Nishiki Serial Number Database
10-12-09 | 10:51 PM
#351
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That's the first Nishiki serial number I've seen with that format, so I don't have a clue on the year. Kawamura may have had to subcontract some frames due to a insufficent capaicity beacuse of materials shortage, machinery breakdown, labour strike or any number of issues.
Assuming it is an Olympic 12, that model first appeared in 1978 and was still in manufacture as late as 1987. Obviously, it went though quite a few changes over that period. Having some pics or at least a list of the brand and models of the major components would help. Also colour scheme, list of frame fittings and any tubing decal info would help, if you can't provide pics.
Assuming it is an Olympic 12, that model first appeared in 1978 and was still in manufacture as late as 1987. Obviously, it went though quite a few changes over that period. Having some pics or at least a list of the brand and models of the major components would help. Also colour scheme, list of frame fittings and any tubing decal info would help, if you can't provide pics.
Any help is much appreciated. This is a major project bike, or it's trash, haven't decided. Seems like a nice frame though, especially for $5.
10-13-09 | 07:22 AM
#352
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Here are some photos. Sorry about the quality. I can barely make out the "Olympic 12" on the top tube on the left side. But can't get a good photo of it.
Any help is much appreciated. This is a major project bike, or it's trash, haven't decided. Seems like a nice frame though, especially for $5.
Any help is much appreciated. This is a major project bike, or it's trash, haven't decided. Seems like a nice frame though, especially for $5.
10-13-09 | 09:16 AM
#353
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Thanks T-Mar! Assuming it's a '78-81 or so Nishiki Olympic 12. Is it worth my time to refurbish this beast? Or should it get recycled. Or, should it be built up as is, as cheaply as possible and thats it.
I guess what I'm saying is, is this frame worth the trouble of stripping and repainting as a winter project?
I guess what I'm saying is, is this frame worth the trouble of stripping and repainting as a winter project?
10-13-09 | 09:33 AM
#354
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Thanks T-Mar! Assuming it's a '78-81 or so Nishiki Olympic 12. Is it worth my time to refurbish this beast? Or should it get recycled. Or, should it be built up as is, as cheaply as possible and thats it.
I guess what I'm saying is, is this frame worth the trouble of stripping and repainting as a winter project?
I guess what I'm saying is, is this frame worth the trouble of stripping and repainting as a winter project?
10-13-09 | 09:51 AM
#355
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From: Berea, Kentucky
Bikes: 1990 Specialized Hard Rock
T-Mar,
I mentioned earlier that I had gotten a Nishiki Custom Sport and gave the serial number, but I gave you the wrong letter to indicate the year. On a third or fourth look I noticed that the sequence went "K...I..." not "T". So this means it is an 89 correct? Could you tell me a little more about it...like entry or upper level, etc.? That would be great.
I mentioned earlier that I had gotten a Nishiki Custom Sport and gave the serial number, but I gave you the wrong letter to indicate the year. On a third or fourth look I noticed that the sequence went "K...I..." not "T". So this means it is an 89 correct? Could you tell me a little more about it...like entry or upper level, etc.? That would be great.
10-13-09 | 10:20 AM
#356
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From: South of Raleigh, North of New Hill, East of Harris Lake, NC
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Specialized Roubaix, Giant OCR-C, Specialized Stumpjumper FSR, Stumpjumper Comp, 88 & 92Nishiki Ariel, 87 Centurion Ironman, 92 Paramount, 84 Nishiki Medalist
T-Mar,
I mentioned earlier that I had gotten a Nishiki Custom Sport and gave the serial number, but I gave you the wrong letter to indicate the year. On a third or fourth look I noticed that the sequence went "K...I..." not "T". So this means it is an 89 correct? Could you tell me a little more about it...like entry or upper level, etc.? That would be great.
I mentioned earlier that I had gotten a Nishiki Custom Sport and gave the serial number, but I gave you the wrong letter to indicate the year. On a third or fourth look I noticed that the sequence went "K...I..." not "T". So this means it is an 89 correct? Could you tell me a little more about it...like entry or upper level, etc.? That would be great.
