Lamplight

I tried dinner at a nice restaurant and flowers but that got me nowhere. I had always assumed it was an '85 because the stem that came with it had an "85" stamped on it. I also know this wasn't the length of the stem, because it also had an "80" stamped on the other side and when I measured it the two numbers matched. I could not find any dates on the hubs. Then I started looking around online and the few Prestiges I saw that were claimed as '85s looked different/newer than mine. I found a couple that looked exactly like mine, but with no mention of the model year. Next I read that sometimes DiaCompe parts have the date stamped on them so I checked the brakes. "0285M" is the only number I see resembling a date. More evidence pointing toward it being an '85? Yet the graphics are quite different from others I've seen that are supposed to be that year. Also, I thought most bike companies had quit routing the shifter cables above the bb by then. But it also came with an oval inner chainring, although I don't know if that is an original piece. The serial number on the bottom bracket shell is WE 03492.

Here are some detail pictures:

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2..._8857small.jpg
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2..._8856small.jpg
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2..._8854small.jpg
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2..._8853small.jpg
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2..._8852small.jpg
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2..._8851small.jpg
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2..._8850small.jpg
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2..._8848small.jpg
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2..._8847small.jpg
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2..._8846small.jpg
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2..._8845small.jpg
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2..._8844small.jpg
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2..._8842small.jpg
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2..._8841small.jpg
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2..._8839small.jpg

I'll admit that my internet searching abilities are not the best, but so far I haven't turned up much information on the Prestige. I'm not even sure how it ranks in Nishiki's line.

matimeo

If the DiaCompe brakes are original, it would seem it is an '85. From what I saw in the pictures, 85 would be about right for that bike. My wife has one that is an from somewhere between 85 and 87 and it has the same types of components on it. In fact, it has LePree components, which I haven't seen on bikes newer than that (but doesn't mean there aren't). My wife's bike also has a name badge which although not identicle to yours, is different from the older Nishikis. My wife's bike is also the exact same tubing and the lugging looks the same, so I'm guessing it was built by Kawamura. I'm not sure where Prestige fell in the Nishiki line. A search of the forums would probably reveal that, or I'm sure someone will proffer that information. I'm guessing it fell in somewhere in the middle to upper mid-range area of Nishiki's line.

East Hill

It's a nice bike--I get the feeling it was meant to compete with Centurion's Ironman, as my Prestige feels quite similar to the Centurion I've got. Mine both have the small front wheels. I think the components on mine date the Prestige to 1987? I'll have to check again! I need to make notes on the ages of all the Nishikis I've got . I have to say that I have not seen that headbadge before. I think I will need to start getting photos of the different headbadges I've got for all my Nishikis!

East Hill

stokessd

I'm guessing a little older than '85 based on the suntour aero shift levers. I'm going to say '82 or '83

Sheldon

Lamplight

Thanks for the comments! Here's one I found that is just a tiny version of mine. It has the same cranks and derailleurs but barend shifters instead of downtube.

https://www.cyclofiend.com/cc/2006/cc...gdanm1206.html

Charles Wahl

I recently bought an older Nishiki Prestige frame that's the spitting image of Lamplight's, except that it's totally black. Serial number WE 01898 (filled with white paint on bottom bracket) and below that "03BRY" stamped after the bike was painted (because the black paint is chipping around these characters). It has exactly the same decals as the gray one -- could they have found one more place to put "Nishiki"? -- and the same lame headbadge decal; now that took a lot of imagination!

Mine is 56.5 cm from BB to center of top tube, 58 cm to top of top tube. It also has a sticker from Missing Link in Berkeley (CA). This one had a sort of hodgepodge of components -- headset is the same chrome one as on Lamplighter's, and the bottom bracket too (says Kawamura on cups or spindle). Derailleurs, shifters and brakes all Shimano 600, and a Campy Super Record crankset (including chainrings). The wheels had been replaced at some point I think: Weinmann alloy rim and Maillard hub, skewer and 6-speed freewheel in the rear, and a Schothorst steel rim and SR steel nutted hub in front.

My frame does have the same braze-on for top-of-tube mounted shifters as seen above, but the shifters were the ring-clamp type (Shimano 600). Same gray translucent cable sheaths, though.

I'm trying to decide whether to repaint the frame entirely -- it's not quite as pristine as Lamplight's (I keep trying to type Lampwick, like in Disney's "Pinnochio") but still in decent condition -- or just spray the fork gray and the head tube between lugs, to get rid of two "Nishikis" and the offensive headbadge; and then put a gray panel on the downtube to get rid of two more. Anybody got a real-live stamped metal Nishiki headbadge with the eagle for sale?

Lamplight

Actually I just bought an older Nishiki today with that headbadge, but I kind of need it.

T-Mar

Lamplight's Prestige is 1985. 100% positive.

Lamplight

Thank you sir!

