Smaller Lotus Legend with Arabesque. Year? Value?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Ithaca, NY
Posts: 4,852
Bikes: Click on the #YOLO
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times
in
12 Posts
Smaller Lotus Legend with Arabesque. Year? Value?
This thing is amazing shape. Bought it today off the local craigslist from a guy who was sifting through his fathers estate. He said it belonged to the wife of his father.
His guess is that I was a 1982, but I couldn't help but notice that it was in AMAZING shape and was sporting a full arabesque group.
From what I can tell it only needs tires and new hoods, any suggestions for either? Any ideas of the value for this bike? I'm thinking at least $300, and, I have to say, I'm not against parting it out.
Pics:
Here is an album with more detail pics
His guess is that I was a 1982, but I couldn't help but notice that it was in AMAZING shape and was sporting a full arabesque group.
From what I can tell it only needs tires and new hoods, any suggestions for either? Any ideas of the value for this bike? I'm thinking at least $300, and, I have to say, I'm not against parting it out.
Pics:
Here is an album with more detail pics
#2
Señor Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Boston Burbs
Posts: 1,637
Bikes: Bedford, IF, Hampsten, DeSalvo, Intense Carbine 27.5, Raleigh Sports, Bianchi C.u.S.S, Soma DC Disc, Bill Boston Tandem
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
I would say about $300 complete. Potentially more if you find someone who is specifically looking for a Lotus and/or Arabesque.
Parted out you might be able to do better, but the crankset is really the only part in the group that brings any real money on its own.
Parted out you might be able to do better, but the crankset is really the only part in the group that brings any real money on its own.
#3
Lotus Monomaniac
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 1,031
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
Funny, I was going to post that on the craigslist finds thread because it was such a good deal. I even looked on the map to spot it's location, but it was a bit far for me to drive.
I'm relatively certain it's a 1980 1/2 model. The 1980 bikes used the head tube decal, but the 1981 models had the long cage derailleur, clear spoke guard and wider-range freewheel. A 1981 bike would have a headtube badge. We see a lot of mid-year changes in Lotus bikes, probably leftover frames with the new-model components. 1981 models would have braze-on bottle bosses.
The bike is definitely worth $350.00+ to the right buyer. The original Kashimax Super-Pro saddle is worth an easy $50.00, the long cage 600 derailleur is close to that price in nice condition. Bonus points for original reflectors, I get requests for them all the time. If those are KKT toe straps, they are also in demand.
Shimano hoods are getting hard to find but the Cane Creek hoods fit well. Save the original tires and replace them with gumwall Panaracer Paselas in 700 x 25c to ride.
Please . . . . If I see another nice Lotus parted out my head is going to explode.
Update: I have an early Classique with serial number KT05914, just 80 frames away from your bike. The Classique and Legend frames are similar except the Legend adds chrome full wrap stays and a fully sloping fork crown. The early Classique did not have bottle bosses either. The Legend got them in 1981, the Classique in 1983.
I'm relatively certain it's a 1980 1/2 model. The 1980 bikes used the head tube decal, but the 1981 models had the long cage derailleur, clear spoke guard and wider-range freewheel. A 1981 bike would have a headtube badge. We see a lot of mid-year changes in Lotus bikes, probably leftover frames with the new-model components. 1981 models would have braze-on bottle bosses.
The bike is definitely worth $350.00+ to the right buyer. The original Kashimax Super-Pro saddle is worth an easy $50.00, the long cage 600 derailleur is close to that price in nice condition. Bonus points for original reflectors, I get requests for them all the time. If those are KKT toe straps, they are also in demand.
Shimano hoods are getting hard to find but the Cane Creek hoods fit well. Save the original tires and replace them with gumwall Panaracer Paselas in 700 x 25c to ride.
Please . . . . If I see another nice Lotus parted out my head is going to explode.
Update: I have an early Classique with serial number KT05914, just 80 frames away from your bike. The Classique and Legend frames are similar except the Legend adds chrome full wrap stays and a fully sloping fork crown. The early Classique did not have bottle bosses either. The Legend got them in 1981, the Classique in 1983.
Last edited by Snydermann; 06-12-12 at 03:49 PM.
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Ithaca, NY
Posts: 4,852
Bikes: Click on the #YOLO
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times
in
12 Posts
Funny, I was going to post that on the craigslist finds thread because it was such a good deal. I even looked on the map to spot it's location, but it was a bit far for me to drive.
I'm relatively certain it's a 1980 1/2 model. The 1980 bikes used the head tube decal, but the 1981 models had the long cage derailleur, clear spoke guard and wider-range freewheel. A 1981 bike would have a headtube badge. We see a lot of mid-year changes in Lotus bikes, probably leftover frames with the new-model components. 1981 models would have braze-on bottle bosses.
The bike is definitely worth $350.00+ to the right buyer. The original Kashimax Super-Pro saddle is worth an easy $50.00, the long cage 600 derailleur is close to that price in nice condition. Bonus points for original reflectors, I get requests for them all the time. If those are KKT toe straps, they are also in demand.
Shimano hoods are getting hard to find but the Cane Creek hoods fit well. Save the original tires and replace them with gumwall Panaracer Paselas in 700 x 25c to ride.
