Help with Lotus
 

Ran across a Lotus road bike. I am not at all familiar with this bike except I know it was made in Japan. Looks like 70's - 80's. Is this a good bike to add to a collection and does it have any value. I could get it for $25. Thanks for the help.

I liked mine. some are batter than others but they all seem to be pretty good.
What kind of components does it have? Nice light alloy stuff or stamped chrome?

+1 Like a lot of brands, Lotus has many levels of components and frame tubing type. My 84 Lotus Classique has Tange 1 Champion tubing (top end grade) but then has mid level Suntour components.

All that being said, I would pick up any Lotus, any grade of component or frame, for $25. Mine cost me $16 (I had to do some clean up on it). It is a long term keeper in my collection, and a frequent rider.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3108/...7f4379095b.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3062/...eb5f440370.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3131/...9435b262_o.jpg

+1 For $25 you should grab it

+1 and then post pictures.

++1 for that and $25 for any Lotus is a steal of a deal.

yup. we like pictures.

That is beautiful.

Thanks, I really like my Lotus and would love to add a couple more Lotus bikes. But they don't come up often around here.

I have a 80s Lotus Challenger, an entry level model. It has a Tange 900, double butted, lugged frame. Not bad for an entry level bike.

Mine's entry level too. Very heavy but rides nice and takes a beating. I'd pay $25 for any complete reasonable shape lotus also.

I'd pay $25 immediately, go get it.

I've had a few lotus frames come my way. The first one was a Lotus Excelle:

http://www.brian-payne.com/gallery/m...serialNumber=2

chromo 2001 ? tubing. Pretty light. I forget what happened to it, but I'm thinking I sold it on ebay...

the latest lotus is a full on touring frame that should be here later this week, Lotus Eclair:
http://www.brian-payne.com/gallery/m...serialNumber=1

here's a pic of one built up I found on the net:

http://www.brian-payne.com/gallery/m...serialNumber=1

same tubing.

I've also seen a few other Lotus in person and they all seem like nicely made Japanese machines. There doesnt seem to be a lot of info about them out there though.

had mine since new & would jump at another one in my size in an instant

For $25, buy it. Lotus was around in the early 80's or so. I live in CT, and as far as I remember , they were headquartered on Long Island, NY. They put out very nice quality bikes. One year Consumer Reports rated one of their bikes very highly, something they trumpeted for many years. I had forgotten about the Eclair-superbe touring bike.