Classic & Vintage - Univega Viva-Sport

I just picked up a Univega Viva-Sport today, it is all black with Suntour components. Anyone know a way to find out the age of it? It's a big frame rough estimate is around 62cm, main reason I got it was it had Shimano 600 Pedals on it which I wanted. I'll check around see if I know anyone large enough to fit it and fix ti up. Overall is in excellent condition I can't even find any nicks in the paint. I'll try to take some pictures tonight.

Took closer look at Components, Rear Deraileur is a Suntour VX, shifters just say Suntour and brakes are Dia-Compe. Can't see any name on the hubs or rims.

OMG this is a big bike, I just got done measuring it the Seat Tube Lengthy C-T is 69cm, but the top tube is only 61cm.

That is big! I'm surprised that a mass manufacturer put out one that big.

Are they the Shimano 600EX pedals? I bought a 600EX gruppo in late 85 or 86. It was being discounted by one of the catalogs as Shimano was making the transition to SIS. Hope that gives you a starting point.

All they say is Shimano 600 on the pedals and Christope on the leather straps. Here is a pic of the bike I can't even standover it I tried i was on my tippy toes and was almost causing myself pain. The standover height is around 37". I took off the pedals already :) I don't know anyone personaly that can fit this bike, I'll probably either strip it or sell it...

Wow.

I just went out and looked at the pedals which are still on my old Cannondale. There's a black decal or sticker in the middle of the pedal platform that says "Shimano 600." I misremembered it saying 600EX though the rest of the group did. The pedals end almost in a point and the clips are attached by 3 screws into the platform. The dust cap is "held on" by friction only. (Mine are long gone). Mine originally came with nylon gray straps.

I wouldn't think that bike any newer than the mid80s and maybe older. Shimano 600 has been around a long time. Selling would be hard as not many people are tall enough but if you can find someone who is they might snatch it up. My thinking is that frame sizes that large are usually custom so your bike might be a considerably less expensive alternative. If nothing else try the frame/fork on eBay after the strip. It looks pretty clean btw.

I think that is right up there with the largest frame I
have ever seen.
I read your post about 69cm last night, and thought
nah, that can't be right, maybe he measured it wrong
(like bottom of BB to top of top tube, or something like
that), my apologies that mutha is HUGE.
I'd say its very saleable as its such an unusual size.


Marty

Believe me I thought the same thing, even when I was looking at it and measuring, I thought this can't be right so I re-measured 4 times. Those sound exactly like my Shimano 600 pedals I have Walter. I'm running out of room for stuff, so probably just try to e-bay it, just for the reason it is so big I sort of want to keep it, but my garage is filling up with stuff already. I would like to take it for a test ride but I really can't even do that since it is so tall and I'm only 5'7".

Did Univega ever make custom frames? It says Custom on the crankarms, Quill just says SR, handlebars Sakae Custom, Road Champion. I have never seen a frame this large for sale anywhere.. largest I can find in most bikes is 63cm. I don't believe this bike was hardly ridden at all, tires are in good shape they are Univega Ground Touring 27 1 1/8 tires.

My UPS guy may be interested... He is 6'11" and is looking for a new bike. The lst one he had was custom and needed two top tubes! (also 69cm in size). I'll see if he is interested on monday.

Geez Kev thats one big frame!
I, too, cannot recall seeing a bigger one. Yes, I'll bet there is some really tall guy somewhere who is searching in vain for such a rare item.

I'm 5'7'' too, Kev, and no way could I ride that bike.

I've got a pair of 600 pedals too, and they fit the description of Walter's. The first time I serviced 'em I had a hell of a time getting the dust caps off and dinged 'em a little and never could find replacements; so be careful. Great pedals though.

69 cm!! I take a 64 cm measured as trek does ( bb to to of the seat tube) or 62 as emond does ( bb to middle of the top tube) no way I could even get on a 69 cm frame. 64 measured that way leaves me 1/2 - 1 inch standover.

I know I came close to hurting myself just standing over it, standover height is roughly 37". I tried the 600 pedals on my new fixed gear bike so far I like clipless alot better, very nice pedals just not what I'm used to.

One thing a bit unusual I noticed, instead of the cables runing under the bottom bracket, there is a suntour clamp with these metal tubes that make it run above the bottom bracket which is attached to the down tube about 1-2 inches above the BB.

I think that is right up there with the largest frame I
have ever seen.
I read your post about 69cm last night, and thought
nah, that can't be right, maybe he measured it wrong.
I'd say its very saleable as its such an unusual size.
Marty

I have three Fujis, 67.5cm c-c. I always specify c-c, 'cause the top part of the seat tube can vary quite a bit. When I saw 69cm, I thought, yeah, sure, it's got a 2 inch neck atop the top tube.
When you said, "I have ever seen.", I thought, "He must have ogled an image somehow."
Check out the URL in my signature, Jim

The SunTour Vx derailleurs were produced from 1977 to 1985. However, I believe the brand was still Italvega at the beginning of the timeframe, so it's likely early 1980s. Gut feel is 1983-1984. Miyata made many Univega and if this is one of them, I can narrow things down via the serial number. Alternately, you can start checking component date codes, but it sounds like a few things may have been swapped out.

The 27"/69cm frame was uncommon but not rare. Several manufacturers made them, but usually only in one model. That model was generally an entry level bicycle, about 2nd from the bottom of line. This was typically the best seller for most manufacturers and so they offered it in the largest size range. Examples from the early 1980s include the Centurion LeMans, Fuji Supreme, KHS Gran Sport, Lotus Excelle, Miyata 210, Panasonic Sport, Raleigh Olympian and Sekai Grandtour.

The SunTour Vx derailleurs were produced from 1977 to 1985. However, I believe the brand was still Italvega at the beginning of the timeframe, so it's likely early 1980s. Gut feel is 1983-1984. Miyata made many Univega and if this is one of them, I can narrow things down via the serial number. Alternately, you can start checking component date codes, but it sounds like a few things may have been swapped out.

The 27"/69cm frame was uncommon but not rare. Several manufacturers made them, but usually only in one model. That model was generally an entry level bicycle, about 2nd from the bottom of line. This was typically the best seller for most manufacturers and so they offered it in the largest size range. Examples from the early 1980s include the Centurion LeMans, Fuji Supreme, KHS Gran Sport, Lotus Excelle, Miyata 210, Panasonic Sport, Raleigh Olympian and Sekai Grandtour.


VERY interesting...I picked up a Univega Viva Sport a few weeks ago and gave it to a buddy, who was looking for something a little more "touring." In turn he gave me his Miyata 710...I swear the bikes were made in the same factory LOL.

RJ

Hey, I have the same bike, and found this through the search menu. Univega Viva-Sport. Light-Blue/silver. I'll post a picture later today.

I measured mine at 67cm seat tube & 61cm top tube. I lowered the seat & handle bars & can ride it - sort of. But I think the wheels are big too (like 66cm tubes) so I feel like I'm cranking big gears in the hills. I'm 5'11''.

Not comfortable, but really nice looking. I almost fell off at a stop sign yesterday!! I'm wondering if I can sell it, being so big??

Did Univega ever make custom frames? It says Custom on the crankarms

Lots of SR OEM cranksets were marked 'Custom'. The cranks on my '86 Miyata were like that, 144 BCD and all.
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