Nishiki Serial Number Database
03-08-19, 05:50 AM
#2052
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A 1" post is indicative of a hi-tensile steel. As such it should be a Custom Sport, as you originally suggested. Circa 1981, the Custom Sport was the only hi-tensile model with chrome on the lower fork blades.
03-08-19, 06:06 AM
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Thanks for the help! I’ve found the 1981 Nishiki Catalog online and don’t see this color as an option for the Custom Sport. Though it does look similar to the second color option for the Royale (bike not pictured, just a little swath) so it’s hard to say. I do see a sticker under the seat post that says high tensile tubing.
03-08-19, 07:34 AM
#2054
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Thanks for the help! I’ve found the 1981 Nishiki Catalog online and don’t see this color as an option for the Custom Sport. Though it does look similar to the second color option for the Royale (bike not pictured, just a little swath) so it’s hard to say. I do see a sticker under the seat post that says high tensile tubing.
Regarding the colour, specifications sometimes change after the catalogue is issued. Or it could be a non-USA model, as foreign models often exhibit variation from their USA counterparts. It could even be a simple painting error. Initially, I had thought the catalogue might be for the 1982 model year, as it indcates a 1981 copyright date and the new model year catalogues are typically issued late in the preceding calendar year. However, it doesn't mention any of the SunTour derailleurs that were new for the 1982 model year, so it does appear to be a 1981 catalog.
Regardless, it a circa 1981, entry level model and almost certainly a Custom Sport. Enjoy your new acquisition.
03-08-19, 08:49 AM
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Medalist
Medalist, serial number KC36581.
Frame: Champion #1 , Range Industries, Kawamura decal.
61cm, C-C, top tube 57cm C-C (my measurements)
Frame: Champion #1 , Range Industries, Kawamura decal.
61cm, C-C, top tube 57cm C-C (my measurements)
03-08-19, 09:02 AM
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Medalist
Oops. That should be " Tange" frame material. (That, and remember to correct the autocorrect.😡
03-19-19, 02:21 PM
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I purchased this new in 1978,. Been in storage for years. Had my local shop in Phoenix (Landis) do a major tuneup. Rides like a dream!
03-25-19, 08:10 PM
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Hello,
I’ve browsed this forum a few times but haven’t seen any serial numbers that fit the format of mine.
S1 1A133
Picked it up a few weeks ago from a bike store in Nashville. It’s been converted to single speed and has some other aftermarket parts. The model decal has been rubbed off but after some research my guess is that it’s a Custom Sport. It has the older eagle emblem on front tube. Trying to figure out how old this thing is. Any help is appreciated!
I’ve browsed this forum a few times but haven’t seen any serial numbers that fit the format of mine.
S1 1A133
Picked it up a few weeks ago from a bike store in Nashville. It’s been converted to single speed and has some other aftermarket parts. The model decal has been rubbed off but after some research my guess is that it’s a Custom Sport. It has the older eagle emblem on front tube. Trying to figure out how old this thing is. Any help is appreciated!
Last edited by Hummer; 03-26-19 at 07:41 PM. Reason: fix quote
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03-27-19, 08:23 AM
#2065
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Welcome to the forums. Your frameset is a 1984 Nishiki Master. The stamping on the bottom bracket is actually a Danish bicycle identification number indicating that the bicycle was manufactured for Taarnby a/s in 1984. The year is corroborated by the February 1984 manufacturing date code on the Tange steering column. I'm not sure if Taarnby's market was restricted to Denmark or included wider regions, such as Scandanavia or other European countries
The "10 speed" on the top tube indicates an entry level model, as mid-range and higher models would have been 12 speed by the mid-1980s. Entry level status is further substantiated by the Tange Hi-Tensile decal of the fork blades.There is a possibility that the main tubes may be a slightly higher grade. This is best established by determining what diameter of seat post properly fits the frame.
The "10 speed" on the top tube indicates an entry level model, as mid-range and higher models would have been 12 speed by the mid-1980s. Entry level status is further substantiated by the Tange Hi-Tensile decal of the fork blades.There is a possibility that the main tubes may be a slightly higher grade. This is best established by determining what diameter of seat post properly fits the frame.
03-27-19, 08:52 AM
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Based on the serial number, the frame was manufactured by Kawamura in 1977, for the USA market. While it could be a 1978 model manufactured in late 1977, I don't believe that to be the case. It is a good match for the 1978 model but for four exceptions. I'm assuming that two of those, the Avocet saddle and brake hoods, are aftermarket replacements. However, for 1978 the model name was abbreviated to "Comp". More importantly, the 1978 model was spec'd with a 700C wheelset, while the presence of Schraeder valves on the subject bicycle would seem to indicate 27" wheels and a 1977 model.
Passed inspection. Carry on, soldier!
Seriously, nice clean-up. There's only some minor chips and very light rust. Enjoy your new acquisition and thank-you for posting.
Passed inspection. Carry on, soldier!
Seriously, nice clean-up. There's only some minor chips and very light rust. Enjoy your new acquisition and thank-you for posting.
03-27-19, 09:49 AM
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Based on the serial number, the frame was manufactured by Kawamura in 1977, for the USA market. While it could be a 1978 model manufactured in late 1977, I don't believe that to be the case. It is a good match for the 1978 model but for four exceptions. I'm assuming that two of those, the Avocet saddle and brake hoods, are aftermarket replacements. However, for 1978 the model name was abbreviated to "Comp". More importantly, the 1978 model was spec'd with a 700C wheelset, while the presence of Schraeder valves on the subject bicycle would seem to indicate 27" wheels and a 1977 model.
