Hey can anyone tell me anything about this brand ...im thinkin bout fixin one up frame is fine but just it really dirty...is it worth my time?

Yes sir! Nice bikes, I have one myself as do a few others here on the CNV, you wouldnt be wasting your time if your building it up to orig condition, you really wouldnt be wasting your time builing it up to any way you please, theyre just so much nicer when they are built to orig condition just my two little pennies!

And we simply must know, is it a Vent Noir?

If so, you will be envied even more!

+1 and +2, tho there are some lesser models, most anything you'll find with A-D on the headtube will be worthwhile...they are Austrian, BTW, same big manufacturer as Puch and Steyr...and there are at least a couple BIG fans of the marque that post to this forum...mucho expertise.

I'll be seeing it this weekend...thanks for the advice. I cant wait to work on it. I'll post pics this weekend

Well, you know I've got to add a comment here!
Best wishes - I hope it's in nice shape and that you get it, whichever model it is. Check out the site below for details of the AD line-up...

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

The Ultima is a top-of-line road race frame (short wheelbase, no brazeon eyes for racks), the Vent Noir is a fantastic sport frame, both race-worthy and capable of touring. Check out other models as well. Top levels were Reynolds 531 DB frames equipped w/ Campy or Dura-Ace. I've enjoyed my 1976 Ultima for many, many years!

Good luck!
Drew

Search the "Forums". I think there have been several good threads on these bikes over the past several years.

I have run across several of their bikes when they were brought in for work at bike shops in my neighborhood. Each one was a nice bike. An oddity of the ones that I've seen is what good condition they are in. They are classy looking bikes, and they seem to attrack owners that appreciate that, and keep them in good condition.

let us know what you found

Blah! eh. It seems like the guy had it wrong it was actually a sears puch bike 10 spd, orange, Weinmann center pulls, simplex running gears, it was made in austria but far from a austro-daimler. The frame is fine but it needs new cables, chain and freewheel. I wasnt going to pay for it at that point but he gave it to me for free. ah oh well. still looks like a solid bike, but i dont know anything about it. read some about it but still not enough..does anyone know? Has cool brake pulls and I just might part that for my miyata. what do u guys think... not waste my time?

such are the breaks. AD's eventually did get puch badges ;-)

No biggie dude if you really want one, Itll come to you eventually

Does it have a tubing sticker? Apparently there were some high-end Puchs that came through Sears.

See this thread: https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/182672-sears-bike-frame-made-austria.html

As Junkyardbike points out there is the off chance you have one of the GOOD Sears branded bikes made by Austro-Daimler/Puch/Steyr in Austria: Sears did offer one (their Best) that was built of 531 tubing. Even if it's lesser than that it could make a proper fixie...we'd still all like to see pics.

Do not discount this bike. It's very possible to be an A-D-P. I had an Allstate moped once, Allstate decals on the tank. The manufacturers plate claimed Austro-Daimler-Puch. This labling was only done for a short time (I don't have specifics) If the bike is nice and it fits, surely snap it up.

Here' some info:
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/167500-sears-austrian-bikes.html

Enjoy!

I used to have one of those, but I gave it away..... ;-)

I have a Puch Pathfinder that I really like. It's all Suntour and was what turned me on to the reverse pull Spirt front derailleur. I've since added Spirts to a few of my 'keepers'. Fine bikes made by A.D.

Edit: Closer inspection reveals a 'Made in Japan' decal.

Puch AD's came in all flavors of the spectrum.

This is an 83 frame set built w 03 kit

Hope this reaches some, since it is a year old...I just came into possession of a Vent Noir ll frame/fork. Bike has TT braze-on cable guides, a 'riveted' cable guide on the bb shell, which by the way has three perpendicular slots to which the plastic cable guide is riveted.

bike has '74A' on the seatpost lug, and takes a 27.0 post. Campy dropouts, with Gipemme dropouts on the fork. Decals/chroming in good shape, but it is more 'chrome' than the smoke chrome that is talked about.

Any information would be appreciated. I will try to post pictures, in the future.

Thanks, in advance.

Hey Northern, nice find!

I had a Vent Noir II for a while but it wasn't my size so it's gone now. I think your model would have originally come with a Campy Gran Sport grouppo and a yellow saddle and tape. I've seen a few of these and the colors of the chrome are all over the map. They seem to vary a lot depending on the light or maybe they just age differently? In any case, they're nice bikes.

There are some VNII decals on ebay right now and they're all gold. I seem to remember the decals on mine had some blue in them. Are yours all gold?

It sounds like a winner to me, but I am biased in favor of Austrian bikes. The 27.0 seatpost diameter is a good sign. The under-BB sheel cable routing indicates early 1980s vintage. Pictures would be great.

Thanks for the tip. No rack braze-ons, and again the frame is in excellent shape, cosmetically v. good, for a 25 year old bike. I'm looking forward to building up with my old Superbe Pro gruppo, since I do not have any Campy.

Pix when I get time.

Sorry forgot to answer your question. I have gold decals. I am kind of disappointed that I do not have that nice elegant 'clamp' near the bb, as a cable guide, but this is a beautiful frame, which will see Simichrome soon, to polish what little rub-spots it has.

Also, any idea what the bb axle length would be? I am fairly sure that one of my old Superbe Pro's will fit.

Thanks

I think the BB shell is a standard BSC 68mm shell so your SuperbePro should be fine. I bet that bike will look nice with that group, sort of an art deco theme.

If you're looking for a clamp-on cable guide to use instead of the guides under the shell, I might have one sitting around. Not sure if it's 2-sided or 1-sided though....

I agree. The Superbe Pro would look nice. Mine's built with 600 Arabesque and it works beautifully as well. Much better IMO than the clunky Nuovo GS that was stock.

bb axle length, not shell. I am assuming somewhere b/w 107-115mm.

Thanks for the cable guide if you do have one.