I was recently given an '84 Nishiki Sport from my parents. It was sitting outside for years. The frame looks ok, but what do you think of all the rust? Just surface rust, or too much of a risk? The quill stem is currently seized into the fork. I have it soaking in PB blaster. Hopefully that will get it free.
I was going to build it back into a budget road bike, but I'm not sure if its too far gone or not.
Thanks in advance!
by TLAMP28
12 Comments
I’d ride it
You’ll never know the extent of the rust unless you remove it. You should strip/sand off all the paint and the rust and see how far it goes. But it’s a lot of work and might end with a disappointing answer.
But if it’s been sitting outside for years, and clearly has corrosion over many critical joins, I personally wouldn’t invest any time in it. But it’s up to you and how valuable your time is.
Its probably no good especially on a budget, you might be able to get it rolling but not for as cheap as other options, ebay or KSL will be able to help
Yes! Dont throw it out! Thats a good single gear/fixie frame 💪
That’s a Nishitty. Stamped dropouts instead of forged, Hi-ten steel, and I’d be shocked if it’s actually straight and true.
If it had functional parts on it it’s maybe worth something but as a frame to build off of it’s pretty low quality.
I just pulled a Roadmaster from the 90’s out of the ocean and spent a day fixing it up with parts I pulled off of trash bikes. Just rode it around this evening. Feels good man.
Depends on how much you like old steel frames and tinkering. But as someone else observed, this is not high end steel or even top tier Nishiki. Proceed as you deem best for you.
Cheap frame unless you have the parts for it. Trash it.
yes yes yes yeeees, I’d build a bike out of it. Cleaning it first
The oxide is superficial, just rub kitchen metal sponge (dunno the name of it) and it will be off
I can’t see anything I’d be worried about, I’d ride it.
Stamped drop-outs is a pretty good indication that it’s a budget frame, but if it were mine I’d use it. If you were going to the effort of stripping and repainting I’d recommend getting a higher-end frame to start with as it would be the same amount of work, but if you just want to assemble a bike and ride it, then go for it.
I worked at a shop in ‘84 that sold Nishikis. If it was me, I’d dig in. But my priorities and motivations are mine. Decent enough bike, worth the effort? I think that kind of resto project is great. Your priorities and motivations may be different.
Yes for sure. Are you a pro racer trying to win le tour in the 80s? If not probably doesn’t matter on its relative quality, if you can make it into a cruiser.