Passed inspection. Carry on, soldier!
Seriously, nice clean-up. There's only some minor chips and very light rust. Enjoy your new acquisition and thank-you for posting.
Passed inspection. Carry on, soldier!
Seriously, nice clean-up. There's only some minor chips and very light rust. Enjoy your new acquisition and thank-you for posting.
I did see a few gold lower level Nishiki pictures and found, what is advertised as a competition, a gold '77. That one had 27" Araya rims that the same style as my 700. That bike had centerpull brakes.
It rides great!
And by chance do you know what the msrp was?
03-27-19, 10:45 AM
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I do think it is a '77 but the wheels, Araya on Shimano hubs 5 speed, are 700. The rear rim appears to drilled to Shrader, the front is Presta. I've looked at the Diacomp G brakes, they do not appear to ever been repositioned for different wheels. The brake hoods are supple the levers are Diacomp. The saddle made me think it was '80s is beat up, do you recall what saddle came with? With the rims being metric it makes me wonder if it is a '78, but I could not find a picture of a gold '78, the ones I found were black.
I did see a few gold lower level Nishiki pictures and found, what is advertised as a competition, a gold '77. That one had 27" Araya rims that the same style as my 700. That bike had centerpull brakes.
It rides great!
And by chance do you know what the msrp was?
I did see a few gold lower level Nishiki pictures and found, what is advertised as a competition, a gold '77. That one had 27" Araya rims that the same style as my 700. That bike had centerpull brakes.
It rides great!
And by chance do you know what the msrp was?
Champagne was a colour option in 1978, along with red and black.
Spec wheels in 1978 used Sanshin hubs laced to Araya 20A rims. I couldn't identify the hubs from your pictures but thought the transition to the sidewall looked too square to be a 20A. It reminded me more of a U-section, single wall, 16A.
Spec saddle in 1978 was Elina, padded suede.
Sorry, in this case I don't have the MSRP but my educated guess would be $300-$350 US, depending on the year. I can tell you that it was the 2nd from the top bicycle in 1978. I qualify that by saying bicycle, as there was also a higher grade frameset that was catalogued.
I'm still leaning towards a 1977 model based on the full "Competition" model name. The 1978 literature clearly used the abbreviated "Comp". I can't recall if I've seen an actual "Comp" but I know we've had a few of the slightly later "Comp II". If you want to increase your confidence one way or the other, you can always purse the component date code route. If you do, please post your findings. TIA.
Last edited by T-Mar; 03-27-19 at 10:51 AM.
03-28-19, 05:03 AM
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Nishikimaster
Welcome to the forums. Your frameset is a 1984 Nishiki Master. The stamping on the bottom bracket is actually a Danish bicycle identification number indicating that the bicycle was manufactured for Taarnby a/s in 1984. The year is corroborated by the February 1984 manufacturing date code on the Tange steering column. I'm not sure if Taarnby's market was restricted to Denmark or included wider regions, such as Scandanavia or other European countries
The "10 speed" on the top tube indicates an entry level model, as mid-range and higher models would have been 12 speed by the mid-1980s. Entry level status is further substantiated by the Tange Hi-Tensile decal of the fork blades.There is a possibility that the main tubes may be a slightly higher grade. This is best established by determining what diameter of seat post properly fits the frame.
The "10 speed" on the top tube indicates an entry level model, as mid-range and higher models would have been 12 speed by the mid-1980s. Entry level status is further substantiated by the Tange Hi-Tensile decal of the fork blades.There is a possibility that the main tubes may be a slightly higher grade. This is best established by determining what diameter of seat post properly fits the frame.
03-28-19, 06:39 AM
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Last edited by T-Mar; 03-28-19 at 06:43 AM.
03-28-19, 07:42 AM
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Iam very convinced by the quick response and that you took the time to search. Your answer is perfect and answers exactly my question, thank you very much. The size of the seat post is 26.4 mm.
04-22-19, 11:20 AM
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I just picked up a Nishiki today, but I can't seem to fit the serial number to any of the formats listed in the original post. Does anybody have any ideas? WBT01718V
I can upload pictures to another site if it's helpful, as my post limit here is too low to attach them.
I can upload pictures to another site if it's helpful, as my post limit here is too low to attach them.
04-22-19, 12:31 PM
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I recently picked up a Nishiki Colorado off the local CL. I believe it's a 1989 model based off of Shimano component codes. However the serial number located under the down tube towards the BB is odd. The second to last number looks to be a degree symbol. It could be an 8 that's worn away but it doesn't look as such and it sits higher than the other numbers. So the serial number looks like this:
W890930°0
W890930°0
04-22-19, 03:22 PM
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That looks more like the Danish VIN system than a serial number. If so, it indicates a model imported by Taarnby a/s during 1961, 1982 or 2003. Taarnby is a known Nishiki distributor but 1961 pre-dates the brand.
04-22-19, 03:32 PM
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I recently picked up a Nishiki Colorado off the local CL. I believe it's a 1989 model based off of Shimano component codes. However the serial number located under the down tube towards the BB is odd. The second to last number looks to be a degree symbol. It could be an 8 that's worn away but it doesn't look as such and it sits higher than the other numbers. So the serial number looks like this:
W890930°0
W890930°0