Hummer

The "M" is an indicator of when in the year the bike was made. The second letters start at "A" and go to "Z". From the Giant serial numbers of this format that I have seen, "M" usually is the beginning of the next model years production. When in the year that is I do not know, but some time in the second half of the year.



Here is a link to a 1987 catalog.

https://www.stevevance.net/nishiki/im...le_catalog.pdf


In the 1987 model line up the Sport is above the Century and Rally, and below the Olympic 12 and Custom Sport.

I don't know the original prices, but I have seen a 1987 catalog with 259.95 written on the page of the Sport model. This may have been the MSRP or an LBS price.

formulasaab

I found the catalog!
https://www.stevevance.net/nishiki/im...le_catalog.pdf

Thank you for the information. This detective stuff is fun.

mjradame

Priceless info. Thanks again Hummer!

ADAM L

It is a Safari . One just sold on ebay . Early 70's American Eagle touring bike that came with panniers , lights etc . Nice bike .

Leonneke

Well Hello! Here's Leon. Live in Holland! Was looking for an old Nishiki. Turner out very well! This bike is from 1977! Was a showroom model. It is in mint condition. Or new old stock! Beter pics will come. Thuis is a pic from the seller. You can see that the bike even wasn't finished. The cable from the rear brake has not been mounted in a proper manner. All moving parts are a little dry ...... Will demount the bike completely. Some of the metal is a little dull. Okay, the frame number!

It Starts Sith EG. European Market. Built in 1977. It has the Shimano 600 group. More details and pics to come! Have to pick It up first thuis week!

Just for fun .... IMy age is 50. I bought a Nishiki Road or Trim Master at the age of 14. Could not affort a new ons than. Zo I bought a second handed. Now, say 36 years later, I bought a NEW ONE !!! I am really happy. Payed € 250 for the bike! I will make it shine, believe me (hobby detailer) !!!!!

The wheels will get a pro hand! There's not much tension on the spokes anymore. Think no one has ever used the bike at all! Grtz. Leonneke

tromper

Howdy
Best I can figure this is an early 70's Nishiki Super 5. The Serial Number is KS94055
The freewheel date code is NG, which for Maeda (Suntour) indicates July of 1971 per the vintage Trek site. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
This may well have been an old rental bike, there's a some kind of serial number scribed on the top tube & the handlebars, & it has not been maintained to speak of as far as I can tell.
The bike's a bit rough, but I'm going through & greasing all the bearings, & upgrading to alloy wheels. It should make a good solid beater.

Hummer

Hi tromper,

I have seen several bikes from the 1960s and early 1970s where people have scratched numbers into the frame or handle bars or where ever. I think this was done in order to identify the bike after theft, therefore anti-theft if potential thieves see it. It probably worked much better in those days then it would today. Many of today's thieves are organized and move stolen bikes thousands of miles to be resold or grind down identifying marks. Also, as you say, it may have been done by a business who rented bikes, also as a means of identification if stolen or lost.

I am interested to know if the head badge on your "Super 5" says "NISHIKI" or "American Eagle", or if there is an "American Eagle" decal at the bottom of the seat tube.

tromper

Sure Hummer.
Here ya go. Pics of the badge, the lower seat tube stickers, & bonus a pic of the bird on the chain guard, & the super nifty "Super Five" sticker. If I could replace 'em I'd even consider pulling it completely apart & getting the thing powder-coated, but I'll live with the patina to preserve 'em

Hummer

Tromper,

Great pictures, thanks. The center seatpost decal says "Custom FIVE" which I believe is the model name and the head badge says Nishiki and there is an American Eagle Decal. This is consistent with the other Custom FIVE bikes that I have seen.

Your bike has the lowest serial number that I have seen for a bicycle with an American Eagle decal and Nishiki Headbadge.

From my readings, the "American Eagle" brand name changed to "NISHIKI" sometime in 1972. The model names and decal layout on the frames stayed roughly the same. The main differences were the headbadge name and the American Eagle Decal on the bottom of the seat tube.

I estimate that about one year after the brand name change, there was a change in most of the model names and a change in the decal layout on the Nishiki bicycles. The model name and Nishiki logo where both put on the down tube. The Nishiki brand name was in a bamboo font, if you will.

The "Custom FIVE" model became the "Super 5" model.

I know you said your bike was a Super 5, how did you come to call your bike a Super 5? Just curious.

As for powder coating, I am very conservative about that. I personally would not do it, but you can be creative. I don't know how to copy or preserve the decals. I find the decals a charming part of old bicycles, no matter how out of place they seem in the current day.

tromper

I came to call it a super five since that's what the bike was advertised as honestly. I didn't look at the tag closely until a short time ago, too busy pulling things apart to bring them up to snuff. As far as being a 72 that would be consistent with the Maeda freewheel date being in mid 71 as I recollect. it's a nifty 'nuff bike. It's not really nice enough to fully restore, but with a set of alloy wheels, some work on the existing rust, (Cosmetic for the most part), some fresh grease, & pads it should do for what I'm up to with it. I suspect it'll be at least as reliable as a newer department store bike, although I probably should have picked up a pair of ISO 622s vs. the 630s I ordered for it. Not a biggie since you can still get decent ISO 630 tires, but it was a whim I probably should have thought out a bit more. I'm debating whether or not I should rebuild wheels on the old hubs. They seem adequate if not real high end.

