1981-83 Aerodynamic Bicycles
11-09-09, 06:02 AM
#76
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Gotta couple...
I have picked up two Aero bikes, an early eighties Velo Sport(58cm) and a department store Free Spirit. The Velo still hangs in The Old Shed and the Free Spirit has been returned, sand components, to the Landfill Site god. The Free Spirit had been damaged when some previous owner decided to drill two holes in the down tube. At least I have a spare bunch of Shimano AX components to complete the Velo Sport which I will never get around to building.
Please note, this bike is not to be compared to some of the true beauties shared in this thread. Just another interesting offering from The Dump.
Please note, this bike is not to be compared to some of the true beauties shared in this thread. Just another interesting offering from The Dump.
05-10-10, 10:38 AM
#77
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Curb find!!! SOOOO glad I stopped to examine this one sitting out for trash.
'81 Lotus Super Pro "Aero" Appears to be complete and original with full DuraAce AX components, Crystolite (sp?) bars, Kashimax Aero saddle, Tsunoda Aerodynamics frame, Araya Aero 1 rims. Rear rim has a crimp in it so I currently have a similar Araya aero-style wheel in it. Paint is in fantastic condition... Champagne gold metal flake.
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Slideshow more pics: https://img14.imageshack.us/slideshow...id=1010431.jpg
'81 Lotus Super Pro "Aero" Appears to be complete and original with full DuraAce AX components, Crystolite (sp?) bars, Kashimax Aero saddle, Tsunoda Aerodynamics frame, Araya Aero 1 rims. Rear rim has a crimp in it so I currently have a similar Araya aero-style wheel in it. Paint is in fantastic condition... Champagne gold metal flake.
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Slideshow more pics: https://img14.imageshack.us/slideshow...id=1010431.jpg
05-10-10, 01:00 PM
#78
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Bikes: 1986 Alan Record Carbonio, 1985 Vitus Plus Carbone 7, 1984 Peugeot PSV, 1972 Line Seeker, 1986(est.) Medici Aerodynamic (Project), 1985(est.) Peugeot PY10FC
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Curb find!!! SOOOO glad I stopped to examine this one sitting out for trash.
'81 Lotus Super Pro "Aero" Appears to be complete and original with full DuraAce AX components, Crystolite (sp?) bars, Kashimax Aero saddle, Tsunoda Aerodynamics frame, Araya Aero 1 rims. Rear rim has a crimp in it so I currently have a similar Araya aero-style wheel in it. Paint is in fantastic condition... Champagne gold metal flake.
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Slideshow more pics: https://img14.imageshack.us/slideshow...id=1010431.jpg
'81 Lotus Super Pro "Aero" Appears to be complete and original with full DuraAce AX components, Crystolite (sp?) bars, Kashimax Aero saddle, Tsunoda Aerodynamics frame, Araya Aero 1 rims. Rear rim has a crimp in it so I currently have a similar Araya aero-style wheel in it. Paint is in fantastic condition... Champagne gold metal flake.
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Slideshow more pics: https://img14.imageshack.us/slideshow...id=1010431.jpg
Are there just that many sutpid people out there throwing out such nice bikes??
Chombi
05-11-10, 07:20 AM
#79
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love that lotus. would love to come across something similar. i raced for a while in the late 80s on a team issue benotto frame that had aero tubes. pearl white w/blue decals. i think it was an evolutionary dead end, and i've never come across anything even remotely similar since, but these aero frames sure bring back certain miami vice memories.
05-11-10, 09:06 AM
#80
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I thought a bike this neat looking deserved to have the larger pic posted.
__________________
05-17-10, 07:54 AM
#81
Senior Member
I'll post a better pic ... (and without the candy bar wrapper and drywall accents!)
(P.S. PM me if you know were I can get a Araya Aero 1 27" rim to replace the crimped one on the rear wheel. Be advised I am a card carrying cheap stingy bstrd :>)
Last edited by DarthSensate; 07-12-10 at 09:45 AM. Reason: wheel size incorrect, 27" not 700c
05-17-10, 11:56 AM
#82
Senior Member
I've set up Dura-Ace AX brakes before, and they suck for power, even after being tricked-out with salmon pads. (What you get is "hard" resistance at the brake levers, while inadequate power is transferred to the rims.)
