1980 Lotus Eclair - thoughts??
04-11-18, 02:28 PM
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1980 Lotus Eclair - thoughts??
So, every bit of information about Lotus' seems to start in 1981. I have a chance at what looks to be a 1980 Lotus Eclair, (based on good intel: Eclair) 
That said, I feel like this introductory model is a bit of a wild card with the unkown steel and unspecified manufacturer. I see lots of love for the 80's Lotus touring bikes, but I can't find anyone out there with one of these, and I don't know if that love extends to the first production year.
That said, I feel like this introductory model is a bit of a wild card with the unkown steel and unspecified manufacturer. I see lots of love for the 80's Lotus touring bikes, but I can't find anyone out there with one of these, and I don't know if that love extends to the first production year.
04-12-18, 04:27 PM
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All the very early Lotus appear to have been manufactured by Tsunoda. The serial number will provide verification. The 1980 Eclair had a generic CrMo decal, without mention of butting, so it likely Tange #5 or equivalent.
04-16-18, 11:55 AM
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I don't know about the earlier years, but I had this one, bought new, kept many years:
1984 Lotus Eclair
I rode it fully loaded from Michigan to NJ, 11 days of touring. It was a great bike, very much a touring geometry & ride.
1984 Lotus Eclair
I rode it fully loaded from Michigan to NJ, 11 days of touring. It was a great bike, very much a touring geometry & ride.
04-17-18, 07:09 AM
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If your intent is loaded touring, better to keep looking until you find a 1983 or later Odyssey. They come along every so often. Don
04-17-18, 02:49 PM
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It ended up being too small for me and too large for my wife. Looked like a pretty bike, but if it doesn't fit...ya know.
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