My '73 Batavus
 

I'm new here and really enjoying all the pix and comments. I got this bike at an estate sale. My teenage girls think it's ugly. I haven't done anything to it yet...not even aired up the tires. I might bring it into the house today and get it cleaned up. I assume everything on it is original, but I don't know the first thing about bikes. I have to original paperwork from when it was bought back in '74. Can't wait for the weather to warm up so I can get out and ride it!

Welcome!

That is a nice looking bike. I suspect that it will clean right up, and your girls may even sneak a ride on it :)

A fully lit, fendered, vintage Batavus, with a Mixte frame is very cool.

Make sure to check out the Mixte thread and post your pictures there, too.
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...hlight=batavus

what do teenagers know anyhow???

very nice bike. I keep thinking I should pick up a nice Dutch Mixte (gazelle?) for my
wife.

Keep us posted on your progress and welcome to BF and more importantly C&V!

Marty

It did clean up very nicely, although I'm not too fond of the yellow. And the lights still work. I haven't had the chance to ride it yet--the roads are icy. My husband makes fun of me for keeping it in the living room.:D

very nice!

Hah, he'll learn: that's the only proper place for a vintage bike, anyway. I'd make 2 suggestions: rotate the handlebars so the grips are more level to horizontal, and get some zip-ties (nylon cable ties, they come in colors besides B&W) and secure the loose wiring to the frame....nice bike!

Nice job! The wing nuts on the axles are very cool.

Got it. Thanks!

Always nice to welcome another female member to C & V :D .

I love your mixte, too!

East Hill

nice !! btw may i know what tire size are u using ? i have a batavus frame which i intend to restore ... thanks so much

Judging by the Schrader type valve stems I would suspect these tires are 27" probably 27x1 1/4".

What size tires are on your bike now? What kind of wheels? Perhaps you should try starting a new thread with some good pics of your bike, asking for information about it.

thanks for the prompt reply i really appreciate it ...

what i have is the batavus frame and fork alone. i just placed a 26" wheel with my thought that its the compatible for it. i notice that the brake is short and cant reach the wall of the rims. I will try to look for the 27 and see how it goes.

thanks again

I bought a white 25" Batavus Tour de l'Europe in '74. Look on the seat tube for a Duralon sticker. It was an epoxy dip they applied to the frame that protects the finish so well.

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The forum had a thread on a gents version of this model, or very similar, in cream puff condition. Similarly kitted but with a different gear ensemble:

http://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...different.html

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