Astrodokk

I just pulled my Nishiki Ariel out of the barn and noted the serial number as GZ798727. I got it in 1990 but don't know when the original owner bought it first. I have ridden it for many years, and didn't like the straight handle bar so replaced with a small ape bar. Then I got a Harley and put the Nishiki away for many years. Sold the Harley yesterday and it's time to start up on the Nishiki again. Will begin soon!

Hummer

Hi Astrodokk,

decoding the serial number. In this case, the "G" at the start is for Giant, who manufactured the frame. The first digit "7" is for the year 1987, the year the frame was made.

The decals in the picture are for a 1988 model.

4cm

I've looked everywhere and can't seem to be able to identify the bike I got off CL which declares that it is a Nishiki Colorado, designed and manufactured in Canada and the only stamped number I can find is on the underside of the BB and I just barely make out 50605410 which doesn't fall into any of the previous conventions. Help?

Hummer

I think that you have identified the bike. So I assume that you are trying to find out the year. This is a Canadian model from 1994-95 or later. To get a better idea of the year, check the date codes of components.

The serial number format will not fit into any of the schemes for the 1970s and 80s Japanese made and Giant made Nishikis.

Detroit Illini

Thanks for all the good information. I'm about ready to sell this 25 year old Nishiki Sport, and I thought I should check to make sure it's not particularly valuable. I thought you might be interested in the picture and owner's manual cover. Serial number is GK837082.

Graywriter

Nishiki Olympic 12-speed. The S/N GE09554, which doesn't align with T-Mar's list in the OP.

Seatpost: Infinity CrMo Tange Japan
Right rear dropout says Suntour; both dropouts say QT IV
Left chainstay "Designed by Norco"
Brakes: Shimano BRZ57 43-57 Japan
Brake Levers: Dia-Compe US Pat 3403577
Fork: Tange Fork Blade Hi-Tensile
Pedals: KKT Pro Vic II
RD: Shimano RD-A105 Shimano Japan VIA
FD: Shimano FD-A105 Shimano Japan VIA\
Seatpost: Strong 26C Japan Aluminum
Saddle: Vetta

This was a found bike, back wheel damaged, front wheel missing. No idea if it's original equipment.

dwightisright

I have not read all of the post here. But here is My Nishiki serial # W89102179 model Pinnacle. I had this bike till Nov 2013 when I was in process of convert it to a commuter. On ride I was hit by a car and the bike was totaled thankfully I wasn't. I owned the bike since it was new and had replace the tires a number of times.

killerbug

Yet another Nishiki to add to the database. This one must be my sixth, I'm starting to lose track.

Nishiki Olympic 12. Serial number KB 03914 with the Stylized W on the bottom bracket. Unknown year as the components are not original. I am making it into a nice single speed.

kbob

Here's a new Nishiki I just added to the collection, probably overpaid (160$) but was looking for something I wouldn't mind locking up outside a bar!
Not sure of the model, but the serial # CJ06536, am I right it's from 1980? Any additional information would be appreciated.
Araya 7000
Super Maxy Crank
Rear Suntour Vx derailleur, front is Campagnolo (which I'm sure is just a replacement)
Brakes Diacompe.

No other stickers besides the tubing.
Anyhow, have a peek!

zukahn1 

Looks like your rocken a North western Canadain version of the 78-81 internatioanl. I very fine typicaly low cost ride I brought one for $10 at a thrift store road it for ten years then sold it dogged out for $120. These are the best value buys around.

kbob

Thanks Zukahn1,

Fell in love with the lugs, and was anticipating paying a crazy high price in Vancouver, but love the feel of the ride!

OLDYELLR

Yes, those lugs were meant to mimic the classic Nervex Professional lugs. By this time those were out of production and even high end builders were using very plain, boring lugs.

zukahn1 

I always thought they had very nice deco yet conservative look.

bikerophone

Hey All,

I bought this bike on cl about a year or so ago and haven't been able to figure out what kind of frame it is. I was finally able to make a connection with the serial number today with info for this forum. Thanks for that! I still haven't found any pictures of a bike that matches mine exactly. Some have been close but nothing that matches my lugging AND seat stays. Fork is obviously not original and I have changed out a few other parts. It is a 56cm and has campy dropouts. Seems the KS serial would suggest a middle to early 70s production. If anyone could help me narrow down a model that would be awesome. Thanks!

bonnyboy

Hello - ocassional weekend rider type - first time poster here so bear with me. I have a serial number for you.

I have three old bikes that I bought in 1982. Norco and Nishiki. One Nishiki is the Ultimate - frame with sylized W - Serial Number KS 14607 - All campy record items with Campy dropouts. My other frame is the Nishiki Maxima with Columbus tubing which I understood was only sold as a frame. I built it into a fixy after realizing that I would never be a bike racer.

I remember that the Ultimate and Maxima frame were not in the regular catalogue but were on the price list available to the bike shops on a special order basis. I bought both bike and frame from a Marshall Wells hardware store in Smithers BC, Canada who sold Norco bikes and accessories. Love both bikes and ride them ocassionally still alternating with my Norco Magnum Special Edition 18 speed. I have a thoroughly worn out Kona Dew Deluxe commuter that is my main ride on the road (has fenders) and an early 90's Kona Lava Dome mountain bike for the mountains. I never really know what kind of riding I will do but have it covered.