Hey Classic and Vintage

Was hoping you guys could help me peg down the date of my competition series. I bought it about 12 years ago, but was told it was from the mid 80’s. I’ve found a couple bikes that have similar setups, but not exactly the same. I’ll list it out so maybe it will help with the dating process. I don’t know it this was a factory build, or if someone put it together. Also, I don’t know if this will help but, there is a frame makers mark (I think) stamped into the top tube bellow the seat post and bellow the headset (it is what looks like a three leaf like clover, shown in the seat photo ). Thanks for all the help.

Nishiki Comp Series

Campy Super Record Cranks?
Campy record hubs
Campy front and rear derailers
Suntour shifters
Dura-Ace Brakes
Cinelli neck and handlebars
Campy headset
Dura-Ace seatpost
Mavic G-40 Rims
Shimano dropouts

Nice-looking bike! I think the fade color scheme was a late 1980s or 1990s fad.

What is the serial number?

How many freewheel cogs does it have? By the late 1980s, 7-speed setups were becoming the norm.

I suspect the Campagnolo drivetrain is an upgrade; the originals would have been SunTour (most likey) or Shimano.

thanks for the help. The serial number is NP 762 0072 (there is also a W above the serial on the bottom bracket), the paint is a little rubbed so it maybe NP 762 U072(if they used a letter). It is also, as you said, a 7 speed.

That is truly beautiful! Not sure on the year, but glad to see others on here with old Nishikis. Such a shame, then, that they only sell them in Europe and Asia now...

I agree that the Campy stuff was an upgrade, but interesting that it has Dura Ace mixed with Suntour, I thought by the '80s that the Japanese had locked down the mfgs. into buying their entire gruppos from either Big S or Little S, no mixing allowed...I'm sure others will correct my sketchy memory. I reckon TMar will chime in with an exact year, he's the Nishiki (and Miyata) serial number expert. But, "Cinelli" seatpost and headset? Am I missing something here? I've never seen those components from that maker, before. Anyhow, whoever did the upgrades cared enough to buy the best, looks like it should be a very sweet bike. Was Kawamura still doing all the frame building for Nishiki that late, or could this be the work of another factory? The "arrowhead" piercing on the seat lug was a typical Nishiki device,but it shows up on some other Japanese frames, too...does anybody remember which ones?

Sorry Unworthy1, I goofed on something. The handlebars and neck are Cinelli, headset is Campy and the seatpost is Dura-Ace. I just wanted to make sure I got this right. Thanks for all the help.

NP 762 0072 would be correct, i.e., 2 letters followed by a string of digits. I am guessing 1987 from the leading digit. The "W" stands for West Coast Cycle Supply, which distributed Nishiki for many years.

I'm gonna jump in here. I suspect this bike has been repainted (are there any decals on it?). Even in 1989 a lot of the bikes were still one solid colour with a differing headtube... Secondly, I don't mean to refute JohnE's dateing but it matches my 1981 Nishiki Comp II very nicely, same seatstays, same cut outs and what looks like the longer suntour dropouts. By 1987 they would have shorter dropouts I think. Also if my hypothesis is correct it looks like the bike was completely stripped of it's original components which would most likely have been gran comp brakes, suntour drivetrain...

EDIT: I noticed the shifter cables are routed below the BB? Is this correct? That would mean definately later than 81 and maybe '87 is correct though I am suprised that they still had cutouts on the lugs.. seems like a lot of manufacturers were less concerned about ornate lugwork through the 80s.

When I originally got the bike, it did have Nishiki decals on the down tube and the front portion of the frame. The down tube stated "Nishiki Competition Series" and the front was an "N". The decals were in very rough shape, sun faded and cracked. They kept flaking off so i removed them. The only other decals that remain on the bike are a Campagnolo script logo on the top tube, and three small "powered by Campagnolo" decals, one on the down tube and two on the rear triangles down by the dropouts. The cables are routed under the bottom bracket, and i attached a photo of the dropouts which are strangely Shimano. Also there are four cut outs underneath the bottom bracket ,by the serial number. The only way i could describe them, is that they are shaped like large vitamins and are laid out like, for lack of a better words, butterfly wings. I've tried to use the keyboard to replicate it. Don't know it this will help, just thought I'd throw it out there.
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thanks for all the great help with this.

the dropouts are shorter.. I stand corrected!! I just have never seen one. there is a 1991 Nishiki Catalouge for sale on ebay right now if you are interested... not by me..