Lotus model identification/ year made?
01-06-23, 07:11 PM
#1
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Lotus model identification/ year made?
The frame is Tange Champion no.1 with a Tange Champion Cr-Mo fork.
Rear ends are marked Suntour, fork ends are marked Tange.
Head set is Shimano 600, no marks on BB.
The only Suntour part on the bike are the shifters, most of the other components were Campagnolo Triomphe.
Serial number is SY 04921.
The previous owner, change in time most of the parts, the only original one he gave me being a rear derailleur Suntour Superbe.
I took off all the components, I want to rebuild the frame with Japanese parts, I have some Suntour Superbe, but almost a complete group of Cyclone, including a NOS set of wheels with Cyclone hubs.
Any idea of the model and year of fabrication?
And : is the frame somewhere in the upper models, so the Superbe parts are not a waiste?
Rear ends are marked Suntour, fork ends are marked Tange.
Head set is Shimano 600, no marks on BB.
The only Suntour part on the bike are the shifters, most of the other components were Campagnolo Triomphe.
Serial number is SY 04921.
The previous owner, change in time most of the parts, the only original one he gave me being a rear derailleur Suntour Superbe.
I took off all the components, I want to rebuild the frame with Japanese parts, I have some Suntour Superbe, but almost a complete group of Cyclone, including a NOS set of wheels with Cyclone hubs.
Any idea of the model and year of fabrication?
And : is the frame somewhere in the upper models, so the Superbe parts are not a waiste?
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1992 Torelli Nitro Express; 1972 Claud Butler.
1992 Torelli Nitro Express; 1972 Claud Butler.
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01-07-23, 12:14 AM
#2
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Looks a lot like a Lotus Classique to me. I'd either build with Shimano 600 arabesque or a higher end Suntour (Cyclone generation 1 or higher). Yes, Champion 1 is good stuff.
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01-07-23, 08:54 AM
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Aero shifters, bottle bosses, chrome stays. Mine has none of that.Here's a link to a fairly recent for sale thread. Looks like apart from the Shimano headset, original spec was Suntour, Sugino, Dia-Compe, SR components. https://www.bikeforums.net/sale/1233...ond-425-a.html
My 1981 does have Arabesque.
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01-08-23, 07:45 PM
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Thank you!
It is indeed a 1984 Classique
It is indeed a 1984 Classique
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1992 Torelli Nitro Express; 1972 Claud Butler.
1992 Torelli Nitro Express; 1972 Claud Butler.
01-08-23, 10:16 PM
#6
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Chrome socks & old fashioned fork crown. Center mounted SunTour down tube shifters. Champion sticker. All that points to a 1982 or older bike. It's a very nice frame. High end "made in Japan" bicycle. You might be able to get $300 - $400 for that depending on who you market it to.
01-08-23, 10:29 PM
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I found this info on the following site: https://classicjapanesebicycles.com/...erial-numbers/
S/N. Model. Color Tubing
SY0475 Classique Blue Tange Champion
It seems 1984 is likely but the tubing doesn’t seem to match.
S/N. Model. Color Tubing
SY0475 Classique Blue Tange Champion
It seems 1984 is likely but the tubing doesn’t seem to match.
01-09-23, 04:10 AM
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It is a page on vintagelotusbicycles.com
with all the characteristics, including the Tange Champion tubing, as my bike has.
The page is under web.archive.org.
Somebody on FB showed me that.
with all the characteristics, including the Tange Champion tubing, as my bike has.
The page is under web.archive.org.
Somebody on FB showed me that.
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1992 Torelli Nitro Express; 1972 Claud Butler.
1992 Torelli Nitro Express; 1972 Claud Butler.
01-09-23, 07:21 AM
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