1981 Nishiki Master - Randonneur build

[SteelNipple]

Early 80s Nishiki Master, I think it was lower mid spec at the time (late 70s / early 80s road line up, Arrow Master->Master->Trim Master->Olympic Ace ??). Propably plain gauge chromoly, 26.4mm seat post. Weight with fork, HS and BB was about 3700g at 59 ST c-c, 56 TT c-c.
I got It few weeks ago (impulse purchase) to build as a rando or something like that. The frame is in fairly good condition, some scuffs and scars, mainly around the BB. Apart from the shifters, BB and HS I won't be using any of the original parts. The wheels are 27" Mavic Module 3's with Suntour sealed hubs and 32x630mm tires so I will be fitting 28", 40x622's there with the fenders.

As it was

 

[SteelNipple]

Test fitted some parts. Shimano 600 AX derailleurs, 600 Arabesque 52/40 crank and I will fit those arabesque levers there too.



Only left-hand dynamo I had was this plastic Soubitez.



Connector was already fitted for front light. The wire goes in the tube down to BB, I will route it through the rear fender to the dynamo like it's usually done.

 

[SteelNipple]

Dirty but decent set of Weinmann concave rims with Shimano 60 Uniglide hubs


Cleaned. I will swap quick release axles to these, new bearings and blue grease.




The wheels are done but I've been slacking with the rest as I want to make a 70km parts run with bike, but really havent got the time to do it yet... A relative has a domestic cast iron touring bike sitting in his basement with Shimano tourney center pulls and hangers with quick releases that I can nick for this build.
For brake levers I'll propably use bl-1050's although 6200 levers would visually fit better. Seatpost will be the SR copy of the campy 1044 record seatpost. SR Custom England Road Champion handlebars and SR stem at 70mm or 100mm.

 

[SteelNipple]

Original Dia-compes with the brake pads fitted upside down

Dirty Tourney brakes

Took them apart and did a quick polish. The spring had worn a groove in the barrel on the hanger/mount so I made a rubber sleeve to go between that and the spring. Had to take the rear mounting bolt from the dia-compe as it was too short on the rear Tourney. The weinmann/dc style mounting bolts fit just fine in the slot, just had to tap the old bolt out.

Assembled

 

[SteelNipple]

The brakes are on and adjusted. Got the fenders set up with 42mm Schwalbe Road Cruisers. I need to roll the fenders a little bit more just to be safe but the tires roll fine without rubbing.

6spd Uniglide 14-16-18-19-21-24?


NOS! A rarer version without the indexing teeth on the ramp. The pulley pivot was sticking and the pulleys were dry so I dismantled those and regreased them.

No pics but I had it set up to shift. I just didn't like how it shifted so I took it off. I think the low limit set screw is really just for adjusting the indexing or it needs those indexing teeth to work properly. Anyhow I just couldn't get it go inwards enough and had to change axle spacing to get the hub closer to the dropout, but that didn't make it any better and with loss of the cable tension it would drop the chain.

I like how it looks, too bad it shifts like sh....

 

[SteelNipple]

Options for rear rd are: short cage Deore DX, 600 Arabesque, Shimano Light Action rd, Suntour Alpha 5000, Sachs Huret Rival Aris