Classic & Vintage - Trying to ID Lotus Road Bike

About a year ago I purchased a Lotus frame on eBay, at the time I was simply looking for a good frame to put some components I already had to use. It was billed as a Tange # 1 frame in the ad and at the time didn't give it much thought.
The bare frame weighed only 4.4 lbs, which I thought was pretty good for a 63cm frame.

My questions arrose when I decided to try and figure out which model it may be, but when I started looking over the dozen or so pics I had gathered online, and with some help from someone with a good collection of bicycle literature from back in the 80's, I realized that the only Tange #1 frame model I could find was the Classique. The problem is that the Classique appears to have only been available in a 700c wheel configuration, and different seat stays. Mine uses 27" wheels, which I determined when I was not able to find a mid to higher end sidepull caliper with enough reach for the 700c rims. (A Dia-Comp 750 reach centerpull may have worked, but the pads would have been close to the tire). I opted to use first generation Shimano 600 sidepulls, as well as 6700 series Shimano 600 gear changers, hubs, levers. and crankset.

I have compared mine to many others, and none match in either color, braze-on configuration, lugwork, or even the design and engraving on the seatstays.
Mine has "Lotus" engraved on the tops of the seat stays, which are slant cut very sharply, making the beveled edge with the logo about 2.25" long. The cables are routed below the bottom bracket and run beneath the chainstay to the derailleur and around the back of the B.B. to the front derailleur. It has one set of water bottle bosses on the downtube along with downtube shifter braze-ons. The rear dropouts are Suntour GT, and it uses a riveted brass headbadge.
I do have another comparable Japanese bike which is the same size frame and labeled Tange #2, and it weighs at least 4 lbs more, with lighter wheels and lighter derailleurs.
By it's weight, I don't doubt it's probably a better grade tubing, but it doesn't match the only Tange # 1 bike that they appeared to have offered. They did offer a Columbus tubed model, but I believe that used chromed lugs and Campy dropouts. My frame is dark blue metalic, with a dark blue non-metalic headtube.

For the time being, I am running an all chrome Tange replacement type fork. I do have a fork for a Lotus Classique, but that will only clear a 700c wheel.

Does anyone here have any info on Lotus? Maybe an old catalog or advertisement that may list other models?
I am wondering if they may have sold bare frames? I did recieve this in what appeared to be it's original box, along with only the headbadge and cable guide.
Thanks,
Joe (vintagebicycle)

I have owned 2 Lotus (Loti?) in recent months but neither was as good a bike as you're describing.

I still have one, a Lotus Excelle, and like you haven't been able to find any info about these bikes. Mine measures about 58cm (c-t) if I remember correctly.

I'd let it go if anyone needs to own it...hint, hint.

PJBAZ

The most I've been able to find out so far is that the company began around 1980, and was based in Syosset, NY under the name of Alph Cycle Co. I believe they were the importers of Lotus/Tsunodo bicycles.
Later info says that they also had an address in Alentown, PA. The model line up as I have been told went something like
Model:................Year:.......Tubing:..........
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Supreme..............(??).......Columbus SL
Classique.............(82).......Tange #1
VS-1 Grand Prix....(82).......Steel
VS-3 Unique........(82).......Tange #?
VS-4 Eclair..........(82).......Tange #?
Excelle...............(80-89)...Tange Triple Butted (Mangaloy ?)
Triomphe............(83-86)...Columbus SL or SP
Legend Comp......(84)........Columbus
Prestige.............(84)........Tange #2
Supreme............(85-86)....SLX
Elan 75..............(87)........Tange Prestige
Prestige.............(87)........Tange Prestige
Elite 600............(87)........Tange #2

I believe the Excelle was Tange Mangaloy tubed and from what I've seen, partly Shimano 600 equipped.

I've seen Lotus bikes as late as '97, but the later models seem to have all come from Taiwan and not Japan.

Mine, I believe is still a Japanese frame, and by the weight of the frame, seems too light to be even Tange # 1. When I first got it, I even took a magnet to it to check to see if it was really steel. The weight of the bare frame rivals some of the aluminum frames sold today. The part I can't understand, is that it is set up for 27" wheels, at least that is what I had determined by the position of the rear brake bridge. It didn't come with a fork so I can't go by that either. When I bought it, I only expected it to be a mid range type of frame at best to make a good daily runner. I have a 2 year old Fuji Finest AL which is an aluminum 64cm frame, and it weighs only a pound less on the same scale.

