Show Us your Lotus
#1
Still learning
Thread Starter
Show Us your Lotus
I looked for a pre-existing Lotus fan thread, but could not find one. I've got three Lotus bikes to recondition, including two mixtes and am looking for inspiration.
So show the aficionados your Lotus.
So show the aficionados your Lotus.
#3
Thrifty Bill
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Mountains of Western NC
Posts: 23,570
Bikes: 86 Katakura Silk, 87 Prologue X2, 88 Cimarron LE, 1975 Sekai 4000 Professional, 73 Paramount, plus more
Mentioned: 96 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1236 Post(s)
Liked 957 Times
in
624 Posts
I've had a couple of 1984 Classiques. They were beautiful bikes, with a lot of tasteful use of chrome. If either fit, I would still have them. Good luck on the negotiations!
#5
Still learning
Thread Starter
Here are the projects I've got.
Challenger Mixte
Excelle Mixte
Challenger - as found, Albany NY. Some patina by top tube cable guides, chain stay, down tube.
Challenger Mixte
Excelle Mixte
Challenger - as found, Albany NY. Some patina by top tube cable guides, chain stay, down tube.
Last edited by oddjob2; 10-07-13 at 07:17 AM.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 1,891
Bikes: to many to list
Mentioned: 35 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 294 Post(s)
Liked 1,028 Times
in
255 Posts
1984 Lotus Supreme, Dura Ace NOS and some campy
https://s1163.photobucket.com/user/jj...4287.jpg.html][/URL]
https://s1163.photobucket.com/user/jj...4287.jpg.html][/URL]
__________________
From Illinois. Collector of many fine bicycles from all over the world. Subscribe to my Youtube channel. Just search John's vintage road bike garage
From Illinois. Collector of many fine bicycles from all over the world. Subscribe to my Youtube channel. Just search John's vintage road bike garage
Likes For jjhabbs:
#7
Death fork? Naaaah!!
No point in re-posting the pictures; just follow the thread:
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...tus?highlight=
Top
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...tus?highlight=
Top
__________________
You know it's going to be a good day when the stem and seatpost come right out.
(looking for a picture and not seeing it? Thank the Photobucket fiasco.PM me and I'll link it up.)
You know it's going to be a good day when the stem and seatpost come right out.
(looking for a picture and not seeing it? Thank the Photobucket fiasco.PM me and I'll link it up.)
#8
Forum Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Kalamazoo MI
Posts: 21,324
Bikes: Fuji SL2.1 Carbon Di2 Cannondale Synapse Alloy 4 Trek Checkpoint ALR-5 Viscount Aerospace Pro Colnago Classic Rabobank Schwinn Waterford PMount Raleigh C50 Cromoly Hybrid Legnano Tipo Roma Pista
Mentioned: 58 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3059 Post(s)
Liked 6,379 Times
in
3,692 Posts
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: golden, co
Posts: 115
Bikes: 80' Zullo track bike,84 Lotus Legend,91' Nishiki Prestige,91' Fuji sundance
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
My 84 Lotus Legend.
It's not very original and it's set up with a 10 speed rear freewheel.
Super record Derailleurs, SunTour Symmetric shifters, Gipiemme Parade Wheel set, Tektro R750 Carbon fiber Duel pivot brakes, Turbo Saddle, Sugino Seat post, Sugino Super Mighty Crankset, Dura Ace 7400 pedals, Shimano 600 AX headset.
Likes For 7/8timing:
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: NYC+NNJ
Posts: 1,318
Bikes: i don't have a bike. a few frames, forks and some parts. that's all
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 54 Post(s)
Liked 52 Times
in
33 Posts
i have a beautiful green/chrome Lotus fork, Columbus steel. need to find the matching frame...
#12
Photographer
Join Date: May 2006
Location: The other Cape, Cape Ann
Posts: 3,158
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 105 Post(s)
Liked 98 Times
in
53 Posts
I have an Aero Super Pro that I'm in the process of rebuilding:
Rest of the photos here:
https://s240.photobucket.com/user/Hea...%20and%20Vitus
Scott
Rest of the photos here:
https://s240.photobucket.com/user/Hea...%20and%20Vitus
Scott
__________________
ClassicFuji.posthaven.com.archive
IG @scottryder.surf.cycle
IG @scottryder.fine.art
ClassicFuji.posthaven.com.archive
IG @scottryder.surf.cycle
IG @scottryder.fine.art
#13
Lotus Monomaniac
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 1,046
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
The majority of the popular Lotus models were made in Japan by Tsunoda (early 1980s), Yamaguchi, Maruishi (later 1980s) and possibly others.
Lotus contracted with Pacific Cycles (not to be confused with Pacific Cycle) in Taiwan starting about 1982 to build most (but not all) of their entry-level bicycles. Those Taiwanese models included the Elite, Elan, Prestige, Sprint, some versions of the Special and America, a few MTB-style bikes and some unusual models like the Lady D and Susie Q women's bikes.
