omgar

Hey everyone,

I don’t usually say much on these forums except for the occasional comment, but I think I finally have something to add to this wonderful place.

I’d like to start off with a little introduction. Coming from a little town Merced, CA I was never really exposed to “road bikes” until I moved out for college to San Francisco.
You can imagine my surprise when I realized how much people actually depended on them for transportation. Got into C&V bicycles not more than a year ago when I got an old-ish 80’s Focus RT550. Tange 2 tubing, decent components, (although the relative who gave it to me threw on a single speed freewheel and threw out the derailleurs.) I wasn’t the very brightest during that time, and I decided to rattle-can it. I got bored with that eventually and went out and bought a fixed-gear. Again, not the brightest decision. I was eventually able to sell that off for double of what I originally bought it for so that was nice. With that I purchased an ‘88 Centurion Ironman “Expert” Dave Scott. Full Shimano 105 and it was a blast to ride around. Sadly I didn’t really know what a proper fitting bike was until a little later. I passed it on through Craigslist for a nice $200 only to find it a week later for $500. Very disappointing but it happens, apparently.



After that I ended up with a $50 ‘81 Miyata 610 from Modesto, CA. Did a quick search of it here on BikeForums and realized it was a steal. I snagged it and almost felt bad for riding that around. It was extremely clean and was pretty much spotless. I liked the ride but I wasn’t in love with it for some reason. Again, I passed it on through Craigslist for $200 and AGAIN I found it a week later for $400. If you’re going to flip it, don’t bother making up a lie about what you’re going to do with it. The picture doesn’t do it justice.



To make things short, after all of this I started growing an addiction and at one point ended up with a late 80’s Centurion Accordo RS, another Miyata 610, a ‘93 Specialized Allez, an 80’s Nishiki Olympic 12, a gorgeous early 70’s Raleigh Super Course, and my biggest prize, an early 70’s Peugeot PX-10 that I got for $150.


















(I apologize in advance for the not so great pictures.)


Being young and stupid, I ended up stacking all of this on my newly acquired credit card. My limit was about $500 at the time and that’s what I owed. The whole time I was thinking that all my money was being invested, because it was! Of course, my parents didn’t think so and took away my card. But heck, all the money was in these bikes already anyway. I slowly started dissipating my stable. First, the Accordo went, it didn’t fit me at all, way too small, no idea why I bought it in the first place. Then it was the Super Course. Dissapointingly it was waaaay too tall. It seems like there’s a pattern with my pricing because I sold it off for $200 as well. After that was the 610 to a fellow here on BikeForums! Then the ‘93 Specialized Allez went out. It had a small dent on the top tube and I hated seeing that all the time. It rode great but the geometry was a little too racy for my needs. That went off for $200 on Craigslist to a nice fellow who I hope put it to good use.
Finally, it was the PX10. That was probably the hardest to sell, even considering the fact that it was slightly too big for me. It just rode so damn smooth. It was amazing. Owning one of those was probably my proudest moment. I gave that one away for $300 on Craigslist. The market seems to be really hot in San Francisco considering that all of these have been sold an hour after having posted the corresponding ad.

All of that brings me to this present moment. I paid off my credit card and pretty much left myself with no bikes at all. That was nice for a day or two until I found a nice Ice Blue ‘80-’81 Lotus Legend while scouring Craigslist late at night. It was extremely dirty and almost unrecognizable. Under all the grime though, the components were pristine. The frame isn’t in the best shape, but it has no dents and it’s structurally sound. Came with it’s original full Shimano 600 Arabesque, except for the Suntour Superbe brakeset which I would consider an upgrade.

omgar

The Lotus bug hit me at this point. I found myself looking for these beauties day and night. All my searching finally gave me some results. A friend had a lead on a Lotus bicycle and man was I stoked. It turned out to be an ‘84 (purchased in ‘83), Lotus Odyssey. THE touring bicycle of touring bicycles. Purchased from the original owner who planned a tour after high school but his plans fell through. I happily took it over for him and have been riding it nonstop since then. It rides so great. My favorite out of all of them by far! After this beauty, my Craigslist searching has dwindled. I’ve found the perfect bicycle for me and I couldn’t be happier. (It’s my daily, that’s why my saddle is hooked up to my frame with an old chain. Saddle thievery is rampant.)

omgar

Now, for the real story. I also have a real knack for old Toyota’s. I had an ‘83 Toyota Pickup last year and now I have an ‘85 Toyota Celica. I was thinking the other day and noticed that I only need one more piece to the Lotus trifecta. The engine for the newer Toyota Celica’s was sold off to Lotus, (the carmaker). Which after low sales, and having sold off it’s engine, they discontinued the Celica. Another piece to the puzzle are my Lotus bicycles. I’m not sure where I remember reading this, so I don’t know how true this part is. Lotus the bicycle brand itself sold off it’s name to Lotus (the carmaker) sometime in the 90’s. Now all I’m missing is an actual Lotus Elise. But I think I’ll stick to my bicycles for now. Thanks for listening all!

David Newton

Nice story, you seem to find good bikes, in all sizes.
Lotus Cars was started in 1952.

scozim 

I'd go for a 1984 Lotus to match up with your Odyssey (with all their problems):

ColonelJLloyd 

The blue Lotus, PX-10 and Toyota pickup are my favorites. Very nice!

omgar

Out of all of this, the PX-10 and the Pickup are what I miss most. I just wish the PX-10 was a litttle smaller. Also, my Celica has the exact same engine as my pickup so that's a nice fact that reassures me I did the right choice. (One difference is that the Celica engine is fuel injected wheres the Pickup was carbureted.)

repechage

The Lotus Evora also uses a Toyota engine. And it is still in production.

JohnDThompson 

Nice bikes, although that Super Course could really benefit from a different seat. And why is the Cyclone derailleur on the PX-10 mounted on a claw? Is the original hanger gone? If it's still there, it's trivial to tap the unthreaded 9mm hole on the Simplex hanger to M10 thread so you can mount the SunTour derailleur properly on the hanger.

omgar

Yup, same engine as the Camry.

The original hanger was there. Not sure why the previous owner didn't go that route, but it functioned just great as it was.

simmonsgc

Nice fender lines on that blue Lotus. Droolism.