Fasteryoufool

If you do strip it, will you be selling the frame? If so, what size is that frame?

bumpalong

Swen,
Others will be able to provide better insight than I to the background on the Gran Rally, but I'll chime in here first. As you acknowledge, the bike is likely over priced. That said, I own a Gran Rally, which though an earlier model equipped with Shimano 600EX (Arabesque) gruppo is a great ride and a bike I like a good deal. For reference sake, mine came my way for $40 last year in the Boston area (an unusually fine deal I believe), and I think you could certainly find an arguably better bike for the $400+ that that one would cost you shipped, but if it is a bike you really want I doubt the ride and component quality will let you down.

Just 2 cents...

Tom Pedale

I've got a) & b) covered!

Tom Pedale

Not really...although when I think about it, the bike industry has a lot of unforgettable personalities and interesting stories. What's really been great is watching how the sport has grown in this country.

Tom Pedale

I've got a few catalogues...I'll see if I can scan & upload specs. Not sure when the Competizione began & ended, but the the specs generally changed a bit from year to year..

jwarren879

I'd like to see these as well when you get a chance. Of particular interest would be years 1980 and 1984 as I believe thats when my Gran Turismo and Superstrada were made.

Thanks

m750rider

Here is my Univega Supra Sport.

ddgagnon

I've got a nuovo touring

ddgagnon

Just got it. good condition. not familiar with the nuovo touring

ddgagnon

ddgagnon

Some better pictures.

Chilero

Tom, were you able to find your catalogues? When I wrote my original question a few weeks ago I had been eyeing a Competizione on Craigslist, however the price seemed a little high and the frame was a little big. A week ago I picked up one for $25 as well as an early 80s Bianchi for $175. Both bikes are great, my youngest son immediately took possession of the Bianchi and I'm keeping the Competizione. I'll post some photos after I return from vacation in a couple of weeks. Unfortunately the owner lived a block from the ocean so you can imagine what the sand and salty breezes have done to it. I just got done rebuilding the Suntour Superbe Pro rear derailleur, including the "sealed" bearings and everything that could be taken apart on it. I wish the stenciled name was still on the derailleur but the only thing left is the engraved "S". The Suntour Superbe Pro hubs look like they will clean up pretty well but like the deraileur, the stenciled name is chipping off.
This is my third Univega. I had previously owned a Gran Turismo and a Gran Premio back in the late 70s. The Gran Premio took me on many centuries and double centuries as well as a cross-country trip and accompanied me to Nicaragua back in the mid 80's where it still lives, so I hear.

Chilero

Tom, were you able to find your catalogues? When I wrote my original question a few weeks ago I had been eyeing a Competizione on Craigslist, however the price seemed a little high and the frame was a little big. A week ago I picked up one for $25 as well as an early 80s Bianchi for $175. Both bikes are great, my youngest son immediately took possession of the Bianchi and I'm keeping the Competizione. I'll post some photos after I return from vacation in a couple of weeks. Unfortunately the owner lived a block from the ocean so you can imagine what the sand and salty breezes have done to it. I just got done rebuilding the Suntour Superbe Pro rear derailleur, including the "sealed" bearings and everything that could be taken apart on it. I wish the stenciled name was still on the derailleur but the only thing left is the engraved "S". The Suntour Superbe Pro hubs look like they will clean up pretty well but like the deraileur, the stenciled name is chipping off.
This is my third Univega. I had previously owned a Gran Turismo and a Gran Premio back in the late 70s. The Gran Premio took me on many centuries and double centuries as well as a cross-country trip and accompanied me to Nicaragua back in the mid 80's where it still lives, so I hear.

Robcomp66

Hello,
I hope someone can help with my Alpina Country. I purchased this bike in 1991 and have put thousands of miles on it with little to no maintenance required. I love this bike! Well, it now needs a bottom bracket and the bike shop told me that they can't fix it because the bracket is "frozen" in. I worked on many old cars and never came across anything so frozen that it was irrepairable. I have a few questions... I'd like to replace it myself. What model bracket is the original- the cranks say Shimano on them. Can I use a torch to help get it out? What tool set would I need to get the old one out? What would be a decent replacement bracket? What do you think? I've been spraying liquid wrench on it for months. Any info will help me. I got nowhere with the manufacturer because they say the company changed hands back in the 90's.
Thanks, Rob

jstewse

Here's my Grand Turismo, I believe it's an 81' serial number J357849. It was a garage sale find, these pictures are after I cleaned her up. New tires, tape, and cables and this thing rides really nice, but it's a little big for me. Anyways, on to the pictures!

jdpt

[IMG][/IMG]

Gran Turismo

old's'cool

Not bad. Looks pretty practical (reminds me of my FrankenVega). Is there a back story you want to tell us?

jdpt

Thanks old's cool! This was an ebay find for around 180.00 IIRC. Was looking for a commuter/grocerygetter etc. & NY craigslist is a bit ridiculous (pricewise) for older steel bikes. I added on the rack, fenders and barcons. Thinking about adding aero brakes with cross top levers as I have trouble reaching the brakes.

hubbub

Nice!

What tires do you have on it?

jdpt

Panaracer Pasela tour guards 27x1 1/4

trumptman

How do you like them and at what PSI do you run them? I've got the 80 VivaSport posted a few pages back. I'm several hundred miles in on a pair of the Bell tires from Walmart which I run at 85-90 PSI on most weekends but they are VERY wide. I'd love to see what people think works best on these old rims like my 27x1 1/4 Arayas.

jdpt

I run them at 85-90 psi as well. They are rather wide but I ride this bike on NYC/Brooklyn streets-lots of potholes, debris etc. and the tires handle it well. I also find it to be a very comfortable ride.

Grim

Great thread! Really enjoyed the history Tom was able to provide. Picked up my first this past week. Unfortunately nobody in the house fits it.
Guessing from the dates on the Cyclones I believe it to be a 1986 Viva Sport. I need to finsh up the clean up tomorrow and I will get a better shot.

illwafer

been wanting to post something to this thread for a long time, and today is finally the day!

1982 gran turismo

kevinvin

I just finished working on a Viva Tour that looks just like that except for the ugly steel seat post it has.. soon to be replaced.. it was a barn queen, lots of dryrot... rotted seat and tires.. has some very minor rust spots.. had to replace the break levers tires tubes cables ect... and lube everything, now its sitting at the house waiting to be taken for a long ride and I cant wait..

Price for the bike? FREE!

Actually that was the price for both of my roadbikes.. the other one is a Schwinn Le-Tour..