T-Mar

Nishiki did offer an Alan Carbon model in 1986 but it was frame only. However, that's oversize steel. You can make out the Tange decal on the seat tube and the stays are definitely steel with forged, steel dropouts. It looks very much like one of the 1986-1988 Internationals that used used oversize CrMo assembled using internal lugs. I know these models used a Unicrown fork and fade paint in 1988, so this would appear to be 1986 or 1987. Components may be Shimano New 600. I've got some old ads on these models, but I'd have to dig it out.

T-Mar

Actually that appears to a circa 1986/1987 Internationa LD. These frames used ovesize Tange #1 tubes mated to internal lugs. You can make out the Tange decal on the seat tube. Components were spec'd as Cyclone cranks and brakes with Sprint deralleurs and Sanshin hubs laced to Araya 20A rims. 23lbs. $500US. Above components and prices are for 1986 version. 1987 may have been different though 1988 was still SunTour equipped. The bike pic'd is not that new enough to be the 1988 and doesn't appear to have the 1987 decals, so I'm pretty sure it's 1986.

jet sanchEz

Thanks T-Mar! I have a picture that is pretty much the same but at a somewhat better angle and it looks like it says "Tri-A" on the top-tube just in front of the headtube. Also, the word "Norco" can clearly be seen on the non-drive side chain-stay, so I guess it is one of those "Assembled in Canada" bikes. I am still waiting for the seller to answer a couple of questions for me before I go and see it...

T-Mar

Interesting. The US Tri-A during this period was standard size, externally lugged CrMo with a New 600EX group and cost the same price. It sounds like Norco spec'd the oversize frame for the Canadian Tri-A, as I can see the distinctive rings around the tubes, where the color changes. Unfortunately, I don't have any Canadian Nishiki literature that goes back that far, though I do have the Norco catalogs for 1986 & 1987. There is no oversize frame in the road line.

jet sanchEz

Hrm, well, I think it says Olympic Tri-A but I could be wrong. It looks like there are some championship rings around the downtube as well. Unfortunately, the seller can only tell me that the parts are "shimno", so I guess I will have to check it out myself. Here is the other photo...the pink hoods are odd too, would that have been an aftermarket thing? They are perfectly matched to the paint...

T-Mar

Could be Europa Tri-A or Equipe Tri-A. The only International LD pic I've got is a dark blue frame with silver head and down tubes. The bars and hoods look like they are color-matched to the frame, but it's hard to tell for sure.

As for components, I don't recognize them offhand, without going back and doing some referencing, but I've got a shipment of new bicycles coming to-day, so that's not likely to happen. Don't you just hate non-drive side photos? They're one of my biggest pet peeves on this forum.

Even if you don't buy the bicycle, I'd appreciate the serial number for the database, if you go to see it. TIA

gurry

Just acquired a bicycle at the local police auction, upon further inspection, it happens to be a Nikishi. Serial number starts with CB. The bike was painted red, so I do not know the model. It sports the coveted DRILLIUM crankset, one pedal included!
Originally bought with the intention of poaching parts such as the aluminum handlebars and front wheel, I've come to this thread wondering what model this could be. I've seen the international models sporting the drilled cranksets. Any other models have these?
When I flick the main tubes, it emits a nice ping, indicating possibly butted tubing. The derailleurs are Suntour AR, the front one stamped YD on the back. Diacomp brakes and levers. The handelbars are engraved with WIN \ WINPISTA.
Any ideas on the model of this bike? What tubes does it have?

T-Mar

Gurry, a 1982, Canadian market serial number, drilled crankset and AR derailleurs points towards a Landau, in which case the frame sould be Tange #5, plain gauge CrMo, possibly with hi-tensile stays and forks. 5th in a line-up of 7 models.

Doohickie

T-Mar-

Do you have old Nishiki catalogs? Or do you just know the hierarchy for various years?

T-Mar

A bit of both. I've been in and out of the bicycle industry for almost four decades and have accumulated a large collection of catalogs and magazines. Slowly, I've been piecing together the entire history of Nishiki production using my reference material and the irrefutably dated models that have surfaced in this thread.

1959bob

Here is a quick iPhone pic of my 1977 Nishiki Competition serial number KG56927, which I purchased in...ummm...1977. Mostly stock, I will post more pics soon.

roccobike

jet sanchEz, Here is my International with the same paint scheme. I believe this is a 1985.

The decal on the seat tube says Tange 1. Nishiki has been known to take a paint scheme from one model and copy it on another model.

slateman

Hello, I´m new to this forum!

What can this be..?

Searched for parts to build my retro TT Tigierre bike, stumbled across this.

Said to be a 1994, who knows. It seems to be totally original except for the rear wheel.
Dont know about the bar tough. Anyone who knows?
It may be for sale, it is in good condition.