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10-13-09 | 11:28 AM
#357
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T-Mar,
I mentioned earlier that I had gotten a Nishiki Custom Sport and gave the serial number, but I gave you the wrong letter to indicate the year. On a third or fourth look I noticed that the sequence went "K...I..." not "T". So this means it is an 89 correct? Could you tell me a little more about it...like entry or upper level, etc.? That would be great.
I mentioned earlier that I had gotten a Nishiki Custom Sport and gave the serial number, but I gave you the wrong letter to indicate the year. On a third or fourth look I noticed that the sequence went "K...I..." not "T". So this means it is an 89 correct? Could you tell me a little more about it...like entry or upper level, etc.? That would be great.
It's definitely an entry level bicycle. Whether it's entry level or upper. entry level is a subjective call. I don't have the 1979 specs but based on the 1978 specs, I could go either way. In 1978 it was 7th in a 9 bicycle lineup. It appears to be identical to the bottom of the line Sport model with the exception of an upgraded rear derailleur and a cotterless crankset (with steel chainrings).
10-16-09 | 04:43 AM
#358
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T-mar,
I was just surfing around on the web and came across your Nishiki database. I have a Nishiki International, s/n KS283796 that I have owned since about '81 or '82. My brother was the original owner, he got it brand new in either '73 or '74 (it could be either, but I'm leaning toward '73). I bought the bike from him with grass-cutting money when I was about 15, matter of fact, it's been my only bike since then! It was pristine when I got it, I just cleaned and lubed everything and polished all the aluminum components and it was absolutely mint. I don't think that my brother ever really rode it very much; I rode it extensively through college years and until I got into my thirties, then tapered off. I've got a co-worker who is a cycling enthusiast - he's been trying to get me back out on it, we'll see when the weather improves here (GA).
It looks essentially just like the '73 "Competition" way back on page one of this thread (some of the components may differ), and it looks neary that nice when it's all polished up. Everything is original except the seat and chain, added a Blackburn rack back in the '80's, also a Cannondale seat pack and a featherweight pump. I removed the chintzi chain gaurds long ago... I GOTTA replace the crappy three spoke stamped aluminum crank, though! Been meaning to do that since I was 15...
I'll try to get a picture of it posted soon. It's a little dusty and lacks "lustre", but it's always been kept in the house when not in use, so it's still in great shape.
Eric Buckley
I was just surfing around on the web and came across your Nishiki database. I have a Nishiki International, s/n KS283796 that I have owned since about '81 or '82. My brother was the original owner, he got it brand new in either '73 or '74 (it could be either, but I'm leaning toward '73). I bought the bike from him with grass-cutting money when I was about 15, matter of fact, it's been my only bike since then! It was pristine when I got it, I just cleaned and lubed everything and polished all the aluminum components and it was absolutely mint. I don't think that my brother ever really rode it very much; I rode it extensively through college years and until I got into my thirties, then tapered off. I've got a co-worker who is a cycling enthusiast - he's been trying to get me back out on it, we'll see when the weather improves here (GA).
It looks essentially just like the '73 "Competition" way back on page one of this thread (some of the components may differ), and it looks neary that nice when it's all polished up. Everything is original except the seat and chain, added a Blackburn rack back in the '80's, also a Cannondale seat pack and a featherweight pump. I removed the chintzi chain gaurds long ago... I GOTTA replace the crappy three spoke stamped aluminum crank, though! Been meaning to do that since I was 15...
I'll try to get a picture of it posted soon. It's a little dusty and lacks "lustre", but it's always been kept in the house when not in use, so it's still in great shape.
Eric Buckley
Last edited by Joe Shmeaux; 10-16-09 at 04:52 AM.