Early versions of the Taiwanese bikes were marketed under the "Tyro Series" for 1983 (Tyro means beginner or novice), but that terminology was only used for one year. To be fair, Lotus did advertise these bikes as being inexpensive.
Generally, the quality of the Taiwanese bikes isn't that of the Japanese models, some Taiwanese bikes are better built than others and quite variable even within the same model/year.
In my opinion, there are too many great entry-level Japanese Lotus bikes (Tsunoda America, Grand Prix, Challenger, Excelle, etc) to bother with the Taiwanese models unless they are either inexpensive or in mint condition.
Lotus contracted with Pacific Cycles (not to be confused with Pacific Cycle) in Taiwan starting about 1982 to build most (but not all) of their entry-level bicycles. Those Taiwanese models included the Elite, Elan, Prestige, Sprint, some versions of the Special and America, a few MTB-style bikes and some unusual models like the Lady D and Susie Q women's bikes.
Early versions of the Taiwanese bikes were marketed under the "Tyro Series" for 1983 (Tyro means beginner or novice), but that terminology was only used for one year. To be fair, Lotus did advertise these bikes as being inexpensive.
Generally, the quality of the Taiwanese bikes isn't that of the Japanese models, some Taiwanese bikes are better built than others and quite variable even within the same model/year.
In my opinion, there are too many great entry-level Japanese Lotus bikes (Tsunoda America, Grand Prix, Challenger, Excelle, etc) to bother with the Taiwanese models unless they are either inexpensive or in mint condition.
Last edited by Snydermann; 10-08-13 at 11:51 AM.
#14
Lotus Monomaniac
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 1,046
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
If the fork crown is engraved with the Lotus logo it's an '84, smooth crown is '83. Chrome crown and it's from a Lotus Competition, chrome blades and it's from a Lotus Legend or Legend Compe.
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: NYC+NNJ
Posts: 1,318
Bikes: i don't have a bike. a few frames, forks and some parts. that's all
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 54 Post(s)
Liked 52 Times
in
33 Posts
Green (Oxide Green) with chrome and Columbus tubing narrows it down to 1983-84.
If the fork crown is engraved with the Lotus logo it's an '84, smooth crown is '83. Chrome crown and it's from a Lotus Competition, chrome blades and it's from a Lotus Legend or Legend Compe.
If the fork crown is engraved with the Lotus logo it's an '84, smooth crown is '83. Chrome crown and it's from a Lotus Competition, chrome blades and it's from a Lotus Legend or Legend Compe.
will be fun to seek one right frame, i know.
#17
Lotus Monomaniac
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 1,046
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
So you'll be able to find a frame eventually, and a rare and special Lotus will be lost forever. Ignorance and greed fuels the bicycle hobby.
#18
Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Apex, NC
Posts: 42
Bikes: 2007 Iron Horse Victory 3.0, 2001 Raleigh SC40, 2011Fuji Newest 2.0, 1984 Lotus Challenger,1989 Schwinn World Sport,1973 Motobecane Grand Touring,1970 Schwinn Varsity,1991Paramount series 3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
This '84-'85 Challenger was on a fast track to the scrap pile but I managed to save it. I have thoroughly worked it over and it will be put into regular service soon. It is more enjoyable to ride than my late model road bike. I was wondering if I was going to have to turn in my man card for riding a pale lavender pearl bike but it is such a nice ride I don't care. In fact I have grown to like this color quite a bit. It is original save the saddle, handlebar tape, cables and housings as well as the pedals. The original saddle and pedals have been saved.
Last edited by gstep51; 12-11-14 at 09:21 AM.
Likes For gstep51:
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Washington County, Vermont, USA
Posts: 3,787
Bikes: 1966 Dawes Double Blue, 1976 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1975 Raleigh Sprite 27, 1980 Univega Viva Sport, 1971 Gitane Tour de France, 1984 Lotus Classique, 1976 Motobecane Grand Record
Mentioned: 77 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 758 Post(s)
Liked 647 Times
in
343 Posts
Classiques are the best. Here's mine--a circa 1984 I acquired as a frame from Thrifty Bill. It has a Sugino Apex wide-range double in 86 BCD with 48-32 rings. The wheels actually came off another Lotus Classique that passed briefly through my hands years ago. I love the way it rides. On a rainy ride last spring I ran into a bunch of Lotus car enthusiasts out on a road rally of some kind. We all posed for pictures together.
__________________
www.redclovercomponents.com
"Progress might have been all right once, but it has gone on too long."
--Ogden Nash
www.redclovercomponents.com
"Progress might have been all right once, but it has gone on too long."
--Ogden Nash
Likes For RobbieTunes:
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 131
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
This is my first ever road bike and first attempt at any real kind of mechanical work. I'm a total klutz so please don't laugh too hard.