Nishiki Superbe - Pics for Robbietunes
06-12-09, 06:59 PM
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Nishiki Superbe - Pics for Robbietunes
For those who may think I favor mishmash builds, I submit the following as proof I can be true.
And for T-Mar, the serial number is CJ 02920. I'll link this to his Nishiki Serial Number thread.
I believe that tells us it's for the Canadian market (imported by Norco), frame by Kawamura, manufactured in 1980. The original owner, now in Atlanta, told me he bought it new in Toronto in early 1983. I acquired it from him through CL last summer. He raced it sporadically for a couple of years then parked it. It shows little wear/low mileage, mechanically. When I pulled it from his attic it carried two and a half decades of dust and oil mist but cleaned up nicely, as you can see.
I think the original seat is all that's missing.
Mostly equipped with Suntour Superbe (hence the name) or equivalent Dia Compe GC/Sugino Super Mighty components. Double butted CR-MO frame, measuring 61.5 x 59 cm center to center and Tange TF-R dropouts. Araya rims w/SS spokes laced to the beautiful Sansin Pro-Am hubs. Kusuki Medallion stem. Thanks to Scott Ryder for the San Marco Super Corsa seat.
The "aero" configuration you see is not original. Yet, I prefer this look and performance for a rider. The original Superbe 1st generation brake calipers and pulls are cable-exposed type. The original bits are in mint condition and are tucked away to help fund my later years. ;-)
That seamless fork is one of the prettiest I've seen. Love the paint treatment on the chain stays.
It has been completely torn down, polished/waxed and undergone a detailed rebuild with new bearings, cables and fresh grease. I hope to ride it for the first time over the weekend, if I can tear myself away from the Circuit.
Also, a nod to Ga_Mueller for the inspiration of his Superbe which has graced these pages before. I looked at it many times over the past year. I don't know how many of these made it to North America but it truly is a high example of Japanese bike technology. A handbuilt factory bike that is just excellent by any measure.
Two clicks will get big pics. Additional pics at post #245, here:
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...390318&page=10
J
And for T-Mar, the serial number is CJ 02920. I'll link this to his Nishiki Serial Number thread.
I believe that tells us it's for the Canadian market (imported by Norco), frame by Kawamura, manufactured in 1980. The original owner, now in Atlanta, told me he bought it new in Toronto in early 1983. I acquired it from him through CL last summer. He raced it sporadically for a couple of years then parked it. It shows little wear/low mileage, mechanically. When I pulled it from his attic it carried two and a half decades of dust and oil mist but cleaned up nicely, as you can see.
I think the original seat is all that's missing.
Mostly equipped with Suntour Superbe (hence the name) or equivalent Dia Compe GC/Sugino Super Mighty components. Double butted CR-MO frame, measuring 61.5 x 59 cm center to center and Tange TF-R dropouts. Araya rims w/SS spokes laced to the beautiful Sansin Pro-Am hubs. Kusuki Medallion stem. Thanks to Scott Ryder for the San Marco Super Corsa seat.
The "aero" configuration you see is not original. Yet, I prefer this look and performance for a rider. The original Superbe 1st generation brake calipers and pulls are cable-exposed type. The original bits are in mint condition and are tucked away to help fund my later years. ;-)
That seamless fork is one of the prettiest I've seen. Love the paint treatment on the chain stays.
It has been completely torn down, polished/waxed and undergone a detailed rebuild with new bearings, cables and fresh grease. I hope to ride it for the first time over the weekend, if I can tear myself away from the Circuit.
Also, a nod to Ga_Mueller for the inspiration of his Superbe which has graced these pages before. I looked at it many times over the past year. I don't know how many of these made it to North America but it truly is a high example of Japanese bike technology. A handbuilt factory bike that is just excellent by any measure.
Two clicks will get big pics. Additional pics at post #245, here:
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...390318&page=10
J
Last edited by afilado; 04-16-12 at 12:35 PM. Reason: add detail
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06-12-09, 07:01 PM
#2
You gonna eat that?
Oh.
Lord.
Lord.
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I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
06-12-09, 07:09 PM
#3
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
Damn sweet.
06-12-09, 08:09 PM
#4
Stop reading my posts!
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it kills me cause I actually *gave* one of these frame-sets away...never to be seen again. Thought I was making a friend but I was just an enabler. Probably went to the scrap metal buyer or became a fixie....sigh...to think it could have grown up to look like yours (well, maybe not!)
BTW, that better not be more of that "velveteen d'elegance" handlebar tape, or Kurt will come after you!
BTW, that better not be more of that "velveteen d'elegance" handlebar tape, or Kurt will come after you!
06-12-09, 08:42 PM
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Nice bike! I've been looking for on of those stems for a while now... 
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06-12-09, 08:51 PM
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LOL.
I was just finishing the wrap in time to get pics before dark. As I wrapped I was actually thinking of his post you're referring to.
I'm less militant/purist than he is about a lot of things bike but the wrap you see on the Superbe is in fact some of my hand dyed stuff left over from when I did my son's and ScottRyder's Opus IIIs last year. It is a heavyweight flat weave raw cotton stock from the Fujimeister. That was the last of it.
And, the Nishiki is correct in all respects, except maybe that Italian saddle. It still looks mighty good.
I'll use anything that works, practically and aesthetically. I'd like to have the "velveteen" stuff he poo-poos; I can make it look GOOD. Velvet is big in the real south......velvet Elvis, velvet tigers........
Commiserations on the "loss" of your Nishiki Superbe.
J
I was just finishing the wrap in time to get pics before dark. As I wrapped I was actually thinking of his post you're referring to.
