Here are some pictures of the Nishiki Olympic 12 mentioned in my earlier posts.

I am no Alan Turing and have never tried my hand at deciphering codes before, but I wanted to give this a whirl and get some reactions.

I have found two Nishiki Olympic 12s on this thread with serial numbers in the format -- S1 xYxx, where x = a number, and Y = a Letter. Based on the information I have read on BikeForums, here is my guess as to what these serial numbers mean:

The "S1" designates a subcontract builder of frames. Perhaps 1981 was a bumper crop year in terms of demand, or the major contractor that year had their equipment tied up with other models after its initial run was completed.

The first number following the S1 is the model year: 1 = 1981. We know the bicycle had to be built after 1978, because its a 12 not 10 speed. Also, this would be consistent with other serial number patterns of Japanese bicycles. The letter following this number is the fortnight in which the bicycle was built. The three numbers after the letter indicate the number of the frame built in that fortnight. Since this builder was a subcontractor, it would seem to make sense that three digits, not more, would be used because these represented spillover demand that the primary contractor builder could not fill.

Applying this code to the two serial numbers in this format I found on this thread:

S1 1D012 = 1981 bicycle, 12th frame built in the 4th fortnight; and
S1 1E123 = 1981 bicycle, 123d frame built in the 5th fortnight.

Comments, corrections, amendments????

Nishiki Medalist.
Tange Champion #1 tubeset.
FD and RD Cyclone II, brakeset Superbe, crankset Sugino Aero Mighty.
# KC 36738.

Top

OK, so I finally got around to building my Nishiki MAXIMA!!!! 50CM. Definately english thread bottom bracket. I could find ZERO serial numbers on this thing. I went with Full Campy SR for the build with late model SHAMAL wheels. Pictures to come soon.....Just one question....What color cables and tape did these come with originally. I am debating between yellow, which I believe was original, or blue, which would give the bike a more monochromatic, sleek look. I have tubular brownwalls and brown gum hoods, so it pretty much looks very stock except for the Shamal wheelset.

hey guys i have a nishiki bike, it has an 8 digit serial number CB929955. It be awesome if you guys could help me out because i cant seem to make the year or fabrication location of the bike, i want to sell it because i need the money for some college books, i dont know if its worth anything. I will attach some pictures thanks in advanced

P.S. Pardon my grammar and spelling as english is not my first language

My Nishiki Marina 12 from Kpug has a serial number that's a little different:

Greetings. I recently obtained a Nishiki Backroads from a local thrift store. After searching the web, this forum and this thread I am still unable to identify the production year from the serial number. I have not seen any other posts with a similar serial number format. My Nishiki's serial number is GY821821. Any help would be much appreciated. Cheers.

https://flickr.com/photos/119347474@...57646365620779

Just bought a 1980 Nishiki Competition (from what I can tell) - I don't know much about bikes (yet)

Serial # KJ 18518
Shimano 600 with stem shifters
Dia-Compe Brakes
Sugino Crank
27" wheels with 36 spokes
frame appears to be 25"
Kickstand

After reading some posts in my other thread I think mine is actually a Custom Sport

The pictures are small, but it looks like a 1989 Sport model. The frame was probably manufactured in Taiwan.


Updated: After a little more research I think that the serial number probably starts with "GB9". This means that it is a Giant built frame in 1989.

A "G" at the start of the serial number is consistent with other 1989 Nishiki Sport models.

Giant built the frame in 1988. Model year 1989.

I really appreciate it. Thank you.

Nishiki Riviera SN- K10 864.... is it an 1986 model Us version?

I do not know anything about bikes but came into ownership of the bike pictured below (my uncle moved and left it to us). We were going to sell it on craigslist but didnt know what to price it at after looking at prices on google... can someone help?

I'm trying to find out some info on this Nishiki Colorado that I've inherited, but with little success. The serial number (GZ898362) leads me to believe it's Giant manufactured (that Z could be a 7 but seems inconsistent) in 89/90, which seems like about the right time for the original owner to have purchased it and the electric turquoise color and squiggly decals feel oh-so on point for 1990.

It's barely been ridden, though kept indoors and I got it fixed up a bit when I got it a few months back. I'm guessing all of the components are original, due to it's under use and the fact that all are Shimano Exage Mountain (gear shifts, brakes, Drive system, etc.) Drive system is Biopace.

Will attach pics, but if anyone can give any insight on it's manufacture date, or maybe a general idea on it's value, I'd appreciate it.

I just got this Nishiki International. The serial Number is KS169378 and date codes on the rear derailleur of OE date the bike to 1972. That seems to jive with the numbers on this thread.

