Re: [CR]Looking for information 1974/5 Nishiki Kokusia (kokusai)

(Example: Production Builders:Pogliaghi)

From: "nath" <ferness261@voyager.net>
To: "Karstens, William" <wkarstens@noris.psasd.navy.mil>, "'Paul C. Brodek'" <pcb@skyweb.net>
References: <3E234FBCAB5AD61184C600C09F0656A7013607F1@NORIS>
Subject: Re: [CR]Looking for information 1974/5 Nishiki Kokusia (kokusai)
Date: Thu, 3 Jul 2003 10:23:41 -0500
cc: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org

Thanks for the translation (kokusai = international), Paul!

There are some Nishiki fans here on the list who can probably help you with other info about the bike, William.

I never had an International (let alone one that said "Kokusai"), but I did have a 1971 Nishiki (American Eagle) Custom and a 1972 Nishiki Competition. The Custom was gaspipe, with shifters at the stem, but it was my first real bike. I remember that it cost $109.95, more than the Varsities most of my friends got. It was yellow and had a Shimano Eagle derailleur, but that's about all I remember. I took great care of it, and when I traded it in for the Competition a year and a half later, the shop owner gave me the full amount in trade.

The Competition had SunTour VGT derailleurs, a Sugino Mighty Compe crankset (the Campy copy), Sunshine hubs, and DiaCompe centerpulls. I sold the fork and frame a year or so ago, but I remember it fondly. It was the only ride I had for almost 20 years. . . .

Enjoy your International--er, Kokusai!

nath dresser
spring green, wi