Lamplight

Well now I have another Nishiki I'm unsure about. It appears to read "Competition" on the top tube, and the front hub has "80" stamped on it. But after searching around online and in this forum it seems there was no Competition in 1980. Regardless, it's a sad bike but hopefully I can bring it back from the dead eventually. I mainly like the cranks and shifters.

https://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v2.../Nishiki%20II/

T-Mar

It appears to be circa 1975-1977. The Competition name was used on the original Nishiki lineup but was shortened to the Comp around 1978, then reappered about 1982. Based on the decals it's not 1973-1974, so that leaves 1975-1978. What's the serial number?

Typically, the Competition was 2nd or 3rd in the line and sported a CrMo butted frame, so it's a good one. The early ones used the bar end shifters and Mighty Compe cranksets like yours, but had center-pull brakes, so that also points towards 1975-1977. Maybe the wheels are upgrades? Also looks like the fork is bent in the steering tube, just above the crown.

Lamplight

The brakes are DiaCompe and look nearly identical to the ones on my Prestige but with a plain silver finish. On the back of the calipers I found the numbers 5583 and 0280. The serial number on the frame is KS346873. The bike came with no front derailleur and the rear derailleur was a very low-end looking Suntour Honor, which had lost the mounting bolt at some point and was just hanging by the cable. It looked like a very cheap piece compared to the rest of the bike, which seemed odd.

Edit: I also discovered the fork was bent after someone noticed it in another thread last night. It has a .833 steerer tube which I'm not fond of so I may try to find a 1" replacement. The fork also seems to be of lower quality than the frame.

jet sanchEz

Maybe someone can help me date this Nishiki that my friend's mom wants me to sell for her. The BB has the following stamped into it: CF03 963

It is an Olympic Tri A and has "Designed by Norco" written on the chainstays and "Infinity Cr-Mo Tapered Double Butted Tubing TANGE" is the tubing. The cranks are Sugino VP and the brakes and brake-levers are Dia-Compe with the shifters/derailleurs being Shimano Light Action. Thanks!

Lamplight

The cranks turned out to be quite nice after a little elbow grease was applied:

roccobike

What size are the rims? Is the rear a six or seven speed? With what I can see, I'm guessing 1990.
EDIT: That head badge is a clue, T-Mar would probably be able to date it more accurately.

Charles Wahl

A similar head badge decal was used on '83 Nishikis, and TMar has said that he's sure that Lamplight's gray Prestige is from '85 -- it has a different head badge design. It hardly seems to make sense that Nishiki redesigned the badge and then reverted later to an earlier design. Still, components that appear to be original are probably the best way to date these things from 20 years ago (because they were evolving quickly), unless there's a catalog or other evidence. Aero brake levers and sidepull brakes, combined with downtube-mounted shifters sort of put this bike in the mid-late 80s. Another tell-tale would be rear dropout spacing: 120 for 5-6 speed, 126 for 6-7, 130 for 8-speed and up. Sort of the beginning, middle and end of the 80s.

Check out the '83 catalog pages here (with a lot of other Nishiki photos in parent directories):
https://www.slackers.net/~skoop/nishiki/catalogs/1983/

jet sanchEz

Thanks guys, the rims are 700c but I just sold it on CL. My friend's mom will be happy

T-Mar

1975. FYI, the original rear derailleurs during this era were typically were SunTour VGT.

Considering you just sold it, the age doesn't really matter now, does it? Regardless, it was a 1986 and appears to be been one of the Canadian market models designed by Norco.

Lamplight

Thanks again! Now I'll know what derailleur to look for if I ever get it put back together.

T-Mar

You're welcome. Anything for a fellow fan of "The Great Stoneface". Almost tempted me to reply to the serial number query with "damfino".

jet sanchEz

Awesome, thanks. I told the seller that it was likely 20 years old, I was off by a year

accozzaglia

I'm in 100 percent agreement. I used to own and ride that bike from 1989 to 1995. I bought it from a relative who bought it new in 1985 for about USD$425 (or maybe it was closer to $469). It was considered higher-end at the time, and I was actually present when it was purchased. I always coveted the bike and, in 1989 was given the chance to upgrade from my 1988 Raleigh Record, which I felt like I'd outgrown, actually.

Here in Toronto, I've not seen a single Prestige, and I have definitely kept an eye open for one. I'd be liable to offer money on the spot if I spotted one still in original, clean condition. Thanks for bringing back a great memory!

JunkYardBike

Now that the vintage of your Nishiki Prestige is confirmed, I thought I'd post some pics of an '86 Prestige that passed through my hands, proving yours is definitely not an '86. I find the seatstay ends at the seatlug interesting, but wonder how strong they are. I also like the variation on the brake bridge.

Something I've noticed with mid to late 80s Nishikis vs. a couple 70s Nishikis that I've seen is that the paint on the older Nishikis is far superior. They seem to have had a prime coat that prevented rust when the top coat was chipped. On the other hand, the 80s Nishikis have all had bubbling rust at various locations on the frame, especially the BB joints. Of course, these have all been entry to mid level frames.

Lamplight

Thanks for the additional information! It's always interesting to learn how much a certain bike cost originally. I paid $170 for mine so I think that's fairly reasonable.

East Hill

Now I am confused! I have the exact same frame (well, making allowances for the fact that it is a tiny bike, with the 24" front wheel), but I thought it was a 1987.

Hm.

East Hill