Mystery “Van Nuys” touring bike
05-04-24, 10:32 PM
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I'm going to bet "Netherlands" based solely on the Hatta Swan HS combined with hodge-podge of other Euro and JP bits...good thing I don't bet actual money!
05-05-24, 02:33 AM
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It doesn't look at all Dutch to me. And although the name Van Nuys originated in the Netherlands, it is now very much an American name, I believe. Sounds a bit too posh for it to be a bike brand for the Dutch market as well.
It looks like a very well-made frame, and - for what it's worth - some of the details made me look up pictures of the one bike in my own collection that they reminded me of: the Akibo.
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05-05-24, 07:23 AM
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I don’t know much of anything about identifying a frame. But my eyes tell me that this is a very unique and great looking bike. Awesome “bones”.
I’d enjoy a thread on its rehab!
The color and the Van Nuys name brings up a semi fond memory of my very first brand new car. A 1992 Chevrolet Camaro RS, 25th Anniversary edition. The color was called purple haze with silver stripes. The final year for production of the Camaro in the Van Nuys plant.
I’d enjoy a thread on its rehab!
The color and the Van Nuys name brings up a semi fond memory of my very first brand new car. A 1992 Chevrolet Camaro RS, 25th Anniversary edition. The color was called purple haze with silver stripes. The final year for production of the Camaro in the Van Nuys plant.
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05-05-24, 08:00 AM
#29
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You rang sir?
It doesn't look at all Dutch to me. And although the name Van Nuys originated in the Netherlands, it is now very much an American name, I believe. Sounds a bit too posh for it to be a bike brand for the Dutch market as well.
It looks like a very well-made frame, and - for what it's worth - some of the details made me look up pictures of the one bike in my own collection that they reminded me of: the Akibo.
It doesn't look at all Dutch to me. And although the name Van Nuys originated in the Netherlands, it is now very much an American name, I believe. Sounds a bit too posh for it to be a bike brand for the Dutch market as well.
It looks like a very well-made frame, and - for what it's worth - some of the details made me look up pictures of the one bike in my own collection that they reminded me of: the Akibo.
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05-05-24, 08:02 AM
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It is a Dutch name but it is also the name of a suburb of Los Angeles in the San Fernando Valley. Van Nuys, CA. Given that the bike is badged from The High Wheeler in Boulder, CO, I’d suspect a frame builder from there rather than a Dutch import.
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05-05-24, 09:21 AM
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has anyone else noticed that here we are approaching thirty posts on the thread and as yet have not been told tubing diameters or threading standard
a great deal more speculation than substance...
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has anyone else noticed that here we are approaching thirty posts on the thread and as yet have not been told tubing diameters or threading standard
a great deal more speculation than substance...
-----
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05-05-24, 11:54 AM
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uh, no.
that was more like 1967...yeah, baby
Can't find a video clip, but dig some of these trippy lyrics, man (jingle sung by the Turtles, AKA Phosphorescent Leech and Eddy):
"A Camaro will drive you
Absolutely mod
(Dig that fantastic body by Fisher and)
You're really gonna flip
A Camaro, a Camaro
(Buckle up in hip hugging bucket seats)
You're on a groovy trip
With Camaro, Camaro, Camaro..."
Last edited by unworthy1; 05-05-24 at 12:02 PM.
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05-05-24, 12:13 PM
#33
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I suppose it is possible that the name was a tribute to Van Nuys, CA. Having lived in So Cal for many years, including the period when this bike was plausibly built, that possibility strains my imagination. 
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05-05-24, 12:14 PM
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from back when a "Camaro would drive you absolutely...MOD!"
uh, no.
that was more like 1967...yeah, baby
Can't find a video clip, but dig some of these trippy lyrics, man (jingle sung by the Turtles, AKA Phosphorescent Leech and Eddy):
"A Camaro will drive you
Absolutely mod
(Dig that fantastic body by Fisher and)
You're really gonna flip
A Camaro, a Camaro
(Buckle up in hip hugging bucket seats)
You're on a groovy trip
With Camaro, Camaro, Camaro..."
uh, no.
that was more like 1967...yeah, baby
Can't find a video clip, but dig some of these trippy lyrics, man (jingle sung by the Turtles, AKA Phosphorescent Leech and Eddy):
"A Camaro will drive you
Absolutely mod
(Dig that fantastic body by Fisher and)
You're really gonna flip
A Camaro, a Camaro
(Buckle up in hip hugging bucket seats)
You're on a groovy trip
With Camaro, Camaro, Camaro..."
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05-05-24, 07:20 PM
#35
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what’s the best way to judge threading? Will it be enough to know what is threaded into it? Or do I need to be able to measure the threads themselves? I’m glad to do it so long as I know what I’m doing
I finished up a project bike today that was almost done. With something finished I can do better starting a new bike!
05-06-24, 07:01 AM
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outer faces of bottom bracket bearing cups are likely to be marked with threading
Hatta headset locknut and adjustable race should show a marking as well
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outer faces of bottom bracket bearing cups are likely to be marked with threading
Hatta headset locknut and adjustable race should show a marking as well
-----
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05-06-24, 12:04 PM
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and if the seat post is marked 27.2 (no confirmation of that yet, IIRC) then no need to measure the tubing diameters, and I don't think Columbus Cromor was ever sold in metric sets, only "Imperial", but checking the inside base of the steerer for "rifling" would be useful.