Please . . . . If I see another nice Lotus parted out my head is going to explode.
Update: I have an early Classique with serial number KT05914, just 80 frames away from your bike. The Classique and Legend frames are similar except the Legend adds chrome full wrap stays and a fully sloping fork crown. The early Classique did not have bottle bosses either. The Legend got them in 1981, the Classique in 1983.
I'm relatively certain it's a 1980 1/2 model. The 1980 bikes used the head tube decal, but the 1981 models had the long cage derailleur, clear spoke guard and wider-range freewheel. A 1981 bike would have a headtube badge. We see a lot of mid-year changes in Lotus bikes, probably leftover frames with the new-model components. 1981 models would have braze-on bottle bosses.
The bike is definitely worth $350.00+ to the right buyer. The original Kashimax Super-Pro saddle is worth an easy $50.00, the long cage 600 derailleur is close to that price in nice condition. Bonus points for original reflectors, I get requests for them all the time. If those are KKT toe straps, they are also in demand.
Shimano hoods are getting hard to find but the Cane Creek hoods fit well. Save the original tires and replace them with gumwall Panaracer Paselas in 700 x 25c to ride.
Please . . . . If I see another nice Lotus parted out my head is going to explode.
Update: I have an early Classique with serial number KT05914, just 80 frames away from your bike. The Classique and Legend frames are similar except the Legend adds chrome full wrap stays and a fully sloping fork crown. The early Classique did not have bottle bosses either. The Legend got them in 1981, the Classique in 1983.
I'll order up some can creek hoods and some paselas. Skinwall tires are a no-brainer, but how about hoods? Gum? Black? You're the expert.
#5
Lotus Monomaniac
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 1,031
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
It was the PM, but I'm sure sooner or later I'd have found it. Thanks for the heads-up and for taking the photos. It's a cool bike for sure.
Original hoods were gum. I'd also remove that original saddle and save it, chances are you'll find the Super-Pro a super-no for comfort.
Original hoods were gum. I'd also remove that original saddle and save it, chances are you'll find the Super-Pro a super-no for comfort.
#6
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Ithaca, NY
Posts: 4,852
Bikes: Click on the #YOLO
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times
in
12 Posts
It was the PM, but I'm sure sooner or later I'd have found it. Thanks for the heads-up and for taking the photos. It's a cool bike for sure.
Original hoods were gum. I'd also remove that original saddle and save it, chances are you'll find the Super-Pro a super-no for comfort.
Original hoods were gum. I'd also remove that original saddle and save it, chances are you'll find the Super-Pro a super-no for comfort.
Pics came out pretty nice for a phone, didn't they?
Last edited by IthaDan; 06-12-12 at 09:31 PM.
#7
Lotus Monomaniac
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 1,031
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
Well, they aren't valuable and I've found NOS Shimano ones on eBay cheap. But when they are clean you hardly see them, you never know when it might save that long cage from getting caught in the spokes. It is kind of interesting that you have an early frame with the disc, which was a later addition.
#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Ithaca, NY
Posts: 4,852
Bikes: Click on the #YOLO
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times
in
12 Posts
LOL . . . I just bought the tool so I could remove the freewheel to install the discs.
Well, they aren't valuable and I've found NOS Shimano ones on eBay cheap. But when they are clean you hardly see them, you never know when it might save that long cage from getting caught in the spokes. It is kind of interesting that you have an early frame with the disc, which was a later addition.
Well, they aren't valuable and I've found NOS Shimano ones on eBay cheap. But when they are clean you hardly see them, you never know when it might save that long cage from getting caught in the spokes. It is kind of interesting that you have an early frame with the disc, which was a later addition.
Didn't even think to check if it was uniglide, just figured it was a freewheel.
#9
Lotus Monomaniac
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 1,031
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
The Ukai rims are correct. It wouldn't suprise me if it hubs weren't 600EX but some other Shimano hub, Lotus varies a lot on their early bike specifications with hubs and freewheels it seems. Sometimes the bikes have freewheels and sometimes cassettes.
Notice how the chain guard on the crank isn't shown in the photo either. The vast majority of 600 cranks I see aren't even drilled for the guard. The guards can be hard to find if they're missing.
Notice how the chain guard on the crank isn't shown in the photo either. The vast majority of 600 cranks I see aren't even drilled for the guard. The guards can be hard to find if they're missing.
Last edited by Snydermann; 06-12-12 at 10:43 PM.
#10
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Ithaca, NY
Posts: 4,852
Bikes: Click on the #YOLO
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times
in
12 Posts
It is those hubs, but the little covers have been removed. Took some pics with a real camera, but time was tight and... I really need better light and a new backdrop. From what I can tell it IS a UG freehub. This bike still has the UG chain. I have a feeling I rode it further today testing it out than it was ever ridden before.
https://imgur.com/a/8LIjT
https://imgur.com/a/8LIjT
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
BrianEugene
Classic and Vintage Bicycles: Whats it Worth? Appraisals.
3
02-08-10 09:34 AM
fiataccompli
Classic and Vintage Bicycles: Whats it Worth? Appraisals.
1
12-20-09 06:21 PM