Nishiki International "big in japan"

By iamfrontosa on 07/21/2008. Bike tags: Road bike | 10 speed | 1970s | 1980s | 27 | more tags >>

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Frame / Size / Year:
Nishiki International

Handlebars / Stem:
KB Champion (JAPAN) handlebars

Fork / Headset:
Nishiki International

Front Wheel / Hub / Rim / Tire:
Araya 27" x 1 1/4"

Rear Wheel / Hub / Rim / Tire:
Araya 27" x 1 1/4"

Crankset / Bottom Bracket:
Sugino maxy

Saddle / Seat Post:
velo gel tech / Taihei compe

Pedals / Chain:
MKS Sylvan Touring Pedal / sram

Notes:

My original plan was to buy a cheap 10 speed and paint it to my liking and maybe turn it into a single speed. After seeing this bike and riding it, I'm having second thoughts. I would hate to paint it and ruin everything that it is right now. I'm enjoying the stem mounted down shifters and the Suntour Derailleurs. I'm also not to bike savvy so I'll learn everything I can now and maybe next year I'll see where I stand.

I'm not sure the year of the bike. I bought the little guy for 40 dollars, I'm pretty sure I got a good deal for not having to put money into it. It works really well, dérailleurs need fine tuning.

I'm going to pimp it out with the usual, mirror, led lights, toe clips, rack, mileage counter, tv, fish tank, time out box for fighting, possibly new tires, hot tub, stufffff. I'll keep the pictures updated.

Suggestions are always appreciated. I am not sure what to do with new handlebar tape, specifically the color :X I'm now thinking gold, bling bling. Also the saddle needs replaced, I'm going for cheap but vintage looking.

People who friended this bike bipsy_jen, Zephyrus, crashs, Fixie Sky

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Same Bike

Submitted by Fixie Sky on 05/28/2009.

We have the same frame, minus the fork.

It's a 1976 frame. Did you always have the Velo seat?
This model usually came with a Wrights Saddle(similar to Brooks).

Bike looks nice, def don't paint, it's such a beautiful color. Have you done anything since this was posted?
-Schuyler

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My Experience - Don't Paint

Submitted by folkrock75 on 09/07/2008.

I had the same idea as you, and discovered that no matter how thorough and careful a frame is painted, a non-professional paint job will be no where close to as strong as the frame's original paint. The paint will chip and scratch extremely easy, no matter the number of color and clear coats and the care in which it is painted. One thing I did discover: learn to love the original paint as an important reminder of the bike's story. The depth of the color, the condition of the decals, even the scratches to some extent have more personality than any repaint can. Good luck - great bike!

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dang

Submitted by 6refeuge on 08/13/2008.

That's nice man for 40 bucks. I picked up my international for 75 and yours is in a lot better shape. Good steal there.

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I just thoroughly cleaned

Submitted by iamfrontosa on 08/14/2008.

I just thoroughly cleaned the chrome on the bike with wd40 and soft steel wool, that surprisingly takes a lot of the rust off. The pictures are before pictures. Yeah I made out like a bandit. I'm going to post updated pictures as soon as my new pedals and toeclips come in.

jonFREY

Bikes have wheels and wheels are round.

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Forty bucks!?

Submitted by night tiger on 08/04/2008.

What a score! I tend to use bikes that have good frames but low-end components (steel wheelsets are the typical indicator) for SS/fixed rides and in my shop, and this one would be overqualified for that. Is it light?

night tiger

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I turned to the ol' trusty

Submitted by iamfrontosa on 08/11/2008.

I relied on the ol' trusty scale and it told me approximately 29 lbs. How is that for a weight?

jonFREY

Bikes have wheels and wheels are round.

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All things considered...

Submitted by night tiger on 09/10/2008.

... it's not too bad, especially for the price. Even more so if you don't have to lug it up 4 flights of stairs (like I do). That, and sprints, is when you really appreciate a 22lb bike. But that said, I had a heavy '73 Schwinn Super Sport that handled Chicago roads like no bike I've had since. A true time capsule you have there, great score, man!

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saddles.

Submitted by iamfrontosa on 09/29/2008.

I just took a gander at your bikes, holy cow they are all awesome. Where would you suggest getting saddle from that sticks with the vintage look. I recently learned about brooks saddles but they are expensive. I'm looking to spend at max 40 dollars :X

-Bikes have wheels and wheels are round.

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vintage saddles

Submitted by night tiger on 09/30/2008.

Thanks for the compliment. Well, sadly, a good saddle will cost you. I picked up the Brooks B17 basically new (only ridden once) for 70 bucks from a guy on Craigslist, and that's about as cheap as I've seen them in good condition. However, you can swap it from bike to bike in just a few minutes, which is what I've been doing till I get around to buying another. I have an old French Ideale saddle that came on a '71 Peugeot that I just picked up and it is hard as plywood, never been treated in 35 years. I soaked it in neatsfoot oil and then rode it a bit and it is still hard, painfully so. So beware of getting an "old" one on eBay for 25 bucks. However, the Brooks B17 standard is the best saddle I have ever ridden and it gets even more comfortable each time I ride it. Just make sure you treat it before it gets any sun or moisture (the proofide costs about 20, so you're in for about 90 bucks but it'll be the best 90 you've spent).

Online:

Nishiki International "big in japan"

Same Bike

My Experience - Don't Paint

dang

I just thoroughly cleaned

Forty bucks!?

I turned to the ol' trusty

All things considered...

saddles.

vintage saddles

That is a nice speciman!