T-Mar

Good eyes! I think there is a definite possibility of Katakura having built it, given the Silk fork. Does yours have a Silk fork?

I've come across maybe a handful of Katakura bicycles and they appear to use the format Kmyxxxxx, where m is an alpha character representing the month (or possibly fortnight) and the y is a number representing the year. The only fly in the ointment is that it was common for the Japanese to use their Imperial Calendar during the early 1970s. So something from 1972 would be Showa 47 and you'd think the first digit would be 7. Normally, I would think that Katakura would use the Imperial Calendar at this point, as their brands were not big players in the North American market. Still, it's possible they were an early adopter of the Gregorian Calendar.

The bottom line is that I don't have a high degree of confidence in the Kmyxxxx format, due to the limited samples, but I certainly wouldn't discount it. That would make both your and juls' bicycles from 1972 which is a good fit given the decals, components and component codes. How about we tentatively say they are from 1972? Do either bicycles have a "Handmade by Kawamura" decal?

BobHufford

Yes on the fork, I don't think so on the Kawamura decal (the bike is in storage).

Bob

juls

No katatura decal on mine either. There is one over on 'Old Ten Speed Gallery' same color as yours, Bob. I haven't stripped mine down yet-maybe there will be some info on the stem or fork. I'll pop back in if there is. Won't be for a while yet tho.

Artkansas 

Well, I was hoping to find out the date it was made, but it's got the S in the second digit and I already knew it was made somewhere between 1972-1975. Sigh.

But thanks T-Mar for the info. Now I know that I won't ever know. I can just ride it and enjoy it as I have since 1976.

T-Mar

Well, I have a rough idea where the KS numbers fall within 1972-1974. It looks pretty heavily modified, so component date codes probably won't be much help. If you post the serial number, I'll make an educated guess on the year but be aware that is all it will be.

Artkansas 

Yeah, after you've had a bike for 30 years, you tend to make a few changes. The rust spots are all from my sweat. I wore out the original crank in the '80s and upgraded from a cottered crank. We've been through a lot together. It's a well loved bike.

The S/N is KS97405

n_log_n

Hello everyone --

I've been a light browser of bikeforums for a year or so; just registered to post on this thread because I picked up a Nishiki International off of Craigslist this past weekend and would love to know its history.

Apologies for the not so pretty cellphone pics (and the embarrassingly messy apartment). Serial number is GE 04510. The guy I bought it from said it was from 1980, but a lot of the parts seem a bit newer than that. In particular, it's running (non-original) 700c wheels; I would have thought a 1980 bike would have had 27-inch.

What kind of steel is it? Definitely feels lighter than my previous bike (Tange 900) but a bit heavier than a new Tange Prestige I tried out at a bike shop.

Lastly, wondering if I ought to keep it. It was kind of an impulse buy, a bit too tall and somewhat sportier than I'd prefer. How would this bike hold up to light/medium touring?

Thanks everyone!






More pictures: https://s1104.photobucket.com/albums/...international/

juls

Meant to say 'kawamura'-anyway/have pulled the fork. No markings but a very faded "2" half way up the steerer. It is all chrome tho. The brakes fit very oddly (longer bolt). Makes me wonder if was an intended track fork modified, then again has eyelets. Is what it is/maybe only a 72 occurance. The stem also only revealed a size mark (22.2) and a warning to 2" min insertion. I don't think I'll find any center pulls with a long enough bolt/ the one on there is not one of those interchangeable ones. Ride on!

juls

A very nice bike/I've had some 80's bikes with 700c wheels before. Double butted anything is a good touring frame. Yet that wheelset won't climb mountains-lol. The cyclone is a great dr. N's were finished a lot nicer in the 80's than their predecesors of the 70's. Bummer it is too tall for you. Dig the dirilliumed crank. I'd clean it up and sell-using the cash to find something that fits. BTW- Welcome to the forums.

smiff

Hello everyone, forgive me if you have discussed thei already, but i have just taken possesion of a Nishiki olympic 12. Sugino cranks, dia comp brakes. Know nothing about these bikes, serial number seems to be missing. In the middle of stripping it at the moment, but any info would be appreciated, thanks

smiff

What i found under the coat of paint i started to strip off. serial number AC 00870. now totally stripped of paint aand ready to paint again. hope this helps your data base, this bike is in Australia

badmother

Hello
Looking for a tourer w long chainstays, this one is for sale locally. Anybody know anything about this one from the serial number EJ103940 and pix? Chainstays look a bit short on the pix but i am not an expert. Hoping the serialnumber can tell more than Europe 1980 (seller said maybe 78 or 79).

Has got SUN TOUR SUPERBE gearing, 12 speed. Stickers say CHAMPION NR.2 CHROME MOLYBOEN STEEL (TANGE INDUSTRIALS LTD)

derailled

Hi thanks for publishing this info.
Can you tell me if these serial frame numbers are cross related to Azuki, Kawamuros other line of bicycles of the period.If so; Can we have permission to use this info on the Azuki Bicycles Group on flickr.com?

GeraldChan

I have the same bike but in a 23 1/2" size. Mine is a 1973. I replaced all the original components with Cinelli/Campy NR. Still ride it but it is now my knock around FG conversion. It still has the original paint in good shape and no rust.