The biggest question is still the fact that the only Lotus I have found, so far, that was advertised with Tange # 1 or better, came with 700c wheels. The Classique was Tange # 1, and was Shimano 600 equipped throughout, calipers included, and would have used either 6700 or 6800 series components, this series has very short reach calipers, only about 49mm of reach. This would be fine if my rear brake bridge was about an inch lower. I can't imagine any other mid or higher end caliper that would give me the reach needed. As it is, I used the earlier Arabesque style Shimano 600 brakes, and these would not reach the rim if I were to run a 700c wheel. The hardest part to figure is the fact that it is a lugged frame, and still uses the metal headbadge, which is an earlier feature from what I have seen. These items at least tell me it's not a frame from the 90's, and it's being set up for 27" wheels, I would think it's an earlier model. The rear brake bridge is even a little high for a 27" rim when compared to other bikes, I have a Panasonic DX 4000 which is Tange #2 and it uses 700c rims and Dia-Compe 500 calipers. The brake bridge is positioned on the DX 4000 much closer to the wheel, the frame will not even allow me to mount a 27" rim unless I was to use say a 7/8" tire.

I really don't intend to part with it, it's too good a ride, and one that I don't have to worry too much about.
It would just be nice to figure out what it really is made of and what
model it may be.

How light is your Excelle? Does it feel unusually light for that size or age bike?
Maybe Lotus simply used super thin tubes, regardless of what grade they were? (Remember, all steel weighs the same in equal quanities, it's the added strength of chromoly which allows the builder to use a much thinner wall tube, thus saving weight).

Mine is pretty heavy considering, although I don't know exactly. I never weighted it just bought it (good price, yard sale) and put it in the basement.

PJBAZ

I have a Classique and a Unique both bought new in 1983. I have lost the manuels, but all equipment is original. looking for manuels.
About a year ago I purchased a Lotus frame on eBay, at the time I was simply looking for a good frame to put some components I already had to use. It was billed as a Tange # 1 frame in the ad and at the time didn't give it much thought.
The bare frame weighed only 4.4 lbs, which I thought was pretty good for a 63cm frame.

My questions arrose when I decided to try and figure out which model it may be, but when I started looking over the dozen or so pics I had gathered online, and with some help from someone with a good collection of bicycle literature from back in the 80's, I realized that the only Tange #1 frame model I could find was the Classique. The problem is that the Classique appears to have only been available in a 700c wheel configuration, and different seat stays. Mine uses 27" wheels, which I determined when I was not able to find a mid to higher end sidepull caliper with enough reach for the 700c rims. (A Dia-Comp 750 reach centerpull may have worked, but the pads would have been close to the tire). I opted to use first generation Shimano 600 sidepulls, as well as 6700 series Shimano 600 gear changers, hubs, levers. and crankset.

I have compared mine to many others, and none match in either color, braze-on configuration, lugwork, or even the design and engraving on the seatstays.
Mine has "Lotus" engraved on the tops of the seat stays, which are slant cut very sharply, making the beveled edge with the logo about 2.25" long. The cables are routed below the bottom bracket and run beneath the chainstay to the derailleur and around the back of the B.B. to the front derailleur. It has one set of water bottle bosses on the downtube along with downtube shifter braze-ons. The rear dropouts are Suntour GT, and it uses a riveted brass headbadge.
I do have another comparable Japanese bike which is the same size frame and labeled Tange #2, and it weighs at least 4 lbs more, with lighter wheels and lighter derailleurs.
By it's weight, I don't doubt it's probably a better grade tubing, but it doesn't match the only Tange # 1 bike that they appeared to have offered. They did offer a Columbus tubed model, but I believe that used chromed lugs and Campy dropouts. My frame is dark blue metalic, with a dark blue non-metalic headtube.

For the time being, I am running an all chrome Tange replacement type fork. I do have a fork for a Lotus Classique, but that will only clear a 700c wheel.

