I acquired a complete A.D. . There is no model number discernable (paint is faded). But I can read the serial number anyone know how I can ID this? SN is 562226/

Frame is apart for sand-blasting. I think it's from the 70s. Shimano 600 mechs, SR Apex crank, Araya sew-up rims. Close ratio 5 speed freewheel. Dark red with chrome ends. Lugged steel. no decals other than a small Steyr Daimler Puch AG sticker.

Any ideas.

Thanks,
DA

Here's a link to some AS catalogs. Match yours up to what you find.

https://bulgier.net/pics/bike/Catalogs/AustroDaimler/

Sounds like an early Inter 10- level model.

Have a look here as well: Austro Daimler Serial Number Database

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launch year for the A-D marked product line in the U.S. was 1976

kitting description sounds like an early one, ~'76-'79


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That's what I was thinking as well. SR Apex, 5 speed, early Shimano 600 wares. When the brakes were centerpulls.

In 1976 the catalog shows the Ultima and AD-S as red, but the red AD-S didn't have chrome socks. The group on the Ultima would have been Campy. Here are a couple of pages,

Was that a captive tubing choice? Puch made or sourced? Interesting it is not Reynolds if it is in fact not.

The catalogs for the Ultima Superleicht never seem to show the tubing other than listing it as manganese molybdenum. I think the Ultima may also have been sold with 531 as multiple examples can be found. However the catalogs seem to be missing for those. The Ultima Superleicht also shows the head tube lugs as chromed, where Ultima's are usually painted lugs.
It is difficult to pin down Austro Daimlers with the catalog gaps. 52telecaster got one in an unusual color. also not in the catalogs.

Mine was later, about 81 I think and full 531. Gugiefied it's an incredible bike. It was great before.

Nothing to add on ID.
Will only comment that most roadies really like the ride characteristics.
Use quality tubulars, not too fat.
I still enjoy mine (Olympian), and remember kindly the one (VN) that moved on, and the one (Michelle) that my daughter claimed for a more useful purpose.

Roll On.

I think the 1980 Catalog would be a nice thing to find, but it eludes me.

Thanks for the catalog scans. and I do believe it's (from the catalog description) as you noted it's an Inter 10. Paint is very bad...it could easily be brown instead of dark red.

Best regards,
DA

[MENTION=564114]DAbiker2023[/MENTION] - Any pics? Plans for build? Guessing,.......DA?

got some pix with the cellphone. there is remnants of Reynolds Steel tubing decals at the top of the fork blades. dropouts are Shimano. Is equipped with side-pull brakes. Crank is SR Apex 42-52, Shimano 600 ders, Shimano downtuble shifters, drop bars have Diacompe levers (non-drilled), black tape and brown hoods.Araya 27" sew-up rims (bad shape),Logos on saddle worn off. Seatpost is fluted SR. Paint is very faded, with rust on teh chrome ends (no other rust). The Diacpompe brake housing gudes from the top tube had been removed at the bike co-op I volunteer at.. former owner was going to single speed frankenbike it (I talked him out of it), bought it for $20. I had no idea what it was...just didn't seem right to frankenbike it tho....Frame is in remarkable condition other than the rusted chrome. No dents, scrapes, bends.Seatpost and bb came right out. Chromed headset is rusted.. I would like to restore this but I'm up to my neck in rebuilds now (just got the Moto GT back from powder coating). Maybe a resto-mode later this year. Anyone interested in restoring this I'm in north FL (J'ville).

I remember having difficulty swallowing my spit when I saw a bike like this for sale at Sears in 74.

I did not even look at the price...

Sears did have the top end Free Spirit made with 531 by Steyr Daimler Puch in Austria. I think someone here has one of these.

Wish I'd been into bikes in 74. Well, was but bought a long lusted after Honda 500/4 instead ;-)

We do have a number of Free Spirits at the co-op (bikes and wrenchers). And it would explain the safety sticker from Steyr-Daimler-Puch in english.

DA

p.s. I did see Inter 10s in this color with and without the chrome ends in a google search.

DA

I am only one of several BF members to have a Sears 531 bike. They were almost double the cost of the lesser bikes.


"Sears Finest" bike for 1974


1974 Sears Ted Williams Free Spirit with Reynolds 531 frame

Interesting,
I did find an old post on the german language bikeboard.at where one of their "expert" members claimed that chromed ends were an option on Austro Daimlers.
Here's a google translated link, this thread was about 20 years long and has many details on Puch and Austro Daimler not found on english language sites.
https://bikeboard-at.translate.goog/...n&_x_tr_pto=sc

Thanks for posting this, I like those shorty fenders.

I just found a post on Redit of a refurbed Inter 10. Frame is identical to mine. Owner is says it's Reynolds 531 (Decals visible in pix). The lugs are different from the Free Spirit ADs, from what I've seen in google.

i do think by frame is an Inter 10 late 70s to early 80s. I'll get the wheels out of the shed and post pix of them.

Thanks,
DA

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lug pattern BOCAMA Professional -




fork crown Vagner DL -



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My Olympian is a 1980/81 model. Decals from 1981, drop-outs from 1980 (Gipiemme). Head tube angle varied slightly, according to catalogs - but I have not measured frame angles. Mine bought as frameset, so component differences between the model years are lost to me. Gosh, I posted an ugly pic back in May of 2011.

My point being: minor frame differences from catalog spec or picture may exist. As with most manufacturers, bitd.