Otherwise it's the cup markings that may determine if ISO/Brit "1.37 x 24" (and therefore likely Asian-made or possibly Dutch) or Italian "36 x 24" (therefore Italian but could have been made for a Benelux house-brand) on the BB plus any HS markings, if present.
And has OP confirmed what brand(s) are the dropouts and the fork ends? I don't find those details noted in the previous posts, and can't read any stampings in the photos
Otherwise it's the cup markings that may determine if ISO/Brit "1.37 x 24" (and therefore likely Asian-made or possibly Dutch) or Italian "36 x 24" (therefore Italian but could have been made for a Benelux house-brand) on the BB plus any HS markings, if present.
And has OP confirmed what brand(s) are the dropouts and the fork ends? I don't find those details noted in the previous posts, and can't read any stampings in the photos
Last edited by unworthy1; 05-06-24 at 12:07 PM.
05-06-24, 04:41 PM
#38
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Pulled wheels and cranks and removed some grime. I have some more info.
Bottom bracket cup is marked 1.37 68 for standard ISO.
Seatpost is indeed 27.2
Headset lock not only states “Hatta Vesta Sealed Japan.”
Dropouts are unmarked, but I’ll add photos of them. There’s a hole for a set screw, or whatever the bolt to position the wheel is called.
If this end up as a keeper I’m inclined to replace the Deore LX biopace crankset with something less clunky and more round, unless someone here convinces me otherwise. Disassembly and cleaning will do a lot for it too. It has a 50t big ring, a little smaller middle with tooth count hidden so far, and 28t granny low.
Interesting cable guide design I haven’t seen
Bottom bracket cup is marked 1.37 68 for standard ISO.
Seatpost is indeed 27.2
Headset lock not only states “Hatta Vesta Sealed Japan.”
Dropouts are unmarked, but I’ll add photos of them. There’s a hole for a set screw, or whatever the bolt to position the wheel is called.
If this end up as a keeper I’m inclined to replace the Deore LX biopace crankset with something less clunky and more round, unless someone here convinces me otherwise. Disassembly and cleaning will do a lot for it too. It has a 50t big ring, a little smaller middle with tooth count hidden so far, and 28t granny low.
Interesting cable guide design I haven’t seen
05-06-24, 04:55 PM
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thank you for the additional information
wrt headset -
if thar be a thread marking would expect it to be on underside of locknut and upper face of adjustable race
t'is somewhat moot now since we know what the shell thread is
if frame as late as you suggest threading does little to narrow national origin possibilities since both France and Italy began introducing some ISO in the mid-eighties
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thank you for the additional information
wrt headset -
if thar be a thread marking would expect it to be on underside of locknut and upper face of adjustable race
t'is somewhat moot now since we know what the shell thread is
if frame as late as you suggest threading does little to narrow national origin possibilities since both France and Italy began introducing some ISO in the mid-eighties
-----
05-06-24, 05:14 PM
#40
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Yesterday I picked up an interesting bike that appears to be a touring model. Not well cared for recently but seems to have good bones. Columbus Chromor tubing seems like it’s pretty nice.
Interestingly though, I can’t find anything online regarding a “Van Nuys” bike. I’d guess it’s the brand, but could maybe be a model name. Searching bikeforums came up with nothing except a city of that name. No head badge. I’m thinking early ‘90s from the LX group with biopace. 700c mismatched wheels, but line up with brakes so I expect they are the original size.
Does anyone have a lead on what I have? I’ll clean it off more to find a serial number in case that helps if it’s made by a different manufacturer. I don’t know who was using Columbus tubing all that well. Thanks!
I acquired the bike in Boulder but unfortunately this shop closed long ago.
Interestingly though, I can’t find anything online regarding a “Van Nuys” bike. I’d guess it’s the brand, but could maybe be a model name. Searching bikeforums came up with nothing except a city of that name. No head badge. I’m thinking early ‘90s from the LX group with biopace. 700c mismatched wheels, but line up with brakes so I expect they are the original size.
Does anyone have a lead on what I have? I’ll clean it off more to find a serial number in case that helps if it’s made by a different manufacturer. I don’t know who was using Columbus tubing all that well. Thanks!
I acquired the bike in Boulder but unfortunately this shop closed long ago.
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Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
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Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
05-06-24, 05:22 PM
#41
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-----
thank you for the additional information
wrt headset -
if thar be a thread marking would expect it to be on underside of locknut and upper face of adjustable race
t'is somewhat moot now since we know what the shell thread is
if frame as late as you suggest threading does little to narrow national origin possibilities since both France and Italy began introducing some ISO in the mid-eighties
-----
thank you for the additional information
wrt headset -
if thar be a thread marking would expect it to be on underside of locknut and upper face of adjustable race
t'is somewhat moot now since we know what the shell thread is
if frame as late as you suggest threading does little to narrow national origin possibilities since both France and Italy began introducing some ISO in the mid-eighties
-----
05-06-24, 05:29 PM
#42
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keep in mind we do not know when assembled into a cycle
doubt assembly performed by frame maker
could have been in storage/display for a period of time prior to being assembled into a complete machine...