Does anyone here have any info on Lotus? Maybe an old catalog or advertisement that may list other models?
I am wondering if they may have sold bare frames? I did recieve this in what appeared to be it's original box, along with only the headbadge and cable guide.
Thanks,
Joe (vintagebicycle)

I have a Lotus Challenger. It is a 12 speed, indexed shifting and the decal says Tange 1000 CR-MO DOUBLE BUTTED TUBES. It does have 27" wheels. Bike rides great, too bad it's too big for me. 25" frame, c-t.

I got a Lotus Excelle for free. It was sitting on the side of a road with a big cardboard sign that said "FREE". Obviously it was abandoned. It need lube and air and was very dusty. I put air (after an adapter valve) and lubed the chain, and it still had good brakes and shifting. The only problems are an out-of-round rear wheel and no kickstand. It even included the ... the ... unicorn horn ... :p ... on the front ...

Anyone know the year?

The old school Look pedals are worth the price.

PJBAZ

Since this seems to be the Lotus thread I'll throw my Garbage day find into the mix. Lotus Eclair Tange Champion #5 Tubing full Shimano 600. I'm guessing between 80-85 probably more towards the 80 end of the spectrum. The bike, as pictured, is fresh from the garbage :D

Sorry to resurrect this thread but... does anyone know what the component group on a Lotus Grand Prix is? I'm trying to figure out how much to offer for one, the owner is not too knowledgeable about these things :)

Bump for this thread...if Texan1847 needs any info from the manual still I have one....

Bump for this thread...if Texan1847 needs any info from the manual still I have one.... I'm not texan1847 but I have a 1981 lotus Unique and would love to get some info on the bike if that is the one you have the manual for?

Hello: I've just bought a Lotus Supreme frame set and found this old thread concerning Lotus bikes. Has any more info surfaced since 2004? Is there a website or blog devoted to Lotus bikes? What component group was standard for the Supreme? This frame has Campag dropouts.

The Supreme was a mid-1980s model equipped with Campagnolo Super Record. The tubeset could be Columbus SL or SLX, depending on the exact year. These bicycles were made in Italy and designed by Cinelli. It was 2nd from the top of the line.

To add to the Lotus history:

I have a Lotus Legend that I bought used for $75 in 1988. I'm pretty sure that the person I bought it from said he had bought it in 1979. If I recall correctly, the tubing is Tange #2. All components were Shimano 600 Arabesque (though the rims are Ukai, I think, and the stem a Cinelli, though perhaps not original). It has an early-model six speed cassette. It's a magnificent bike, but finding parts for it became troublesome in the late 90's and I bought a new bike and moved the Legend out to my parent's house in Seattle.

Thanks. I will pick up this frame set from the seller this coming weekend. Is the frame number on the bottom bracket like many other bikes or somewhere else? Is there a data base that allows one to date a frame from the serial number? You indicated that the frames were designed by Cinelli in Italy. Who actually built the frames?

To add to the Lotus history:

I have a Lotus Legend that I bought used for $75 in 1988. I'm pretty sure that the person I bought it from said he had bought it in 1979. If I recall correctly, the tubing is Tange #2.

I, too, have a Lotus Legend. Unfortunately the tubing sticker is a bit worn-down to draw any absolutes on the type of tubing, however it is/was a Columbus sticker. I'm hoping to take apart the setup (currently it's a fixed conversion), at which point I'll be able to weigh the frame (52cm, c-t-c) on its own and hopefully get a better sense of what tubing was used.

Thanks. I will pick up this frame set from the seller this coming weekend. Is the frame number on the bottom bracket like many other bikes or somewhere else? Is there a data base that allows one to date a frame from the serial number? You indicated that the frames were designed by Cinelli in Italy. Who actually built the frames?

Don't know, don't know and don't know. These frames are fairly rare so I'm not sure where the serial number is located, but most 1980s Italian frames use the BB shell. The frames were made after Cinelli sold his frame manufacturing business and the rights to Cinelli bicycles. However he was still doing design work. During this period he also designed a model for Centurion. Both the Centurion and Lotus literature mention the frames are designed by Cinelli but they skirt the manufacturing issue with advertising spin. In the case of Centurion, they mention that production is supervised by a Cinelli employee, implying the frames were outsourced. During this period, many US brands resorted to Italian made frames, after failing to conquer the high end market with Japanese manufactured frames.

