New Bike KHS Olympian - any info?
06-26-05, 01:27 PM
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Bikes: Mid-80's KHS Olympian
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Bought this bike a couple weeks ago off ebay for $16.78. It's a KHS Olympian. Seller said that it has Reynolds 531 tubing, but I can't tell because most of the sticker is missing. Most of the parts say Campagnolo Gran Sport on them. Frame says Made in Taiwan. The seller guessed that it was made in 1980. It's really fun to ride which is what's important to me but I'd like to get some more information on it if possible. I couldn't really find anything on google :/ If I should get any specific pictures let me know. Thanks!
Last edited by leisui487g; 06-26-05 at 02:24 PM.
06-26-05, 08:01 PM
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KHS today is a mass market bike manufacturer making everything from slightly better than Wally world bikes to high end racing bikes. There's not a huge following for them as I don't think any teams have ever used them in big time racing. I've owned a few and find them to be excellent bikes.
The Campy GS equipment would be logical on a 531 frame, but that's no guarantee. I've seen other Olympians advertised as having 531 frames. Best way to find out is to email KHS from their website, with your serial number, and they'll probably be able to tell you.
Nice bike.
The Campy GS equipment would be logical on a 531 frame, but that's no guarantee. I've seen other Olympians advertised as having 531 frames. Best way to find out is to email KHS from their website, with your serial number, and they'll probably be able to tell you.
Nice bike.
06-26-05, 08:18 PM
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The Olympian was an early 1980s model, also known as the K-8. In 1985 it was replaced by the KHS John Howard Olympian, but yours is from the earlier vintage. Campagnolo Gran Sport components correct. Yes, the tubing is Reynolds 531, but it may not be the full tubeset. The 1984 specs that I have indicate that only the three main tubes were 531. The original price, in 1984, was $600 US
Campagnolo had open format dates codes on the rear derailleur, crankset and hub locknuts of their Nuovo and Super Record components, but I'm not sure about Gran Sport. There may be a two digit patent date on the rear derailleur, a two digit CAM date on the back of the hub locknuts and a single digit year indicator within a circle (indicating 1980s) on the back of the crankarms. Usually, component manufacuring dates are less than two years older than the frame. This may help in narrowing down the model year.
Nice bicycle and what a great deal!
Campagnolo had open format dates codes on the rear derailleur, crankset and hub locknuts of their Nuovo and Super Record components, but I'm not sure about Gran Sport. There may be a two digit patent date on the rear derailleur, a two digit CAM date on the back of the hub locknuts and a single digit year indicator within a circle (indicating 1980s) on the back of the crankarms. Usually, component manufacuring dates are less than two years older than the frame. This may help in narrowing down the model year.
Nice bicycle and what a great deal!
06-27-05, 12:02 AM
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Yeah, awesome bike. Love the Campy, and if she rides nice, then you got a grrrreat deal, my friend!
07-30-05, 08:36 PM
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Thanks a lot guys! The only date code I could find was on the back of the crank arms which was a 4 so that would make it 1984-86, correct? I stopped trying to find any thing else and just rode the damn thing! 