-----
keep in mind we do not know when assembled into a cycle
doubt assembly performed by frame maker
could have been in storage/display for a period of time prior to being assembled into a complete machine...
-----
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05-06-24, 05:51 PM
#43
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Pulled wheels and cranks and removed some grime. I have some more info.
Bottom bracket cup is marked 1.37 68 for standard ISO.
Seatpost is indeed 27.2
Headset lock not only states “Hatta Vesta Sealed Japan.”
Dropouts are unmarked, but I’ll add photos of them. There’s a hole for a set screw, or whatever the bolt to position the wheel is called.
If this end up as a keeper I’m inclined to replace the Deore LX biopace crankset with something less clunky and more round, unless someone here convinces me otherwise. Disassembly and cleaning will do a lot for it too. It has a 50t big ring, a little smaller middle with tooth count hidden so far, and 28t granny low.
Interesting cable guide design I haven’t seen
Bottom bracket cup is marked 1.37 68 for standard ISO.
Seatpost is indeed 27.2
Headset lock not only states “Hatta Vesta Sealed Japan.”
Dropouts are unmarked, but I’ll add photos of them. There’s a hole for a set screw, or whatever the bolt to position the wheel is called.
If this end up as a keeper I’m inclined to replace the Deore LX biopace crankset with something less clunky and more round, unless someone here convinces me otherwise. Disassembly and cleaning will do a lot for it too. It has a 50t big ring, a little smaller middle with tooth count hidden so far, and 28t granny low.
Interesting cable guide design I haven’t seen
The chainrings are probably 28-44-50 teeth. This is the rarely-seen half-step-plus-granny Biopace setup. If the rings aren’t worn you should keep them as a set. To replace the entire crankset I’d go with a Sugino XD-600 triple- my current favorite.
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05-06-24, 11:04 PM
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the drive side dropout exhibits several small and lightly struck markings on the bridge between the seat stay tang and the chain stay tang -
perhaps if you took a look at them under strong illumination with a bit of magnification you might be able to read something there...
-----
the drive side dropout exhibits several small and lightly struck markings on the bridge between the seat stay tang and the chain stay tang -
perhaps if you took a look at them under strong illumination with a bit of magnification you might be able to read something there...
-----
Last edited by juvela; 05-07-24 at 01:13 PM. Reason: addition
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05-07-24, 10:16 AM
#45
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Dang, don't tell me it's a modified Simplex dropout!
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05-07-24, 11:27 AM
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highly doubt it, never saw a shorty Simplex DO with eyelet, "conventional" hanger stop and axle-stop threaded screw. If this isn't Italian then perhaps JP, but doesn't exactly match up with any of the major brands I see on Velobase
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05-10-24, 03:51 PM
#47
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the drive side dropout exhibits several small and lightly struck markings on the bridge between the seat stay tang and the chain stay tang -
perhaps if you took a look at them under strong illumination with a bit of magnification you might be able to read something there...
-----
the drive side dropout exhibits several small and lightly struck markings on the bridge between the seat stay tang and the chain stay tang -
perhaps if you took a look at them under strong illumination with a bit of magnification you might be able to read something there...
-----
I did however take a closer look at the fork ends again and I see stamped in them “SHIMANO” with more characters just above it that look like maybe “SE22.” The 22 is pretty clear at least.
I also got calipers this afternoon and measured the tubes. I was getting approximately 28.8 for seat tube and down tube and 25.6 on the top tube. I had a little variation depending on where I measured.
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05-10-24, 07:51 PM
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thank you for the additional information
apologies for my poor tip on the dropouts
Shimano ends tend to be supportive of the idea of a Flanderland origin
nominal tube diameters are 28.6 for down & seat, 25.4 for top
these measurements can be very slightly enlarged by the presence of the paint finish
sometimes the heat of brazing can put a tube slightly out of round, depending upon where one measures
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thank you for the additional information
apologies for my poor tip on the dropouts
Shimano ends tend to be supportive of the idea of a Flanderland origin
nominal tube diameters are 28.6 for down & seat, 25.4 for top
these measurements can be very slightly enlarged by the presence of the paint finish
sometimes the heat of brazing can put a tube slightly out of round, depending upon where one measures
-----
Last edited by juvela; 05-10-24 at 07:59 PM. Reason: addition
05-10-24, 07:53 PM
#49
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Before I got home I tried adjusting lighting on that photo and it looked even more like some kind of stamp in the back.
i didn’t even know Shimano made dropouts.
i didn’t even know Shimano made dropouts.
05-10-24, 08:39 PM
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https:/www.sheldonbrown.com/shimano1982/pages/31.html
I remember shipping a couple sets when I worked at Euro-Asia Imports, a wholesaler in Southern California. (And, ironically, about 20 miles from Van Nuys, California.)
We definitely sold more sets of Campagnolo dropouts.
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