Lotus Eclair for a noob
10-14-12 | 02:48 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 115
Likes: 1
Lotus Eclair for a noob
After lurking around here and looking on CL I finally acquired a bike that I believe fits the Classic and Vintage mold. I'm pretty much a noob as far as bike mechanics go and would appreciate if someone could point me to some threads that deal with rust on components and frames as I'd like to strip this bike down and get it looking and riding as nice as possible. It's not in terrible shape, but it definitely needs some attention. Thanks
Untitled by trick fall, on Flickr
Untitled by trick fall, on Flickr
10-14-12 | 03:27 PM
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,584
Likes: 107
From: Scranton, PA, USA
Bikes: '77 Centurion "Pro Tour"; '67 Carlton "The Flyer"; 1984 Ross MTB (stored at parents' house)
It sure doesn't look like it'll need much work! That's very nice.
I'd start by rebuilding all the bearings and replacing the cables, housings, brake pads and tires if necessary.
I'd start by rebuilding all the bearings and replacing the cables, housings, brake pads and tires if necessary.
10-14-12 | 03:36 PM
#3
Bianchi Goddess
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 28,890
Likes: 4,133
From: Shady Pines Retirement Fort Wayne, In
Bikes: Too many to list here check my signature.
Congrats!! great looking Lotus.
__________________
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
10-14-12 | 03:53 PM
#5
Fat Guy on a Little Bike
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 15,946
Likes: 371
From: Philadelphia, PA
Bikes: Two wheeled ones
You just managed to get one of the nicer touring bikes around and it's fully dressed with racks. You are a fortunate man, enjoy!
10-14-12 | 09:27 PM
#6
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 115
Likes: 1
Thanks for the kind words all I'm super excited and can't wait to start working on this bike and getting it back on the road. Oh and more pics.
Untitled by trick fall, on Flickr
Untitled by trick fall, on Flickr
Untitled by trick fall, on Flickr
Untitled by trick fall, on Flickr
Untitled by trick fall, on Flickr
Untitled by trick fall, on Flickr
Untitled by trick fall, on Flickr
Untitled by trick fall, on Flickr
Untitled by trick fall, on Flickr
Untitled by trick fall, on Flickr
Untitled by trick fall, on Flickr
Untitled by trick fall, on Flickr
10-14-12 | 10:34 PM
#8
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco
Bikes: koga miyata road gentleman, raleigh crested butte, raleigh comp 650b
by the looks of it all you need is a new chain and maybe some ( possibly fatter?) newer tires... how are all the bearings? you should overhaul em if you haven't already... its not hard and will make the bike ride like a dream. leonard zinn has a really good book on maintenance, and you can probably find how to guides online... oh also! your hands will thank you on long rides if you ditch the foam
10-15-12 | 05:45 AM
#9
Death fork? Naaaah!!
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,531
Likes: 948
From: The other Maine, north of RT 2
Bikes: Seriously downsizing.
One of my customers had one of these, same size and everything, that impressed me so much I just bought a Lotus of my own.
The oversized Dyna-drive pedal axles and the type 'B' shifter bosses are idiosyncrasies, but more of an inconvenience that a flaw.
Top
The oversized Dyna-drive pedal axles and the type 'B' shifter bosses are idiosyncrasies, but more of an inconvenience that a flaw.
Top
__________________
You know it's going to be a good day when the stem and seatpost come right out.
(looking for a picture and not seeing it? Thank the Photobucket fiasco.PM me and I'll link it up.)
You know it's going to be a good day when the stem and seatpost come right out.
(looking for a picture and not seeing it? Thank the Photobucket fiasco.PM me and I'll link it up.)
10-15-12 | 06:40 AM
#10
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 115
Likes: 1
I plan on stripping everything down and regreasing and treating the bit of rust that is present on the frame and headset. I'm also already trying to figure out what color bar tape to get. Also I don't know too much about components, but the Deore stuff seems very nice.
10-15-12 | 06:58 AM
#12
Full Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 346
Likes: 1
From: Philadelphia
Bikes: 85 Peugeot Canyon Express, 73? Torpado, 85 Trek 400
A bunch of rebuild info here.
https://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpe...TE_Welcome.htm
And general maint info here.
https://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help
https://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpe...TE_Welcome.htm
And general maint info here.
https://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help
10-17-12 | 06:26 AM
#13
Lotus Monomaniac
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,032
Likes: 4
From: Pennsylvania
Yowza! That's a nice one, congratulations on that find.
That's a 1984 model and a super-popular Lotus. I also personally love that color combination. The original front rack is so difficult to find we suspect they weren't sold with some of the bikes. Any chance you also got the original bottle cages and pump with that?
I'd recommend keeping the bike as original as possible and saving anything and everything that you remove and replace. Just pack everything neatly in a box and store it somewhere.
The foam grips were original equipment for 1984, but the 1983 bikes came with blue bar tape to match the blue accents on the bike.
I don't usually have bicycle envy, but in this case . . .
That's a 1984 model and a super-popular Lotus. I also personally love that color combination. The original front rack is so difficult to find we suspect they weren't sold with some of the bikes. Any chance you also got the original bottle cages and pump with that?
I'd recommend keeping the bike as original as possible and saving anything and everything that you remove and replace. Just pack everything neatly in a box and store it somewhere.
The foam grips were original equipment for 1984, but the 1983 bikes came with blue bar tape to match the blue accents on the bike.
I don't usually have bicycle envy, but in this case . . .
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Aquakitty
Classic & Vintage
14
04-11-10 08:20 AM
