Nishiki Freewheeler
 

Has anyone heard of this model. Judging by the components, it's a 1988. I was just wondering where it landed on the Nishiki quality ladder. Any help is appreciated.

best,
Durk

A new one to me...let's see some photos, please :D .

East Hill

I can not find a reference to a Nishiki Freewheeler. Maybe T-Mar can help. I am relatively certain it is not a 1988 Nishiki sold in the US. Canada maybe, but not US. OR maybe it's a 89.

Nishiki Freewheeler Pix/Info
 

Thanks for your replies. Here's a picture of the bike. It's absolutely beautiful. Dia Compe Calipers and Dia Compe Junior Levers. Derailleurs are Shimano Lark II and Crankset/Freewheel are also Shimano Interger II/FF System. Frame says 4130 Chrome Moly with a sticker that reads Frame Geometry Sport. The Date code on the Shimano parts are JJ.

Found it in a thrift store for $7.50. I put some cheapo tires on it, replaced the foam handlebar grips and detailed it. I love the color. The bike was well cared for and has very few imperfections.

Thank you for any information you can give me. I couldn't find anything myself, so I'm grateful to the experts out there.

best,
Durk

Well, the JJ code signifies 1985 according to this, but the model certainly doesn't sound familiar. I think we need T-Mar in on this one! I think roccobike could be correct--possibly a model not sold in the US.

East Hill

I have a women's in the basement...thought of rebuilding from the frame from my wife. Components are junquey, if I recall. Frame is nice, tho.

Well, here's the thing about the Canadian theory. There is a dealer sticker on the bike (Naperville Cyclery) from Illinois. Are dealers in the habit of putting their stickers on used bikes? The sticker, incidentally, does not have the area code with the phone number, which certainly places the bike before 1989--at least here in the Chicagoland area.

Yes, 89. Year of the Area Code.

Hmmm, this is interesting. East Hill is correct, the date code for the Shimano parts date to late 1985. Looking at how late in the year they were made, I'm guessing this bike was actually an early 1986 model. Interesting because I thought Shimano was discontinuing the front freewheel system at about this time. One of the things I really like about the C&V forum is learning something new. This thread certainly fits that description. I would really like to hear T-Mars comments on this bike.

How does one compel T-Mar to look at this thread? I sent him a PM in the hopes to lure him in.

A reply was sent to you yesterday, requesting further information. Check your Private Messages inbox. I did not pick up this thread earlier due to be away for a race and problems with fully loading Bikeforums.

Well, this model is new to me and it's been over a week since I PM'd the OP with my requests for additional info, so it doesn't look like we're going to get it. Unfortunately, the pic has the handlebars placed at the most inappropriate position. You cannot see the fork crown, head tube decal or tail end of the down tube logo, all which would provide valuable clues in dating. The thing that I find most curious is the frame style. It is a traditional women's style and not a mixte. Nishiki went to the mixte frame in the late 1970s on their lightweight models. The traditional women's frame was reserved for middleweight, city bicycles, yet the pic shows dropped handlebars.

From what I can see, the head tube does appear to have a decal, as opposed to the plastic headbadge. That would put it into the 1980s. The crankset appear to be steel, though you can't tell if it is cotterless or cottered. The rims also appear to be steel, as do the hubs. It has stem shifters and nutted hubs. Everything points to an entry level model, very near or at the bottom of the line.

Still, the frame style is curious. It has me wondering if the wheels are not 27", but maybe 26"? They look too big for 24". Could it be a middleweight, or even a junior model? I guess we'll never find out.

Too bad, it never hurts to have additional information for future use...

East Hill

Hey! I just stumbled on to this thread. I have the same exact bike (color and everything). Just bought it off of craigslist a few weeks ago. Ironically enough, I'm converting it to a fixed gear. Does anyone know any more information on this model? I'm interested to know.

If your bike also has the front freewheel system (FFS), you'll need a new crank, and probably bottom bracket. Unfortunately, nobody had much information, and the OP hadn't returned in the intervening 2-1/2 years.

Maybe you could contribute some information, like pictures or whatever? That way the next person who finds one has information about it to compare to? It helps if you carefully transcribe brand and models of the parts, too. That way google can find information.