Classic & Vintage - ID this Peugeot and win...

a heartfelt 'Thank you!' from The Spanish Inquisition!

Or not... :roflmao:

I've recently received a 1988 Peugeot and have almost no idea about anything about it.

I posted in the Commuter forum http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=265479 and was advised that members here might be able to ID the model and give me a fuller picture in general.

I suppose the thing I'd like to know after the model and 'style' of the bike, (ie. was it a tour bike, road model etc.?) is that this is nothing special that would be spoiled by doing whatever it takes to turn it into a good commuter.

While I have been looking at old postings and surfing eBay, Google, etc. for more info, I can't pin down anything more certain than the maker and year.

Any info is welcomed, as is any tip on clean-up, parts, or Peugeot trivia.

Here are links to pics if you don't care to look at the other posting. I'll post more as available or needed.

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/eli_griggs/album?.dir=/4797re2&.src=ph
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/eli_griggs/album?.dir=/9618re2&.src=ph

Cheers,
Eli

late 1970's peugeot uo-8

I concur, unless it is technically a UO-9, because of the aluminum crankset. I also concur with the 1970s assessment, because sometime in the early 1980s Peugeot went to Carbolite 103 tubing and got away from external lugwork.

The distinctive "thunderbird" stepped cutout pattern on the head lugs screams "UO-8 or derivative thereof."

I suspect the Simplex rear derailleur and Stronglight crankset are original, but the SunTour front derailleur and stems shifters are not.

Not a lot to spoil there as it's a fairly low end model. If you're going to commute on it, particularly in wet weather, you'll want to swap in a set of alloy wheels rather than those Rigida Chrolux on there now. Otherwise, the parts should all be serviceable once you've cleaned them up, re-lubed, adjusted, etc.

As far as model, the crankset and derailleurs are an upgrade from what would have been on the UO-8, and I'd guess it's an early 80s model (but that's only a guess as I know squat about Peugeots).

Neal

Thanks for the information, it's all helpful.

Let me ask, the serial number, Y801 24548 is what I've used to date this to 1988; have I gotten ahold of bad information, with regard to dating frames/bikes? It was my understanding that the 8 digit B or Y serials could be dated to the year in the 1980s (198?) made by using the first digit as the year, in this case 8, thus 1988.

What ever the answer, I've got to say, for me, trying to find out Puegeot info is like doing a crossword puzzle, without knowing the rules. Every time I think I know something, it has a twist.;)

By-the-way, what can you tell me about the frame?

Cheers

My vote is a UE9, circa 1978. The one pic clearly shows rack mounts on the seat stays, indicating a UE model, as opposed to UO. THe cotterless crank indicates a UE9, as opposed to UE8. The stem shifters and graphics suggest late 1970s. The fact that it is not a 103 tubing sticker indicates pre-1979.

Normally, the serial number would suggest 1988, but that is clearly not the case. We have seen several inconsistancies with Peugeot's serial number sytem. My best guess on the year is 1978.

+1 on Tmars id, the crank is a Stronglight and will require a stronglight specific remover (23.35 mm)(you can check first by trying to insert a regular crank remover (22mm); it should be far too small.

The Peugeot serial number system you were told about seems to work on 1979 and later bikes, in my experience. Earlier bikes are a crapshoot, and the first number of the serial number generally does not indicate the year IME. I have several pre-1979 Peugeots , almost all of which I have nailed down the exact year of manufacture (by methods ranging from original reciepts to year specific features on the bikes) and can spot no consistencies in the serial numbers.

Thanks everyone; knowing more about the 'oddities' of Peugeot numbered markings is helpful. I had tried to concentrate my google searches to the 1980s and was having no joy at all.

Accepting that this is a 1978 UE9, can I hear a bit more about the type and any tips or opinions on the bike in general and refitting it for commuter use; favorite cleaners/solvents, sources for bits and pieces, etc?

Does anyone here ride this model?

Eli

The UE series were Peugeot's basic touring models. Essentaialy they were dressed-up versions of the UO series, using the same frame and components but with the addition of a rear rack, fenders and a lighting system.

The UO9/UE9 were 3rd from the bottom of the lightweight line-up. They were basically a UO8/UE8 with the addition an aluminum, cotterless crankset, to save sone weight The UO8 was probably the most popular bicycle of the 1970s bicycle boom. These bicycles make good commuters, epecially the UE series with their brazed-on tabs for the rear rack, generator and eyelets for fenders. It's unfortunate the previous owner stripped these parts off the bicycle.

I haven't ridden one for quite a while, so I'll let JOhn E. post eloquently on the characteristics of his UO8.

... I haven't ridden one for quite a while, so I'll let JOhn E. post eloquently on the characteristics of his UO8.
Mine is comfortable, practical, and theft-resistant. :)

Of the entry-level bike boom 10-speeds, the UO-8 is my favorite, although the comparable Bertin, Motobecane, Gitane, etc. models arguably have nicer finishes. If you are accustomed to modern road bikes, the UO-8's slow steering response may catch you unawares; I beat this problem by using an aftermarket fork with a shorter rake, but at the price of a little toe-to-tire overlap, which I can assure you is not the safety issue the CPSC claimed it was.