Anybody tried to improve the mechanical advantage of AX brakes by modifying the shape of the cam/plate that resides between the brake arms? Based on my experience with roller-cam brakes (which are of course a mtb brake but have an analogous design), I suspect you could get much better advantage at the business end of AX brakes by modifying to contours of the cam plate that drives the arms. Basically re-contour the edges of the plate to make it a little more slender or elongated; this would result in a longer draw at the brake lever, but more force delivered to the rim surface I suspect.
Anybody tried to improve the mechanical advantage of AX brakes by modifying the shape of the cam/plate that resides between the brake arms? Based on my experience with roller-cam brakes (which are of course a mtb brake but have an analogous design), I suspect you could get much better advantage at the business end of AX brakes by modifying to contours of the cam plate that drives the arms. Basically re-contour the edges of the plate to make it a little more slender or elongated; this would result in a longer draw at the brake lever, but more force delivered to the rim surface I suspect.
Last edited by Drakonchik; 05-17-10 at 12:12 PM.
05-17-10, 06:20 PM
#83
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Here is a before and after of my Huffy Aerowind F/G conversion. The only thing that's original is the frame and headset. I bought it as a single speed with 26" wheels and flat bar.
05-17-10, 06:40 PM
#84
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I've set up Dura-Ace AX brakes before, and they suck for power, even after being tricked-out with salmon pads. (What you get is "hard" resistance at the brake levers, while inadequate power is transferred to the rims.)
Anybody tried to improve the mechanical advantage of AX brakes by modifying the shape of the cam/plate that resides between the brake arms? Based on my experience with roller-cam brakes (which are of course a mtb brake but have an analogous design), I suspect you could get much better advantage at the business end of AX brakes by modifying to contours of the cam plate that drives the arms. Basically re-contour the edges of the plate to make it a little more slender or elongated; this would result in a longer draw at the brake lever, but more force delivered to the rim surface I suspect.
Anybody tried to improve the mechanical advantage of AX brakes by modifying the shape of the cam/plate that resides between the brake arms? Based on my experience with roller-cam brakes (which are of course a mtb brake but have an analogous design), I suspect you could get much better advantage at the business end of AX brakes by modifying to contours of the cam plate that drives the arms. Basically re-contour the edges of the plate to make it a little more slender or elongated; this would result in a longer draw at the brake lever, but more force delivered to the rim surface I suspect.
Chombi
05-17-10, 07:09 PM
#85
Senior Member
Chombi, I take your point, the obvious conclusion of which is: why try to improve a fundamentally bad design?
Since modifying the plate or creating a custom one would be relatively easy, and changes in the attack angle of the plate can make fairly dramatic differences in the resulting power . . . . I could possibly modify the plate to make the AX brakes work with certain equally exotic brake levers -- thinking in particular of the Dia-Compe AD 290 mtn bike brake levers. Someone I'm working with locally wants to build an custom aerobar with a brake lever position and design that is rather "different" let us say.
Anyway I'm planning on creating a custom plate experimentally sometime in the next few months, and we'll see what happens.
The pads issue is another matter also, but fairly easy to solve.
Since modifying the plate or creating a custom one would be relatively easy, and changes in the attack angle of the plate can make fairly dramatic differences in the resulting power . . . . I could possibly modify the plate to make the AX brakes work with certain equally exotic brake levers -- thinking in particular of the Dia-Compe AD 290 mtn bike brake levers. Someone I'm working with locally wants to build an custom aerobar with a brake lever position and design that is rather "different" let us say.
Anyway I'm planning on creating a custom plate experimentally sometime in the next few months, and we'll see what happens.
The pads issue is another matter also, but fairly easy to solve.
05-24-10, 05:08 AM
#86
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Chombi, I take your point, the obvious conclusion of which is: why try to improve a fundamentally bad design?
Since modifying the plate or creating a custom one would be relatively easy, and changes in the attack angle of the plate can make fairly dramatic differences in the resulting power . . . . I could possibly modify the plate to make the AX brakes work with certain equally exotic brake levers -- thinking in particular of the Dia-Compe AD 290 mtn bike brake levers. Someone I'm working with locally wants to build an custom aerobar with a brake lever position and design that is rather "different" let us say.
Anyway I'm planning on creating a custom plate experimentally sometime in the next few months, and we'll see what happens.
The pads issue is another matter also, but fairly easy to solve.
Since modifying the plate or creating a custom one would be relatively easy, and changes in the attack angle of the plate can make fairly dramatic differences in the resulting power . . . . I could possibly modify the plate to make the AX brakes work with certain equally exotic brake levers -- thinking in particular of the Dia-Compe AD 290 mtn bike brake levers. Someone I'm working with locally wants to build an custom aerobar with a brake lever position and design that is rather "different" let us say.
