I had the same color/Model but from 1978-79, maybe a year or so earlier. Bought it from the Bicycle Barn (Sacramento, Ca) for around $200. It was my first "real" road bike. It was outfitted with Suntour/SR throughout. I wrecked the bike in 84, bent the frame (plain tube CrMo), but kept many of the components, such as the pedals (SR), headset, skewers, SP (Laprade), BB, HB's (Road Champion/ narrow center) and the neck (plain SR). Some of these are on my Moto Grand Record (pedals/SP). The headset is probably one of the best looking Japanese bits I've ever seen.

Maxima Sport, basically a dump save. Wheels & RD were trash, a dropout bent, couple of dents in frame. Looked like something backed in to it. Mangalight triple butted tubes. The entry level bike? Now my rain/winter bike.

First post! Just came home with this 1985 Gran Rally. Read this whole thread front to back and you guys got me excited to pick this one up! Shimano 600 components all around, been updated to 700c wheels. I'm a newbie, but I guess most of these are not original? First order of business is to replace those silly pedals. Just needed something to give it a test ride with, the originals were MIA. There are some small rust spots here and there, a few nicks in the paint. Suggestions on what to do about those spots would be much appreciated!
Thanks,
Matthttp://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=412726http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=412727http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=412728http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=412729http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=412730http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=412731http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=412732http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=412733

Hi everyone,
I'm going through some unread mail and just found this (very old) message from C&V member SpeedFreek. I think that it is a nice recollection of Ben Lawee:
Hi bigwoo, I was fortunate to have gotten to know Ben. He was the greatest guy you would would ever want to meet!
I worked for Jones Bicycles in the 70's. Store #5, in San Marino. Bob Olsen owned it then. I was racing USCF, and was pretty successful. My friend Tim Mcgrath bought a Gran Premio from that store, and raced on it! He still has it. The web page you reference to isn't quite accutrate. His original company was started with West Coast Imports, who brought Sun Tour componenets into the US. Their bikes were called Nishiki, and they sponsored my cycling club. Ben's bikes were originally called Italvega. Ital for "Italy", Vega for "The brightest Star". Produced in the Torpado factory in Italy. He later changed it to "Uni" to be called "The Universe's Brightest Star". That's when he started producing them in Japan and Taiwan. Excellent bikes, and quite a bargain, for a great machine. I bought one of the first MTB's he brought in......

@mattiemisfit - gorgeous bike! Thanks for the photos.

Im still looking for a nice 50cm Univega with good paint & original components. I'm patient, but I know will come.
@bigwoo - thanks for your contribution.

Nice. Not sure if either that isn't an '86 or has been upgraded with some slightly newer 600 EX parts. Trying to remember exactly when the SIS RD came out. The '85s came with 700c wheels, btw. Here are some good small spot touch up tips.

http://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...vent-rust.html

Well the frame most certainly has a serial number starting with 'N' denoting an '85 (right?) so maybe it wasnt put together until '86? Or the original owner was sold an upgrade in store on an old frame? Something like "We have a great deal on this frame from last year, but these here new Shimano 600s are great and new! I'll go ahead and upgrade this bike for the low low price of $xxx.99" I like imagining these kinds of scenarios, lol. Thanks for the link! I dont think that white should be too hard to match ;)

Yeah it's probably an '85. Could be a mid year upgrade or maybe the SIS stuff came out sooner than I remember in my old age. :50: 600 EX is what they always came with. That's going to be a good riding frame I can tell you that. One of my regrets is selling mine when I made a move to the west coast.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=413918

Can anyone tell me the year and where this bicycle was made?

My Univega Metro Ten
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=413919

My not so C&V Gran Premio

http://i.imgur.com/b9P4mDK.jpg

Just picked up my neighbor's 1979 Univega Gran Rally. Original owner and all original components. Bike is in great shape. Just too tall.

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m...m/SAM_0312.jpg

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m...m/SAM_0318.jpg

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m...m/SAM_0317.jpg

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m...m/SAM_0314.jpg

Love! this crankset

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m...m/SAM_0315.jpg

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=414127http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=414128http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=414129http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=414130
My newest Univega, a (yr? sn: M9L 89740) like-new Nuovo Sport off CL (to go with my 1984 Supra Sport). Don't know how much is original. Skinny fast.