I'm a bit more at home with Raleigh cycles (this Lotus and a Fuji Team which I acquired last week are the first Asian bikes I've owned). Anyway, with Raleighs built from high end TI-Reynolds tubing, the seat post diameter usually gives an indication of the tubing type. Frames made with 5-3-1 generally take 27.2mm seat posts. The frames built with 7-5-3 take different sized seat posts depending on whether the 7-5-3 tubing is metric or Imperial sized. I don't know if Columbus tubing varies in a similar fashion or not but if so, that may also provide a clue for sussing out which tubing was used for the Legend model frames.

As for my Supreme, Sheldon Brown's site indicates that it should take a 27.2mm seat post. I'll soon know whether or not that is correct and will report back with that bit of data. Perhaps if all Lotus owners start measuring various parts of their bikes a data base can be established to help ID future bikes that reappear.

http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/v/joe_bunik/lotus/catalog/?g2_page=2

This might help. I love me some lotus.

Thanks for sharing the wooljersey link to the '83 catalog. Interestingly, the tubing for the Supreme in '83 was Tange and NOT Colubus. Also I noticed the colors choices were either blue or pink. My frame is a silver color. Perhaps mine dates to '85 or later. Are there other Lotus catalogs on-line?

That's the only piece of history I've been able to find, sadly.

Thanks for sharing the wooljersey link to the '83 catalog. Interestingly, the tubing for the Supreme in '83 was Tange and NOT Colubus. Also I noticed the colors choices were either blue or pink. My frame is a silver color. Perhaps mine dates to '85 or later. Are there other Lotus catalogs on-line?

You mentioned earlier that your frame had Campagnolo dropouts. This indicates a Columbus frame, in which case it is either SL/SP or SLX/SPX, depending on the exact year. These frames date from the mid-1980s.

The Supreme in the catalog is an earlier model, hence the Tange tubing and non-Campagnolo dropouts. BTW, this catalog is not a 1983. However, it did it's purpose in reminding me that Tsunoda did make a Columbus tubed Supreme. We'll have to wait until you can can post pics, to determine what you have.

I don't know any any other Lotus catalogs on line, however I have compiled specs for over 80 known Lotus models of the 1980s based on catalogs, advertisements and road tests.


I'm a bit more at home with Raleigh cycles (this Lotus and a Fuji Team which I acquired last week are the first Asian bikes I've owned). Anyway, with Raleighs built from high end TI-Reynolds tubing, the seat post diameter usually gives an indication of the tubing type. Frames made with 5-3-1 generally take 27.2mm seat posts. The frames built with 7-5-3 take different sized seat posts depending on whether the 7-5-3 tubing is metric or Imperial sized. I don't know if Columbus tubing varies in a similar fashion or not but if so, that may also provide a clue for sussing out which tubing was used for the Legend model frames.

As for my Supreme, Sheldon Brown's site indicates that it should take a 27.2mm seat post. I'll soon know whether or not that is correct and will report back with that bit of data. Perhaps if all Lotus owners start measuring various parts of their bikes a data base can be established to help ID future bikes that reappear?

Seat post sizes can be used to determine Columbus tubsets, to an extent. However, most Italian framebuilders were in the habit of reaming/honing out out seat tubes to the SL standard of 27.2mm, so that they did not have to stock various sizes of seat posts. This makes things more difficult, however there are other tricks to narrow down the tubeset, which are too numerous to explain at this time. Again, we'll tackle that when you get your frame.

don't know any any other Lotus catalogs on line, however I have compiled specs for over 80 known Lotus models of the 1980s based on catalogs, advertisements and road tests.
T-Mar, I'm interested in your list of Lotus models. Do you list any simply called 'Sport Series'?

I have seen a photo of a Lotus with one of the familiar model name labels, followed by the 'Sport Series' label, but mine says only Lotus and Sport Series, no other model name given. It's a made-in-Japan model with tubing stickers that say 'Cr-Mo' in a Reynolds look-alike style.

I suppose the model name label could be missing. . .

T-Mar, I'm interested in your list of Lotus models. Do you list any simply called 'Sport Series'?

I have seen a photo of a Lotus with one of the familiar model name labels, followed by the 'Sport Series' label, but mine says only Lotus and Sport Series, no other model name given. It's a made-in-Japan model with tubing stickers that say 'Cr-Mo' in a Reynolds look-alike style.

