bahoogan

Specifically wondering about Nishiki bikes from the 70s and 80s? Are they fine bikes, worth anything?

stormpeakco

I don't know but I recall a guy next door to me from the big island in the college dormitory in San Diego who rode a gorgeous, silver one w/ full Campy every day in the mid 70's. He was very fast on the bike and at the time he could have afforded anything and yet he chose to ride this all through college.
Come to think of it...wonder if he/it is the reason that both of my road bike frames are old Merlin titanium frames purchased used (that will never see the landfill) and used to own a titanium frame Moots YBB.
I'm mostly a trail rider, ride a rigid Fatback Corvus fatbike (1X12) year round (non-snow set up w/ 27.5" X 2.8" rubber) and am going to change the 2X10 on the compact Merlin frame (w/ Ericksen ti sweetpost) to 1X11 SRAM Force 1 44T or 46T/Shimano 11-42 later this winter.

cb400bill

Thread moved from General Cycling to Classic & Vintage.

3speedslow

I wish the 81 Nishiki Pro Tour 15 I picked up was my size. Would love to find another because of the quality frame and components.

wrk101

They sold a complete line of bikes. Like many brands from that era, some were very basic (worth very little), some were really nice (worth more), and everything in between. They didn't make bikes, they were a marketing company. Add to that condition. So one of their more basic bikes in mediocre condition would be worth essentially nothing. One of their top of the line models in superb condition would have significant value.

tcarl

I have/had two Nishiki's from that era. The Nishiki Competition had weird frame geometry and handling, and tremendous flex in the bottom bracket. I got rid of that frame years ago - gave it to someone who wanted to cut it up and use the tubes for something else. My other one is a Nishiki Professional. One of the best frames I've ever ridden. Fast, stiff, light, very high quality. I just got the frame refinished and am building it up with vintage Suntour Superbe components. Can't wait to get it back on the road.

jan230

Much info and pics in this thread:

Nishiki Serial Number Database

top506

Tange Champion #1 tubing and a mix of Cyclone II and Superbe. Nothing wrong with that.

Top

T-Mar

As previously stated. Nishiki was a full range brand. They were also all contract manufactured. Over the course of two decades they used a lot and different manufacturers, including several from Japan, Taiwan and Italy. Combine the varied sources with the wide range of models produced over two decades and there is no simple answer. You certainly can't lump a Nishiki manufactured in Taiwan with one costing 10x as much and manufactured by one of the Italian high end builders. You pretty much have to treat each bicycle on a individual basis. At best, you can make some generalities by breaking them down into eras, level and origin but even that would involve about a dozen different categories.

Mr. 66

I have the '77 competition, I like it very bigly. I did swap out the Diacomp G brakes for Dura Ace 7410 calipers. A Brooks saddle was added.

Moe Zhoost

I have a 1976 Nishiki Professional, which I very much enjoy riding. Relatively light and responsive. It has a longer top tube than other similar frames, so I need to run a shorter stem. The Sugino Mighty Comp double is set up for half-step gearing, which is a joy to use once you get used to it.

BikeWonder

Good brand. I temporarily had a really nice 1989 International Series touring variant in my hands. In the time that I had it, it rode a lot better than I expected. I would say it was a lot lighter than my 1982 Miyata 1000 and rode better than it as well. It was very well built with internal routing for dynamo cables and well crafted lugs all around.

I sold it because I didn't want to deal with the rust that it was developing on the inside. The tubes being so thin made me realize it wasn't tour ready. Otherwise I would've kept it.

Manny66 

A Nishiki was my first real quality road bike I had as a Teenager. It was a Yuuge step up from the Huffy I was riding and I knew it was good because it came with Aluminum wheels and quick release. No more carrying 2 wrenches to fix a flat. It had Suntour parts on it but it was still a lower level bicycle than other Nishiki's I saw with Suntour Superbe grouppo , better wheels and Nicer handlebars. (mine were steel chrome)

I must have put a few thousand miles on it before I finally got enough money to get rid of that boat anchor on wheels.
Like others have already said,you might have a excellent Nishiki Version,or a generic one like I did. The details are in the Tubing and Parts installed that will tell you its Value or collectability. Either way, Nishiki's dont have a huge following in the C/V world.