The original brakes were Dia Compe centerpulls that were incredibly mushy but the Suntour barcons shifted very well. The original tires were silks.

milrat339

I'm new to this site and before I go any further wth posting anything, I just have a quick question regarding Nishiki bikes. Did they make a "Regal" model? cause that is the name on the top bar. I have a bike with the serial # CD10872 (built in 84?, 872nd one made, if I read it right) and just wanted to know if this is a valid model or not. I got the bike second hand from a friend of a friend who used to race competatviely back in the 80's.

I appreciate your advice and if it's actually one of their bikes, I'll post the other details, etc.

thanks

dparks

Hello Nishiki lovers
Here is my contribution - my latest Craigslist purchase. Serial # GO386, Sport 12 speed, 25" steel frame, Dia-Compe brakes, Suntour SVX derailurs, Sugino VP crank, Araya alloy rims, 4130 main tube. It looks Purple I think? - have not seen this color on any of the other posted bikes. I bought if from the original owner - he said it had not been used for 20 years and cost $500 new?

Rencycle

Hello! This is my first post, found this forum while searching for vintage Nishiki information.

I've been poring over my bike, and would like some help further deciphering what year/model it may be, as it is a "KS" serial number, I'm not quite sure how to tell. All I know is that its a pre-1975 US model, maybe towards the older end of the spectrum?

Serial Number: KS136057
Dia-Compe Components: Cantilever brakes, handles w/extensions, stem, seat post
Vel-o Plastic saddle w/ black diamond pleat vinyl cover
Two speed Black/Gold Sugino Maxy crank
Pedals have an unknown logo... its a U in a shield design, cat-eye amber reflectors
Front wheel was a 27x1-1/4" Wolber Rim, Maillard hub, Sunshine quick release
Derailleurs were gone and rear wheel was a 700c Weinmann rim w/ Campognalo quick release and a single speed freewheel (clearly not original)

It's got a crappy spray can paint job, so I have no idea what model it is or how the logos looked.. I'm a novice to the bike world. Original paint showing through is a deep aqua blue with chromed fork ends and polished top. The fork has the Red/Yellow/Blue square decals, and there is a "Japan" red/chrome sticker right above the lower bearing. The bottom tube has the two hearts near where the original clamps would have been.

The color and lugs look similar to this one: https://www-hsc.usc.edu/~rpinder/BigNishiki.html

Attached is a horrible picture (iPhone is my only camera at the moment, and the bike isn't a showpiece currently)

(non-original chain, brake pads and sheaths, and wheelset. obviously)

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Look forward to hanging out a bit more here and learning about older bikes. Since this one isn't too original, I'm thinking of making it into a tasteful fixed gear conversion for fun, and buying another bike for touring. The forum should help me learn what works and what doesn't, been a bit of trial and error on this one.


Cheers

BassNotBass

Mine is pretty much identical to this (including fork color) and it's serial number is GM737762. I have no idea where or when it was originally purchased.

tdlam

https://www.flickr.com/photos/50767194@N08/4655581066/

Here's my '85 Nishiki prestiege. Serial # WE03630 - Purchased in Los Angeles, California, in 1985; a 1985 model, #3,630 for $350 back then. All the history, pics and info are in the link above.

WOW finally...FINALLY found a site/forum that talks Nishiki's!!! Thanks so much for this! As you can see by my flicker post I love my bike and ride it on average 4 times a week still (24 mile stints) after all these years. Its my bike of choice.

Thanks guys.

rivas7200

Here is my 1973 or 74 Nishiki International. This bike has been my main commuter and is very comfortable and easy to ride.



Changed to aero hoods, a 600 crankset, and a Bontrager seat.




Changed back to original crank (not sure if they are original but they came with the bike when I bought it). New seat and matching bar tape. I did a complete tear down, cleaning of all the parts, and then rebuilt it with new bearings and brake/shifter cable and housing. WOW, what an even greater joy it is to ride now. Unfortunately I am selling as I need to make space for the Trek and Schwinn Circuit I bought.

gretegruetz

Here is my Continenal from 1990

mortenfyhn

I've got an International with a serial number ED102640. Does this mean it's from 1984? Moreover, what does the E mean?

xrobert

I have a Nishiki Competition. I just found the s/n KS215562 (with a W or M a few spaces below this number.) From what I read the S doesn't signify a year. So, if someone knew how many of these were being built per year and when the S started, perhaps a close built year could be determined. Anyone have an idea what year my s/n might be? TIA

juls

The vintage Trek site gives date codes for various components-good for within a few years either way I think. Dated my crank to 72, so I'm going with that.

xrobert

Hi again juls. You gave me an idea about components. I did some checking and my derailleur the "SunTour V Luxe derailleur" was introduced in 1973. One of the components is marked "Sun Tour VGT". The Sun Tour VGT was introduced in 1972. (However, I have since learned the SunTour VGT Luxe was also introduced in 1973 and this part, with the same markings was on it.) Probably then it was made in '73 or '74 which sounds about right if memory serves. Also I just read that Sun Tour came out with the Pro Compe freewheel in '74. I believe that's what I have. Phewww!!! Thanks again.