hello i got these two bikes yesterday from a old couple a vista cavalier and a raleigh the vista was made n.i.d.a.has three speeds it says on the bike modle was tested by a independent testing laboratory to meet bma/6 safety its got every thing the same as when it was made..and a 3 speed raleighsays r.co on it made in nottingham england gots a reflector on back fender seat is leather with brooks tag made in england green and gold bands under seat and duck logo on fender with pop out reflector tires on both are [37-590] 26 by 1 3/8 hfc-111-13 they got chain gears built in to the back weel back tires have plastic see thru cap over gear tires made by bell streetster white wall wanted to no if eny one knows about them in very good condish was up in a shead got for free its got a stamp on it 2030 dont no if there was more its a little faded but if you know eny thing about them plese let me know thanks

yea its worth fixing my friend its a good smooth ride just got one yesterday well two was in a old couples shed all still there as when they was made rides better then my mountine bike but mine is a class 6 i think its all ways the breaks becouse the breaks on mine are a little funny taking a wile to get them to work but still a great bike does yours have a three peace crank the one i got was made in england been trying to find out more about them the same as you but not many people know about them unless they was in the old times but if you would like to talk about them my post is at the bottom of the page wolfmanjack1981 i put every thing i seen on mine and righting and tire size hop to here from yea you have a good day

In addition to my regular bicycle, I also have a Vista and enjoy it. When adjusted properly, shifts smoothly and rides great. What you do with yours really depends on what sort of riding you have planned. For enjoyment, yes. For racing, no. There is also a large market for vintage bicycles, including Vistas. Since it has been in the family, I would restore it and use for the sheer enjoyment of riding. Good luck and enjoy.

I remember reading some time ago where Schwinn made some 70's models for other bike companies like they did way back for BF Goodrich, etc.
I had a VISTA two seater and the fork was an exact match for a Varsity I had at the time (along with the previously mentioned oval head badge that fit the Varsity). That led me to do some research and that's what I found out. I don't know if complete bikes were just re-badged, or just parts sold to other companies.

Not if they still quote you five years later ....

Picked up this Vista Islena today. Kinda nice touring bike. Apart from the rust from sitting in a damp shed for thirty years or so it looks like it hasn't been ridden more than a couple of blocks.


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...35c14be925.jpg

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ccfa828062.jpg

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...42ec3a685f.jpg

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e2ace18d6e.jpg

Wifey's mixte is a Vista Espada, with the Araya 631 tubing (as with the Islena touring bike just shown above).

Maybe it's a gaspipe knockoff, but the fit and finish are beautiful - they're MIJ classics for sure. Swapping the heavier parts gets the weight down substantially, making the bikes that much more fun to ride.

I just checked: the Islena weighs 13 kilograms as pictured above.

I recall Vistas were popular with smaller urban bike shops with less space, 1980 -85 era maybe. Haven't seen one lately. The Aero looks nice.

Update on the Islena: frame + fork + headset = 3.65 kg's. Seatpost = 26.2. The bike was probably a personal import to Holland, as there's a sticker on it from Anthony's, Highland Park, NJ. Frame has what I assume to be an Araya serial number: ARYK035111.

Can't find anything on Anthony's:

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0c4cb02bc8.jpg

I paid $5 for this Vista Mixte. The seatpost and stem are not stuck, but it needs some love!

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/65c6zffwb1x...2014.41.52.jpg

^ That is a very cute mixte. Great color scheme. I'd really be tempted to rebuild it with some nice lightweight and very shiny parts.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=334545http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=334546http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=334547http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=334548http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=334549http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=334550http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=334551http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=334552http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=334553http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=334554http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=334555One of my experts said that it might be a Vista Shadow. It's a fast, solid ride! No flex! New go to beater bike!

