This weekend I found a replacement for my stolen 86 Vitus 979. It's a rev.2 979 in white and 54cm size. It's been left out in the desert sun for a long time. But the condition of the frameset is good. The grub screw was rusty but turned out to be only surface rust. Next checked that the seat post and stem weren't seized. Both turn.
It was a mtb racer's training road bike that was provided to him by his sponsor. He said there is over 10,000 miles on the Vitus.
It has mostly a motley mix of Shimano parts....1056 series 105 hubs, calipers, RD, 7400 Dura Ace seat post and FD, 600 tricolor crank, and 6200 series brake levers and headset. Rims are Mavic MA2. Unknown stem that the black anodizing has faded, and a Modolo anatomic bar.
I paid $60 for it. I'm going to polish up the aluminum and paint it to my liking. It should be another fun project, and will make a fitting replacement to my gorgeous first Vitus.
Seller's CL photo:
The sun exposure took its toll on the plastic bits and rubber. Shifter plastic is crumbly.
For some odd reason I had a real love affair with the way those bikes looked even though I was always a bit sceptical of how they were put together and how long the aluminum would last. In case anyone is wanting a brand new one, Adrenalin Bikes has a few assorted size of brand new old stock Vitus 979 frame/forks in stock, you can either by the frame/fork by itself or have them build it to your specs with modern components however.