Classic & Vintage - Puch Austro Daimler Royale Somethingoranother.

A buddy of mine gave this to me. What in the world is it? It has some Hurret shifters and FD. A Shimano RD. A 27 on the rear with Mallard hub and a 700 Belgium made wheel on front with a Mallard hub.

Its made of Reynolds 501 tubing. Unfortunately I can't make put the decals on the TT. They say Royale something?

What in the world do I have here?

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd385/PukaMiniBulldogs/20120127_162429.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd385/PukaMiniBulldogs/20120127_162442.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd385/PukaMiniBulldogs/20120127_162448.jpg

I dont know, but I like the cranks. Nothing but good things to say about Nervar cranks.

501 tubing means most likely a mid-level mid 80's model.
Looks like a very solid ride that would be similar to Peugeot's 84 PGN
can never really figure out AD/Puch bikes. They seem to always mix their component choices from all parts of the world. You'd think they woudl have used mostly Wienmann or Sachs (later) components on their different models, but they came i a big variety of groups. From Shimano, Campy, and some French stuff like this Nevar crank..... You'd think that the bikes being from Austria, their bikes would be decked out mostly with something like Weinmann or Edco n components, maybe mixed with Simplex or Sachs drivetrains. Too bad a "Tout Austrian" AD is impossible to put together as that would be really cool.

Chombi

I wonder if it's illegitimate or a frankenbike. The 501 decal is pretty squooshed, and the Nervar crank dates from several years before 501 tubing came out, at least in the US market.

The 501 decal was likely wrecked by a workstand the RD is a replacement. it might make a nice rider or with a good fluff and buff would bring a few quid on CL.

All of the brake goodies and Wienmann. It has mis match wheel sizes, its some what of a Frankenbike with the wrong RD.

I wonder if it's illegitimate or a frankenbike. The 501 decal is pretty squooshed, and the Nervar crank dates from several years before 501 tubing came out, at least in the US market.

The crank is a replacent I'm pretty sure. What with the vintage script on it. I'll take a photo.

Nice! Eclectic build, but I like that ;)
I don't think I've ever seen that chainset built up as a triple?
Is it your size? (If not pm me ;) )

Cheers,
Chris

That looks a LOT like my 1980 AD SLE. Mine has 531 main tubing, Nervar crank, Weinmann brakes and rims and Huret shifters and deraileurs. The decal on my TT is "AD - SLE". I have no idea what the "Royal" would mean. I agree with the other posts - probably mid '80s.

I REALLY like my bike - I hope you like yours as much.

The decal on the TT says Royal For???

So from whats left of the decals on the TT, has anyone ever heard of something simluar to this model?

Puch had a Royal Force. Seems reasonable that A/D marketed similar. Mid range in the line up if memory serves me.

Thats it, it's a Royal Force. Thank you.

With Reynolds 501 tubing and a Nervar triple crank, would it be a decent bike to build?

Its looks pretty complete. Outside of a good breakdown, cleaning, replacing some rubber, and reassembly - what's needed?

Personally, I think a black AD, shined up, with the gold lug pinstriping refreshed is an elegant looking bike. Its a shame its not one of the earlier 531 models. But even 501 is less than 1/2 pound more.

Any idea what it might weight in at?

Weight?!? Lighter than my 79 Schwinn! :-O Lighter, probably the the AD Inter-10 MixMatch I just picked up. (being BIG, that 64cm frame has a bit of weight I am sure! even with the Reynolds 531 tubing) Mixed components seems to be the norm for these. Mine should have had all Huret Derailleurs and NOT a stem shift. NO idea on original pedals.

Frame: Reynolds 531 Butted tubes and fork, 64 cm Seat Tube, 60 cm Top Tube, Shimano ST dropouts
Drop Bars: GB Alloy 38cm
Seat-post: 27.2 Alloy Brev 155mm
Seat: Analee rail road/plastic shell
Stem: GB Biba Forged Alloy Stem Quill 30977
Wheels: Avocet Wide flange hubs, 36 spoke, Alloy wheel:Rigida 700c, 700 23c tires, Ft Michelin Dynamic, Rr-CSTSuper HP, QR skewers
Shimano 5 speed freewheel
Crank-set: Stronglight Model 49 40/52, 170 crank arm, Shimano Deore pedal
Front Derailleur: Huret SUCCESS, Clamp on, bottom pull
Rear Derailleur: SunTour Cyclone Mk I
Shifters: Suntour Stem
Brakes: Weinmann 605 Side-pull Brakes
Brake Levers: Weinmann

You have the bike, right? Jump on a scale.

