87fcad.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6b5fadcc59.jpg 3J |
Originally Posted by Mr. Spadoni
(Post 20837546)
If all you are trying to do is figure out the year, have you tried looking for an REI bike catalogue from that time? I think they had one in 84. Or send a photo to REI customer service and see if they can cross reference. Based on what I know from visiting their stores about this time, 84 seems right based on the logo. As far as the maker, I was told that the Taiwan Novaras came from Fairly, but Japan Novaras came from another company whose name I can’t recall. But what I do recall is that they came via Western States Imports. Which gives you another way to track age...find a Centurion with similar equipment, and you will know what year Novara you have. |
I am so thankful for Tange and their fork date stamping! Isn't it great?
I, too, searched for REI and Novara catalogs from this era and found nothing. There's stuff from the early 2000s onward, but nothing this old. Dang. |
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