Looking at two Vitus today
 

Hey Guys
I am looking at two Vitus today . the owners says there both in mint condition.. one is a Carbone with full campy and he never said what the other one had . what should I look for and is there anything I need to know before buying these bikes ?
Thanks for any info
Pinch

Check the lugs and the tubes entering the lugs. That's really about all I can say about them.

Are two Vituses known as Viti?

Look for cracks at the unions, especially the seat lug and BB. Some bikes had the tubes pull apart at these joints too.
Tug on the joints to see if you detect separation.
Depending on the type of seat lug, if it's the grub screw version, make sure the authentic grub screw is there, and the threads in the lug aren't stripped.
If it's the eared version, make sure the binder bolt wasn't over-torqued, thus cracking the lug.
Verify the seller has a 25.0mm seat post used in each Vitus.

Check the DT shifter bosses are healthy, no stripped threads and that they're still glued to the tube well.
Same for the derailleur hanger, that the threads aren't stripped in the aluminum dropout.

Lastly, the Vitus frames came equipped with their own version of brake nuts front and rear to fit the larger diameter profile of the openings of the fork and brake bridge. Check to see if seller has these.

Chombi should have more details regarding the Carbone, since he owns a mint one.

For the Carbone, you would want to check real close the tube/lug junctions to see if there is any sign of electrolytic corrosion that can sometimes occur if the aluminum lugs react with the carbon tube material if the bike was exposed to a lot of moisture and not properly dried out after wet rides. It will show up as small black tendrils extending out of the tube/lug seams and on to the aluminum lug surface I f you see this, it could be a bas sign as enough of the corrosion can compromise the bond between the lug and tube. Also check the water bottle bosses and rear derailleur cable stop if they are present and not loose in any way. +1 on checking the condition of the seatpost grub screw and the threads on the seat cluster lug. The threads can be helicoiled if stripped but the grub screw is not that easy to find (10mm, coarse thread). The thing costs like 20 bucks at eBay if you can find it.
BTW, the Rubis/Vitus brand seatpost is a strange 23mm diameter, so make sure it is in ok condition as they are also hard to find. Good thing about the frame is its English/ISO threaded so you have a lot of options for future mods.
Yes, it sounds like a lot to watch out for, but the rewards of finding a good one and experiencing the great ride it delivers more than makes up for the effort, plus you just don't see too many of these on the road as I don't think they made and sold so many of them.

BTW, forgot to note that anytime you buy a bike with aluminum alloy dropouts as the Vitus 979, 992 and Carbone 3,7 and 9 bikes did, make sure the rear derailleur hanger and axle slots are perfectly straight. Any bend on these could compromise the dropout's stregnth and cracks could result if an attempt is made to staighten it. If you see a bend, pass on the bike and wait for another one to come up for purchase. Same would apply with the front DOs.

Chombi

Thanks for all the great info guys !! if I buy one or two I will post pics .
Pinch

Check the seat lugs for cracks due to over tightening.

Well, you got all the advice your going to need, so all I can add is good luck! I love those Vitus frames. They are really pretty and they still look thoroughly modern 20-30 years later! :love:

I'm wondering if there is one in my future....:innocent:

The Bike Gods have smiled on me once agian !! take a look at these two sexy french girls that decide to sell themselves to me today !!!!!

Those are gorgeous!

I agree those are fabulous!!!

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...6&d=1318555602

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...5&d=1318555582

the Carbone is mint with full campy and the blue babe is full Dura Ace . and like brand new condition !!
also the original owner thru in a set of NOS cinelli stem and handle bars with shimano 105 levers !!

full Campi?

Campagnolo

Congrats! They are in very good condition.

they ride very smooth and fly up hills ...very good quality . I just dont know why my Carbone has a Batman emblem on both sides ???here is a pics !

brakes and levers don't look like campi. but still nice!

your right the brake levers and brakes are Modolo Pro Masters !

see there is that nasty old term again "full Campi" he he

they are fabulous looking bikes. I always thought they were good bike but not being a skinny waif I knew they were not for me.

perhaps this is or rather was Batmans bike? look for a secret compartment or a button to lay an oil slick!!

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...8&d=1318562795

Sounds like fun !!!

For some reason people put odd stickers on Vitus'.

This is on my sons.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y17...s/DSC03610.jpg

O man, I'm all over these two bikes. Especially the carbone. Fantastic stuff. I'm longing for a vitus, I want to see how it compares to my ALAN.

Congratulations!:thumb::thumb:
Your 979 is a second series version with the later seat cluster that will not crack and dual bottle mounts.
The Carbone is a a first series Carbone 3 with CF main tubes and Aluminum rear triangle. The decals look to have been replaced on it, but that's no big deal as they usually did not survive too well through the years, Anyway, the decals are of the stick on type, so you can always replace them in the future once you find "Carbone 3" decals I'm also on the lookout for replacement decals, but I have not found the exact right ones, for the early Carbones so far. Frankly, I would not even bother replacing the ones on you bike as it looks very cleanly applied. Otherwise the whole bike looks very nice and very clean. Vitus sold a very similar frame to Peugeot as their flagship "PY10FC" model for a few years in the mid 80's and Peugeot's pro riders like Pascal Simon (and maybe Gilbert Duclos Lasalle), rode the bike in the TDF, same with Sean Kelly's team with their own KAS version. The Campagnolo SR/Cinelli group is a definite bike plus on the Carbone. as most Vitus frames (like that 979) they were usually built up with DA7400 groups back then, so this one's an unusual build, but any mid 80's race bike built up with a DA7400 is very desirable too, as it's considered the best performing, most reliable component group by pro teams back then.
The tan sidewall tires on the Carbone is a nice touch. These bikes look best with such tires, IMO.
I'm also looking to complete my 80's Vitus collection with a 979 one day, preferrably the version with the "lozenge" oval aero min tubes. Miseed getting a couple in the last two years already, because my budget to buy them did not work out, but hoping it would still come if I wait patiently.
Enjoy the classic Viti and tell us how they ride!:thumb:

Chombi

Thanks For the info Chombi ! I just talked to the original owner of the two bikes he bought them new back in 1985 the Carbone with campy grouping cost him 2100.00$ and the blue one cost him 2300.00$ and it came with DA7400 grouping . he did not ride them much and when I bought them they had been in a storage locker for years !
Pinch

Nice. I have a blue 979 but it has faded a lot and I had forgotten how nice that blue used to be! I'm jealous!

BTW $2300 sounds really high. I bought my 979 with full Dura-Ace in 1986 for ~$1100.

congratulations on your new additions.