The Unofficial Univega Appreciation Thread!
11-13-15, 02:09 AM
#876
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Originally Posted by brokensf
I bought this bike on tuesday night ... skipped work on wednesday...
on the shifters ... use a 5mm allen wrench on the right shifter screw to tighten it. those symmegrics were also offered with wingnuts you can tighten by hand. i've had both kinds. i used to carry around a little 5mm wrench (that came with an ikea desk) while riding in case the shifter screw loosened. at some point, you will want to overhaul those shifters. you have to be very exact when doing so, as it's easy to get lost in that process with the odd shaped fittings and internal cam. those shifters are a little complicated if you're not fully engaged.
univega used s600 headsets in bikes like their gran rally frames. if the headset is adjusted properly and the locknut/adjustable cup are tight, check it regularly before and after your next few rides. if it continues to be adjusted properly, don't let it worry you.
cool bike. but please use a lock.
11-13-15, 09:31 AM
#877
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The shifters have wingnuts, similar to the kind on quick release skewers. I'll give the JIS s600 headset another shot, it seemed like it would be fine when everything is tightened down but I wasn't quite sure.
I lock it up x2! I'm not about to let this one go so easily. I meant that I don't have to worry about scratching the paint when locking it up to poles and racks.
Thanks for the tips!
I lock it up x2! I'm not about to let this one go so easily. I meant that I don't have to worry about scratching the paint when locking it up to poles and racks.
Thanks for the tips!
11-13-15, 01:07 PM
#878
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I bought this bike on tuesday night, started working on it when I got home, skipped work on wednesday to make more progress, and then went on the first shakedown commute this morning.
The decals are gone. The previous owner thought it might be a trek, but I'm sure now that it's a Univega. Serial number L686300 (1983 Miyata manufacture) cable guides on the seat tube are labeled Shimano. It measures 66cm from the center of the bottom bracket to the center of the top tube. Based on this thread (wowowwowow!!), I think it was/is a Viva Sport. It had drilled dia-compe non-aero levers and brakes, SR 'super custom' crank, MKS pedals, suntour BL rear derailleur and Vx front, 27" Rigida rear rim and Suntour Perfect freewheel.
I swapped out some parts and repacked some bearings - stem 600 ax, bars nitto 177 44mm (they juuust fit through the BART turnstiles), levers dia-compe aero, crank shimano 600 arabesque, saddle san marco regal, brakes shimano 600, pedals dura-ace, 700c front and rear wheels with a suntour perfect freewheel, new 8spd sram chain.
But, as with every maiden voyage I take a new old bike on.. I got a flat... At least now I know to expect it. The suntour symmetric shifters are shifting themselves when I'm mashing the pedals uphill, which is frustrating. I'm still getting used to adjusting derailleurs, so this is a whole other variable to work through. The small ring in the front is a shimano biopace and I really like it! Overall the bike rides really nice, and the paint isn't perfect so I don't have to worry about locking it up. It's probably the first bike that I haven't had to buy a longer seat post for, and I don't feel crowded or uncomfortable at all. As it sits in the photos below, the bike weighs 24.5 lbs.
I have a shimano 600 JIS headset, but it was just barely tight in the frame, I could push it in place easily by hand. The fork crown race seemed like it would fit though. Does this frame need a ISO headset? Any help is appreciated!
The decals are gone. The previous owner thought it might be a trek, but I'm sure now that it's a Univega. Serial number L686300 (1983 Miyata manufacture) cable guides on the seat tube are labeled Shimano. It measures 66cm from the center of the bottom bracket to the center of the top tube. Based on this thread (wowowwowow!!), I think it was/is a Viva Sport. It had drilled dia-compe non-aero levers and brakes, SR 'super custom' crank, MKS pedals, suntour BL rear derailleur and Vx front, 27" Rigida rear rim and Suntour Perfect freewheel.
I swapped out some parts and repacked some bearings - stem 600 ax, bars nitto 177 44mm (they juuust fit through the BART turnstiles), levers dia-compe aero, crank shimano 600 arabesque, saddle san marco regal, brakes shimano 600, pedals dura-ace, 700c front and rear wheels with a suntour perfect freewheel, new 8spd sram chain.
But, as with every maiden voyage I take a new old bike on.. I got a flat... At least now I know to expect it. The suntour symmetric shifters are shifting themselves when I'm mashing the pedals uphill, which is frustrating. I'm still getting used to adjusting derailleurs, so this is a whole other variable to work through. The small ring in the front is a shimano biopace and I really like it! Overall the bike rides really nice, and the paint isn't perfect so I don't have to worry about locking it up. It's probably the first bike that I haven't had to buy a longer seat post for, and I don't feel crowded or uncomfortable at all. As it sits in the photos below, the bike weighs 24.5 lbs.
