casanewt

1984 Lotus Unique upgraded to Barcon shifters and longer stem.Original owner had the price tag that was dangling on the bike when new, all the original parts, and came with a handlebar bag not shown, Cateye computer, seat pack, Zefal pump, and some bike tools.

j.scud.22

Another 84 Eclair owner, fresh off some new headset bearings and a freewheel this weekend. What did you use for cable stops on the down tube? My understanding was the Eclair has Shimano s less common shifter boss so I’ve never tried changing to barcons. If you still have the original Deore cranks, try the adapters off eBay! I have a set, pictured here. It’s a great all arounder and is my current errand sometime commuter bike

ascherer 

Very nice! Ours did not have the original crankset or rear derailleur. I modified a set of Shimano stops to accommodate the different boss and re-threaded the standard 5mm bolts down to 4.5. Here's a good how-to:

j.scud.22

^^thanks for the link, I was thinking I’d have to grind the shifter boss, but modifying a cheap cable stop seems obvious now. Glad I didn’t foul a perfectly original Lotus (although that’s the reason I didn’t attempt it). These bars have such a deep drop it’s nearly the same reach to the down tube. Also highly recommend the T-shirt from the lotus appreciation website!

Classiq 

Now that the weather finally cooperated and it's starting to get green outside, here's some pix of the completed bike. Saddlebag by Rivendell, saddle and bar tape by brooks, handlebars, stem, wheels, pedals and other odds and ends by Velo Orange. Other odds and ends of vintage parts from eBay or my collection.

Deal4Fuji

Nice !!!

Fahrenheit531 

That's a cool build, @Classiq. Unexpected proportions and component choices that come together well.

Classiq 

Thanx! The front derailleur I just had laying in a drawer . . . and, well, it was just a front derailleur, and off another Lotus to boot. The Suntour Cyclone I had to buy on eBay for real bucks . . . well, just because it's one of the all-time great derailleurs despite being from the '70's. I love the Velo Orange polished rims and the high-flange hubs so those choices were clear. And I really wanted to try out the Velo Orange Nouveau Randonneur handlebars and that trapped me on stem choices 'cause they need a 31.8mm and I needed them to have a little height. For looks, I wish I could have found a classic retro-looking "7" shape stem that would have had some height to it . . . but nada, they don't make such a thing in 31.8mm yet. If they ever do I might just splurge and buy one and swap it out just for the looks because the one I got just looks so anachronistic. But I am really enjoying the wide hand surfaces and grip positions on this new bar from VO. The VO Sabot pedals are really nice too - I don't have to change shoes to ride the bike comfortably.

JJam2112

love these vintage lotus bikes. I’ve owned 4 over my life time starting with the competition in oxide green, the 87 legend in electronic blue, the Areo Sport in oxide green, and my favorite being the Elan 75. I sold the competition and the legend awhile back. I didn’t manage to get pics of the competition but I did get some of the legend. I still have the Areo Sport which I’m trying to sell on flea bay. And here is my Elan 75

OutnBack

Tonight I picked up what must be a very, very early (1980?) Unique frame for $10. No top tube cable guides or water bottle braze-ons, & it looks like it's been lightly ridden. Came w/ a set of 27" 36 spoke Sun Mistral wheels that I don't believe are original. Decals are deteriorating, but paint & chrome are fantastic. I will post pics in the next day or two. Serial # KSO6522

thumpism 

My old Lotus gotten as a bare frame and built up with a Lawwill Leader fork and sample pieces from our parts catalog at the time.

casanewt

Ran across a 1987 Excelle in my size for reasonable price. It needs a good clean up and polish, but it's all there and in good condition.

billnuke1 

You’re gonna like this bike! Got one last summer...owner serviced it, then promptly put in a damp basement for a bunch of years...I ended up with it...re-built it and rode the crap out of it!
You’re gonna like this bike!

Classiq 

Found these bikes on eBay from a guy who buys abandoned storage lockers. $79.99 each - local pickup only in Indianapolis. The first is a 1987 Lotus Excelle that after cleaning appears to have never been ridden. Had the original tires with huge mold flashing running down the midline that was never worn off. Brake pads and rims similarly have no wear marks. Plenty of odd nicks from being bumped in storage but not a spot of rust - must have been stored indoors for 33+ years. Couple of decals inexplicably missing but otherwise completely showroom mint. This project is still on my work stand as I wait for some replacement decals before clear coating and rebuilding it.

The second bike is a 1984 Lotus Unique that was similarly in almost mint condition, except that it was also missing some decals and came with a set of wheels that were clearly not original - an older ten-speed set with a 5 speed freewheel and 120mm axel spacing, Campy hubs and Mavic rims. Traded a bunch of old parts with the LBS for a rear wheel rebuild/respoke to 126mm axel width. My daughter loved the color so I rebuilt it (crank, headset and axel bearings were embedded in hardened-up old grease) for her . . . see last picture. Now has new Brooks saddle, new brakes and new freewheel and large chainwheel. Kept the great classic Suntour Blue-line derailleurs, now controlled by bar-ends.

madpogue 

'87 (?) Elite 600, I think it's a 46, one of those cute little buttons with a 24" front wheel. Photographed pretty-much as bought.

Classiq 

Here's the finished 1987 Excelle:

cmoran1357

Just picked up for a song and going to fix up for a tall friend. Looked in pretty good shape to start!

Barrynof

I bought this bike today. I, absolutely, love it. So light. Shifts so smoothly.

robertj298 

New to me for the second time. I sold this bike a couple years ago and really missed
it. Well the kid I sold it to put it back up for sale a couple months ago for $50 less
than what I sold it to him for so I bought it back.

Barrynof

I think you can really see how my bike was an entry level bike and yours was a level or two above just by looking at the components.

tsenyuta

Now i guess it would be wise to sell it back to the same guy again...

morri869 

Here's my lotus Classique. I had been casually looking for one for the last few years and finally found a nice local example in my size. It's a little rough around the edges but passes the 3 foot eye test with flying colors.

I am really surprised at how nice it rides with the stock componentry and even the choice of a Tange 1 frame. The team at Lotus really knew how to put together a bike.


The classique fills no real niche in my stable other than putting a smile on my face when I ride, but that is good enough a reason for me

tsenyuta

I expect Lotus Suprime probably 1982 in Navy blue, that is arriving next week. Full Dura Ace groupset. It's almost mint, few minor scratches mostly from moving it from one place to another. Time capsule sitting in the storage for almost 30 years.
This link is really informative for all Lotus models.

tsenyuta

A bit of Lotus Supreme porn This bike has just arrived. All Dura Ace components. Frame has few scratches, but nothing that would damage the beauty of this piece of art from Japan.

Hobbiano 

That is supremely awesome!