This one is a 54cm seat tube. and about the same TT.

I'd guess that one might weigh in at around 25 - 26 pounds, the way it's set up in the pics.
It's really set up as a sport/light touring bike with the triple on it, but you could certainly make it much sportier/lighter with the right components and wheels, ......around 23 pounds, maybe, which is not bad at all.

Chombi

No thats not bad. What else could I do to make sportier?

Nice bike! I had a force xii/very light-imo good craftmanship. Here is a Royal Force from the web. In german, but you get the jist....237289

Yes but that's a different bike if I'm not mistaken.

I may still build the bike up. Not sare I wanna to put the time into its going to take. I'm not that big on black bikes for some reason.

FYI - looking at the decal, I believe only the triangle is 501 on this. Not the stays or fork.

Awe, so sad. :-(

My 76' AD-SL is the same way with the 3 tube Reynolds 531.

I really like mine though, it came with a jumble of different components so i customized mine up a bit, it has to be one of my best rides besides my 80' Peugeot competition.

I thought about trying to sell mine but it is really tall and fits me, also it seems like a lot of riders don't really know what AD is so they think it might be something of lower quality.

really nice bikes imo.

My 76' AD-SL is the same way with the 3 tube Reynolds 531.

I really like mine though, it came with a jumble of different components so i customized mine up a bit, it has to be one of my best rides besides my 80' Peugeot competition.

I thought about trying to sell mine but it is really tall and fits me, also it seems like a lot of riders don't really know what AD is so they think it might be something of lower quality.

really nice bikes imo.

I agree with DirtyHarry714 - I really like my 1980 AD SLE. I think they're much better than people seem to think. Build it up and enjoy it.

I wish I could figure out a date on this bike. It's kinda of growing on me.

Too bad AD died too early in the 80's Just when they were starting to make real nice frames with full braze-ons. I did find AD's choice of components to be surprisingly diverse with lots of non- European (Japanese) brands. I think it did affect the perception of people of the brand as many might have expected Euro components on such a euro sounding brand name. It would be fun to do a build up of a mid 80's racing AD with maybe a full Edco or Sachs group. It will be a nice change from the typical Campy or Shimano equipped AD.

Chombi

I wish I could figure out a date on this bike. It's kinda of growing on me.

There's a database of serial numbers that may help you here:

http://www.classicrendezvous.com/Austria/AD_serial_numbers.htm

Bruce

I recently purchased an AD road bike and may have paid too much for it ($375), but it fit well (about 52cm), was quite lightwieght, and I really liked the test ride.

I'm mot sure what model it is. It has all Campy GS stuff (RD, FD, Cranks, headset, side-pull brakes, seat tube, pedals, and DO's), Cinelli stem and bars. The front hub is a Campy with Rigida rim, and the rear is some replacement 5-speed (Quanta). The frame is all chrome...it was never painted, but most of the (gold colored) decalling is rubbed off). The chrome is otherwise perfect without pits or corrosion, so the finish must have been pretty good. There are no frame decals, but the fork blades are lightly stamped Reynolds 531, and the lugs are stamped with Bocama markings. The SN on the BB puts it at 1978/9. I presume the frame is also 531, but can't be sure. It's really lightweight. "AD" is stamped on the top of the seat stays.

I'm guessing that this is not a top-of-the-line "team bike" (Ultima?), but it seems pretty well-made. There are absolutely no braze-ons, and there are no "fender mount" holes on the DO's. Is this one of the "vent noirs?" I thought they were mostly in black/anodized...

I recently purchased an AD road bike and may have paid too much for it ($375), but it fit well (about 52cm), was quite lightwieght, and I really liked the test ride.