Thomas15

I currently have two functioning Nishiki road bikes. Both of them were 1986 models.

Of the two, the one I like the best is the Olympic. Mine is a 21 inch frame. Not sure but I think I paid around $300 for it new. The frame was made by Giant, CroMo double butted and lugged. Good fit and finish. The components were mid-line Shimano drive train, Dicomp Brakes and Siguino cranks, 700c alumi rims, entry level sealed hubs and alloy seat post. I rode the bike quite a bit from 1986 to 1994 then it sat until this time last year. I have kept the down tube shifters but replaced the brakes and levers with Spram. I put about 1000 miles on it this year still solid as a rock. I acquired a Cannondale Synapse a few months ago, that will be my primary road bike, the Olympic is currently attached to my fluid trainer. I enjoy riding the bike, it has a semi-race geometry and compared to the Synapse it a bit heavy but a smoother ride. I have rode numerous half and metric centuries with it.

The other one is a Sport. A solid but heavy bike, low cost components.

As other have said Nishiki was actually an importer bot a manufacturer. My brother bought one in 1975, his was (later called the international) made in Japan. I think up to the time the name was sold to Dicks most of the bikes were good quality but some better than others. These days when you say Nishiki it is assumed that it is a modern low cost big box store bike.

Climb14er

I had a Nishiki Pro beginning in 1976, came with Suntour Grupo that I replaced with full Campy Super Record that I pulled off of a Teledyne Titanium bike I found at a police auction. The Teledyne was painted in gunmetal grey, nobody wanted it. Rode the Nishiki for twenty years, great bike, brings back old, good memories.

squirtdad

I like Nishki....still have one I bought new in 82..... I stripped it for painting and the brazing work was super clean and well done.

Good value

Jmpierce

I have a Nishiki Cervino, Italian made possibly by Olmo. Columbus tubing. I bought it about five yers ago as a fame and fork only. Built it with a mix of Campy and Sun Tour parts. I love how it handles, light fast and responsive. I have it built with a 6 speed freewheel set up.

I'm not sure of the year, The Nishiki serial number database doesn't work for the higher end Nishiki's.

riva

They are fine bikes and they are not worth anything. Which is great...

SamSpade1941 

A friend of mine had a Nishiki Pro ONP and the way I remember it .. he was a quite a fan of that bike in particular . Very high end quality the way he recounted it as he has told me more than once that it rivaled Italian bikes for ride quality .

As for most of the bikes I’ve seen that were Nishiki bikes they don’t seem to be especially desirable.. There’s always at least 3 or 4 Nishikis of various Marques for sale on CL..

T-Mar

The Nishiki serial number database does work on the high end Nishiki models, but only those manufactured by Japanese sources (Araya, Kawamura, Katakura). The Italian manufactured models are relatively rare, with little data available for analysis. Consequently, they are not included. Still, it's relatively easy to date these to a fairly narrow range.

Jmpierce

Yes, sorry T-Mar I miss spoke. My Nishiki is of Italian vintage and the only thing I can use the serial number for is the size of my frame.

jdawginsc 

This thread is enlightening. Did not know Araya made frames, nor did I know Nishiki contracted Italian builders...

Now Kabuki...? That was an interesting brand.

brandenjs

I’ve had several Nishikis, but this is by far my favorite. A 1984 Prestige that I’ve upgraded slightly. This is one of the Tange 2 Kawamura frames. Rides amazing. Like everyone has said there are several models in the lineup, just a matter of learning the quality of frames and components.

roccobike

At one time I was really into Nishiki, had 10 or 12 of them at one time. I'd guess around 20 passed through my hands. When Robbie Tunes came to my former house he joked that one side of the basement was the "Nishiki wing". I lost interest in the brand over time but have maintained ownership of four bikes. Two Nishiki Ariel MTBs, one is the last Ariel model before they changed to the raised chain stay design, and the other has the raised chain stay. Then I have a 86 Prestige I converted to a brifter bike. But the last is the most rare, a 1984 Nishiki Medalist pictured above. I have it boxed up for now, but intend to re-assemble it over this winter so I can use it on my MUP rides. The one change I intend to make is to install Suntour Superb Aero levers to replace the non-aero levers currently on the bike.

ryansu 

I really like my Tange 2 1987 Cresta GT