Chicago Al 

I've been trying to find a catalog for the 1984 MTB line but have struck out. (The '84 catalog is out there, linked from this forum many times, but NOT the one for the MTB line.) Does anyone have a link, or possibly a catalog in your stash that you could scan and post?

I am pretty sure what I have is an '84, based on the serial number, which starts with M, indicating 1984 production by Miyata. And the bike's components don't match either the '83 or '85 catalogs.

Will be posting more pics as I finally get around to building the bike back up, in teardown mode now.

Schreck83 

Serial number looks like Miyata so E means 1976. See the Asian serial number stickey and the Manufacturer’s catalog stickey threads. Univega is listed under Japan. There is an early catalog scan there with your model listed.

Sagi57

[size=13px]Bought this Via Activa at a local community bike coop. Not sure of the year. Taiwan made frame. Serial number: IEKH54576.[/size]

madpogue 

That's a very close match, including the serial number, to two 1991s I sold last year. A blue Via Activa 300 and a glitter silver Via Activa, same PowerOval tubing, same "eclectic" component group as the 300 I sold. They were great rides and the buyers really liked them.

madpogue 

But while we're here.....

1992 Alpina Comp. All XCM if I recall, including some sweet indexed thumbies. Actually a subtle fade from orange to orange-red.

PowerOval tubing and "Max Mudroom" chainstays:


"As-bought":


Came with a hideous geezer saddle, Wal-mart steel bar-ends with pieces of conduit pipe hammered onto the ends, a broken Concept245 stem, a random grade 5 SAE bolt for a seat post binder, and about a kilogram of... just... crud.




Cleaned up and properly equipped, she's a barrel of fun for a rigid hardtail.

Sagi57

"That's a very close match, including the serial number, to two 1991s I sold last year. A blue Via Activa 300 and a glitter silver Via Activa, same PowerOval tubing, same "eclectic" component group as the 300 I sold. They were great rides and the buyers really liked them."
Did either of them have the Cateye decal/computer?

madpogue 

The computer on your bike would have been an add-on, not original to the bike. The decal is part of the computer install kit, used to hold the wire in place on the fork blade. Cateye was the leading brand of add-on bike computers BITD.

rustystrings61 

1986 Univega Arrowpace purchased as a rusted up wreck for $25 from the local Salvation Army. As found -


- note the frozen chain and the rotted tires. It’s been sitting for two years (and I thought longer than that!) getting moved from one storage location to another.

Enough. While cleaning out projects and weeding stuff out I broke down and worked on it today. I had nearly-new tires, and some inner tubes that needed patches. I scrubbed out the nearly frozen hubs and bottom bracket and repacked them with fresh grease. Fished out a loose used chain and fitted it. Wrapped the torn section of the Grab On bar covering with a remnant of black Tressostar tape.

Then I took it for a test ride. It might be up on marketplace as the ultimate invisible to thieves bike, but if it doesn’t sell I won’t be heartbroken. It cries out to be hung with some light bags and taken for a casual S24O. I remember cyclecamping on worse bikes. This one could be fun, in a cool casual way.



Looks pretty decent from a distance

Nice proportions

I would have swapped out these rusted steel chainrings for some alloy ones, but the chain ring bolts are rusted solid!

Nice seat stay cap treatment for a budget bike!

Nice crown, too!

Bianchigirll 

rustystrings61 Great job!!

Insidious C. 

Here is a 78 Gran Rally I am finally getting around to prepping for commuter duty. I went with white AGC levers for a cleaner look, and Deore RD to allow the larger cogs on non-original wheels. I want to use a rear VO Zeppelin fender with Constructeur rack from my used parts bin if I can find a reasonable match for the front. The 700C x 33mm Soma tires leave plenty of clearance all around.

mountaindave 

I was riding my ‘84 Stumpjumper Sport just a block from my house and came across this:


I immediately got between the Huffy and the Univega so the Huffy would have less of a chance of giving the Univega herpes, kicked the Huffy to the curb, and rode off with the Alpina Ultima.

Some air and a quick tuning of brake and derailleur and it was rideable. It’s a 21”, one size down from the largest 23”, but I can make it fit my 36” inseam quite well (Maybe a double quick release seat post isn’t so crazy of an idea!).

I’m just blown away at how comfortable the ride is. My wife rode it and said the same. I originally got it for her or my girls, but now I really like how it rides… I’m worried she may fight me for it… because I’d lose!

But seriously, it’s one sweet ride!

tjfastback66

Entering Fall - temps are getting lower - THIS IS MY GOTO RIDE - not looking forward to winter months.

ElGenerale

Free?! Man, that's a great find! 1983? Am I spying Bullseye hubs? I'd have walked it home, after uncontrollably soiling myself upon seeing the Free sign.
Just paid a lot more than Free for an Alpina Pro. Looking forward to getting my hands on it eventually.

mountaindave 

1985. Hubs are Sunshine MX-30S - but still sealed bearing hubs. Bearings need replacing after nearly 40 years, but they still roll OK. I ghost rode it the block and a half home. Sometimes you get lucky... But now I need to find their largest size for me... and that one won't be free!

Sedgemop 

Pretty good looking Univega Specialissima. Not mine, but thinking about it.

cegerer

I've had this like new 2001ish Modo Volare for years but have never built it up. I really like the paint and graphics and it has a carbon fork. Columbus Thron tubing - nothing special and too many other projects. So it sits. I'm sure it would be a nice riding bike.