The last alpha character is a 'C', which means it was manufactured in 1983. This is also consistent with SunTour AR, which was produced circa 1982-1986.

Thanks, T-Mar for the info. One thing is confusing me a little, though. The W present in the pic. In your initial post, you list the W as indicating a USA made from 1985-87, yet the C seems to indicate a 1983. What do you make of this.

I can't identify the lead alpha character in the serial number. It's hidden by the cable and guide. If you're referring to the 'W' stamped below the serial number it's actually a stylized 'CWC', with the lead 'C' being backwards. It's the logo for West Coast Cycle (Supply Company), the American bicycle importer who owned the Nishiki brand.

Thanks, interesting logo. I looked again at the stamping. Actually, underneath the cable guide is what looks like a small part of the angled upper fork of a K, which would fit with the 1982-85 category and the C year. Why they would stamp it in a place that would be eventually covered up with a welded piece of metal, who knows. Probably a matter of practicality in the stamping process, I'd guess.

1983 Nishiki Custom Sport I'm impressed
 

Wow, this bike is impressive, what a classic early 80s Japanese road bike! This one appears to be all original, except for pedals and tires. Bike is in great shape, as are decals and paint, a metallic pewter color, bright as new. I'll post pics after it's cleaned up a bit. Thanks T-Mar for the help.

Checking back in with the SN. Picked up yesterday with a great assist from Robbietunes.

1980-81 Gran Tour 15. Be back later, today's my Anniversary

Some pics:

Here is the Gran Tour 15 pics, as picked up

1980 Gran Sport 15 component list

DB Cromoly frame, Tange fork seat tube 54cm c-t, top tube 55cm c-c
Front drop out ( Tange TL ) rear drop out ( Suntour SD ) markings

Ariake jaguar II njs leather saddle
Sugino sp-h 26.6 seat post
Unknown non-adjusting rack " made in Japan "
Suntour cyclone RD, FD, shifter date code vd
Dia-Compe 300 G center pulls and levers
Front wheel sunshine gyromaster hub date 80. Rear hub no name
5 speed Suntour pro Compe FW 14-32 date code VG
Suntour spoke guard
Winpista bar
SR forged ax-90 stem
Tange Falcon headset
Cat eye bar plugs model 300 brown rubber
Avocet triple 28-42-46 compact crankset, Ofmega made
Avocet BB
Kyokuto pro Vic-II pedals
No name chain

Hello

I have a Nishiki Sport in blue. I rescued it from rusting away in the basement of my apartment building. It was missing the brakes, pedals, and saddle, so I don't have any specs on them.

The serial number on the outside of the right rear dropout is 355143.
Both derailers say "Maeda Industries, Ltd. 4532 Japan." They are branded "Sun Tour Honor."

Can anyone tell me when this bike was made and maybe where? Without any letters in the serial number I can't tell what it means.

Thanks!

Need Info on Nishiki headset bearing replacement
 

Hi All,
Found this forum a short time ago and it looks like one of the few places that has any knowledge and background on my 1982/83 Nishiki International, s/n KB 08556.

Originally purchased new. I've put quite a few miles on it over the years and have made a few upgrades as things wore out. A few weeks ago I found the headset started to "lock-in" place, indicating that headset bearings have finally worn out. We have a couple of bike repair shops in our area, but they are all run by "kids" who might know something about newer model bikes, but have very limited knowledge about anything older than 10-15 years. Since I have no space or specialized tools, I've taken my bike in for some things that I can't do. They've done some limited (and basic) work on my Nishiki -the results have been weak. So I'm trying to locate, figure out, etc anything I can do to help them with the needed repairs for my worn out headset. Any help would be appreciated.


Thanks
SMK

See attached basic photos - I have others, but your file limits are small.

I would give them three options to consider and find out which is the case.
1 the headset grease is old, rock hard or gone. Have them clean, regrease and see if they can adjust with no indexing.
2 headset has become adjusted to tight and needs to be loosened a bit.
3 grease is fine, adjustment is good but it is just worn out. Replace the caged bearings with loose balls and readjust, see if it gets better. Or, total replacement is what is needed for the unit.

Nice bike! I would lose the kickstand though...

Thanks for the info. It's a good start. What worries me is two things (assuming the worst case); 1) I have no idea if they know how to even take the headset apart to replace the whole unit; and 2) is the whole unit a "standard" size and if so, who/what/where would it be available.

For old guys like me, a kickstand is a must. I rode for years w/o one and it was always a PITA to find someplace to lean it, brace it, balance it. :-)

smkpool, most shops have HS pullers. If they don't, walk out. Next, the HS you have should definitely be standard. It will either have 30.0 or 30.2 cups and a 26.4 or 27.0 race. Have the shop put a digital micrometer on it when they pull it.

With luck, someone will chime in with first hand knowledge of what your model has.

Kickstand mention was just so the chainstay don't get crimped. All good if you use it!

