I just picked up one of these bikes up for free! It was a bit ugly, and I'd never heard of it, but I figured for free it'd be worth checking out!

It's cleaning up fantastically!!! Great condition Metallic Silver paint!

All the components look and work perfect!

It appears to be the perfect first road bike for me!

Anybody know what years these were made? It's got the Cro-moly main tube, and it's a matallic silver 12 speed.

Any information on this thing would be much appriciated!

I'll look for some more details on it tonight when I get home from work, like a serial number or something like that.

Thanks guys!

-Mike

Nishike used Olympic as a model name for a long time, many variations. the first 12 speed came out in 1978-79 as the Olympic 12, it had different graphics from the other Nishiki's as it came from a different factory we were advised. A suitable starter bike, just ditch the comfort brake levers if it has them. Retail back then was just under $200.

In the Los Angeles marketplace it was competing against the Niko (a Bikeology house label), and the Centurion LeMans, as well as the Peugeot UO8 and Raleigh Grand Prix to name a few.

Do you know when they stopped making the Olympic? This is in such good condition I'd find it hard to believe that it's all that old.

I'll get some pictures up in the next couple days.

It does have the comfort brake levers, and I plan on swapping them out before next spring.

Is it a standard size headset do you know? I'd love to get a nashbar carbon fork for it if possible, otherwise... I'll be fine with the standard.

Thanks!!!

Mike

The Olympic 12 was still being made as late as 1987, possibly later, but that's my last specific reference. It was entry level, but not bottom of the line. Typically, it was 2nd or 3rd from the bottom, depending on the exact year. If you've got a serial number, I can narrow things down, provided it is a Kawamura built frame. Other than that, pics will definitely help or you can start dating components using the date code info at Vintage-Trek.

The serial number ended in a big 85. So I assumed that was the year it was built.

I spent a half hour or so cleaning it up this morning, and am very impressed with it still!

I'll try to get a picture up today or tomarrow.


Thanks!
Mike

You may be correct, but I know of very few serial number formats that incorporate the the year code at the end.

I concur with T-Mar. If this is a 1985 model, the final two digits of the serial number are probably coincidental.

Small contribution. By 1991, the Olympic name was no longer used by Nishiki.

Alright! I Got some numbers and pictures for you guys!

Under the bottom bracket:
68 T
G1185
5734467

Check out these goofy handlebars! I love them!

I admit those bars look interesting, but it looks like there are about 2 good hand positions... in the drops and in the aero position. The tops look too narrow to be a useful position, and you obviously can't ride on the hoods...

But the bottom line is, what do you find that works when you are actually riding them? Or do you just love their goofiness?

A previous owner of PKN-10 had installed a similar set of bars, which I replaced with regular drops, but if you like them, great.

For reference, here is the 1983 Olympic as sold in Canada:

The bars look very cool. The tops look like comfy elbow rests, but I think the brakes would be too far away to be practical much of the time.

I found 4 pretty comfortable spots on the bars. Both the tops (which are narrow, but I didn't think they were too narrow, plus the drops and the aero.

I went for my first good ride on it the other day! It was great! Very stable and solid and powerful.

I was thinking about getting a carbon fork for it. Any thoughts?

That's a marvelous idea! There's no better money spent than installing a new carbon fork on a twenty year old, close to entry level bike. Don't throw it away on tires or tools, invest your time and money in the fancy fork. You won't be disappointed.

Now that I have seen the pics, I can definitely tell you that it is not a 1985. Cast my vote for 1986.

I guess there must be one of these people on every forum.


New lightweight wheels and tires are a givin, I know better than to ask if lightweight wheels are worth it.
Just because this is my first road bike, doesn't mean this is my first bike. I've been mountain bike racing for awhile, I've got tools.

I know I won't be dissappointed, thanks.

Thanks for that picture OLDYELLR. I needed to find something like that!

-Mike

I'm with T-Mar 1986 or even later, '87. Scott "tri" bars on it. No comment on the bars style. Do consider if you are in the Aero position the time it takes to get to your brake levers, rate x time = distance, you could easily lose 20 feet before you could apply the brakes.

The current mix of components on it is pretty well balanced aside from the freewheel ratio perhaps.

Most "Forks-R-Us" Carbon forks will probably have less rake and length from crown seat to axle may also be different, crown race diameter may also be different the existing headset may be loose on the new fork. Could work out, could be scary.

Thanks for the info! I think I've decided that I'm not going to modify the bike until next spring. Maybe Before TOSRV I'll get a carbon fork and a few other new parts.

I had a friend who's wife rode a Nishiki Olympic 12. She put many thousands of miles on it, including - once refitted with a 3riple crank - a number of self-contained camping tours.

It isn't a bad bike, nothing to be ashamed of.

But a carbon fork? Like putting a huge honkin' spoiler on a Camry or a Malibu. It's just wrong. Probably a misdemeanor in some southern states.

wow...could you be a bigger dink?

Originally Posted by Noam Zane:
[That's a marvelous idea! There's no better money spent than installing a new carbon fork on a twenty year old, close to entry level bike. Don't throw it away on tires or tools, invest your time and money in the fancy fork. You won't be disappointed.]


SSShhh. Don't disturb him. He's working on his actuarial tables.

Hi T-Mar
I have an older Nishiki Olympic that I am trying to find out the year and value. Hope you can help me, and thanks you.
here are the numbers: G1285
5796533
WTJ

Welcome to the forums. Your Nishiki Olympic was manufactured in December 1985 by Giant of Taiwan. That is late enough in the calendar year that it is almost certainly a 1986 model.

You'll be hard pressed to get a evaluations from members without good photographs. Once you've got photographs, open a new thread in the dedicated C&V Appraisals forum, Don't be discouraged if you get warnings that you can't post photos due to your new member status. They won't attach to you post but will upload to a photo gallery album under you ID. Just post this link, which is where you photos will be; https://www.bikeforums.net/g/user/523796

T-Mar I don't usually hang in C&V, but I saw you responded to a response to a 14-year-old "zombie thread". Very cool, and very helpful for Leftyrowe . You are a perfect example of why bikeforums is so great!