Nishiki Linear 1987

[Jesper]

I just picked up this old Nishiki Linear "lo-pro" TT frame and parts for myself. I had sold a larger frame of the same model a while ago, but I thought the smaller size of this example would be better for me, and the price was right.
It came with an SR Laprade fluted post (26.4mm, wrong size; need 26.6mm), Tange Levin headset (OE?), early Dura-Ace front derailleur, wheelset (rear: Shimano 105 hub; Matrix 700c rim; 13,14,15,17,19,21,24 freewheel, with Shimano QR) and (front: 24" unknown rim and hub w/QR). If anything is original it may be the headset and seat post binder bolt; rims are not OE. Original group was Shimano 1st gen. 105 (model 1050).
Stiff frame using the Tange 2 (butted chromoly) tube set over the lighter but more flexible Tange 1.
Nishiki rear d-o's, Tange front d-o's.
Overall condition is above average except stay caps and rearmost cable guide are rusty probably from sweat since rest of frame shows only very minor surface rust at scrapes and chips.
Nice having the cable guides (Shimano) on top of the BB shell; I prefer it over bottom channels due to cables staying cleaner than bottom routing.
I have everthing (except I think a bullhorn bar) I need to make a nice speedster out of this for my personal use, and I am not concerned with anything except rideability so parts might be an odd mix of Asian and European. I have Sun Tour barcons for a friction set-up and will configure gearing similar to my previous Linear for short flat riding.
For reference: serial # WG 08018 (made in 1987 for US market). Only made in 52, 58, and 62cm sizes; and only in the black/white/red fade tricolor based on 1987 catalog. I do not know how many years this bike was made.

 

[nortonguy]

Cool, I would like to try the 62cm one as I am pretty tall.....

 

[juvela]

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have you determined if it be Kuwahara, Kawamura or other?


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[Jesper]

Cool, I would like to try the 62cm one as I am pretty tall.....

Too bad, the one I let go was a 62cm ready to ride. I cannot believe that I rode it (I'm 5'7"); but I regularly ride frames that would seem oversized for me. It certainly didn't feel that big. This new frame is 58cm. I have not had this one on the road, but I mounted it so I could get an idea as to my stem length, and it's a great fit.

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have you determined if it be Kuwahara, Kawamura or other?


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Kawamura made.

 

[nortonguy]

I did a 21.1mph lap last week on a 1985 Japanese made, Columbus tube "Schwinn" branded bike on a local TT course, a few days ago I put the rev-x carbon wheels on it and hope to get some good days to test it. I have a 1987 frame of the same type and brand that is 1" shorter in the seat tube and head tube that will let me drop the bars that much lower, not a lo-pro like yours but hoping for the same effect. There is probably a good reason that the lo-pro frames and riding position fell out of favor, but since I am poor and can not afford a modern TT style bicycle the old steel bikes are what I have to ride. I got my 1985 Schwinn for $10 at a local estate sale, someone gave me the rev-x carbon wheels out of their basement, and my elderly father who used to race TTs is buying me some new continental tires. It will be interesting to see how close to 22mph one of these steel bikes might go on a day with good weather and wind.