Hello Nath -
Great frame, wish it were my size.
I have a 73 (or 72) Nishiki Comp and a 71 (or 72) American Eagle Semi-Pro. I think the Comp was Nishiki's best bike in 73 and the Semi-Pro was American Eagle's best. I believe only later was the Professional introduced. I don't recall a Nishiki Semi Pro but there may have been one, but it must have been later than 73. My LBS did not have a Nishiki above the Comp until 77 or 78. Anyone else remember? Some of this info comes form John E. who frequents the old-roads discussion forum.
I believe the chrome-moly graphic on the seat tube is representative of a particular tubing maker, but I don't know which one - perhaps Champion? Anyone know?
A story - In 1977, while out on my daily run, I noticed a well-used yellow bike in the bushes at the side of the road, sans wheels. After a few weeks it was still there - I had a closer look. It was a Nishiki Comp! - like what I lusted after at the local LBS. Two months later, just before the rainy season, I decided no one was going to claim it, so I picked it up (feeling a bit like a thief). $150 in wheels and other parts and a professional frame straightening session, I had my first adult bike. The bent frame made me realize the bike was probably stripped and cast off by its owner after a crash. Unfortunately it was a bit too big for me. After this realization set in, I sold it a few months later for $150 to a fellow who appreciated it as much as I did. I used the money to buy a bike that fit. If it had been my size, I still would have it, rust and all. I still have the bike that fit.
cheers,
Skip Echert Renton, Wa (sunshine today!)
At 05:47 PM 11/8/01, you wrote:
>Hello, folks.
>
>I bought this Nishiki in 1973, when the LBS owner convinced me that I
>needed to buy as big a frame as I could handle, which turned out to be
>25", center-to-top. (For comparison, my main ride now is a 59cm RB-2. I
>can fit on the Nishiki, but the standover tends to make my wife nervous. .
>. .) The Competition, if I remember right, was just below the "Semi-Pro"
>(later renamed the "Professional," I think): the Competition had
>clinchers, the Semi-Pro had tubulars, but other differences I can't
>remember. The tubing is cro-moly, double-butted, maker unknown. The
>fork's included, but the headset almost certainly needs replacing.
>
>You can see some black & white pics of the Nishiki at this url:
>http://my.voyager.net/~ferness261/ . I've got color pics that I can
>e-mail (the color ones wouldn't upload right, so I just went with the B&W
>on the homepage. (Those of you who are interested can see my 1957 Gibson
>LG-1 by following the "music" link on the page. <g>)
>
>Price: $75 plus shipping. (I have no reference price to go by since I've
>never seen another one of these for sale. So I hope this is
>reasonable. It ain't a 1962 PX-10, that's for sure!) If you're
>interested, you can contact me off list at ferness261@voyager.net . I can
>send more measurements and other details, too.
>
>Thanks!
>
>nath dresser
>spring green, wisconsin