I have a shimano 600 JIS headset, but it was just barely tight in the frame, I could push it in place easily by hand. The fork crown race seemed like it would fit though. Does this frame need a ISO headset? Any help is appreciated!
11-21-15, 04:33 PM
#879
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I’m excited to say that I just picked up a white ‘86 Univega Gran Rally! Needs some work with new tape, hoods, pedals, and a good clean up but nothing too bad. Serial number is OE30564 with 59 underneath and rotated 90 degrees. Any idea what this means? I’ll get some pics up hopefully tomorrow.
11-25-15, 12:49 PM
#880
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He's a decent picture of it. I've already changed the pedals and seat. I am also looking into converting it to aero brake levers when I change the bar tape. I figure I might as well replace most common parts, bar tape, chain, cables, housing, tires, and brakes pads.
11-25-15, 01:22 PM
#881
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Great looking Univega!
11-26-15, 11:58 AM
#882
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thanks for posting the picture and serial number. I'd be excited too if I had that bike.
The "59" beside the serial number is the frame size: 59cm. Just my size.
11-26-15, 12:48 PM
#883
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Uploaded some more pics of the Italia saddle at the link below. I can't make out was written on the side, do you know what it is? What's so special about the saddle?
Italia Saddle - Album on Imgur
Italia Saddle - Album on Imgur
12-01-15, 05:18 AM
#885
Bort
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Bikes: 1966 Schwinn Paramount, 86 Univega Gran Sprint, 83 Univega Gran Turismo
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A Viva Sport I bought from Recycled Cycles in Seattle in college got me into biking and building. To avoid homework I turned it into a single speed. Sold it, regret ensued, bought a pretty blue Gran Sprint. Now I commute on it everyday. Just found a CL steal Gran Turismo ($150!) in the Bay Area that will be rando/touring bike after some polishing. I may even ride it farther than work someday.
The one that started it:
The one that replaced it:
going to california with an aching in my heart:
the future we don't need roads (in progress):
The one that started it:
The one that replaced it:
going to california with an aching in my heart:
the future we don't need roads (in progress):
12-04-15, 05:08 PM
#886
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Still need to get tires and tubes for her but not pictured is the Selle Italia turbo saddle I recently picked up, just need to find some rail clamps for the seat post.
12-10-15, 06:52 AM
#887
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12-10-15, 08:27 AM
#888
12-10-15, 01:05 PM
#889
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A couple of months ago, I bought an '83 Univega Gran Turismo. Since then, a few modifications. Tires and tubes, of course. I have had a new Brooks B17 just waiting for the right bike. Being someone whose legs are disproportionately long with respect to their torso, I installed a Technomic stem to raise the bars and bring them back 50mm. And then there are the Suntour bar-end shifters that had been sitting in my box of parts for 30+ years. The dork disc went into the parts box. Most of the reflectors went into the trash can.
I think that it worked out well.
Bob
I think that it worked out well.
Bob
12-20-15, 05:53 AM
#890
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FYI this shop in NC has a mint '84 Grand rally for $150. Looks like the group was upgraded to newer 600. If it was my size I would have snagged it.
Univega Gran Rally ? Ride-A-Used-Bike
Univega Gran Rally ? Ride-A-Used-Bike
12-21-15, 06:36 PM
#893
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I just finished fixing up this 87 Univega Rover Five.
Low end 5 speed. Swapped the rusted steel wheels for some period correct alloy, got the rust off of everything, added new cables and housing, and put some 1.5" tires on.
It's a fun bike now! A mountain bike geometry cruiser. Pretty funky- I can see why it wasn't popular/successful.
Low end 5 speed. Swapped the rusted steel wheels for some period correct alloy, got the rust off of everything, added new cables and housing, and put some 1.5" tires on.
It's a fun bike now! A mountain bike geometry cruiser. Pretty funky- I can see why it wasn't popular/successful.
12-30-15, 11:13 PM
#894
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Not classic or vintage, but a Univega nonetheless!
48cm 2001 Univega Modo Volare
48cm 2001 Univega Modo Volare
Last edited by pghride; 12-30-15 at 11:16 PM.
01-06-16, 01:36 AM
#896
Senior Member
Here's my first Univega - a Gran Rally. Serial Number # F-520162 - Miyata built, I believe, made in Japan anyway 1977. Every component has a date code of 1977, however the Suntour Pro Compe freewheel and the Tange chrome fork are dated November, 1977 so I think it's a frame made in 1977 intended for 1978. It matches the specs exactly for 1978. @T-Mar could shed some light on this for certain.
