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Happiest guy with a Nishiki Sport

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Happiest guy with a Nishiki Sport

Old 04-16-08, 02:14 PM
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Happiest guy with a Nishiki Sport *Now with pics*

I know they aren't anywhere near the top of the line, but I had to. There I was, for my weekly local thrift shop excursion, fighting my way. Dodging piles of Wal-mart junk bikes and Schwinns that only a saint would have patience to refurbish. Alast, back in the corner, I noticed a bike of a familiar burgundy. Through soccer mom and retiree I made my way to it. Heavily dust laden with its share of scratches I find it to be a Nishiki Sport and just as importantly a perfect fit. Slowly and not to eager I make small talk with another man eyeing my would be prize. We take turns lifting and wiping, searching for answers to the undying question..... Do I really need it? Eyeing the man up and down, I point out that being of his height that it may be a bit short, as he can see with my 5'10" frame now straddling the cross bar. He agrees and as he walks away he says,"Its too bad, I really like the vintage steel". In reply I shoot him a smile and a grateful,"thanks", knowing he passed so I could have it. So $30 + tax later I am riding it 7 blocks back to my house, grinning ear to ear. Knowing full well I was gonna have to walk my happy butt back to get my car. Actually I rode my Tassajara back and broke it down and through it in my trunk.

This brings me to where I am now. In love with a $30 bike that weighs roughly as much as my car. From what I can cypher, it is Giant built in March of '83. Suntour honor RD Suntour Spirt FD. The thing I don't get is why they added so much heavy stuff to these bikes. It is my understanding the FEMCO frame is heavy to begin with, then they add FEMCO wheels and steel chromed handlebars and seat post. The only aluminum I found on this thing is the SR stem. My favorite part is I actually like the saddle. It is a spring loaded job made by Mesinger. My other favorite is that my short arms don't have to reach way down for down tube shifters. I am thinking of trying to lighten it up a bit though. Maybe a lighter seatpost and bars. Maybe even wheels, but that would be further down the road because I am don't know much about finding a new rear wheel that fits with the gearing I need. So for now I ride.

-Joseph

Last edited by -Joseph; 04-16-08 at 06:54 PM. Reason: Added pics
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Old 04-16-08, 03:42 PM
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At $30 dollars, that sounds awesome. Do you have any pictures?
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Old 04-16-08, 05:05 PM
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Not yet, maybe tonite.

-Joseph
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Old 04-16-08, 05:37 PM
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It sounds as if you are happy with your acquisition, and that is what is most important, eh?

But, yes, photos would be nice when you have time!

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Old 04-16-08, 06:53 PM
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and with out further ado....





I took it for a short ride a little while ago and when I came back I can see the tires are starting to shred. Looks like I get to go shopping tomorrow.

-Joseph
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Old 04-16-08, 07:24 PM
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Kind of looks like my $10 Nishiki.
The seat is not the one that came with the bike.
Here is a pic of mine with the factory seat. This is how it looked when I dragged it home.
If you need any bits let me know, this one has already been partially disassembled.
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Old 04-16-08, 07:55 PM
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Nice find for $10, looks like the Daddy to my bike. Unfortunately, all the bits I am needing/wanting are gonna be non stock items, like bars, wheels and seatpost.On a side note, this is the first bike I have ever seen with parking brakes, is these feature common?-Joseph
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Old 04-16-08, 08:06 PM
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I've had two of that vintage, see below. Take heart, the Sport is not thee entry level Nishiki, there were one or two lower models. Congrats on finding that bike at a good price. Your right about the weight, but the good news is there is one change you can make that's not expensive, will lower the weight, improve braking and significantly improve the ride, alloy rims. There are plenty of inexpensive bikes sold at yard sales that have 27" rims that would work. The alloy brakes better, they will reduce the overall weight and, just as important, reduce the weight thats rotating. In addition, most alloy rims have a buldge bead rim or if you're really lucky, they'll have hooked bead rims. Either way you can purchase tires with a higher PSI rating and use all of it. I usually run 100PSI on alloy rims with a buldge in the bead vs only 80 PSI with steel rims. It will make a significant improvement.
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Old 04-16-08, 08:24 PM
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Originally Posted by -Joseph
On a side note, this is the first bike I have ever seen with parking brakes, is these feature common?
What do you mean by parking brakes?
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Old 04-16-08, 09:17 PM
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There are little latches on the vertical brake levers that you can move side ways when the horizontal lever is pulled to keep pressure on the brakes. I will take a pic tomorrow if needed.-Joseph
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Old 04-16-08, 09:19 PM
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Originally Posted by roccobike
I've had two of that vintage, see below. Take heart, the Sport is not thee entry level Nishiki, there were one or two lower models. Congrats on finding that bike at a good price. Your right about the weight, but the good news is there is one change you can make that's not expensive, will lower the weight, improve braking and significantly improve the ride, alloy rims. There are plenty of inexpensive bikes sold at yard sales that have 27" rims that would work. The alloy brakes better, they will reduce the overall weight and, just as important, reduce the weight thats rotating. In addition, most alloy rims have a buldge bead rim or if you're really lucky, they'll have hooked bead rims. Either way you can purchase tires with a higher PSI rating and use all of it. I usually run 100PSI on alloy rims with a buldge in the bead vs only 80 PSI with steel rims. It will make a significant improvement.
I am going back to the thrift shop tomorrow to see if they have anything I can use, as far as the wheels are concerned.