10-16-09 | 07:50 AM
#359
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Hey Schmeaux, (couldn't resist, please forgive me) it's definitely pre-1975 but are you sure it's a Competition? That one typically had bar end or down tube shifters. The stem shifters are more indicative of an International. Competitions also typically had crankarms with 5 spider arms and though this it's on the opposite side in the pic, yours appears to be a 3 spider arm Maxy, as used on the International.
10-16-09 | 05:56 PM
#360
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Hey Schmeaux, (couldn't resist, please forgive me) it's definitely pre-1975 but are you sure it's a Competition? That one typically had bar end or down tube shifters. The stem shifters are more indicative of an International. Competitions also typically had crankarms with 5 spider arms and though this it's on the opposite side in the pic, yours appears to be a 3 spider arm Maxy, as used on the International.
Read back, please. I never said it was a Competition. I said it was an International. I said it looked a lot like the Competition on the first page of this thread, which it does (to me), meaning overall look. It's in about that nice of a shape, too.
JS
10-23-09 | 04:36 AM
#361
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Crankset Upgrade
Before I try to piece something together, does anyone have a decent 5-spoke crank, like a Sugino "Mighty" (or anything, really, vintage/modern, OK) with 48/54 chainrings (or something close)?
I want to upgrade the old Nishiki, but I'm pretty happy with the ratios as they are. I may post this in a "parts wanted" thread as well.
Thanks,
JS
I want to upgrade the old Nishiki, but I'm pretty happy with the ratios as they are. I may post this in a "parts wanted" thread as well.
Thanks,
JS
10-27-09 | 07:57 PM
#362
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Joined: Oct 2009
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Question
I recently recieved a bike for free from a friend moving to vietnam. The Serial Number is KS101479. It says American Eagle Sports Special. Can anyone give me details about my bike? Everything looks to have originial parts, including a stem shifter. Thanks!
Last edited by geeyawn; 10-27-09 at 08:02 PM.
10-31-09 | 09:31 AM
#363
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From: omicron persei 8
I have been going crazy trying to ID this thing. It has 600 ax everything with NITTO bars and stem. It has a bottle mount on both sides of the downtube if that helps. The sticker on the top tube is worn off.
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10-31-09 | 01:36 PM
#364
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The serial number indicates a 1984 Araya built model. Nishiki's USA grand touring models that year were the Cresta and Seral, yet both were spec'd with cantilever brakes and your frame does not have the appropriate bosses. That suggests a Canadian market Nishiki Continental. They were a grand touring model with caliper brakes.
10-31-09 | 01:51 PM
#365
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From: omicron persei 8
Hmm. The crank set is a triple shimano, And the rear is a 600 but I am not sure of the model. I found pictures of a Continental in Canada and it had Cantis on it.
I can make out 2 letters on the top tube.
It is a R or a P, Then 2 letters then a A it seems.
I can make out 2 letters on the top tube.
It is a R or a P, Then 2 letters then a A it seems.
10-31-09 | 05:42 PM
#366
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From: South of Raleigh, North of New Hill, East of Harris Lake, NC
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Specialized Roubaix, Giant OCR-C, Specialized Stumpjumper FSR, Stumpjumper Comp, 88 & 92Nishiki Ariel, 87 Centurion Ironman, 92 Paramount, 84 Nishiki Medalist
The hubs, crankset and rear derailleur do not appear to be 600AX. In fact the crankset appears to be a triple and the rear wheel appears to have 40 spokes. Both are indicative a grand touring model as is the 2nd set of bottle bosses under the down tube.
The serial number indicates a 1984 Araya built model. Nishiki's USA grand touring models that year were the Cresta and Seral, yet both were spec'd with cantilever brakes and your frame does not have the appropriate bosses. That suggests a Canadian market Nishiki Continental. They were a grand touring model with caliper brakes.
The serial number indicates a 1984 Araya built model. Nishiki's USA grand touring models that year were the Cresta and Seral, yet both were spec'd with cantilever brakes and your frame does not have the appropriate bosses. That suggests a Canadian market Nishiki Continental. They were a grand touring model with caliper brakes.
