Classic & Vintage - Info on Univega

Hello,

I picked up a Gran Turismo a few months back, and I don't know anything about it. The serial number is L970773 . I did some searching to see what I could find about serial identification, so I hope the number helps.

It has Suntour Seven derailleurs and Dia Compe brakes. It's a 15-speed.

I'd like to know the model year and frame construction if at all possible. The sticker for the frame material is nowhere to be found.

I'll try and put a couple of pictures up.

Thank you,

Christopher

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c333/leftsneaky/Bike/GT20070923010.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c333/leftsneaky/Bike/GT20070923008.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c333/leftsneaky/Bike/GT20070923002.jpg

There are a few links to some quick shots. If pictures of others parts would help let me know.

Hi, Does it look like this? If so it's around 79 or 80. The serial # on mine is H381940...I have no idea how to decipher this. There usually are date codes on the components that might give you a clue. If you have cantilevers I believe they came a couple years later than mine. Here's a link to a nice review of the 1980 Gran Turismo...

http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/v/broderir/Catalogs-Posters/Road-Tests-Reviews/Bicycling-1980-03-A-3/

Came with 4040 Chrome-moly tubing. I love mine...in fact I'm leaving right now to go ride it.

What an odd headline for it on the catalog page: "You won't miss the things more money could buy."

I sold these at the shop I worked at when they were new. Timeframe should be approx 81/82. I don't recall the tubeset make/model/spec but it was definately a good quality butted chromoly mainframe and most likely full CroMo.I recall the Grand Tourismo as a super performance/value and one of the few affordable/midlevel bikes available with true touring geometry.

Looks very similar to my Specialissima, but maybe slightly older. Mine is an '83. Any close-up shots of the hubs?

Hi, Does it look like this? If so it's around 79 or 80. The serial # on mine is H381940...I have no idea how to decipher this. There usually are date codes on the components that might give you a clue. If you have cantilevers I believe they came a couple years later than mine. Here's a link to a nice review of the 1980 Gran Turismo...

http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/v/broderir/Catalogs-Posters/Road-Tests-Reviews/Bicycling-1980-03-A-3/

Came with 4040 Chrome-moly tubing. I love mine...in fact I'm leaving right now to go ride it.

Ha, I wish it looked like that! Your bike looks great. Mine has some chips and rust. Any tips on that? Is it a problem?

I'll look for some dates on the components. Thanks.

Looks very similar to my Specialissima, but maybe slightly older. Mine is an '83. Any close-up shots of the hubs?

I'm not sure if these are the hub shots you're looking for. I'm new at the cycling thing, but here's what I took. Oh, I had it tuned up after I got it (or they did something. I'm not sure I got my money's worth), and I remember I had to get the rear hub replaced. I'm not sure about the front one though.

Front Hub (http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c333/leftsneaky/Bike/GT20070923013.jpg)
Rear Hub (http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c333/leftsneaky/Bike/GT20070923014.jpg)
Rear Derailleur while I'm at it (http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c333/leftsneaky/Bike/GT20070923016.jpg)

Can anybody tell if those hubs look original? The spacers (if that's what they are) on the freewheel look brand new. You have found a very versatile bike. Rack and fender mounts, loads of tire clearance, etc.

Edit: The hubs don't look fresh enough to be new, maybe they said "freehub?" Of course this bike should have a freewheel instead of a freehub. Hmm...

I have a date! . . . or two.

The hubs are Sun Shine Gyro-masters

The front one says 12 82 and the rear says 7 83

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c333/leftsneaky/Bike/GT20070923027.jpg (http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c333/leftsneaky/Bike/GT20070923027.jpg)

I guess that makes it pretty old.

I don't know what they did over at the LBS. I know that after I got it back, I took it for a test run, and the rear brake didn't work at all, so back it went. I found a part that said "Shimano". It's shiny, so I take it that's the new part. It looks like a bearing. Is there a better name for that specific one? It cost me $20 whatever it is. They mentioned something about fixing a lot of slack in the chain.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c333/leftsneaky/Bike/GT20070923035.jpg

A Shimano freewheel. That's the rear cluster of cogs and ratcheting mechanism which is what makes the clicking sound you hear when you coast. I bet that's what they replaced. Chances are the bike originally had a Suntour freewheel. Of course I don't know that for sure. Maybe someone else here could tell for certain.

Kind of an odd way to update a two year old post.

I know you like your bike, but you have just posted it in five separate threads, four of which are more than a year old.

1984 Gran Turismo, mid range, grand touring model, original price $360 US. Manufactured by Miyata using their own brand of butted CrMo tubing in the main tubes. Forks and stays are lesser material, either CMn or hi-tensile steel.

I don't even have that bike anymore, a dropout broke... Sort of an amusing way to remind me of how time passes though.