Nishiki Professional 1973
 

This bike was new to me I believe in 1973. It has had several component changes over the years.

Serial# KD22487 ( I guess this indicates 1974 or April of 1972 )
sugino mighty compe code 47-5
freewheel sun tour pro compe 8.8.8 code: NC. I am currently using a 14-24.
silk decals on fork. Original paint with lots of chips and dings.
The original center pulls are dia-compe 610, I could not find a date code. The levers show 0780.



The original sunshine / arya wheels are long gone. The brakes, hubs are campy record.

Welcome to the forums. During this period most Professionals were built by Katakura, who had a similar S/N format to Kawamura. It can be confusing if you don't know the general era but this one is defintitely boom era and April 1972 Katakura manufacture. It should say Katakura on the fork decal.

Thanks again. I appreciate the numbers/size. I'll pass it along to the shop and hope for the best.

Nishiki Prestige
 

Serial# WE17 580 = 17,580th frame produced in 1985 for the US market?
Headset Campagnolo
Friction shifters Campagnolo
Rear Derailleur Campagnolo, no marks except on bolt head and pulley wheels
Front Der. ?? not marked
Tange 2 Cromo double butted sticker on seat tube near top
Sticker on seat tube above bottom bracket "Japan"
Brakes
Rear Dia Comp code 1285B
Front Dia Comp code 1085B
Decal on lower left stay "Handcrafted by Kawamura"
Decal on downtube above bottom bracket "Race/Sport Frame Geometery"
Sugino crankset, 175mm arms
Handlebars "Winpipta"
Stem aftermarket
Seatpost aftermarket
Saddle aftermarket
Rims Arraya 700c

Just bought it off Craigslist. The bike needs cleaning and new tires, but otherwise OK. Been in storage for many years.

One thing I can't figure is the Campy shifters/headset/derailleur. Were those options/standard, or has someone upgraded later? Will get pics when I can.

Edits
 

Should read, "Handlebars "Winpista"
Frame size BB to center top tube 22.5" (57 cm). top tube 23" (58cm).
Visited Bike Project recycled parts store today, and bike is now shod w new tread. Runs great - smoooooth. Total weight w 700cx28mm tires is 25 lbs 9 oz.

Future possibilities include changing rear hub to cassette 9 speed, 2x9 crankset, Shimano 105 brakes, better levers (brifters?). NOT making one of those fixies: the abominable sin that requires roasting the owner in hell, real close to the vintage furnace! Flame off (Oooo, I made a pun)

To the best of knowledge there was no Campagnolo equipped Nishiki model in 1985. While the frame was manufactured in 1985, based on the brake codes, it may be a 1986 model. Can you post some pics? Due to your lost post count,you may have to use a hosting site and provide a link.

One of these passed through my hands. Always have had sellers remorse over it. :( Candy green/silk fork...what was I thinking!!!!! Enjoy.

Pics of Nishiki Prestige
 

Pic in Flikr link, quality not great, have not had time to pretty it up. Since I am not allowed to post links, try this after removing spaces:
h t t ps:// w ww. fl ickr . com/ photos / 96991004@N02/ albums/ 72157686791285436

Took pic of Campy rear derailleur - first time I've owned Campy mech, and if anyone can identify model for me, great! No numbers on it, only Campy bolt head and 'Made in Italy' on back.
Don't really worry about keeping bike original (but not going to alter frame/fork/paint), as it is obviously altered already. I want a nice riding steel bike, but love more gears as I live in hilly terrain and am a tad older (66, although on a recent bikepacking race w 60 lb mountain bike+equipment, I did 15,800 climbing feet in 107 miles one day on dirt/gravel roads. Previous day was easy, only 9,000 feet 111 miles :) ). Where was I? Oh yes, so will change out rear gear to cassette, 9 speed? and replace brakes, shifter/brake levers.

Thanks for replies!

What you have is 1986 Nishiki Prestige. The rear derailleur is circa 1988-1991. It looks like Athena but could also be Xenon stripped of it's painted finish, which might be why the Campagnolo logo is missing from the parallelogram. The front derailleur is the OEM SunTour Cyclone.

Going to a 9 speed would require cold setting the rear triangle to 130mm. This is not a big deal. However, I'm not sure if you just want more gears but also wider gears. If it's the latter, another alternative would be a triple crankset.

Yep, I researched and thought Athena too. I want wider gear range so thought to go cassette. I really don't like triples, having recently switched Mtn bike from 3 to 2x front. Probably get 46/36 rings for current crank, then new hub/wheel - rode hill yesterday that was 15 % (Mtn bike on road), so cassette 11-34 or so. No problem cold setting, did it on another cheap frame so aware of technique and getting drops parallel.

Rode bike more yesterday. The more I ride it the better it feels. It's a 58 cm frame and I'm 5'9+, and seems to fit peachy. Thanks for the considerate replies. Will post better pics when I get ride completed.

That's the yearcode for 1972, 5th month.
What a nice bike!