Austro Daimler Serial Number Database
#51
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 693
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 157 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 17 Times
in
15 Posts
Ultima (most likely) red 77? 78?
Just acquired: serial 6200126
I'm told this frame was built up from a frame by the original purchaser - all Campy.
Only thing that distinguishes it from an Ultima as shown in the catalogs is the lack of chromed front lugs. Don't know if that was a catalog thing, or an option, or standard on the Ultima. But the Superleight seemed only to come in cream color. Pretty sure they're the exact same frame anyway.
Standard diagonal 531 decal, all 531. No suffix.
No top tube model name decal. May never have had one - frame has very little mileage on it, and it's unlikely that the decal would've worn and chipped off. The others are just about pristine.
Gold lug outlining, aluminum front A-D badge, only seat tube is pinstriped.
About half inch unattractive and uncreative drainage hole in bottom of BB. Measures just under 68mm, looks to have been faced.
No top tube braze ons but it had downtube shifter ones (the original owner sawed them off when he installed barcons. Grr.) And it has top of BB brazed on cable guides.
Paint chips reveal that at least stays are chromed under paint.
Campy dropouts
Fancy cut out Bocama lugs, I believe.
Most of the above can be seen in the pics.
I'm dating it based on color, serial number (assuming there's some kind of continuity to the serials posted thus far) and lack of top tube braze ons.
If someone can narrow this one down to a specific year, or correct me and tell me it could be older or newer, that would be great.
Hope this helps some people out.
I'm told this frame was built up from a frame by the original purchaser - all Campy.
Only thing that distinguishes it from an Ultima as shown in the catalogs is the lack of chromed front lugs. Don't know if that was a catalog thing, or an option, or standard on the Ultima. But the Superleight seemed only to come in cream color. Pretty sure they're the exact same frame anyway.
Standard diagonal 531 decal, all 531. No suffix.
No top tube model name decal. May never have had one - frame has very little mileage on it, and it's unlikely that the decal would've worn and chipped off. The others are just about pristine.
Gold lug outlining, aluminum front A-D badge, only seat tube is pinstriped.
About half inch unattractive and uncreative drainage hole in bottom of BB. Measures just under 68mm, looks to have been faced.
No top tube braze ons but it had downtube shifter ones (the original owner sawed them off when he installed barcons. Grr.) And it has top of BB brazed on cable guides.
Paint chips reveal that at least stays are chromed under paint.
Campy dropouts
Fancy cut out Bocama lugs, I believe.
Most of the above can be seen in the pics.
I'm dating it based on color, serial number (assuming there's some kind of continuity to the serials posted thus far) and lack of top tube braze ons.
If someone can narrow this one down to a specific year, or correct me and tell me it could be older or newer, that would be great.
Hope this helps some people out.
Last edited by msl109; 09-20-17 at 03:04 PM. Reason: Add pics
#52
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Beaverton, OR
Posts: 14,744
Bikes: Yes
Mentioned: 525 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3230 Post(s)
Liked 3,868 Times
in
1,439 Posts
Just acquired: serial 6200126
I'm told this frame was built up from a frame by the original purchaser - all Campy.
Only thing that distinguishes it from an Ultima as shown in the catalogs is the lack of chromed front lugs. Don't know if that was a catalog thing, or an option, or standard on the Ultima. But the Superleight seemed only to come in cream color. Pretty sure they're the exact same frame anyway.
I'm told this frame was built up from a frame by the original purchaser - all Campy.
Only thing that distinguishes it from an Ultima as shown in the catalogs is the lack of chromed front lugs. Don't know if that was a catalog thing, or an option, or standard on the Ultima. But the Superleight seemed only to come in cream color. Pretty sure they're the exact same frame anyway.
Yours looks fairly identical to mine (pictured on the previous page) except for the head tube lugs. Yours are smoother on the head tube and extend further along the downtube. If you're interested in comparing details, you can see more detail shots of my A-D here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/263825...57668502010416
Mine came to me with a Campy Record headset and bottom bracket and a mix of mid-to-low end Shimano, Modulo and Sugino parts, unceremoniously cobbled together as a fixie. I have a suspicion that the headset and bottom bracket were supplied with the frame set.