It has;
Suntour stem mounted "power shifters"
Diacompe brake levers with safety levers
Daicompe center pull caliper brakes
Araya alloy 27x1" wheels
Sugino Maxy 54/48T crankset
Suntour GT rear derailleur
Suntour Compe-V front derailleur
Shimano high flange hubs
14/18/22/27/34T 5 speed freewheel
Taihei Compe 26.8 mm seatpost w/ Taihei seat
Sunrace stem
Bars say KB on one side and Champion on the other and are made in Japan

The paint is awful but the frame is in good condition as are the components. I'm probably going to respray it if I can find a good set of decals. I love the heart on the downtube!

Welcome klowdnine,

the serial number that you quote is not quite right. Is it possibly KD10 864?

The format for the serial number appears to be for a 1985 model year Riviera. The 'K' indicates the USA market. If there were a 'D' in the serial number then the frame was manufactured in 1984.

1985 is the first year for the Riviera model and the only year when serial numbers for that model started with 'K'.

Welcome CMNYC,

thanks for posting the pics and serial number.

Starting with the 1987 model year Giant changed their serial number format for all the frames they manufactured.

For your serial number:

G = Giant manufactured
Z = when in the year the frame was manufactured. Z is late in the year.
8 = 1988 the year of manufacture.

The decals on your bike are for the model year 1988.

I found this Nishiki Rally in a dumpster and I was able to clean it up and get it in great shape for no cost other than leftover cables and housings in my garage and some cleaning and truing. I'm not sure if it is old or not, the serial number doesn't conform to any on your list. It is on the bottom of the non-drive side of the seat tube and reads HY90320117. It has Custom branded cranks, Suntour stem shifters on a Sakae stem, Suntour Accushift x2000 RD (ED stamped on the back of it), and a nonspecific Suntour FD (EI stamped on the back). It has a sticker on the head tube and the words "Performance Equipe" after the Nishiki label on the down tube. Based on the codes on the components it seems like it might be around 1988ish? Any other guesses?

Not a 1988 model year because that year did not have "Performance Equipe" on the brand decal. Probably 1989 model year. I have seen one other Rally from this period with the same serial number format.

Made in Taiwan, but not by Giant.

https://plus.google.com/photos/11838...CO-6gruBl6GpfQ
Howdy
I purchased this Nishiki frame and fork for $25.
It's a GIANT built frame from 1985.
Any idea if it was a road bike? Cruiser? Hybrid? Touring?
It's got no braze ons for DT shifters; no canti-brakes bosses; only rack attachments are at the drop outs - so I'm thinking it was a low cost "10 speed".
I'm planning on turning it into a powder coat project. Maybe if the geometry allows, I'll go 650B wheels so I can ride dirt roads. The Rivendell folks say there's about a 70mm limit to the BB drop, I think, if you want to go 650B wheels safely.
I think that's it.
s/n = G0185


I might, maybe turn my MAPP/air torch on this thing to add shifter braze-ons and another set of water bottle cage bosses. Maybe.....

and another question: What is this heart shaped braze on under the down tube? A stop for a shifter bracket?

That is a stop to keep the clamp-on downtube shifter band from slipping. My Nishiki Landau without braze-ons has one. If I were you. I wouldn't add any braze-ons but restore it to how it was built. Otherwise it becomes just another generic modified Asian frame.

.... ugh. I don't think I have the patience to track down all the right bits. Especially when I have a couple of 1980s Shimano 600 groups laying in my garage.
Looking at the '87 catalog https://www.stevevance.net/nishiki/im...le_catalog.pdf this frame looks to be the "SPORT" bike.
With all the nicks, dings, and paint damage, it's difficult for me to imagine I would find someone who values the frame in a significant way any time this decade.
On the other hand, I'm pretty much jonesing to powder coat a frame, build it up with 650B wheels, and ride the snot out of it. (rivbike.com says this is a good BB drop for what I want to do: https://www.rivbike.com/kb_results.asp?ID=64) - Maybe tour with it. It seems like it'd be a good candidate for touring. Although similar to the CRESTA Nishiki was selling as a touring bike.

I'm open to other opinions, as the paint stripper probably won't hit the frame for a couple of more weeks. I've got a Raleigh I'm going to use as my first try at powder coating, probably this weekend. - and if the powder on the Raleigh stinks - maybe a whole 'nother plan will come up for the Nishiki and Peugeot.

Well, it's your frame, and not a rare, high end one, not even being double butted tubing. It's odd that it would have brazed-on cable guides, but no dowtube shifter braze-ons, but maybe that's so it could also be used with bar-end shifters. I also find it unfortunate that many bikes of that vintage only have one set of water bottle bosses.