Show us your mixte!

[stathouse]

azfiddle,

I tried to post a link before, but I do not see it up here...not sure why. It will probably show up in a couple of days! Anyway, do a web search for Steve Vance and Nishiki and you can find his site that lists how to date the frame from the serial number found on the bottom bracket.

kate

[azfiddle]

Stathouse- Thank you for the suggestion. I did a little research earlier today and I found the following explanation:


Kawamura manufactured frames (1972-1987*)
Serial number format XYZZZZZ where:
X is a letter indicating the market using the following codes: C = Canada (pre-1985) K = USA (pre 1985) W = USA (1985-1987*)
Y is a letter indicating the last digit of the manufacturing calendar year, where A =1, B = 2, C = 3… J = 0. Exception is letter S, used on all frames prior to 1975.
ZZZZZ is a five or six digit number, apparently representing a sequential frame manufacturing number for the year (or era in the case of pre 1975 frames)

The serial number starts with KC so I assume it's 1983, made in the USA.

[nic840]

Looks very similar to my pawn shop find Nishiki Sport...its a 1984. Pics are posted earlier in this thread. I love mine! Such a fun bike to take to the grocery store, kids school, etc. It makes me feel like a kid. Have fun!

[stathouse]

Looks to me like the fork is probably bent. Do your toes hit the front wheel?

The camera angle makes it look funny; definitely not bent. No toe overlap.

kate

[Biciclista]

My beautiful steel custom bike was injured in transit. If I want to get it fixed I will be without a bike for weeks (or even possibly months!) this finally gave me the impetus to get my Mixte Raleigh rigged to really ride in our kind of weather!. It's at the shop now getting new brakes, wheels, fenders; when it's done I'll let you all see it.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

My beautiful steel custom bike was injured in transit. If I want to get it fixed I will be without a bike for weeks (or even possibly months!) this finally gave me the impetus to get my Mixte Raleigh rigged to really ride in our kind of weather!. It's at the shop now getting new brakes, wheels, fenders; when it's done I'll let you all see it.

That's cool Mimi. Will it have gearing appropriate to your commute?

I hope you'll have "before" photos to go with the "after" ones!

[Blueberry]

My beautiful steel custom bike was injured in transit. If I want to get it fixed I will be without a bike for weeks (or even possibly months!) this finally gave me the impetus to get my Mixte Raleigh rigged to really ride in our kind of weather!. It's at the shop now getting new brakes, wheels, fenders; when it's done I'll let you all see it.

Oh no!!! What happened to your Davidson???

[azfiddle]

Mimi, sounds like one of those good news, bad news scenarios. Hope the mixte is great. I'm completely infatuated with mine, though I've hardly had a chance to ride it.

Is your other bike okay? Did it happen on your trip to AZ?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

oops....I didn't mean to seem insensitive. I already knew about Mimi's bike getting damaged and had previously sympathized with her about it.

[Biciclista]

My Davidson got its down tube skewered by the cassette while it was in transit in a heavy duty bike box. The box must have been squashed or slammed pretty good for that to have happened. It will be a very expensive fix. but even more expensive would be 2-3 months without any bikes at all. The mixte is a 5 speed, one hill will be tough; it will make me stronger. LOL

[Trek420]

Oh no!!! What happened to your Davidson???

Oh no!!! Not your beautiful orange bike. Hope it's better soon.

[Robert Raburn]

The East Bay Bicycle Coalition creates several "commuter-bike makeovers" each year to give away as prizes at events like Bike to Work Day. A member who admires our work asked if we could transform her beloved Nishiki Mixte? She is the original owner (1982). We could not deny her request to convert, update, and buff her forlorn Nishiki into a smart and comfortable commuter that readily handles hilly terrain. The "Pink Panther" is now used daily and receives the admiration of her Kaiser Medical co-workers!

It was a fun project, but given the low quality hubs, narrow range derailleur/cogs, and non-stainless spokes on most vintage mixtes, it may be worthwhile to lace a new internal gear hub into future makeovers that have a near-horizontal rear dropout.

[Trek420]

Hello, Robert! (I'm pretty sure Robert is head of EBBC, right Robert?) And welcome to TE. Nice bike.

[Tri Girl]

Welcome, Robert. LOVE that pink Nishiki!!!!

[Biciclista]

yes, that Nishiki looks nice. Since my raleigh mixte will not be my primary bike, i'm not going to mess with the gearing. It shifts. that's all that matters. i was able to easily get up a 6% grade on it the way it was before "fixing it up" so I know I can handle my commute on it.