-Joseph
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Old 04-17-08, 06:24 AM
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Originally Posted by -Joseph
There are little latches on the vertical brake levers that you can move side ways when the horizontal lever is pulled to keep pressure on the brakes. I will take a pic tomorrow if needed.-Joseph
Joseph, those latches are ment to be flipped open or closed.
They allow the brake to release enough so you can take the wheels off without backing off the brakes.
My Nishiki also has them.
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Old 04-17-08, 06:39 AM
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Ok, I love a good Nishiki fan thread..My Century and your Sport are pretty close in age. I've changed a few things on mine to lighten it up and to help with long distance riding. I left the Spirt FD on because I like the reverse action. Glad to see another happy Nishiki owner out there. You'll have fun working on it.
I've actually changed the crank(went to a triple) and seat since this picture..This was my first project bike and it helped me discover a new addiction..

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Old 04-17-08, 12:26 PM
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Change the wheels to alloy before messing with the bars and seat. The wheels can save 4 pounds. You won't hardly notice the seatpost or handlebar weight in comparison. Been there, done that!
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Old 04-17-08, 01:21 PM
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Hey this thread couldnt have started at a better time!! Im biking up my Nishiki tonight! $40 find on Kijiji.ca!!! I'll post pics tomorrow, if I can. I think it needs some work tho. We shall see.

~ Splash
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Old 04-18-08, 08:13 AM
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Hey hey. As promised, I picked the bike up tonight. I'm fairly certain its a lower level Nishiki than everything else here, but twas $40! Anyways, it does need some work. Rims show superficial rust, there was no bar tape (fixed already), desperately needs a new saddle (this one is torn up, and soaked through courtesy of recent rains). Brakes a good. Joseph I am in total agreement with you. I think my car MAY weigh less than my new bike. Anyhow, heres the pics!!
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Old 04-18-08, 12:23 PM
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Originally Posted by Splashdown
Hey hey. As promised, I picked the bike up tonight. I'm fairly certain its a lower level Nishiki than everything else here, but twas $40! Anyways, it does need some work. Rims show superficial rust, there was no bar tape (fixed already), desperately needs a new saddle (this one is torn up, and soaked through courtesy of recent rains). Brakes a good. Joseph I am in total agreement with you. I think my car MAY weigh less than my new bike. Anyhow, heres the pics!!
Does it have a model name? I can't tell from the photos...But for $40, it's got to be be a deal, eh?

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Old 04-18-08, 12:38 PM
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Is it a Rally?
I don't know why I am drawn to Nishiki threads.......
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Old 04-18-08, 12:56 PM
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Bought this 83 Sport in Nov 2007 for $15. frame by Giant, 34 lbs.
Add two $10 tires. rode it 1400 miles this year.
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Old 04-18-08, 02:37 PM
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Sorry for the small size. I tried to host them off of a thrid party site, so theyd be bigger, but I failed.

Thes model is a Rally. Suntour parts throughout.

Hope this helps.

~ Splash
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Old 04-20-08, 05:47 PM
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That 1983 looks an awful lot like mine, 10 Wheels!!!
Now I know this is a dumb question, but is there any way to find out the year of my Nishiki Rally? Ive seen some threads where people can ID a Raleigh, or a Peugeot.

Thanks!

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Old 04-20-08, 06:27 PM
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Hey Splash, If the guys in this thread can't help you with info on your Nishiki nobody can..
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/390318-nishiki-serial-number-database.html
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Old 04-20-08, 06:34 PM
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Originally Posted by brandenjs
Hey Splash, If the guys in this thread can't help you with info on your Nishiki nobody can..
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=390318
Bless you kind sir, that shall be of great assistance, I think. Too dark to check tonight, will try tomorrow.
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Old 04-20-08, 08:21 PM
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Originally Posted by -Joseph
I I am thinking of trying to lighten it up a bit though. Maybe a lighter seatpost and bars. Maybe even wheels, So for now I ride.

-Joseph
I have a set of 27x1.25 Araya alloy rims from a Nishiki Sport, on Shimano hubs and with a 7-speed Shimano cassette on it. I've mounted new Kenda (cheap) gumwalls. I also have a 6-speed cassette that fits the same freehub. PM me if you want to save some weight. I may even swap you out.
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Old 04-21-08, 06:16 AM
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I'm jealous of all the black Nishiki's I see posted. I think the burgundy is boring... no offense all burgundy bike owners.
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