Hello. I don't have it home yet, but I have sealed a deal on a univega super strada with dura ace 7200 I believe. Have also seen it called ex or ax. 100 percent dura ace all around with the exception of the stem. I was bummed that the original stem is not there, it was the only part swapped out during the course of this bikes existence, which to me was pretty impressive. What do you guys think? Is this a good one? I know that sounds stupid, but I really like this bike. Don't know if I overpaid or not, but I'm okay with it. Let me see if I can put a photo up here.

Welcome to the forum! Gorgeous bike for sure. I'm still learning about various Univega models & components that were original, but if it fits you and you like it, then it's a good deal! Post more photos when you get it in hand.

Here's a hybrid (Activa Trail) I just picked up last Sunday in "as found" condition. I'm going to change the non-original saddle to a Fujita and maybe do something with the bars and stem later. The serial number is WEKH38063.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=416576http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=416577http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=416578http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=416579http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=416580http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=416581

I just fell into a mid 90s SuperStrada that was rode hard and put away wet.

To support my biking habit, I haunt CL and look for undervalued bikes, give them some TLC, then sell them. A week ago I came across a Univega bike. The guy was trying to sell the "26 inch" wheels, and oh by the way, also had a frame to sell if interested. I talked him down to $50 for everything.

I got the full RSX groupset, including the CXP wheels w/ RSX hubs. The frame is straight, no dents, but some areas have a lot of abrasions, and it looks like at one point, someone tried to scrape of the decals on the top tube, but then gave up almost right away. The wheels are in good shap, no dents, the front is only slightly out of true, same for the rear, and also slightly out of round. The hubs are sealed, there isn't any play in them and the roll effortlessly, mostly. The derailleurs, brakes and brifters were caked in grime. I left them soaking in Tri-flow overnight. The derailleurs move freely now, but still need some cleaning. The rear might need to have the pulley wheels replaced, I'll know more once I'm done cleaning. The brakes could also use some polish, but are functioning fine now. The brifters though, they aren't clicking.

I found a video on YouTube that show how to take them apart and re-assemble. But they mention using a spring installation tool, TL-ST02, that I can't find for sale. It almost looks like the tube that goes on the end of a nozzle, like a can of air, or WD-40, could do the job.

I think I'm in for a fun project. Thankfully, the bike is too small for me, 50CM, or I'd be tempted to keep it.

I'll post pictures later and update my progress. I love steel frame road bikes.

If you use wd40 on the shifters make sure to let it dry then re lube them with actual lubricant. I have fixed RSX shifters that were not clicking. The factory grease just got hard more than likely, or maybe the shifters need rebuilt which is bad. When I do it I just squirt tri flow in the shifter generously, then just work the lever and paddle as you were shifting. Hopefully, it will start clicking again. It may take some time to work it in there good.

Oh and if you don't know what your doing I would not take the brifters apart!
Just shoot a bunch if tri flow in there then start working the levers for a while.

My New (to me) Univega
 

This is my first post, so I will start out with a photo of the bike I picked up last weekend for $100 on Craigslist. After comparing what's on the bike to product specs, I have determined it is a 1997 Univega Activa Country. I must say that so far I am totally impressed with the handling of this bike, and I am excited to learn more about it.

Love those "hammered" fenders - who makes them?
 

Even though we don't get much rain here in AZ, I am thinking of adding fenders to my Activa Country. Who makes those "hammered" fenders that I see in some of the photos?

Velo-Orange sells the aluminum hammered fenders. I have them on one of my bikes and they're really light.
Here's a link to the fender page on Velo Orange site:



hmmmmmm. For some reason I'm not able to post the link.

Both Velo Orange and 'Handsome' sell faux-hammered aluminum fenders, though Honjo probably has been doing them the longest. Boulder Bike / Rene Hearse site is a good source of info on various makes of both Honjo (aluminum) and Berthoud (stainless steel) fenders.

Hi there. This evening I purchased a $40 Craigslist bike.

Univega Gran Premio

M9L-39363 which I think is early nineties.. uni-crown cromoly fork with Exage 500 components.. Araya rims (the rear was missing and is a bummer).

It's abused, but not too seriously. It has millions of scratches. The brazed on cable housing guides.. VERY RUSTED.

Seems ok, despite missing the original rear wheel.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=428998