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Last edited by roccobike; 10-31-09 at 05:46 PM.
11-03-09 | 08:35 PM
#368
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From: Fort Worth, Texas Church of Hopeful Uncertainty
Bikes: 1966 Raleigh DL-1 Tourist, 1973 Schwinn Varsity, 1983 Raleigh Marathon, 1994 Nishiki Sport XRS
I acquired a "Made in Taiwan" (by Giant?) Nishiki Sport frame, maybe 1989 from what I hear around the net. Here are the CL ad pics:
The downtube decal read: "Nishiki Performance Equipe" and the top tube said "Sport". the fork and main tubes are 4130 Cro-Mo. Nice lugs, nice cast dropouts. Unicrown fork. There is a number on the seat tube on the left side, just above the bottom bracket. The first character is indistinguishable but after that it says 91009589.
The downtube decal read: "Nishiki Performance Equipe" and the top tube said "Sport". the fork and main tubes are 4130 Cro-Mo. Nice lugs, nice cast dropouts. Unicrown fork. There is a number on the seat tube on the left side, just above the bottom bracket. The first character is indistinguishable but after that it says 91009589.
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11-04-09 | 10:43 AM
#369
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Old Canadian Nishiki Bushwhackers
We have two Nishiki Bushwhacker mountain bikes, purchased new in Kingston, Ontario, Canada in the mid-to-late 1980's. The serial numbers are CHO2393 and CHO2443.
Stickers still visible say they were designed by Norco, and made in Japan. Please note the spelling is "Bushwhacker", not "Bushwacker" on the frames. Could this be the Canadian spelling??
They have chromoly tubes and 21 speeds. They were pretty high tech for their time, and cost about $700 each -- a lot of money for us back then!
Hope this helps with your serial number registry.
Stickers still visible say they were designed by Norco, and made in Japan. Please note the spelling is "Bushwhacker", not "Bushwacker" on the frames. Could this be the Canadian spelling??
They have chromoly tubes and 21 speeds. They were pretty high tech for their time, and cost about $700 each -- a lot of money for us back then!
Hope this helps with your serial number registry.
11-04-09 | 09:26 PM
#370
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Joined: Jun 2005
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From: South of Raleigh, North of New Hill, East of Harris Lake, NC
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Specialized Roubaix, Giant OCR-C, Specialized Stumpjumper FSR, Stumpjumper Comp, 88 & 92Nishiki Ariel, 87 Centurion Ironman, 92 Paramount, 84 Nishiki Medalist
I have several Nishiki catalogs. None of the US catalogs that I have, include a Bushwhacker. I also have three Canadian catalogues. All three include the Bushwhacker model. It was typically third or fourth from the top in the Nishiki MTB line-up. Pretty decent bikes.
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11-04-09 | 09:45 PM
#371
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From: Bremerton, Washington
Bikes: many
I didn't get the serial # before I sold it, but this is a 73 competition, identical to the silver one on the first page. It was a rusty pile when I rescued it. New paint and some parts and was off to a happy new owner that wanted to finish the build himself.
11-08-09 | 11:59 AM
#372
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Joined: Oct 2008
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I just recently picked this bike up for $40, although I've replaced lots of bits that were broken. It has Shimano Light Action aero downtube levers and shifty bits. The shift cables are routed over the bottom bracket. The serial markings are, as far as I can make out,
G0286
6121723
I'd love to know more about the frame. I've yet to find a picture of a 1986 Nishiki with aero levers like mine.
G0286
6121723
I'd love to know more about the frame. I've yet to find a picture of a 1986 Nishiki with aero levers like mine.
11-11-09 | 06:27 PM
#374
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Joined: Nov 2009
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Hi - I got an old Nishiki frame from a friend with no stickers left on, it's an old gray Olympic with the serial number KS243411. I was wondering whether one knew if the frame was hi-ten or chromoly steel, simply for curiosity's sake - thanks