A local flea market bargain at $30, this is just the sort of cheapskate single-speed conversion I used to do back in the day.

I don’t build them like this any longer and I’ll improve this early 1980s steel-frame classic Nishiki to make it fit for the road in 2025.

Here’s why I’m calling it a hillbilly single-speed conversion. This is the cheapest kind of conversion, just strip off the gear shifters and cut down the chain.

No choice of gears though it does work on flat ground. But it is geared far too steeply for any hill or adverse wind. I rode it a few blocks and it was a chore.

We called these ‘chop ‘n flop’ handlebars; where you’d chop off your ‘rams horn’ road bars, flop them upside down, then maybe install only one brake for that sleek look.

No brakes at all if it was a fixie bike and you were young and foolish.

For its probable 1980s age this chro-mo frame is fine looking, with good paint, decals, stickers and all important headbadge. The aftermarket pedals, cranks and spider look high quality.

Light in weight, it will give a slow but springy ride. A good bike for an old man, tall stem and handlebars allowing a wind catching but ergonomic upright riding posture to ease the arthritic neck.

This Nishiki was from the high tide of Japanese steel frame bike excellence, using lightweight, strong chro-mo steel, and top quality components on top of the line models like this Prestige.

Gold anodized front chain ring, cranks and pedals are aftermarket. I hope the tooth count matches a rear sprocket I already have.

Like new tires. Old style center-pull brakes: handy quick release seat height adjuster. The usual crap hard seat. I already have a good replacement seat, always a significant chunk of the build cost unless you get lucky.

I’ve already removed the chop ‘n flop bars, quill-stem and brake levers to take up to my flea market bike guy called Trent to match for size. I need tall steering components in order to keep my arthritic neck on the level.

I will need to wrestle off the Nishiki’s old gear cluster, frequently a matter of much lube, brute force and stupidity, always my chief weapons of choice.

Then I’ll check my dwindling vintage bike parts for rear cogs, center-pull brake arms and brake levers to fit the tall quill-stem and handlebars I hope to score from Trent.

So hopefully I can start building it next week after I hit our big local flea market, Denio’s of Roseville, California. To be continued.

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