Weirdo vintage warehouse find!
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Weirdo vintage warehouse find!
I am not familiar with this one, but I spotted it at the back of a warehouse full of architectural antiques. I asked the business owner about it, and he said he’d take $150 for it.
It is a Velo Apache from the early 1970s. It is an adult sized bike with 26” wheels, but has a Banana Seat, 3-speed stick shifter, period generator and lights, and drum brakes front and rear.
Near mint condition.
Any info would be appreciated!
It is a Velo Apache from the early 1970s. It is an adult sized bike with 26” wheels, but has a Banana Seat, 3-speed stick shifter, period generator and lights, and drum brakes front and rear.
Near mint condition.
Any info would be appreciated!
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Different strokes for different folks. That generator would scare me away. The thing is powered by Lucifer!
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It's still worth at least $150. I bet that Sturmey Archer stick-shift is worth about that, alone. 😎
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That is SIICCCKKK...
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Full-on dorkly awesomeness! I would have a hard time passing that thing up myself. Even though I probably would hate myself later.
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● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
#13
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these types of bikes with that car-like shifter and the banana seat were popular here (=gernamy) around ~1978-1980. They were called either "Bonanzarad" or "Highriser". The popularity was short-lived when buyers found out they looked cool but were a pain to ride for more than 5 minutes - too heavy, awkard seating position. (have i heard someone yell "Fatbike"? thought so). I got one ~1980 as a confirmation gift and sold it on a few weeks later.
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these types of bikes with that car-like shifter and the banana seat were popular here (=gernamy) around ~1978-1980. They were called either "Bonanzarad" or "Highriser". The popularity was short-lived when buyers found out they looked cool but were a pain to ride for more than 5 minutes - too heavy, awkard seating position. (have i heard someone yell "Fatbike"? thought so). I got one ~1980 as a confirmation gift and sold it on a few weeks later.
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Are the seat stays bolted to the seat tube? I mean, with the banana seat like that, I imagine that a lot of the rider's load is carried by those rear ... seat ... struts(?), but I don't think I've ever seen seat stays that appear to bolt to the frame like that. It looks like one long carriage bolt that runs through the seat tube (and seat post?) and seat stay joint.
This is the bike to have to ensure your bike ride is a solo one. :-)
"Kids, I'm going on a bike ride!"
"Can we come, too?"
"Sure, but I'm riding my bonazarad bike."
"Oh...no thanks."
I'd have to have that bike, for the "wow" factor alone!
This is the bike to have to ensure your bike ride is a solo one. :-)
"Kids, I'm going on a bike ride!"
"Can we come, too?"
"Sure, but I'm riding my bonazarad bike."
"Oh...no thanks."
I'd have to have that bike, for the "wow" factor alone!
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The seat stays are indeed bolted to the seat tube, not sure why since everything else appears to be welded. I’ve seen a few old photos of this bike showing a huge horseshoe shaped metal object bolted in that spot. No clue as to what it is.
I didn’t get a shot of the head badge but I’ll take some more details when I pick up the bike.
The other bike is also a “Vello”, also with drum brakes, but it is has a folding frame with a simple single down tube.
There is little to no information on this brand. I assume they were never sold in the US, so I’m curious about how they got here.
I didn’t get a shot of the head badge but I’ll take some more details when I pick up the bike.
The other bike is also a “Vello”, also with drum brakes, but it is has a folding frame with a simple single down tube.
There is little to no information on this brand. I assume they were never sold in the US, so I’m curious about how they got here.
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PS: I thought the mismatching tires were replacements, but the old photos I’m seeing also show a knobby Rear with a Schwinn style ribbed fromt road tire.
Im guessing this bike is all original and seemingly never or barely ridden.
Im guessing this bike is all original and seemingly never or barely ridden.
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Yeah, that's kinda how I have my tires, for road riding on a MTB. I carry panniers & a rack on the back, so want a fat-ish tire there (using a 1.95 for now), but it steers much better with a 1.5 on the front. Obviously, the back wants to be tougher, to handle the extra weight. 👌
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Common on dutch bikes and now bike-share bikes.
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Probably common for that time; our '69 Sears Spyder (single-speed cousin to this muscle bike) was spec'ed with 24 x 1 3/4 rear, 24 x 1 3/8 front, albeit both with "street" tread. The rims are even different widths, to accomodate.
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Just like on trucks and busses! Drive tires (rear) are generally different (with a more aggressive and open tread) than steer tires. I've never seen it on a bike.
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It's sort of backwards what you see on a MTB where you want less rolling resistance in the rear and more braking / cornering power in the front
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I'm wondering what size of 26" tires are on that. Could be weird.