non-fixie 

I've been on the lookout for a Batavus Professional for quite a while now, and suddenly this one appeared in the classifieds. Not only the right size, but also my favorite color: Aruba blue. It needs some attention but the overall condition seems to be pretty good. Most of the Dura-Ace stuff is still there.

junkfoodjunkie

I cleared my collection down to two bikes and a Dutch one made the cut.
Been posted before, this is what it looks like these days.







Jake

Elev12k

Jake,

All Duells are fine bikes, but among them yours is with the finest of the finest. I can imagine it is a keeper. I would love to own such one.

@non-fixie

Unfortunately the pics do not show

non-fixie 

There seems to be a problem with the picture server provider whatchamacallit. Wouldn't know what to do about that. Can't get to my pics either.

pullup

Strange, because I can see the set of pictures without any problems and it certainly is a handsome Batavus.

Elev12k

I want to see it

pullup

non-fixie 

Thanks, pullup!

pullup

I have my own new years present by the way and I even did't buy it myself.

While I was on holiday in Spain one of my friends who knows I was looking for a 70,s Presto frame called me he could get one for me in my size.
He warned me it wasn't very cheap for the condition it was in and the frame probably would need a respray.

Yesterday I got the frame from him and indeed it needs some work so I got myself a new project for the spring for which I probably can use some advice on how to paint it and by whom.

I will upload some pictures in a moment.

pullup

Here it is and I even need to ask him where he got it.


Apparently the former owner had tried to patch up the toptube with ugly nonmatching paint

Italuminium

Ouch, that is a very nasty repaint. I bet it will look great once it's painted and it's decked out in NR!

non-fixie 

Nice Presto! Pitty about the toptube. I like those strong metallic colors, the blues, reds and greens. You don't get those anymore these days.

Elev12k

Mid 80s Professional with Dura-Ace EX. Columbus SP probably. Nice! Aruba blue? It looks a couple tones darker than mine, but it could also be the light.

pullup

At least there is no rust and even the cableguides are pretty much intact. I honestly can't find a reason why the guy got all da Vinci on the top tube and indeed non-fixie, the metallic red is very pretty.

Oh well, I am going to take it slow in repainting and restoring it. I'm definitely looking forward rebuilding this one.

Elev12k

Very nice pullup

Looks like a Serier built Presto to me. On the toptube it says 'Model Campagnolo' I think?

I think I know where you got it from. It is even still advertised.

If after a cleaning turns out the entire frame would benefit from a full repaint, than Freek has probably a good address for you. These are nice frames. Worth a lot effort and love. Great project!

non-fixie 

I don't think it's the light. Yours does look lighter. As my S/N starts with 4 I assumed it was an '84, with what I know of the Batavus S/N syntax. Maybe I'm mistaken.

Elev12k

I do know the 1st digit should represent year, but I always encounter a seperate single digit and multiple digit under the bracket. I've compared them with 10 frames or so, but I am still puzzled about whether I should take the seperate positioned digit or the 1st of multiple digit. Anyway, for the blue frame in the picture it is 2 and 4297. For the red/white fade it is 8 and 10635.

The blue frame has a flat crown with cyclists panto'ed and it has Bocama long point lugs. I would put it (somewhat) ealier than your frame. On the red/white frame: if I had to choose 1988 or 1991 I would say 1988. Because of the paint, but also because of the final generation Super Record.

What does your single digit say?

non-fixie 

My BB shell says 4 and 6377 (and there's someting in between that I can't really make out)

non-fixie 

Elev12k

That in the middle looks '61' to me and that denotes the size.

So, what will it be? 1984 or 1986? I give 1984 the benefit of the doubt with this one. Number 6377 since the beginning of Batavus Professional production, built in 1984 - something like that. Sounds so logical, but I've seen combinations that made you believe otherwise.

non-fixie 

Thanks. Now, getting back to the color: the '84 catalog mentions Aruba blue, but this does look darker than other Aruba blue Batavus' I've seen. What color is Aruba anyway?

s70rguy

Since we're on Batavus Professional, i thought I'd show a Professional I had some years ago, which has since moved on to the US.
It has some nice features. The team colours of course, but also the cable groove on the underside of the toptube (never seen that on an other frame, which ever brand), and the fork legs with lightly squeezed 'aer' rear side. I believe similar to what Gios used in the mid-80s.

In an attempt to differntiate the brand from Gazelle, Batavus used Columbus tubing (besides Reynolds). They also equipped their frames with Shimano components, again different from Gazelle.

Elev12k

Maybe it is fake?

No, kidding

If you're refering to the Batavus catalogue on the bulgier site: I think it is a year older. It mentions "members of 1983 BATAVUS team will be...".

Elev12k

That is a lovely frame, Freek.

The slot is absolutely not something you encounter often, but it is not unique for Batavus.





I think it is a neat solution. Initially I would think it is a bit odd Batavus choose for this solution, as already from 1982 on they offered internal routing in a more conventional way (see BianchiGirl's frame). Perhaps an attempt to create something even more sleek?

thebaint

Interesting, non-fixie. Our bikes appear to be the same color/year. Mine's a 58cm. I'll have to check my serial (haven't even looked for it yet) to compare. I wish I knew the history of mine, including how it came from the Netherlands to the USA.