1986 Lotus Odyssey
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1986 Lotus Odyssey
Last year my brother-in-law bought an '84 Lotus Eclair and since then I've been on the lookout for a Lotus touring bike. Last month this 1986 Lotus Odyssey popped up on CL for $150. I was able to snag it for $120 the day after it was listed.
According to the Vintage Lotus site: Odyssey it was almost entirely original. The frame had some surface rust which I cleaned up with Bar Keepers Friend. Most of the components just needed a thorough cleaning. The rear derailleur, a Shimano Light Action, was shot so I replaced it with a Shimano Deore MT-60. Stem was hard to get out of the fork, and in the process it sustained some deep scratches. I replaced it with a 100mm kalloy. I was able to find some KKT toe clips for the Pro Vic II pedals and I added some blue toe straps to match the frame. Replaced the hard old brake pads with Kool Stops.
Here is a pic of what it looked like when I bought it:
Here is the crankset before cleaning. Not too bad. Aluminum parts just got some soap and water. Rusty bolts got a vinegar bath.
I finished up the rebuild last week and was able to take it out for a 50 mile ride yesterday. What a nice ride! Very well balanced and it just feels solid.
Currently it has some Wheelmaster wheels with Weinmann RM19 rims I had lying around. Original wheels are 36 spoke front, 40 rear with Suzue "sealed" hubs and Araya alloy rims. While the rear is straight and true, the front had a couple bent spokes. I unlaced it and the rim was straight so I am going to be rebuilding it with new spokes and getting the original wheelset back on the bike.
Overall I am incredibly pleased with this bike. Currently on the lookout for a Blackburn lowrider rack for the front and I would love to get another bottle cage with the black plastic bits for the seat tube.
According to the Vintage Lotus site: Odyssey it was almost entirely original. The frame had some surface rust which I cleaned up with Bar Keepers Friend. Most of the components just needed a thorough cleaning. The rear derailleur, a Shimano Light Action, was shot so I replaced it with a Shimano Deore MT-60. Stem was hard to get out of the fork, and in the process it sustained some deep scratches. I replaced it with a 100mm kalloy. I was able to find some KKT toe clips for the Pro Vic II pedals and I added some blue toe straps to match the frame. Replaced the hard old brake pads with Kool Stops.
Here is a pic of what it looked like when I bought it:
Here is the crankset before cleaning. Not too bad. Aluminum parts just got some soap and water. Rusty bolts got a vinegar bath.
I finished up the rebuild last week and was able to take it out for a 50 mile ride yesterday. What a nice ride! Very well balanced and it just feels solid.
Currently it has some Wheelmaster wheels with Weinmann RM19 rims I had lying around. Original wheels are 36 spoke front, 40 rear with Suzue "sealed" hubs and Araya alloy rims. While the rear is straight and true, the front had a couple bent spokes. I unlaced it and the rim was straight so I am going to be rebuilding it with new spokes and getting the original wheelset back on the bike.
Overall I am incredibly pleased with this bike. Currently on the lookout for a Blackburn lowrider rack for the front and I would love to get another bottle cage with the black plastic bits for the seat tube.
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#2
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Wow! Great find, and great work cleaning it up.
With these 80's tourers, I also have an aesthetic preference for keeping things decidedly 80's: The bags you have are perfect.
Definitely hunt down some Blackburn lowriders for the front, some Cannondale panniers, and think about some black Zefal or Planetbike fenders - nothing flashy like VO or Honjos.
With these 80's tourers, I also have an aesthetic preference for keeping things decidedly 80's: The bags you have are perfect.
Definitely hunt down some Blackburn lowriders for the front, some Cannondale panniers, and think about some black Zefal or Planetbike fenders - nothing flashy like VO or Honjos.
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So you're the one who scored this bike! You beat me to it by mere hours.
Congrats, it looks great!
Congrats, it looks great!
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This was my first “real” bike...
What tubing does your decal state? The 86’ I had as a kid had a Columbus SL decal...the one I bought a few years ago said Tange infinity (consistent with what Tim’s site states).
What tubing does your decal state? The 86’ I had as a kid had a Columbus SL decal...the one I bought a few years ago said Tange infinity (consistent with what Tim’s site states).
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This didn’t have Blackburn racks btw - it came with a Japanese brand. Yakota, or something like that. I think I even have the front racks somewhere.
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I wanted to share a quick update!
I installed some SKS Longboards and sourced a period correct Blackburn FL-1 locally. Rebuilt the original front wheel and got the 36/40 wheelset back on the bike. Just snapped these photos as I was about to go for a ride, but the guy showed up to fix my heat right as I was heading out. That seems more important, but I may still try to squeeze in a quick nighttime ride along the Schuylkill depending on how long he takes.
I installed some SKS Longboards and sourced a period correct Blackburn FL-1 locally. Rebuilt the original front wheel and got the 36/40 wheelset back on the bike. Just snapped these photos as I was about to go for a ride, but the guy showed up to fix my heat right as I was heading out. That seems more important, but I may still try to squeeze in a quick nighttime ride along the Schuylkill depending on how long he takes.
Last edited by dickbandit; 11-11-19 at 03:26 PM.
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Very nice! I recommend carrying a heavy stick while riding, so you can beat some sense into anyone who suggests that you replace the Biopace rings with round ones. There are such people.
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Thank you for the advice! I have a Univega Alpina Uno that has Biopace rings as well and and I just don't notice enough of a difference to warrant a change... but maybe I'm not sensitive enough.
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Hey, it doesn't matter whether you're sensitive or not. Remember, you're the one with the heavy stick.
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You necro-posted this thread just for the 911 photo-bomb, right?
KIDDING; the fade on that Lotus is fly, and the MTBs in the brand are hard to come by (in these parts, anyway).
KIDDING; the fade on that Lotus is fly, and the MTBs in the brand are hard to come by (in these parts, anyway).
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