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My Lotus Elan 75

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My Lotus Elan 75

Old 07-19-19, 11:15 PM
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JJam2112
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My Lotus Elan 75

here are a few pics of my Lotus Elan 75. It is in pretty good shape. It has 75 in its name because it is equipped with the Sugino 75 group set, which is rare. I live in a pretty hilly/ mountainous area so I put a few bigger cogs on the sun tour winner pro freewheel, with the biggest being 32. Also I swapped my rear sugino 75 derailer short cage for a superbe pro long caged . Also since this was in storage the original break levers got packed and I can’t find where they went,
so I put on some dia compe levers until I can find them. Also the saddle, pedals, and wheels are new as well. Everything else is original. I’ll post a few more detailed pics when I can to really appreciate it, as it’s very beautiful in its details




Last edited by JJam2112; 07-20-19 at 06:14 AM. Reason: Added
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Old 07-20-19, 05:25 AM
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Nice example of a 1987 Lotus Elan in excellent condition. Not many manufactuers spec'd the Sugino 75 components due to the price. The MSRP on this bicycle was $1499.00 US. Enjoy.
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Old 07-20-19, 08:20 AM
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Originally Posted by T-Mar
Nice example of a 1987 Lotus Elan in excellent condition. Not many manufactuers spec'd the Sugino 75 components due to the price. The MSRP on this bicycle was $1499.00 US. Enjoy.
Wow didn’t know it sold for that much back in the day.
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Old 07-20-19, 10:15 AM
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Originally Posted by JJam2112
Wow didn’t know it sold for that much back in the day.
That's like a $3500 bike these days... whoa.

BTW- love that Superbe long cage!
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Old 07-20-19, 10:19 AM
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That's super cool. Those components are in great shape.
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Old 07-20-19, 10:23 AM
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Great looking bike. Lotus bikes always looked good. This bike is really nice with a lot of college vintage gear you do not see every day.
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Old 07-20-19, 12:53 PM
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I didn't know Lotus Elan was also a bike!
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Old 07-20-19, 01:36 PM
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Originally Posted by optimusprime8
I didn't know Lotus Elan was also a bike!
haha yeah would be cool to own the car too
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Old 07-20-19, 05:21 PM
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A few more pics from my ride today







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Old 07-20-19, 05:29 PM
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Originally Posted by JJam2112





That's hot.
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Old 07-20-19, 05:45 PM
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Now it's time to get a touring bike so you can free your beautiful stallion of that rack
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Old 07-20-19, 06:12 PM
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Originally Posted by TenGrainBread
Now it's time to get a touring bike so you can free your beautiful stallion of that rack
Yeah that’s my next goal, maybe getting a touring or a cyclocross or something.
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Old 07-20-19, 07:00 PM
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Originally Posted by The Golden Boy
That's hot.
Haha I think so too. Super clean look
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Old 07-21-19, 12:08 AM
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So hot. Can't wait to see that bike (and well, you too, I guess) when I'm out riding. Since you're local to me, it's bound to happen
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Old 07-21-19, 05:49 AM
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Nice bike !
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Old 07-21-19, 06:32 AM
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The brake cable housing ferrules should be removed or necked ferrules should be installed, so that the housing seats properly in the barrel adjusters. I don't believe that the barrel adjusters have a large enough inner diameter to accept non-necked ferrules.

Also, I'd appreciate if the OP would post or PM me with the serial number. I'm curious to know if this model used the same source as for their other production models (i.e Yamaguchi) or if they were contracted to a more upscale manufacturer, as they did with the preceding Cinelli Design series.
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Old 07-21-19, 02:15 PM
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Originally Posted by Lascauxcaveman
So hot. Can't wait to see that bike (and well, you too, I guess) when I'm out riding. Since you're local to me, it's bound to happen
Yes Looking forward to it too. What do you normally ride?
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Old 07-21-19, 02:17 PM
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Originally Posted by T-Mar
The brake cable housing ferrules should be removed or necked ferrules should be installed, so that the housing seats properly in the barrel adjusters. I don't believe that the barrel adjusters have a large enough inner diameter to accept non-necked ferrules.

Also, I'd appreciate if the OP would post or PM me with the serial number. I'm curious to know if this model used the same source as for their other production models (i.e Yamaguchi) or if they were contracted to a more upscale manufacturer, as they did with the preceding Cinelli Design series.
thanks for pointing that out about the ferrules. I just used what the bike store guy gave me, but now I know what I should ask for. Was my first time replacing the housing.

Ill also get you the serial number later today
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Old 07-21-19, 02:37 PM
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What saddle is that? TIA....
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Old 07-21-19, 02:53 PM
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Originally Posted by philbob57
What saddle is that? TIA....
Its the Selle Italia Flite Max Gel Flow Saddle In White
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Old 07-21-19, 08:51 PM
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Originally Posted by T-Mar

Also, I'd appreciate if the OP would post or PM me with the serial number. I'm curious to know if this model used the same source as for their other production models (i.e Yamaguchi) or if they were contracted to a more upscale manufacturer, as they did with the preceding Cinelli Design series.
here is what I could find in my pics I took while it was on my work station



Looks like it says Y6H2U67. Let me know what that means
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Old 07-21-19, 09:16 PM
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Wow, bike is in time capsule condition. I have (for the time being) an Elite 600 from about that time, again named for its component series (mostly Shimano 600). Not nearly as clean as yours. They were some handsome, finely made bikes, however.

Why is your rear brake release open?
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Old 07-21-19, 09:20 PM
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That’s a lovely bike.

Enjoy the ride!
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Old 07-22-19, 12:20 AM
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Originally Posted by JJam2112
Yes Looking forward to it too. What do you normally ride?
Lol. Different bike every day. (See my sig below).

You can contact me via email at downtownhotelatolypendotcom.
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Old 07-22-19, 04:56 AM
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Originally Posted by JJam2112
here is what I could find in my pics I took while it was on my work station

Looks like it says Y6H2U67. Let me know what that means
Your frame was the 2067th built during August 1986 by a Japanese company company called Yamaguchi, who was was the prime contract builder for Lotus at the time. Circa 1986-1988 they built most of the Lotus models. They also did contract manufacturing for a number of other companies including but not limited to Norco, Sakai, Sekai and Shogun.
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