My new super special Univega-a few ??'s
09-14-08, 10:25 PM
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My new super special Univega-a few ??'s
It might be just a little big for me
but it was so pretty I couldn't pass it up. I'm not sure of the year- that's where I need some help. It's somewhere around 1980 +/- a couple years, but I don't know how to nail down the exact year. All I did was bring it home and wash it-the original owner said it has been sitting for 25 years!
It is equipped with mostly Campy Super Record, except for the FD, which looks like a Nuovo Record 3-hole. The crankset is from 1978 and the RD is marked pat. 80. The serial number is J404868 and it is a 63cm frame with a 27.2 seatpost. Anyone know what the "F" and "D" stickers are for on the bottom bracket below?
Any information on this frame would be helpful as I will most likely try to trade it for something that will fit my 5'-3" body a little better.
Brenda
09-14-08, 10:32 PM
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Yeah, at 5'3" I can see how you would want to get rid of it! It's a really nice bike, probably from around the time when Ben Lawee switched from importing Italian frames to Japanese frames. This bike looks like it was an effort to continue the prestige found in the Italian bikes. Anyone have more info?
09-14-08, 11:25 PM
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Holy S$%T! Now THAT is nice. I wish I were big enough for it. I have an '81 Univega that the decals are almost identical to yours. Campy dating can be a bit iffy, but there may be a diamond or circle on the back-side of the crank with a single digit within it. I believe that is the last # of the year the component was made. Chances are your bike model year is the year after the components are stamped (sorta like cars. The new model year production starts about march or april the year before to get to the LBS by the end of the year).
T-mar? T-mar? anyone? T-mar?
T-mar? T-mar? anyone? T-mar?
09-14-08, 11:57 PM
#4
Senior Member
Is that the original fuzzy-suede Univega saddle?
If so, that bike doesn't have very many miles on it at all. I had a new Univega Gran Rally (purchased new in 1980) with that saddle, and the lettering on it wore out very, very quickly. Your photo makes it look like the lettering is almost completely intact.
Beautiful bike...
If so, that bike doesn't have very many miles on it at all. I had a new Univega Gran Rally (purchased new in 1980) with that saddle, and the lettering on it wore out very, very quickly. Your photo makes it look like the lettering is almost completely intact.
Beautiful bike...
09-15-08, 05:10 AM
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Based on the serial number it is either a 1981 or 1982, made in 1981 by Miyata. That is the exact same bottom bracket used on the team Miyata, so it's a top notch frame. Not sure about the stickers - possibly inspection indicators?
09-15-08, 08:14 AM
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Yes, that is the original univega turbo saddle, and no it doesn't have very many miles. I bought it from the same lady I bought my Medici from. Hers was just as pristine, see my other post. https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/464899-finally-found-me-good-deal.html
She said they bought both bikes in NorCal, near Pacifica maybe, but she can't remember exactly when or where. She said it was between 80 and 83. I thought for sure it was an 82, but the diamond with the 8 inside on the cranks made me confused. Also, the RD is pat. 80 and says super record on the back. The cranks on the Medici are 82 and the RD is a pat. 83, but this one does not say super record. The RD on the Medici looks like a newer model, it has a black knob on the adjustment screw.
My hubby helped me take both bikes down to the frame yesterday (on our anniversary!) and we started a thorough cleaning of the parts. I also polished, waxed and frame-saved both frames. I thought they looked good with just a wash, but now everything sparkles like brand new. My workbench is full of shiny Campy bling! I can't wait to get new tubulars so I can ride it!! (not the univega, the medici)
Thanks for all you help, anymore info would be great.
Brenda
She said they bought both bikes in NorCal, near Pacifica maybe, but she can't remember exactly when or where. She said it was between 80 and 83. I thought for sure it was an 82, but the diamond with the 8 inside on the cranks made me confused. Also, the RD is pat. 80 and says super record on the back. The cranks on the Medici are 82 and the RD is a pat. 83, but this one does not say super record. The RD on the Medici looks like a newer model, it has a black knob on the adjustment screw.
My hubby helped me take both bikes down to the frame yesterday (on our anniversary!) and we started a thorough cleaning of the parts. I also polished, waxed and frame-saved both frames. I thought they looked good with just a wash, but now everything sparkles like brand new. My workbench is full of shiny Campy bling! I can't wait to get new tubulars so I can ride it!! (not the univega, the medici)
Thanks for all you help, anymore info would be great.
Brenda