My serial number is slightly lower than yours and I've been guessing mine is a 1979. I'm just guessing though. I've thought, based on the lack of model name decal, that it is the Team frame that I've seen referenced in various places. I'm just guessing about that too.
BTW, if you wnt to touch up the paint look for Nina Ultra Pro Cranberri nail polish. It's a perfect match -- at least it was for mine. It's shockingly difficult to get a good picture of the color, so I'm not certain yours is the same as mine.
__________________
My Bikes
My Bikes
#53
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 693
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 157 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 17 Times
in
15 Posts
The Ultima Superleicht in the 1976 catalog was a one-off made for Gene Ritvo. You can see it here: https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...ht-part-i.html
Yours looks fairly identical to mine (pictured on the previous page) except for the head tube lugs. Yours are smoother on the head tube and extend further along the downtube. If you're interested in comparing details, you can see more detail shots of my A-D here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/263825...57668502010416
Mine came to me with a Campy Record headset and bottom bracket and a mix of mid-to-low end Shimano, Modulo and Sugino parts, unceremoniously cobbled together as a fixie. I have a suspicion that the headset and bottom bracket were supplied with the frame set.
My serial number is slightly lower than yours and I've been guessing mine is a 1979. I'm just guessing though. I've thought, based on the lack of model name decal, that it is the Team frame that I've seen referenced in various places. I'm just guessing about that too.
BTW, if you wnt to touch up the paint look for Nina Ultra Pro Cranberri nail polish. It's a perfect match -- at least it was for mine. It's shockingly difficult to get a good picture of the color, so I'm not certain yours is the same as mine.
Yours looks fairly identical to mine (pictured on the previous page) except for the head tube lugs. Yours are smoother on the head tube and extend further along the downtube. If you're interested in comparing details, you can see more detail shots of my A-D here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/263825...57668502010416
Mine came to me with a Campy Record headset and bottom bracket and a mix of mid-to-low end Shimano, Modulo and Sugino parts, unceremoniously cobbled together as a fixie. I have a suspicion that the headset and bottom bracket were supplied with the frame set.
My serial number is slightly lower than yours and I've been guessing mine is a 1979. I'm just guessing though. I've thought, based on the lack of model name decal, that it is the Team frame that I've seen referenced in various places. I'm just guessing about that too.
BTW, if you wnt to touch up the paint look for Nina Ultra Pro Cranberri nail polish. It's a perfect match -- at least it was for mine. It's shockingly difficult to get a good picture of the color, so I'm not certain yours is the same as mine.
#54
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Beaverton, OR
Posts: 14,744
Bikes: Yes
Mentioned: 525 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3230 Post(s)
Liked 3,868 Times
in
1,439 Posts
Helpful - thanks ! So they never chromed the head tube lugs of the production Ultimas? Did yours ever have a top tube model name decal? Yours looks much the same as mine with differences you've noted. Only other thing I notice is your fork lugs are different. What makes you guess yours is a 79? I thought they would have had top tube brazes by then, but maybe I'm mistaken. Thanks loads for the nail polish tip. Was going to take the fork to a cosmetics store ...
Interestingly, in the '78 scans the fork crown on the Ultima looks like mine (except that it has A-D pantographed into it) and the fork crown on the Superleicht looks like yours.
__________________
My Bikes
My Bikes
#55
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 693
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 157 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 17 Times
in
15 Posts
I've never seen chromed head tube lugs except on that one bike. My 1979 guess was based mostly on the serial numbers here and on the Classic Rendevous list. Since you mentioned the top tube guides, I went and had another look at the scans on bulgier.net. Sure enough, the 1979 pictures show brazed on cable guides but the 1978 pictures do not, though the description in the '78 catalog next to the pictures says that the top tube guides are brazed on. So maybe mine is a '76 or or '77.
Interestingly, in the '78 scans the fork crown on the Ultima looks like mine (except that it has A-D pantographed into it) and the fork crown on the Superleicht looks like yours.
Interestingly, in the '78 scans the fork crown on the Ultima looks like mine (except that it has A-D pantographed into it) and the fork crown on the Superleicht looks like yours.
