I finally got out to the park yesterday and shot a set of photos. The bike is just the way I received it from my Craigslist purchase, so these photos represent the BEFORE I do anything. I'll post one shot here,



but the bulk will be in a Flickr set at:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/2653382...7629188575716/

BTW, I'm now thinking it's a 1984 (not 83) model based on info found at VintageLotusBicycles.com - "1984 Add braze-ons in front fork blades for low-mount rack, LOTUS engraved seat stay caps."

Lance

Beautiful bike! Nice photos.

And yes, it looks like a 1984 model.

I love that Deore group. Very nice.

Gorgeous! Really cool to see the Deore group in such good condition.

Hey, I've got it's older brother! Great riding bikes! I think mine is an '83...

Before the winter




today

Hey CH - Love the fenders! Too bad, and I never thought of this - you have to loose the flick stand when the fenders are mounted. Worth it?
I am thinking of adding fenders - the bike is just crying out for them with mounts at every opportunity. But I also ordered an e-bay flick stand, so now, I've got a decision to make.

The Lotus Eclair was just in the sweet spot of light and sporty, but set up nicely for European or N. American touring (no Nepal, no Africa). You're lucky to have one in such lovely condition.

Is that an original freewheel? I'm very happy with the 7 speed someone put on mine - together with the stock triple, it yields an fabulous shifting pattern.


I'm a BarCon guy from way back and since I shift very frequently, I'll be putting barcons on the Lotus. There's been enough changed on the bike already that I don't feel like I'm vandalizing a mint specimen.

Have you seen this Lotus site? https://www.vintagelotusbicycles.com/Eclair.html

Thanks for posting the photos. They'd love to see them over at VintageLotus too.

Best
Lance

Hey Cycleheimer - how do you add full size photos in your posts? All I've been able to figure out is the "attachment" button - but that gets me thumbnails in the post that people have to click on.

Thanks!

You upload your pix to Photobucket and/or Flickr...then copy & paste them in.

You might not have to lose the "flick" stand. I put it on my Raleigh Touring 18, which I ride w/o fenders. I was originally thinking about positioning it lower on the Lotus' down tube. I think that might work, but I never got around to trying it.

I am it's 2nd owner, but I think the freewheel is original. It now has Dia-Compe 986 cantilever brakes, an STX RD, 50+ year old Britannia fenders (like Bluemels) that seem wide enough to handle 27 x 1 1/4 Paselas, I also recently replaced the original leather covered Avocet Touring I saddle with a 40 year old ADGA 28 leather saddle off a Peugeot (great shape...almost like new...no cracking and actually really comfortable!). The front & rear racks are original, the frame pump is original ... and still works, the Ukai 36h/40h rims and sealed hubs are also original, and the wheels spin super true. I rode it today for the first time this year. I can't wait to do a few trips on it. It's easy to get excited over these bikes...even nearly 30 years later! Lugged frames made of steel...not recycled soda cans! Silver SKS fenders might look good with the blue paint job on your Eclair. It's supposed to be in the 60s & sunny tomorrow...you know what that means! Cycling!

BTW, I've seen that website. It's great to have it out there, especially since there isn't all that much info out there on these bikes.

Lance,

Nashbar has the Silver SKS 45mm trekking fenders for $19.95 on sale right now ... they might work out well for you. It's also a really good deal on them.



https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...0_10000_202565

thanks for the heads-up on the fenders CH. I'm still on the wire about fenders in general and have some bigger fish to fry fist.

The Dia-compe 986s on your bike look much more modern than the D-C 960's on mine. I spent the better part of yesterday installing new levers and then trying to get the pads centered and aligned and toed in all at the same time, quite honestly it was a nightmare. It's my first experience with cantilevers, and I did get it very nice eventually, but if I had to go through that at the roadside, uhgg, it took hours. (well, i was being very picky).
Nice that you've got the original racks, I'm going to have to spend money to get at least a rear rack.
My rear wheel, like yours, is 40 spokes; I never counted the front, probably the same 36 as yours too. They're not perfectly in true, but not bad enough to want to mess with it.
Lugged frames, yeah - I mean, geez. There's something just reassuring about a lugged frame. You know, this Lotus is for my 18 year old son. My bike is a 1980 Trek 400 series, Cromoly, fully lugged. I'm the orig owner; I think that bike will outlive me

Lucky son, and a great dad to have thought of getting him one fine bike!
A touring bike at that! They are few and far between.
BTW, I've heard other people say those cantilevers are a nightmare to adjust.

Nice of you to say CH! But it's actually Lucky Dad and Great son!

(Dia-compe 960 Cantilever tip: Get it as close as you can, then, before the nut is fully tightened, lay the blade of a screwdriver on the shoe-post, and "gently" tap with a hammer to fine tune.)

WOW beatutiful tourer-AND as found! Awesome! Nice touch with the blue on the deore. Also that pie plate is quite fetching. I do like pie plates-minority it seems tho.

Juis - this particular pie plate does have class! I like it too, and I've never been a fan.

Lance-

That looks like a wonderful- exceptional bike. The Deore group is WAY cool- and those pedals really set it off. (Would this qualify as "tri-color Deore?")

I had an 84 Trek 420 with the Mangaloy frame- That bike was an incredible rider-