I'm less militant/purist than he is about a lot of things bike but the wrap you see on the Superbe is in fact some of my hand dyed stuff left over from when I did my son's and ScottRyder's Opus IIIs last year. It is a heavyweight flat weave raw cotton stock from the Fujimeister. That was the last of it.
And, the Nishiki is correct in all respects, except maybe that Italian saddle. It still looks mighty good.
I'll use anything that works, practically and aesthetically. I'd like to have the "velveteen" stuff he poo-poos; I can make it look GOOD. Velvet is big in the real south......velvet Elvis, velvet tigers........
Commiserations on the "loss" of your Nishiki Superbe.
J
Originally Posted by unworthy1
it kills me cause I actually *gave* one of these frame-sets away...never to be seen again. Thought I was making a friend but I was just an enabler. Probably went to the scrap metal buyer or became a fixie....sigh...to think it could have grown up to look like yours (well, maybe not!)
BTW, that better not be more of that "velveteen d'elegance" handlebar tape, or Kurt will come after you!
BTW, that better not be more of that "velveteen d'elegance" handlebar tape, or Kurt will come after you!
Last edited by afilado; 10-12-09 at 11:07 PM. Reason: grammar
06-12-09, 09:24 PM
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Wow!
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1984 Gitane Sprint; 1984 Gitane Tour de France; 1968 Peugeot PL8; 1982 Nishiki Marina 12; 1972 Peugeot PX-10; 1984 Peugeot PSV; 1993 Trek 950 mtb; 1975 Gitane Olympic; 1982 Nishiki Maxima, 1983 Vitus 979; Colnago Super x 2, mid-80's Bianchi Veloce, 1984 or 85 Vitus 979
1984 Gitane Sprint; 1984 Gitane Tour de France; 1968 Peugeot PL8; 1982 Nishiki Marina 12; 1972 Peugeot PX-10; 1984 Peugeot PSV; 1993 Trek 950 mtb; 1975 Gitane Olympic; 1982 Nishiki Maxima, 1983 Vitus 979; Colnago Super x 2, mid-80's Bianchi Veloce, 1984 or 85 Vitus 979
06-13-09, 04:23 AM
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Beautiful. Very nicely done.
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06-13-09, 03:53 PM
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No, no, no that is all wrong. Send it to me to be properly "disposed" of. A.k.a. that is my size and that is sweet!! Very nice.
06-13-09, 05:03 PM
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Absolutely awesome. I have never seen a better looking Nishiki. You have done an outstanding job on it.
06-13-09, 06:11 PM
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Absolutely stunning!
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See my Hyperlite 411 it's the photo model on OutRiderUSA web page
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06-14-09, 02:41 PM
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Looks like this needs to fade into the archives so I can post another.
Before it goes away, I want to acknowledge the kind remarks about it.
Thanks.
J
Before it goes away, I want to acknowledge the kind remarks about it.
Thanks.
J
06-14-09, 03:06 PM
#16
Lanky Lass
How many miles have you put on it since you cleaned it up?
East Hill
East Hill
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06-14-09, 05:41 PM
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LOL! You see right through me.
I really intended getting it out for a 10-15 mile spin over the weekend to get a feel for it and to shake out bugs but.........it never happened. Just in the week previous I finished the Schwinn Circuit and have absolutely fallen in love with it. So, I rode it instead.
I've promised myself I'll get out on the Nishiki in the morning.
I admit to a reticence for dirtying up these bikes I've so thoroughly detailed. I have a few riders that I rotate while my "museum pieces" sit looking pretty. It's a complex psychology I'm working through. ;0)
J
I really intended getting it out for a 10-15 mile spin over the weekend to get a feel for it and to shake out bugs but.........it never happened. Just in the week previous I finished the Schwinn Circuit and have absolutely fallen in love with it. So, I rode it instead.
I've promised myself I'll get out on the Nishiki in the morning.
I admit to a reticence for dirtying up these bikes I've so thoroughly detailed. I have a few riders that I rotate while my "museum pieces" sit looking pretty. It's a complex psychology I'm working through. ;0)
J
Originally Posted by East Hill
How many miles have you put on it since you cleaned it up?
East Hill
East Hill
Last edited by afilado; 06-14-09 at 07:11 PM. Reason: grammar
07-15-09, 06:15 PM
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I gotta bump this up. That is the most awesome Nishiki I've ever seen, and I thought my 85 International was awesome! This smokes it by a mile!
geek
geek
07-15-09, 06:52 PM
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Got any pics of your International? I'd like to see it.
Thanks for the kind words, geek.
J
Thanks for the kind words, geek.
J
Originally Posted by geekrunner
I gotta bump this up. That is the most awesome Nishiki I've ever seen, and I thought my 85 International was awesome! This smokes it by a mile!
geek
geek
07-15-09, 08:29 PM
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We need to come up with an appropriate OCD name for C&V bike nuts like us...well, new thread coming.....
Every time I look at that Nishiki, I want to send you all my bikes for Extreme Makover, Bike Edition....
Every time I look at that Nishiki, I want to send you all my bikes for Extreme Makover, Bike Edition....
07-16-09, 06:05 AM
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Originally Posted by geekrunner
I gotta bump this up. That is the most awesome Nishiki I've ever seen, and I thought my 85 International was awesome! This smokes it by a mile!
geek
geek
Yo, Julian, you taking good care of my Touring V?
Scott
07-16-09, 10:10 AM
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Yo, Julian, you taking good care of my Touring V?
Scott[/QUOTE]
..Ready when you are, Fujiman.
J
Scott[/QUOTE]
..Ready when you are, Fujiman.
J
03-03-20, 09:11 AM
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Very nice machine!