#56
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 693
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 157 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 17 Times
in
15 Posts
I've never seen chromed head tube lugs except on that one bike. My 1979 guess was based mostly on the serial numbers here and on the Classic Rendevous list. Since you mentioned the top tube guides, I went and had another look at the scans on bulgier.net. Sure enough, the 1979 pictures show brazed on cable guides but the 1978 pictures do not, though the description in the '78 catalog next to the pictures says that the top tube guides are brazed on. So maybe mine is a '76 or or '77.
Interestingly, in the '78 scans the fork crown on the Ultima looks like mine (except that it has A-D pantographed into it) and the fork crown on the Superleicht looks like yours.
Interestingly, in the '78 scans the fork crown on the Ultima looks like mine (except that it has A-D pantographed into it) and the fork crown on the Superleicht looks like yours.
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...e-catalog.html
#57
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Beaverton, OR
Posts: 14,744
Bikes: Yes
Mentioned: 525 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3230 Post(s)
Liked 3,868 Times
in
1,439 Posts
Spoke too soon. Here's the '77 catalog. Still featuring the one off Ultima ...
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...e-catalog.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...e-catalog.html
__________________
My Bikes
My Bikes
#58
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 693
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 157 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 17 Times
in
15 Posts
Thanks for sharing. I had never seen that. It doesn't really tell me anything new, but I had never seen it. The Ultima pictures look like the one from the '76 catalog and the one from the '78 catalog. I guess that would explain the difference in picture and text about the cable guides in the '78 catalog. I'd love to have one of those boxes.
I don't think they were terribly concerned about accurately depicting small changes in models from year to year. They weren't even concerned with the fact that the Ultima depicted for two years was a one off custom! Maybe if enough serials accumulate, someone can find a pattern.
Did you notice that the inset picture of the blue Ultima also shows it with chrome head tube lugs?
#59
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Beaverton, OR
Posts: 14,744
Bikes: Yes
Mentioned: 525 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3230 Post(s)
Liked 3,868 Times
in
1,439 Posts
I thought it looked that way, but I wasn't sure it wasn't a trick of the pixelation.
__________________
My Bikes
My Bikes
#60
Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Posts: 49
Bikes: '85 Schwinn Tempo, '83 Raleigh Super Course, '84 Bianchi Randonneur, '88 Schwinn Premis, '83 Cannondale ST-500, '97 Bianchi Trofeo , '81 Austro Daimler SLE
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 14 Post(s)
Liked 12 Times
in
6 Posts
Austro Daimler SLE
Found this AD SLE at Goodwill a couple Sundays ago. They had it priced at $200 & it sat for about 3 weeks, But the day I went in it was marked down to $35, plus it was a half price day, so $18 dollars. Paint has a lot of scraps & decals are rough. but the Hurets shift good & everything seems functional. Serial # is 6287943. I think its a 1980 or 81.
#61
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Posts: 70
Bikes: 1980 Austro Daimler SLE
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Found this AD SLE at Goodwill a couple Sundays ago. They had it priced at $200 & it sat for about 3 weeks, But the day I went in it was marked down to $35, plus it was a half price day, so $18 dollars. Paint has a lot of scraps & decals are rough. but the Hurets shift good & everything seems functional. Serial # is 6287943. I think its a 1980 or 81.
That looks just like my AD SLE, which I bought at Montgomery Cyclery in 1981. I believe mine is a 1980 model, serial number 6242604.
#62
Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Posts: 49
Bikes: '85 Schwinn Tempo, '83 Raleigh Super Course, '84 Bianchi Randonneur, '88 Schwinn Premis, '83 Cannondale ST-500, '97 Bianchi Trofeo , '81 Austro Daimler SLE
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 14 Post(s)
Liked 12 Times
in
6 Posts
That will confirm 1980 for this one, as it doesn't quite match up to the 1981 catalog photos. Do you have a 1980 catalog?
#63
Some Weirdo
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Rexburg, ID
Posts: 502
Bikes: '86 Schwinn Prelude, '91 Scott Sawtooth, '73 Raleigh "Grand 3"
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 223 Post(s)
Liked 141 Times
in
92 Posts
I know this thread is a bit old now, but I thought that since I know exactly when my AD was made, it would be ok. I have an 1982 AD Alpina, serial number 7005040. There are some catalogues at 2velo.
__________________
Somewhere, a village is missing its idiot.
