Hi Folks,

I was wondering if anyone can tell me what model Nishiki I have. It was repainted, but the paint is in poor condition, and the only identifier is the headbadge. I could not find a serial number anywhere on the frame. It has a Tange Levin headset. The components that were on it are from the early to mid-70's.

I was thinking of rebuilding it, but I decided that I have too many other things going on right now, so I am planning to sell it locally. But as a fan of Nishiki bikes, I would really like to know what it is. The lugwork/brazing is not very high quality, and the frame is quite heavy. My Kawamura/Nishiki Tri-A frame is so much nicer by comparison .

Thanks in advance for your experienced opinions. I appreciate it!

Regards,

Warren


Note: the paint looks better in the pictures that it actually is.

Pictures:

That looks more like a Falcon! I have a '76 Nishiki that doesn't have the wrap-around seatpost and the American Eagle (earlier) versions of the bike look like mine.

It might, but besides the badge, the dropouts match the Nishiki International (not that I am suggesting that this is an International). I wouldn't doubt it as being a Nishiki.

Someone else here on the forum has a Nishiki example similar to this, with that same long-point, offset (read = crummy) lower head lug. Now if I could only remember what his post was entitled...

-Kurt

Want to know how nice a frame it is? Weigh it! If frame and fork together are < 3 Kg, it's a keeper, I don't care who made the tubeset, or what "level" it is. FWIW, that's a good-quality headset from Tange.

Early 70's Nishiki Competition. Here's my 73:

Me again........that lower lug is crooked, although the frame is straight.

Looks more as if it was filed/cut crooked. Warren's looks similar in that respect, I'm quite sure the point of that lug on his frame is also offset.

-Kurt

Thanks for the info!

My frame does not have the rear brake bridge. It had long reach Dia Compe sidepulls. A previous owner ditched the Barcons and replaced them with Campagnolo DT Record friction shifters. The derailleurs were Suntour, VX in front, and Cyclone II in back.

I guess it is not unusual to have no serial number?

I read the other threads on the forum about the "Competition", and didn't realize that anyone made <1" headtubes??? If I sell the bike, would the new owner have problems finding a stem for it?

The reason I ask is that maybe I'll be nice and include some of the parts that came with the bike.

--Warren

What's this then?



-Kurt

oops! what I meant to say was the brazed-on center pull cable hanger on the rear.

and What do you know! I also have an offset lower head lug. what's the story on those? were ALL of them like that?

--Warren

I thought mine was unique with that offset lug, apparently not!

Mine does have a serial number, under the BB, I think. I can't check it now as it is hanging in my office.

Those were machine made frames, from the early Japanese bike boom days. The workmanship wasn't great, but they were on par with the European low to mid line bikes of the day, and the SunTour derailleurs shifted extremely well. I replaced a Raleigh Grand Prix with a Nishiki International back in the day and thought the International was a much better bike. Maybe I should have kept the Grand Prix and put SunTour stuff on it instead.

i still regret selling my '74 Raleigh Supercourse at a garage sale for practically nothing. I literally begged my dad to buy it for me back then. It cost approx. $160. Components were not that great, being a mid-range model, but the frame was very nicely put together. Over the years, I added Barcons and a Suntour Mighty crankset, and a set of tubulars to that Raleigh. <sigh>

Oh well, someday I'll find what I really wanted back in '74 but couldn't afford, a 74 Raleigh Pro .

Till then, I'm satisified by my '84 Raleigh Team Replica.

The main reason I have the Competition is that back in 1973, spending my own money, I was too cheap (or poor) to pop for an extra $30 or so to upgrade to the Competition from the International. That was definitely a case of instant regret, I'll tell you!

That is the basis of almost my whole collection. At age 50 I am buying all the stuff I could not have back in the day!

>>>That is the basis of almost my whole collection. At age 50 I am buying all the stuff I could not have back in the day! <<<

Hey! I resemble that statement! (I turned 50 this year too)