I'm mot sure what model it is. It has all Campy GS stuff (RD, FD, Cranks, headset, side-pull brakes, seat tube, pedals, and DO's), Cinelli stem and bars. The front hub is a Campy with Rigida rim, and the rear is some replacement 5-speed (Quanta). The frame is all chrome...it was never painted, but most of the (gold colored) decalling is rubbed off). The chrome is otherwise perfect without pits or corrosion, so the finish must have been pretty good. There are no frame decals, but the fork blades are lightly stamped Reynolds 531, and the lugs are stamped with Bocama markings. The SN on the BB puts it at 1978/9. I presume the frame is also 531, but can't be sure. It's really lightweight. "AD" is stamped on the top of the seat stays.

I'm guessing that this is not a top-of-the-line "team bike" (Ultima?), but it seems pretty well-made. There are absolutely no braze-ons, and there are no "fender mount" holes on the DO's. Is this one of the "vent noirs?" I thought they were mostly in black/anodized...

I think what you have is a Vent Noir II - if so you did NOT pay too much. In fact, you got a great deal. Can you post some pictures?

Yes-PICS-please! Also deserves its' own thread.

Yes-PICS-please! Also deserves its' own thread.

OK, I'll take some pics tomorrow, but I'm not sure how to post them (i.e., how to attach the pics to my post).:)

I hope the attached pics come through...:)

Wow, it looks very nice.

Here's a scan from my 1981 sales brochure showing the Vent Noir II:

http://s1046.photobucket.com/albums/b467/lueckebw/ADVentNoirIIbrochure791x1024.jpg

Bruce

Vent Noir II goodness, they are such beautiful bikes.

Scott

Wow, it looks very nice.
Here's a scan from my 1981 sales brochure showing the Vent Noir II:
Bruce

Thanks Bruce!

That's my bike exactly (even has the original Italia Touring saddle) except that mine has Campy rather than Simano DOs. Mine is from 78 or 79, so maybe the earlier models hand Campy DOs. Mine must be size 53. There's hardly any wear on the frame, but the gold colored decal labelling is mostly gone. I can make out some lettering and pin-striping. The smoky chrome finish must be quite durable as it still looks new, but the decaling obviously couldn't stand up to routine cleaning and polishing. I'd like to apply new like-original decals, if they can be purchased. The ride is really nice (similar to the PX10LE but with slightly crisper shifting (IMHO) than
the Pug. I guess I didn't pay too much for it, and it seems to be a keeper.

An excuse to show some photos of mine:

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff142/Head_High_and_Glassy/1977%20Austro-Daimler%20Vent%20Noir%20II/file-32.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff142/Head_High_and_Glassy/1977%20Austro-Daimler%20Vent%20Noir%20II/file-13.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff142/Head_High_and_Glassy/1977%20Austro-Daimler%20Vent%20Noir%20II/file-24.jpg

Scott

Hay do me a favor when you clean up the cranks get a measurement on the spacers for the small ring. I have those same cranks I salvaged off a SLE that passed through my hands and I need a vintage triple for a build and these would do.

Thanks Bruce!

That's my bike exactly (even has the original Italia Touring saddle) except that mine has Campy rather than Simano DOs. Mine is from 78 or 79, so maybe the earlier models hand Campy DOs. Mine must be size 53. There's hardly any wear on the frame, but the gold colored decal labelling is mostly gone. I can make out some lettering and pin-striping. The smoky chrome finish must be quite durable as it still looks new, but the decaling obviously couldn't stand up to routine cleaning and polishing. I'd like to apply new like-original decals, if they can be purchased. The ride is really nice (similar to the PX10LE but with slightly crisper shifting (IMHO) than
the Pug. I guess I didn't pay too much for it, and it seems to be a keeper.

I'd love to see more pics of it, when you get a chance. The high-end AD's have become my grail bikes - either the Ultima or the Vent Noir. I'm going to keep my eyes open and hope for a score.

An excuse to show some photos of mine:

Scott

Scott - I always love to see the pictures of your bikes, even if they make me jealous. I'm really anxious to finish the build of that mixte you sent my way. With having the house on the market since late last summer, I had to keep everything put away and tidy, which didn't lend itself to getting any work done. We move at the end of the month, so I should be able to get back to it in April and get it on the road. I'll get some pictures posted when I get it done.

Bruce

Bruce

Bruce, I'll look forward to seeing some photos. I'm so glad that frame went to you, it found the perfect home.

Scott