Anyway I'm planning on creating a custom plate experimentally sometime in the next few months, and we'll see what happens.
The pads issue is another matter also, but fairly easy to solve.
07-10-10, 11:29 PM
#87
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Recently I've been lusting over AX and EX(stems). Eventually Id like to get a Panasonic AR-6000 with full AX. I saw in a catalogue they made 25" ones.. so the search begins!
07-10-10, 11:34 PM
#88
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I like these bikes. I've got an odd aero Pinarello from '85/'86 that should finally be ready in a week or so.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/3845024...7622182337756/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/3845024...7622182337756/
Rossin had an aero track bike in the early 80s (Columbus Air tubing).
Last edited by blaise_f; 07-10-10 at 11:37 PM.
07-12-10, 08:20 PM
#89
Senior Member
Here she is all cleaned up and lubed and my spare Araya 27 1W's on.
Link to big pics:
https://img38.imageshack.us/slideshow...=1001587tk.jpg
Link to big pics:
https://img38.imageshack.us/slideshow...=1001587tk.jpg
Last edited by DarthSensate; 07-13-10 at 09:43 AM. Reason: big pic added
Likes For DarthSensate:
08-28-10, 08:07 AM
#91
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That Koga is just about the prettiest two-wheeler I've seen. Wow.
08-28-10, 08:26 AM
#92
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I have seen home rubber casting kits which were geared towards duplicating vintage items for automotive restoration. I think Eastwood was the name of the catalog.
08-28-10, 09:46 AM
#93
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When visiting Koga a while ago the Senior Marketing Manager told me that it (they have one displayed) was their 1st alumumium offering... Okay. It is fillet brazed and chromed. It is a very lush bike. The only FullPro missing in my stable (of the earlies)
08-28-10, 10:43 AM
#94
Senior Member
If anyone is on the hunt for an aero bike from this era there is a shop here in Ottawa that has a champagne Velo Sport for $250 right now. I'd pick it up if I had the time/space/$$ to go to town on a wall hanger.
04-19-11, 08:26 AM
#95
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@no*dice: Wow! That really is a beautiful bike. Like the through-the-tube cable run as well. Nice touch for an Aero bike.
04-19-11, 08:43 AM
#96
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Weird, I found those AX brakes quite powerfull compared to standard campy sidepulls on my other vintage rides. I recently set up a pair that came on a 1970 champion mondial, brown metallic with a group consisting of AX brakes, 600 deraillers, a Sugino CR crank (the one with the wonky rings) and dia compe levers. worst combo of parts/frame ever imho, shame I forgot to take pictures.
08-01-11, 02:21 AM
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Another missing brand: Motobécane. Here's my Profil 2, with Shimano Adamas AX (except rear derailleur, which is a more modern replacement), original wheels, saddle and handlebar. I'm now converting it to a single speed (and perhaps later fixie). Desperately looking for a Adamas Single Chainring (https://www.velobase.com/ViewComponen...115&AbsPos=933), would be a nice way of converting it with style.
The "before" picture:
And some details:
The "before" picture:
And some details:
08-01-11, 10:43 AM
#98
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Is this the entry level Profil with the Shimano FFR BB on it and high tensile carbon steel tubing frame?
Chombi
Chombi
08-08-11, 02:59 AM
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To be honest I do not know much about this bike, bought it on impulse as a ss/fixie conversion project. The BB is a Shimano Selecta with an early version of their Octalink system (incompatible with almost everything it seems). It was equipped with a Shimano Adamas AX group, although the rear derailleur has been changed. Uniglide hub (another source of interesting problems when it comes to spares). Interestingly there was a single chainring provided in this crankset, not sure how to find one though. (https://www.velobase.com/ViewComponen...3-db3a977b507e)
The frame I know even less about. It has a sticker on that says "Built with 2040 tubing. High resiliene".
The frame I know even less about. It has a sticker on that says "Built with 2040 tubing. High resiliene".
Last edited by trespass; 08-08-11 at 03:00 AM. Reason: misssspelllinnnggsss
08-08-11, 09:08 AM
#100
Senior Member
How about one of these? 1981 Specialized Allez Aero built by 3Rensho. This clip is from a Specialized promo catalog. Does anybody have one and can post some photos?