I think it may be the first year for Univega - Note the font on the word Univega on the down tube - that is the font used on Lawee's Italvegas. Once the company manufacturing switched to Japan and the name Univega was used the font eventually changed to what we think of - the Piccadilli font. I also have not seen a 1977 Univega catalog.
I completely overhauled the headset, bottom bracket (both with lots of old grease), freewheel and both wheel hubs, although the wheels are 27" are large for a 50/51 bike, so I've got some 700c Velocity rims laced to mid '80's Sansin hubs that I've got on there now. Fenders & toe clips make for a lot of toe overlap, so I'm practicing proper foot placement when I'm going very slowly. The bar tape was pristine black plastic with a tiny amount of padding underneath, but I didn't know about the padding until I removed it. I wish I hadn't removed it, but oh well.
I've got a Brooks B17 Special in Honey to go with the tan hoods which are original and in good shape. It had a black saddle, but I like how the Honey "warms" up this bike. I'm going to change the 32 Paselas to 28 Clement LGG tan wall tires in a day or two in part because I want to try something else and in part so there's more room between tire and fender. The black lettering has gold border and head tube & top seat tube lugs were pinstriped/lined in gold, which I went over with a gold metallic paint pen.
1977/78 Univega Gran Rally by velocivixen, on Flickr
1977/78 Univega Gran Rally by velocivixen, on Flickr
Drive Train Univega Gran Rally by velocivixen, on Flickr
Rear '77 Grand Raleigh by velocivixen, on Flickr
Head Shot Gran Rally Univega by velocivixen, on Flickr
Suntour Pro Compe 5 Speed by velocivixen, on Flickr
I think it may be the first year for Univega - Note the font on the word Univega on the down tube - that is the font used on Lawee's Italvegas. Once the company manufacturing switched to Japan and the name Univega was used the font eventually changed to what we think of - the Piccadilli font. I also have not seen a 1977 Univega catalog.
I completely overhauled the headset, bottom bracket (both with lots of old grease), freewheel and both wheel hubs, although the wheels are 27" are large for a 50/51 bike, so I've got some 700c Velocity rims laced to mid '80's Sansin hubs that I've got on there now. Fenders & toe clips make for a lot of toe overlap, so I'm practicing proper foot placement when I'm going very slowly. The bar tape was pristine black plastic with a tiny amount of padding underneath, but I didn't know about the padding until I removed it. I wish I hadn't removed it, but oh well.
I've got a Brooks B17 Special in Honey to go with the tan hoods which are original and in good shape. It had a black saddle, but I like how the Honey "warms" up this bike. I'm going to change the 32 Paselas to 28 Clement LGG tan wall tires in a day or two in part because I want to try something else and in part so there's more room between tire and fender. The black lettering has gold border and head tube & top seat tube lugs were pinstriped/lined in gold, which I went over with a gold metallic paint pen.
1977/78 Univega Gran Rally by velocivixen, on Flickr1977/78 Univega Gran Rally by velocivixen, on FlickrDrive Train Univega Gran Rally by velocivixen, on FlickrRear '77 Grand Raleigh by velocivixen, on FlickrHead Shot Gran Rally Univega by velocivixen, on FlickrSuntour Pro Compe 5 Speed by velocivixen, on Flickr
Last edited by Velocivixen; 01-06-16 at 01:45 AM.
01-06-16, 06:49 AM
#898
Senior Member
Any idea what year my Italvega is? I figure 70 or 71.
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Semper fi
Semper fi
01-06-16, 06:50 AM
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Here's my first Univega - a Gran Rally. Serial Number # F-520162 - Miyata built, I believe, made in Japan anyway 1977. Every component has a date code of 1977, however the Suntour Pro Compe freewheel and the Tange chrome fork are dated November, 1977 so I think it's a frame made in 1977 intended for 1978. It matches the specs exactly for 1978. @T-Mar could shed some light on this for certain.
I think it may be the first year for Univega - Note the font on the word Univega on the down tube - that is the font used on Lawee's Italvegas. Once the company manufacturing switched to Japan and the name Univega was used the font eventually changed to what we think of - the Piccadilli font. I also have not seen a 1977 Univega catalog...
I think it may be the first year for Univega - Note the font on the word Univega on the down tube - that is the font used on Lawee's Italvegas. Once the company manufacturing switched to Japan and the name Univega was used the font eventually changed to what we think of - the Piccadilli font. I also have not seen a 1977 Univega catalog...
You've done a beautiful restoration on your Gran Rally Enjoy.