From what I read somewhere online, Vista was a company that started up when Schwinn yanked the rug out from many of their shops in the late sixties. That's why there were so many likenesses to Schwinn in the early models. Ashtabula forks, color schemes, etc. Up until two months ago I had a Vista Elite with vertical dropouts. It came with Arabesque 600, and had a complete visual ripoff color scheme of a mid 70's Motobecane. Even down to similar decals and headbadge. This last Sunday at the flea market there was a Vista BMX bike with all the right styling cues for the early 80's. Anodized brakes, and matching handlebars, chrome frame. The visual was the end of it, as it weighed a metric ton. Chrome rims with anodized looking clear shot over them, etc. I didn't even ask how much, though it was definitely cool looking, and mint condition for it's age.,,,,BD

Here's an Elite completed auction. VERY Moto flavor 5-6 years after the fact, and made from Araya 631 (Wannabe 531 perhaps?)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vista-Elite-...p2047675.l2557

Would love to own that Islena. It's a classy looking bike, and very clean for it's age. I'll trade you a Carabela with chrome lugs?;) Apples to Apples if you ask me, though the Carabela is a bit of a caramel apple, haha. Chrome lugs and Gran Compe stem.,,,,BD

Thanks for the link to the Elite, BD. Very much the same frame. Every bit as heavy too, I suppose. Looks great though.

I found my #http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=334703

Vista
 

Here is a VISTA that my son and i restored and sold.

while googling looking for information about my VISTA CAVALIER 3spd i came across this thread. instead of starting a whole new thread, i thought i would drag this thread back out of the abyss of forum threads.


i bought the bike & a baby seat for 80$ @ the pawn shop recently. the bike is in good shape for it's age. other than adjusting some things the bike was ready to ride. I am trying not to modify it all or upgrade anything. just keeping it mint. i did have to change out the luggage rack for the baby seat rack. i let the bike shop do it for $10, not worth aggravation for that price.

the gear shift equipment is long gone. there was a stick taped to the lugage rack which was wedge in between the frame & gear lever on rear wheel. i don't have $ to get the parts to fix it right & was going to do a fix that would not be readily noticed. so i found a small bolt "actually a butterfly bolt for a window lock". then selected a drill bit about the same size dia. i elected to drill the hole threw the gear lever that is exposed in the triangular area part of the housing on the axle. it may have displayed gear numbers? not sure.

one of the arms on the crank isn't in alignment. it's isn't bad so i beat on it a little. it helped. after reading the above posts, there maybe hope to find a replacement crank. does it take some kind of press to get it off?

the tires i think are original, hold good air but the sidewalls are dry root a little. i have them @ 40 psi. was wondering if they can handle more? i like the tread pattern. i hope finding replacements almost identical isn't a problem.

so far i haven't needed to replace anything.

i have few plans for the bike.
replace the crank
I am thinking of getting some of my artist friends do some paint or draw with acrylic pens some artwork on it.
a friend of mine works part time for a guy that does motor cycle seats of all kinds including vintage. he thinks his boss can work on the seat to make it more comfortable & still look old.
other than that, i don't plan on changing anything else.

thanks
dan

Clean out and lube all the bearings, or you will be looking for another bike within a few months. Keeping it mint, and drawing on it with pens are two entirely different things. Keep the saddle original and buy another one. Honestly from the problems you describe it doesn't sound mint. Just my observation though.,,,,BD

i guess i shouldn't have said mint. i am not stripping it down & rebuilding it. other than missing the 3spd equip. it hasn't been touched.

thanks for the advice on the lubing

Ha i was just looking at this thread a few weeks back, because i bought a vista mixte off cl for 20 bucks, i took the drops off and converted it to a townie bike, put some cheapy tires on it as well as a big cushy seat and a tune up. it was pretty ugly, silver with scratches all over, but really comfy to ride, sold to a riding buddy's gf.. for 50 bucks.. only cost me 20+7 for parts... easy peasy

I had a vista Torino 500 when I was a kid. I would be interested in more detail and price

VISTA 78-79 BMX Style with oval top tube
 

In 1978 or 79 I got a VISTA bicycle from Gary's Bike Shop in Brunswick Georgia. it was a BMX style bike. It was silver gray paint with a thick oval top tube that made it very rigid. It was stolen 3 months later and I have never seen another. I would love to have another one but just a photo would be fantastic.
If anyone knows this model please let me know.

Thanks

Vista Alpine
 

I have a Vista Alpine 70's model complete when I get out to the garage I'll take pics and post them

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b4ce2ff0aa.jpg
1974 ad