Union opafiet. Dutch bike gold.
11-15-23, 04:06 AM
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Union opafiet. Dutch bike gold.
I recently bought this bike for ,$120 AUD. Very pleased with it. It is a Union brand "tally" mans bike. It is a 60cm frame , single speed and rear coaster brake beauty. It looks like it is made in 1983 as both the frame number, 983951, and the tyre number, 298395, have 83 in them, although by this logic it could also be from 1995. It only needed e light clean and polish and repack the front wheel and head bearings to get it fully operational. It's really nice to ride though the seat is not great so will be replaced by a Brooks leather saddle. The coaster brake will take time to master as the frame is on the big side for me and the single speed is a bit taxing on my aging knees. So thoughts have turned to adding some gears and a Dyno/ drum brake front hub. Here's some photos
All polished up
Beautiful detail
Ready to roll
Lights work great though dynamo is a drag
Added a home made steering damper spring. Needs a stronger spring. Original Vredestein Westlander tyres are fab.
All polished up
Beautiful detail
Ready to roll
Lights work great though dynamo is a drag
Added a home made steering damper spring. Needs a stronger spring. Original Vredestein Westlander tyres are fab.
11-15-23, 07:10 AM
#2
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Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Menomonee Falls, WI
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Bikes: 1984 Schwinn Supersport, 1988 Trek 400T, 1977 Trek TX900, 1982 Bianchi Champione del Mondo, 1978 Raleigh Supercourse, 1986 Trek 400 Elance, 1991 Waterford PDG OS Paramount, 1971 Schwinn Sports Tourer, 1985 Trek 670
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Nice bike, looks like a fun project, not really much to mastering a coaster brake.
Tim
Tim
11-15-23, 10:48 AM
#3
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Join Date: Nov 2022
Location: California's capital
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Bikes: Litespeed Firenze, Spot Acme, Specialzed S Works Pro Race, Davidson Stiletto, Colnago Superissimo
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It's a beaut, looks nearly showroom fresh.
Confess confusion as to the purpose of the steering spring. Geometry looks like it would track straight in a hurricane.
Enjoy it!
Confess confusion as to the purpose of the steering spring. Geometry looks like it would track straight in a hurricane.
Enjoy it!
11-15-23, 11:55 AM
#4
Senior Member
those springs are pretty handy and can stabilize steering and they keep the bars from swinging around when parking the bike. I had one on a tourer, kept the pannier laden bars forward when I got off bike. I think Velo Orange sells them
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11-15-23, 07:06 PM
#5
Newbie
Thread Starter
The problem I have is when coming to a stop I can’t moderate the brake like I can with a lever and the frame is a bit tall for me so have to time the moment of coming to a stop (including having the crank at the right angle) and getting a foot on the ground just right.