Somewhere, a village is missing its idiot.
#64
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Beaverton, OR
Posts: 14,744
Bikes: Yes
Mentioned: 525 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3230 Post(s)
Liked 3,868 Times
in
1,439 Posts
Thanks for the contribution. Certainty with AD manufacturing years is an uncommon thing.
__________________
My Bikes
My Bikes
#65
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Greenwood SC USA
Posts: 2,252
Bikes: 2002 Mercian Vincitore, 1982 Mercian Colorado, 1976 Puch Royal X, 1973 Raleigh Competition, 1971 Gitane Tour de France and others
Mentioned: 55 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 823 Post(s)
Liked 1,395 Times
in
694 Posts
Acquired this bicycle in a pile of parts from a guy here that was a rep for Puch, Giant & Panasonic.
have not been able to learn much from him other than this was his own bike. Frame is large, about 25", and has stickers showing it to be made of 531 tubing. Dura Ace crankset, with Sun Tour f & r deraileurs. 27" Rigida wheelset.
frame number 5614464.
Would love some help in identifying the model and year of manufacture.
thanks
Louis
have not been able to learn much from him other than this was his own bike. Frame is large, about 25", and has stickers showing it to be made of 531 tubing. Dura Ace crankset, with Sun Tour f & r deraileurs. 27" Rigida wheelset.
frame number 5614464.
Would love some help in identifying the model and year of manufacture.
thanks
Louis
#68
Veteran, Pacifist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Seattle area
Posts: 13,328
Bikes: Bikes??? Thought this was social media?!?
Mentioned: 284 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3898 Post(s)
Liked 4,832 Times
in
2,229 Posts
Serial # is: 6978468 -- clearly legible and not the larger, sloppy stamped numbers on my AD Olympian. It also has stamped on the BB: 5 S 863. As well as a large "F", and "14"
I checked the Classic Rendezvous serial number list again and believe this frame to be 1982.
edit: assuming info in this link is accurate (https://www.company7.com/bosendorfer/....html#ventnoir) this frameset is an 1982 VN II.
re-edit for BB serial number pics. AND seeking help with identifying the other numbers on BB
------------------------------------------ _____________________________________________________
I checked the Classic Rendezvous serial number list again and believe this frame to be 1982.
edit: assuming info in this link is accurate (https://www.company7.com/bosendorfer/....html#ventnoir) this frameset is an 1982 VN II.
re-edit for BB serial number pics. AND seeking help with identifying the other numbers on BB
------------------------------------------ _____________________________________________________
__________________
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Last edited by Wildwood; 09-05-19 at 05:34 PM.
#69
Veteran, Pacifist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Seattle area
Posts: 13,328
Bikes: Bikes??? Thought this was social media?!?
Mentioned: 284 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3898 Post(s)
Liked 4,832 Times
in
2,229 Posts
I saw a comment from someone (posted a couple of years ago) that the details of their AD did not match the catalog description precisely.
For the record, my 1981/82 Olympian has the dropouts from the 1981 catalog, but the '82 decals. There was a slight difference in geo between the '81 and '82 but I haven't attempted to measure the headtube angle for the 1 degree of difference.
On a slightly different issue, the Bulgier.net scans show a page that states the VN, Olympian and Force used the same 531 F/F 'fast touring' frameset. My Olympian has no braze-ons for bottles or derailleur cable routing, but the VN has 2 sets of bottle braze-ons and cable guides for under BB routing for ders and on chainstay. Could these be the same year with different details (braze-ons)?; or would the VN be a later year based on frame braze-ons?
For the record, my 1981/82 Olympian has the dropouts from the 1981 catalog, but the '82 decals. There was a slight difference in geo between the '81 and '82 but I haven't attempted to measure the headtube angle for the 1 degree of difference.
On a slightly different issue, the Bulgier.net scans show a page that states the VN, Olympian and Force used the same 531 F/F 'fast touring' frameset. My Olympian has no braze-ons for bottles or derailleur cable routing, but the VN has 2 sets of bottle braze-ons and cable guides for under BB routing for ders and on chainstay. Could these be the same year with different details (braze-ons)?; or would the VN be a later year based on frame braze-ons?
