My New Lotus Elan
02-28-14, 11:46 AM
#1
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My New Lotus Elan
I am embarrassed to out my new Lotus Elan 75 since it was on a highly public auction site but I just gotta share. I have long wanted a bike with Sugino 75 and this Elan has a beautiful frame made with Tange Prestige tubing, the other big reason to love it. I have already had it out for a 50+ mile ride and it really performs well. Here's some pics:
After seeing the Sugino 75 pedal breakage issue I decided to keep them on the shelf. Besides, I wanted to ride back-to-back with my 87 Allez for a comparison.
After seeing the Sugino 75 pedal breakage issue I decided to keep them on the shelf. Besides, I wanted to ride back-to-back with my 87 Allez for a comparison.
Last edited by leaping_gnome; 02-28-14 at 03:53 PM.
02-28-14, 12:41 PM
#2
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Congrats! What a rare and fantastic bike. I've not seen a complete Sugino 75 bike, only bits and pieces of this mystery group.
Beautiful.
Beautiful.
02-28-14, 02:01 PM
#3
bicyclatte!
Looks like it's in beautiful condition. I'm only directly familiar with the Lotus Eclair, but it seems as though Lotus had some very nice bikes.
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02-28-14, 02:14 PM
#4
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Never seen this model or heard of Sugino 75. Arts the period when I wasn't paying attention to bikes.
Spec'd by an American importer and made by Tsunoda in Japan. They were all very classy bikes. I sold them for a couple of years. They always exceeded our expectations.
Spec'd by an American importer and made by Tsunoda in Japan. They were all very classy bikes. I sold them for a couple of years. They always exceeded our expectations.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
02-28-14, 02:33 PM
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What a totally cool bike. I am a Lotus fan!
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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
02-28-14, 03:43 PM
#6
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02-28-14, 03:52 PM
#7
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WOW what a magnificent and fantastic machine! Congratulations. I love it. More pics 
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02-28-14, 04:01 PM
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02-28-14, 04:05 PM
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Thanks! Course, maybe you're talking about the Supreme ^^^ I'd agree! The rest of my (Elan) pics are here https://www.flickr.com/photos/leaping...7641309607464/
I have to say, you made me want to ride my lotus. I've only put about 25 miles since I got it (been using the panasonic when taking out the C&V) but I think it is time really. I just have feeling it fits way too big. The stand over clearance is none! The top tube is 57cm which is a little big for me. I'm gonna re-approach it again tomorrow and see if I can make it fit.
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02-28-14, 04:09 PM
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Awesome bike…. but when I opened this thread I was really hoping I'd find a 4 wheeled machine for transportation
02-28-14, 04:28 PM
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Really nice bike - for some reason I expected to see a small fibreglass bodied two seat sports car!
02-28-14, 04:58 PM
#12
Banned.
Super cool. Lotus is seeing growing appreciation.
02-28-14, 05:02 PM
#13
Very nice. I don't know anything about Sugino 75 but it's a handsome group. From the pics it seems this bike is in great condition, solid and well designed.
02-28-14, 06:12 PM
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I am embarrassed to out my new Lotus Elan 75 since it was on a highly public auction site but I just gotta share. I have long wanted a bike with Sugino 75 and this Elan has a beautiful frame made with Tange Prestige tubing, the other big reason to love it. I have already had it out for a 50+ mile ride and it really performs well. Here's some pics:
After seeing the Sugino 75 pedal breakage issue I decided to keep them on the shelf. Besides, I wanted to ride back-to-back with my 87 Allez for a comparison.
After seeing the Sugino 75 pedal breakage issue I decided to keep them on the shelf. Besides, I wanted to ride back-to-back with my 87 Allez for a comparison.
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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
02-28-14, 06:43 PM
#15
Frank's Spoke and Wheel shop in Massachusetts was a Lotus dealer in the day. They had several NOS leftover bikes in the late 80's and into the mid 90's just sitting in inventory while the MTB boom was in full swing. There was a new Elan in my size exactly like this one for about $700, as I recall.
I have a Lotus Competition with Columbus SL tubing that looks very similar to that lovely Supreme. A Tsunoda Lotus is typically a nice bike.
I have a Lotus Competition with Columbus SL tubing that looks very similar to that lovely Supreme. A Tsunoda Lotus is typically a nice bike.
02-28-14, 06:53 PM
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1987! Best year ever. I have to say i had never seen this bike before but now it is one if the most intriguing machines ive ever seen. I am on the lookout for one. This and a 1991 panasonic pics titanium with Dura Ace.
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02-28-14, 07:55 PM
#17
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Yup, both the Allez and the Elan are 1987 model year. A nice sample of state of the art steel; Tange Prestige and Columbus SLX. Also a pretty good contrast of components, Sugino 75 and Dura Ace 7400.
I'd like a 4 wheeled Elan in my garage, too! Maybe from Mike Brewer and Edd China?
I'd like a 4 wheeled Elan in my garage, too! Maybe from Mike Brewer and Edd China?
02-28-14, 08:27 PM
#19
when i saw this on fleabay a few weeks ago, somehow I knew it would end up here.
sugino making deraillures just blows my mind. never knew they did that. what's gong on with the crank rings!?!?? they look like carbon fiber!
EDIT: ah nevermind, i went back and saw that they are carbon inlay. pretty neat.
sugino making deraillures just blows my mind. never knew they did that. what's gong on with the crank rings!?!?? they look like carbon fiber!
EDIT: ah nevermind, i went back and saw that they are carbon inlay. pretty neat.
Last edited by zazenzach; 02-28-14 at 08:31 PM.
03-01-14, 06:06 AM
#21
Death fork? Naaaah!!
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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.)
03-01-14, 07:12 AM
#22
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Beautiful bike! My first new and 'real' bike came down to a Lotus or a Bianchi but something about the store and salesman and the bike tipped the scales to the Bianchi. Always thought the Lotus machines were nice and had good looks though.
I always suspected the same, good looking well appointed group though.
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03-01-14, 10:23 AM
#24
What??? Only 2 wheels?
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This is an '87? Back in the early 60's the original Lotus Elan came with a twin-cam. IIRC it was 1800cc, but perhaps only 1600. Still a screamer.
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03-01-14, 10:39 AM
#25
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Thread Starter
I believe the twin-cam was considered a 1500cc. Even if I had twin cams I'm afraid I'd come up a little short on horsepower on my Elan. However, if one were interested in escalating this car thing a little bit I do have a single cam with canted valves that still does the job.
Last edited by leaping_gnome; 03-01-14 at 11:03 AM.