I suppose the model name label could be missing. . .

Sorry, nothing like that in my list, but I've seen those decals on the early models. Care to post a pic or two?

Sorry, nothing like that in my list, but I've seen those decals on the early models. Care to post a pic or two?

Sure, here are a couple pics, sorry the quality is not the greatest:

http://indoor_boy.tripod.com/jpg/lotus/lotus_drive_side.jpg
http://indoor_boy.tripod.com/jpg/lotus/lotus_tubing_sticker.jpg
http://indoor_boy.tripod.com/jpg/lotus/lotus_headbadge.jpg

Serial number stamped into the bottom bracket is SC842660. Fork has sticker for 'Cromolite 503.' Araya alloy rims and Suzue hubs, Sakae Custom crankset, Diacompe brakes, Shimano SIS shifters and derailleurs. I'm thinking the shifters/derailleurs came from another bike as the freewheel is a 6-speed whereas the shifter is set up for 7-speed. Very light bike, really a joy to ride.

Primitive Don, your bicycle appears to be from the late 1980s on the basis of the downtube logo, though most manufacturers had replaced riveted headbadges with cheaper decals by that time. Based on the serial number, I would be tempted to say 1988. It would be interesting to know if any of the component date codes line up with this guess.

OK, I picked up my frameset from the PO yesterday. The color is not silver as I originally thought from the pix he posted with the ad. Instead it's a nice looking silver-ish light purple metallic. Like most bikes of this age, the paint has it's share of nicks and boo-boos but is still presentable with an afternoon's polishing. It'll be interesting to see if any car paints are a close enough match... Anyway, the serial nr on the underside of the bottom bracket is DA15463. Hopefully that will help date the frame. The headbadge is a decal and not a riveted metal badge. The "Supreme" decals on the top tube are barely visible (best on the right hand side) The "Lotus" decals on the down and seat tubes are in fairly good condition. There appears to be a decal at the top of the seat tube which may have been a Columbus tubing decal but it's just a rectangular ghost. There is a small "made in Japan" sticker at the bottom of the seat tube. The frame measures 55 x 55 cm (seat tube x top tube, ctc). The fork is a chrome unicrown item, attached via a Shimano deoro headset, both of which probably came from someone's mountain bike. Unlike many MTB forks this one appears to have enough rake to not make the bike too twitchy. How does one post pictures to a thread? I'll post a few once I know how.

... The color is not silver as I originally thought from the pix he posted with the ad. Instead it's a nice looking silver-ish light purple metallic. Like most bikes of this age, the paint has it's share of nicks and boo-boos but is still presentable with an afternoon's polishing. It'll be interesting to see if any car paints are a close enough match... .

My Sherwin-Williams car paint dealer had a color matching gun that the other auto paint suppliers in town did not have. Not on a Lotus, but my light purple metallic ended up close to a Hyundai "ice white?" (IIRC) paint code.

Bob: Thanks for the Sherwin-Williams tip. I don't know if there's a car specific S-W store near me or not. I think there's a house hold type Sherwin-Williams store in my town. I'll ask them for details if they can't help me directly. Does your automotive S-W store mix the specific color in small batches or do you have to buy a quart or larger amount?

Thanks again,
George

Model paint. I found an almost perfect match for my orange lotus. There's a thread showing it somewhere on here.

Bob: Thanks for the Sherwin-Williams tip. I don't know if there's a car specific S-W store near me or not. I think there's a house hold type Sherwin-Williams store in my town. I'll ask them for details if they can't help me directly. Does your automotive S-W store mix the specific color in small batches or do you have to buy a quart or larger amount?

Thanks again,
George

Most auto suppliers will mix small amounts. I think I bought a pint (or maybe a half-pint?) for this particular job.

Based on the Made in Japan label and a Columbus decal, it should be a 1983 or 1984 model. Pics will be req'd for further analysis. To post pics, activate the 'GO ADVANCED' button below the post window, then select 'MANAGE ATTACHMENTS' and upload per the desired options.

As you stated, the fork is an obvious replacement, as is the headset. Unicrown forks did come in road models, so unless this has cantilever bosses, I suspect it is a proper road fork.