Thanks / Nicke

T-Mar

In 1987, Nishiki had two TT models with 24" front wheels, the Fusion and Linear. Your serial number corroborates a 1987, European market model, which would explain the model name difference. Bullhorn bars were original equipment. Yours appears to be the equivalent of the USA Linear model, which was spec'd with Shimano 105 and a Tange #2 tubeset.

slateman

Thanks, that was quick!

tommy gayle

T-Mar
I don't know if anyone has truly thanked you for you help on all of these questions so I would like to say thanks for your help.
I enjoy your comments and your post and also roccobike I also enjoy his input as well.
thanks for your being a part of our forum.

mainducoyote

My Nishiki International . Originally destined to be flipped.For some reason, I decided I needed a touring bike. Any comments on the component choice is appereciated, I am still adjusting the position. Serial Number is CA00547 which I think means that it was the 454th frame built in 1981 for the Canadian market?

Originally equipped with Suntour XCE components , 7 speed , Full Cromo frame and fork. This is a full touring bike with low-rider mounts and 3 water bottle cage mounts. The model seems to have changend a lot from year to year and I have read that some touring bikes with hi-tensile frames were flexy under load, anybody has experience with this particular model?

Now





Before

OLDYELLR

The 'before' version is definitely superior to the 'now' version in a classic/vintage context.

mainducoyote

Yes of course , the new version is everything but c&v , but that's how I wanted it. Also, the bike as I got it had a ****ty seat post, tweeked handlebars , broked spokes, broked fenders, etc

ps;If its any comfort , it should get 9 speed bar end shifters, nitto noodle bars and a brooks flyer saddle when I feel it's the right time to spend the money.

riva

Meh, I'd take the after over 2 or 3 befores. Nice one.

T-Mar

Your'e welcome. It's nice to know I'm appreciated.

It's not a 1991, not a 1981. That's evident by the XCE components, cantilever bosses, triple bottle set-up and low-rider mounts. Normally, you would have expected Taiwanese manufacture and a Uni-Crown fork but Norco obviously had different aspirations. I've got both the Canadian catalogs for 1981 and 1990, and the 1991 Canadian spec sheet. There's no doubt it's a 1991.

The tubing is actually Tange 900, a heavy gauge, seamed, butted, CrMo set. Should be a good choice for a grand touring bicycle. FYI, original price was $750 CDN.

Edit: It's one thing to be profiling on a C&V bicycle, another to be touring on it. YDo whatever is necessary to make it more suitable for your touring needs. However, do not discard or sell the old parts, as you may decide to restore it, sometime in the future.

mainducoyote

Wow thanks T-Mar , your knowledge and fast response are definitely appreciated !I had kind of figured out after the fact that it could not be a 1981, too modern. 750$ was a lot of money in 1991. The only problem I have with the bike is that it is going to be hard to fit even 700x32c with fenders , so I may put it back to original if I find some nice touring bike with 26'' wheels or a 700c with beter clearance.

The shifter and RD have found their way on a Kuwahara touring bike , the rest I'm keeping .

T-Mar

FWIW, OEM tires were 700 x 28C.

Njord Noatun

New guy here: Have been lurking for awhile and found an incredible amount of invaluable info and friendly folks here. Instead of the obligatory first post for new members ("What is XYZ worth?" or "Should I buy XYZ or ABC"), I figure I might contribute - albeit in a minor way!

Hoping that my youngest son (12) will grow out of MTBs and BMXs and join me on the road, I bought him his first "real" (in my estimation!) bike yesterday - a steel, classic, Nishiki road bike.

Here are the details:

Nishiki Custom Sport (51 cm) - blue metallic
Frameset build: "Nishiki Double Butted Chrome-Moly Tange"
Serial #: C 24214 (also marked "W", "Kawamura" and "Japan")
Crank: Sugino RT
RD: Suntour ARX (6 speed)
FD: Suntour AR
Shifters (stem): Suntour
Wheels: Weinemann 27x1 1/4 (alu)
Brakes: Dia-Compe 500
Hubs: Can't tell - print illegible

The serial number does not quite fit into the nomenclature outlined here - any feedback would be appreciated!

Click to enlarge (and click again to "super-size"!):

T-Mar

Either they forgot to stamp the K prededing the C, which would make it 1983 or 1984, or the C designates a Canadian model with the year indicator missing. Regardless, ARx derailleurs place it 1981-1986 and the head decal appears to be the 1981-1984 version. Your best bet to narrow things down is to check the date codes on the back of the derailleurs, which will be comprmised of two letters. Refer to the Component Dates page of the Vintage-Trek website for decoding these letters.

The stem appears very high, well beyond where the minimum insertion marks would be. You should check that out. I wouldn't want the stem to pop out on your son's first road bike. That could give him a complex about road bicycles.

BTW, thank-you for contributing and welcome aboard.