I say it's a 1981 Nishiki Ultimate based on the PAT 81 date on the RD and I probably bought it in 1982. These top models were not in the published catalogues. It most definitely had Campagnolo clincher rims when hanging in the bike shop and barring time travel, they could not have been off-topic.
-- John Betmanis Woodstock, Ontario Canada
On 30/05/2010 12:27 AM, Steven Maasland wrote:
> John responded:
>
> "My 1981 Nishiki Ultimate originally came with Campag clincher rims, but
> when I bought it (new) I had the shop replace them with Nisi tubular
> rims. So they existed and would certainly be OT."
>
> In response to David's question:
>
> "Are any Campagnolo clincher rims OT ?"
>
> Please allow me to state that were absolutely no Campagnolo rims whatsoever in 1981, whether clincher or tubular.
>
> All Campagnolo rims are definitely off-topic, as all were produced after 1983. The first Campagnolo price list to feature rims was the one from 1986. The first Campagnolo catalogs and brochures featuring rims also date from 1986. It would however appear that the first rims were delivered in either late 1984 or in 1985 but that they were not widely available until 1986. Had rims been available in 1981 as reported by John, there is no doubt whatsoever that they would have been included in earlier price lists as well as part of the 50th anniversary gruppo. The freewheel, saddle and rims all post-date the 50th anniversary gruppo.
>
> Steven Maasland
> Moorestown, NJ
> USA