My new 1984 Lotus Eclair
 

I just picked this up today. Looking it over, I don't get the feeling that it was used very much :). It still has the factory accessories, the rack, Primus pump (still works) and bottle cage. I paid real money for this one, but it I am thrilled to have it! The seller drove 8 hours round trip to deliver this bike to me and only asked for 30 dollars gas (hybrid car). That was really awesome of her, a huge thanks goes to the seller.

So here it is, in as found condition:
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DSC06350 by mkeller234, on Flickr

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I had this 84 Eclair a couple years ago, but unfortunately it was TINY. I still have the complete component group from it, so now I have two complete groups for an 84 Eclair. I knew I wanted one of these bikes for myself when I got the small one.

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DSC00921 by mkeller234, on Flickr

Beautiful Mkeller! I LOVE Lotus touring bikes...ever since my Odyssey I've had a thing for them.

Well done!!! That thing looks new!

Cheers,
Chris

Cool bike, looks great, and you have replacement parts as well with the 2 bikes. I haven't seen one of those doohickies that go over the rear rack in a long time. By the way, that is quite a difference in size between the 2 bikes.

I had the white one 2 years ago and sold the frame to another forum member. That white one is long gone.

Well, I haven't done anything to it yet, that is just how I found it. I'll knock the dust off and change the bar tape, but not much to do to this one

Nice! Glad I could help.;)

Ha! No, you will be paying for the accessories for this bike. I won't be spending that until after you get your frame, just in case anything bad happens. I'm thinking black SKS longboard fenders, a taller stem and shallower drops. I'd like to find a nice open face quill stem, that doesn't seem so easy.

I think a Miyata 1000 would have been a better choice. LOL I'm just kidding you made the best choice. That thing looks brand new! Give us a ride report after the the first ride. Again congrats on an awesome bike!

Mutt

Solidarity

I would rather have a Portage, but this will work.

The portage and the eclair are both definitely in the daily rotation ( rode the eclair today). If I had to ditch one of them it'd be a hard choice .
nice to see an all stock eclair. Mine came sans wheels , seatpost and crankset. It did have both front and rear racks. Btw, mine will fit 32mm tires with fenders with not much room to spare. Not sure how large with no fenders. That's with 700's which you can run with those cantis, though braking would be a lot better with period deore cantis or something with a little more adjustment. I'm still running the same ones you have though.

Yeah, you would really have to squeeze a fender in to fit over the 27 x 1 1/4 tires. Originally, I was just going to get a touring frame and copy Southpawboston's Shogun as best as I could. I wanted to use modern parts like I have on the Mercian. I shouldn't have bought a bike in as this condition, because now the original plan is out the window. I'm definitely changing the stem and handlebars to something more comfortable.

That really gentle curve of the fork, along with those really long chromed socks really does it for me!

Beautiful bike!

I never even noticed the fork until after reading your post. It does look sort of different, I suppose.

The silver 45mm SKS Trekking fenders might look nice. Nashbar has them for $20 right now...they also have an amazing 4th of July sale going on through tomorrow. Lots of great accessories seriously dirt cheap...bags, lights, computers, etc. Buy the Daytrekker panniers, and your order ships for free! Anyway, your Eclair was a nice catch...at any price.

I really like mine... I have since installed a bar-end mirror and white brake hoods...

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/o...g?t=1336433015

Just so we can have all the lotus eclairs in one place

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7...70203892B5.JPG

I really want another Odyssey.

I have seen your WTB's on Philly CL. I am keeping my eyes open for you..........

Beautiful bike. I have always liked burgundy red bikes. Just beauitiful.

"The seller drove 8 hours round trip to deliver this bike to me and only asked for 30 dollars gas (hybrid car). That was really awesome of her, a huge thanks goes to the seller."

$30 to drive 8 hours! Amazing. I'm not a driver. I think I would charge a couple hundred for an 8 hr. drive.

:thumb:

Was it that obvious?

FWIW, I have (or in some cases, have had) an '84/85 Lotus Odyssey, an '84 Expedition, an '85 Portage, and a '89 Miyata 1000LT. I prefer the Lotus.

The Miyata is nice as it has indexed shifting, but seems rather stiff, even loaded to the hilt.

The Expedition is a bit sluggist unladen, but does not handle as well loaded. I also like the intergal dyno wiring.

The Portage was a great gravel grinder, but sucked loaded.

The Lotus seems to handle abot the same unload as fully loaded...not sure how they did that. My only complaints are the use of horizontal vs vertical dropouts, only two bottle mounts vs three, and the stock rear wheel is a 36-hole instead of 40/48.

Here is a picture of it before we left for a few days in the wilderness last year:

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q...y/IMG_1179.jpg

Until my Koga Miyata, the Lotus Odyssey was the best tourer I'd been on, and I agree with your description. The Miyata 1000s and Expeditions rode like trucks, the RBT was nice, but didn't ride as well with weight...the Odyssey rode well with bags AND unloaded. I LOVED that bike.