__________________
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Last edited by Wildwood; 08-24-19 at 12:11 PM.
#70
Veteran, Pacifist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Seattle area
Posts: 13,328
Bikes: Bikes??? Thought this was social media?!?
Mentioned: 284 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3898 Post(s)
Liked 4,832 Times
in
2,229 Posts
bump for BB pics and
REQUESTING HELP in identifying the meaning of other numbers/letters.
TIA
REQUESTING HELP in identifying the meaning of other numbers/letters.
TIA
__________________
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Last edited by Wildwood; 09-05-19 at 05:41 PM.
#71
Veteran, Pacifist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Seattle area
Posts: 13,328
Bikes: Bikes??? Thought this was social media?!?
Mentioned: 284 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3898 Post(s)
Liked 4,832 Times
in
2,229 Posts
And looking for a date for Michelle.
CR list has a couple of numbers close with ? as a frame mfg date.
CR list has a couple of numbers close with ? as a frame mfg date.
__________________
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
#72
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Utah
Posts: 24
Bikes: Specialized Expedition 1984, Fuji Chikara, Austro Daimler Bike-With-no-Name, Motobecane Le Champion and Cannondale R700 (1994?)
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
3 Posts
Total newbie here and new to this Brand as well. I bought a Bordeaux Red AD bike at a local pawn shop 3 weeks ago in ride able condition. It's a 531 frame and forks with no model name and mostly Campy Super Record components. My serial # is 5749014 which seems "75" to "77"ish but the components seem to be 1980 or so. I'm guessing an older frame set was purchased then built up with selected components. I'm riding it daily since it came back from the bike shop and I love it! I will replace the non-Campy stuff with correct Campagnolo components for the Ultima of 1980 vintage. Love this forum by the way!
#74
Veteran, Pacifist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Seattle area
Posts: 13,328
Bikes: Bikes??? Thought this was social media?!?
Mentioned: 284 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3898 Post(s)
Liked 4,832 Times
in
2,229 Posts
That is beautiful. I'm sure it rides like Heaven, especially with those nice tires.
In my limited experience, have never seen the Professional tubeset on an AD.
Bulgier.net has some catalogues - here's the link:
www.bulgier.net - /pics/bike/Catalogs/AustroDaimler/
for '82 they show 531SL tubesets on Ultima
__________________
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
#75
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 655
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 189 Post(s)
Liked 473 Times
in
200 Posts
That is beautiful. I'm sure it rides like Heaven, especially with those nice tires.
In my limited experience, have never seen the Professional tubeset on an AD.
Bulgier.net has some catalogues - here's the link:
www.bulgier.net - /pics/bike/Catalogs/AustroDaimler/
for '82 they show 531SL tubesets on Ultima
In my limited experience, have never seen the Professional tubeset on an AD.
Bulgier.net has some catalogues - here's the link:
www.bulgier.net - /pics/bike/Catalogs/AustroDaimler/
for '82 they show 531SL tubesets on Ultima
EDIT:
Looks like some of the Ultima SL framesets were built with Reynolds Professional tubing. I wonder how many?
"The top of the line Austro-Daimler bicycle was marketed as the Ultima series. These are built upon a TI Reynolds 531 (pronounced "five three one") alloy lugged frame with premium lighter weight Campagnolo Super Record series components. Later in the production history the "ULTIMA super leicht" were introduced. These "ULTIMA super leicht" have been seen bearing the AD head badge and with the "AUSTRO-DAIMLER" decal on the down tube, though later production models will bear the PUCH head badge and top stay tips with the round STEYR decal on the seat tube and the "AUSTRO-DAIMLER" decal on the down tube. These SL models were made with the Reynolds 531 Special Lightweight alloy marketed as "531 SL", with tube walls as thick or thicker than the standard 531. Some were made with the "531 SL Professional" (or 531 Professional) tube sets, with walls as thin as the standard 531 tubes but of the same lightweight alloy as the 531 SL. While a standard 531 frame set might weigh about 2200 grams, a similar size 531 SL frame set will weigh about 1990 grams; a weight savings of about 10 percent. The 531 Professional frame weighs even less averaging 1900 grams, about 5 percent less than the 531 SL."
Last edited by alexihnen; 10-18-19 at 09:37 PM.