T-Mar

Welcome to the forums. Thxs for the contribution.

BikeFeen75

T-mar, I checked and the only serials are on the left dropout. By any chance would you happen to know what bike companies stamp their serial on left dropouts and in 7 number sequence??

T-Mar

It's almost certainly a Giant manufactured Nishiki. They just forgot to stamp the date info on the other dropout.

BikeFeen75

Wow you know i could barely see it, But it was there G0184. Thanks

T-Mar

Which means it's probably one of the Sport variants or a Century.

BikeFeen75

I,ve got also a comp 2 in red which i'm going to try to post pic, and also get the serial off of. But thanks a bunch T-mar it had me puzzeled for a minute...lol I just i had it powdered and hoping to finish building it..

bossohboss

Hey T-Mar,
could you give me your opinion on my Nishiki. I posted about it in the summer but I didnt get any replies here, then I put up a separate thread and thanks very much to wrk 101, curbtender, roccobike, bianchigirll and iverhagen for giving their opinions but I was wondering if I could get your opinion.
I got it a few years ago and it had already been extensively changed to 700c but I had to chance it even more.
The serial number is KS171108 so it appears that it is pre 1975. The thing is it has cantilever brakes and none of the pictures Ive seen of Nishikis like the competition from 1973 have that style of cantilever brake (incidentially I had to remove the rear cantilever brake frame mount as to accommodate a 700c wheel, the brake pads weren't in the right place at all so I put on a side pull brake).
https://i968.photobucket.com/albums/a...e/100_2054.jpg
https://www.flickr.com/photos/49973854@N05/4963795324/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/49973854@N05/4963794174/
thanks a million. wrk101 thought it was a modified competition is that it?
thanks

rbman

Would anyone have an idea where I can get Decals for a Nishiki Resto/Mod project? Mainly looking for the downtube NISHIKI in block letters, and the headtube decal.
I've tried VeloCals, but have received no response, even after placing an order; I'm not sure they are still around? Cyclomondo doesn't have Nishiki in his library, but I may see if he can make them.
Any input would be helpful.

T-Mar

The serial number indicates circa 1972/1973. The frame has been highly modified. The cantilever studs, bottle bosses and downtube cable stops are additions. I can see why wrk101 is thinking Competition. Are there cable stops on the right, lower side of the top tube? Does the rear droput have an integral derialleur hanger, or does it require a claw adapter on the derailleur?

mjsais

This is my 1981 Nishiki Cresta. I bought the frame in college in 1982 and its componets are mostly Shimano 600 ax and Galli Brakes. The only major changes since 1982 have been a new saddle and clincher tires (i had sewups until last year). My serial number is KA 16670. Feel free to tell me what you think of it, it is still my primary road bike.

T-Mar

That's a very strange set-up for a touring bicycle: Galli brakeset, SunTour front derailleur, Dura-Ace rear derailleur, 600AX crankset and pedals. Obviously you bought it used. Probably built up from a frameset, as even the headset appears to be Shimano.

mjsais

In 1982 I bought the frame new. The componets some I bought new and others I got swapping stuff with other riders in college (Indiana University). At the time my thoughts were to use it for both touring and racing (I couldn't affort two bikes) and it worked for me. The frame geometry is very classical, similar to 1960's - 70's italian bikes. Today, I still use it as my bike for group riding. Many time I have thought about buying a modern bike, but I have alot of sentimental attachement to this bike.

mjsais

T-Mar,

Strange in what way? Do you like it? Remember that in 1982, those componets were pretty close to top of the line. Also, my freewheel is a winner pro ultra 6 14-21 (I also have a 14-24 that i use in hilly rides).

wrk101

Some were, and some weren't. Looks like a Suntour 7 FD, which was low end Suntour. Usually a manufacturer would stick with a common brand and grade for all components, and as a minimum, the derailleurs and levers would match. Unusual to see a Shimano RD with Suntour levers. In the old friction days, mix and match functionally worked just fine.

I mix and match myself on keeper bikes. Anything with a modern drivetrain I will keep to one brand on derailleurs and levers so the parts play well together.

