Nishjiki International, build it or strip it - what would you do?
 

Sometime last summer, I picked up a Nishiki International that was in pretty rough shape. Since I had several bikes needing much less attention, this one went into the shed and remained there until today. I had finally cleared a good deal of my back log and had only basket cases left, so this one was first up.

I tossed it on the stand and started stripping it down for cleaning and overhaul, and was pleased with what I found. Good quality parts (Suntour barcons, Cyclone dérailleurs), a pretty ruby red paint job under the grime, and nice lugs. My satisfaction vanished when I inspected the tubes closely, and discovered that there was a significant dent/crease on the underside of the down-tube. The tube doesn't appear bent or out of line, but it's creased pretty good.

So, take a look at the pics and tell me what you'd do. Should I strip it for parts and move on, or build it out? Here's the salient facts - As it sits, I have $10 into it. I would be building it out with the intention of reselling. It doesn't require parts that I don't already have on hand, but there's at least a few hours labor involved. The last thing I need around here is more parts - I'm swimming in them.....

The bike carcass:

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/8...tional1pq5.jpg

The dent:

http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/2425/dent1ql4.jpg

The dent - closeup:

http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/2044/dent11ns5.jpg

I think the derailleurs and barcons are upgrade, I love internationals and think they're great bikes, I say overhaul it and sell it unless you think the dent is bad enough to merrit tossing it.... I do not have the qualifications to make a call like that. However, if you do decide to toss it I would be interested in the rear DOs.

i'd be interested in the shifters if you don't build it back up...

And I'd take that needed seat tube binder bolt (;
[if its allan key type, which it looks]

If you decide to strip it, I would be interested in the frame if it includes the fork. (including the dent!) If it were mine, I'd build it and ride it.

Put the finned Mathauser brake pads on ebay, then throw the frame in the trash, that tube looks like it would fold.

Good eye, I didn't even look that closely.

With a crease like that, you can't do anything to the tube but replace it, which in my opinion, is not jsustified on a frame on this level. Strip it for the components and toss the frame.

Yup; use the components to build up another frame.

Do they have some sort of value or collector following? I noticed they weren't "normal" pads, but I didn't realize they might be of value. FWIW, the rubber pads are severely worn.....

bike
 

I agree, I wouldn't sell that frame to anyone!

Cool "hot rod" stuff from the late 70's. You'll hear stuff about the pads falling out and stuff, but I've never had a problem with them. You should get about $30-$40 for a clean pair with no real wear. They were super thin to begin with, so if they are still square, they might not be worn at all. I just sold the last pair of NOS ones I had or I would measure the thickness for you. Somebody here must have a set to check though.

I'd strip it and list the frame for $10 on CL. That way you'll get your money back plus all of those free parts.

Neal

Strip it for parts, and keep the front fork.

Sell the frame on Craigslist for $10 to some fixie rider - they'd be glad to ride around with that dent. I'd rather see that frame ridden/used until the tube bends (which I doubt it will until someone has a serious collision with this frame), then thrown out as it is. Too nice do to that with.

Either that, or sell it as wall art to some cycle folk. It isn't mint, but having had one of those Internationals come by my place before as well (slightly later variant with the italisized Nishiki logo), I know for a fact how beautiful that scheme looks in person.

-Kurt

What are the physics involved in frame geometry? My understanding is that the downtube takes very little load. Aren't the forces on the downtube pulling out (towards the BB and headtube) preventing the BB and headtube from migrating from each other? I'm guessing it also prevents lateral twisting.

EDIT: Okay, so I was curious and googled it. Apparently the downtube can deflect inward, though I doubt it would enough to make the tube fold. Good thing I'm not an engineer. Here's an article I found that analyzes frame flex. The conclusion is interesting: frame flex does not cause energy loss, as a frame is like a spring and returns the energy back to the rider! If we spread this article around our gaspipe frames might triple in value!

+1

looks like a nice set of parts for a frame that isnt dented

Yeah - try as I might, I cannot justify building this frame out. It is already on the stand, and will be stripped for parts this evening.

Too bad. :(

You're doing the right thing though. Much easier a decision than euthanizing last year's Kentucky Derby winner. :(

You got too many parts? We'll have to talk. :)

None of it particularly high end or valuable, but you have no idea - suffice it to say that the last thing I need in my life is another parts bike.... :eek:

Roll the dent, bondo and its fixed gear backbone, as they had higher BB's than most, but advise that its been beat on.

The background looks like Harry Callahan's who is about ready to do a batch of heavy loads for the streets of San Francisco.

Dang, I've been in your garage twice and I didn't notice that Royal Dansk tin on either occasion. My feathered friends love those cookies!

Good idea above to CL the frame. I wonder how many miles someone would drive to pick it up for $10. Nice pictures showing the head tube lugs and tips of the seat stays and it could go for more.

Yeah - well, they wouldn't like what's in the tin now, trust me..... ;)

Maybe we'll see about that shortly. :D

That's a very convenient setup there, bigbossman. If you get tired of the handloading, you just swivel and work on bikes!

Perhaps because I'm female I noticed the biccie tin right away. But then I looked at the targets. THEN I looked at the bike.

What does that say for my priorities?

I kept waking up last night--all night--thinking I was supposed to be at work. And this is only the third week in a row that I've had to work 6 days. What will I be like six months from now...:cry: .

I vote strip the frame. But I would be willing to bet some fool will drive at least 20 miles to pay $10 for the frame.

As USAZorro said, it's an easier decision than euthanising Barbaro. It doesn't sound as if Barbaro's going to make it :(.

East Hill

You guys are cracking me up. :D So, go ahead and guess what's in the tin. Hint - there's 100's of them, and they weigh 168 grains each..... ;)

For the record, those target faces are hanging there for a reason. Those two (and two others that are not pictured), are what is known in the rifle competition world as "clean" targets - 10 out of 10 in the 10/X ring. Perfect scores, fired during competition when it counted....... :) Fired prone, open sights, at 200 yards - back when I competed at the state level. You want a hobby that eats time and money, start campaigning on the shooting circuit.

But back to the Nishiki. I'm going to strip it when I get home. I can use the cable clamps, the dérailleurs, crank, BB, cables/housings, bars/stem, seat post and brakes will go into the (already overflowing) parts bins, the wheels go up on the rack, and the frame/fork/headset go to CL. I've got interest in the shifters, but I may use them on the Trek I'm peeling in another thread.

Actually - now that I think about it...... I have a Nishiki 4130 frame/fork set in the shed. Hmmm........