T-Mar

Well it's strange in several ways. First, it's not the usual Dia-Compe/SunTour/Sugino mix typical of Nishiki during this period. This is what prompted my "built from a frameset" comment. Obviously, I was right about that. Second, if anything was orignal, you'd expect it to be the headset. In this case it's the shifters and possibly the front derailleur. Finally, the Cresta was a touring bicycle, albeit not a high end grand touring model. The majority of the selected components are more racing oriented, specifically the AX and Dura-Ace components. The gearing is also on the narrow side. These components are atypical for a frame with that amount of fork rake and that long a wheelbase and chainstays. Having a cage on the bosses under the down tube only draws one's attention to the fact that it is a touring frame. However, as I often say, it's the owners prerogative to outfit the bicycle as best suits his needs. As long as you were happy with it, that's all that really counts.

mjsais

T-Mar
Your right about the cage. I had never used it until last year, and I removed it shortly after taking those pics. What I can't beleive is that the bike didn't get any love for its looks and condition (given that its 28 yrs old). Feel like my bubble just got deflated, thats what happens when you get emotionaly attached to items of your youth.

T-Mar

Sorry, perhaps I get numbed by looking at so many bicycles. I get a lot of inquiries, especially on Japanese models, with Nishiki being being very high on the list. Frankly, given the age, the overall condition is probably about average. What does excite me, is knowing that you're still riding it after 28 years. While it's nice to see a NOS or E+, 30 year old bicycle, it also tells me the bicycle hasn't been ridden and enjoyed as intended, which makes me sad.

typhhon

Nishiki Olympic. Serial number is GM740786 and another code below it shows HA12. I'm guessing mid-eighties on a date. Other than a few nicks in the paint, scuff on the seat corner and a third of the decal on the headtube missing it almost looks like new.

dtoman

Hi T-Mar,

Just wanted to find out the history of my bike. It is a Nishiki Custom Sport, handcrafted by Kawamara. Bottom bracket has KC13267 with W below it. On the seat tube I have champion No.5, chrome molyboen steel. Stainless P.G. tubes, Tange Industries LTD. The bike is black with handpainted lettering and trim paint around the lugs.
Thanks for any info.
dtoman

T-Mar

My only concrete point of reference is the 1987 Olympic 12. While the frame has many similar features, notably the cable tunnels under the top tube, the 1987 had fade paint. Typically, panelized paint schemes preceded fade paint schemes, but your bicycle also has a Unicrown fork, while the 1987 used a standard crown. The unicrown fork puts it's later. Based on the serial number, logo and unicrown fork, it appears to be a 1988 model manufactured by Giant in late 1987.

T-Mar

Based on the limited information, all I can say is that it a 1983 or 1984, entry level model.

3alarmer 

My impression is that there were a lot
of these sold locally. They turn up all
the time around town.

Nishiki International (1973?)
Serial #KS256197

Nishiki Riviera (1984)
Serial #KD 10 569


Mike Larmer

wrk101

I've had five 1973 Internationals, and yours looks just like them. A couple of mine are posted earlier in this thread.

When I was a senior in high school (1973), my dream was to have a Nishiki International. At the time I had a POS Schwinn Continental. But I could not afford one, so I never bought it. Go figure, I have found five in the last year, four were my size.

My last one, I changed out the stem shifters, installed aerolevers, everything else is stock. It also has the original pedals, which aren't installed on these pics.

Ignatz851

I bought this framset back around 1976 thinking it was a Nishiki Profesional.
The serial # is E22950 and does not come up with the above charts. I repainted it years ago and put the Colnago decals on. I also had Campy low flange hubs built up with road rims for fixed gear training. I just ran across a craigslist ad with a 1974 Nishiki Pro with my same style fork crown. I didn't see any other bikes with serial #'s that started with E. Does my framset look like a Nishiki Pro?

OLDYELLR

No. But it doesn't look like a Colnago either, but I guess, unlike Nishiki, those decals are a dime a dozen.