robertj298 

I don't think mine is an 84 for the simple fact the it has Dia Comp brakes as opposed to dura Ace listed in the 84 catalog. Can't be sure because no one can find an 83 catalog

trailmix

So this just arrived, I am starting to show a real sickness for 80s touring bikes. Specialissima 84' in a dark burgundy color with Blackburn accessories. Going to do a little tour/ camping on the Little Miami Trail in Ohio at the end of October so I better get busy making sure this thing is ready.

rranchhand60

Major score for the price.1984 was last year made.I have a 1982.The best of everything in it's day.

DavisCarver

I have a couple of unusual Univegas..

One is not so unusual other than it is an original Viva Sport still in the box. Never built up... 23" I believe.

The other is pretty rare. It is a 1995 Univega Boralyn B4C road frame. The fellow I bought if from ordered it and waited months and months. Finally Ben Lawee sent him the one from the bicycle trade show in Long Beach or Anaheim...

Univega was our first quality bike brand we sold back in 1978...

I met my wife when I sold here a Univega Sportour 21" white. She went on to win the Masters Worlds Mountain Bike Championship.

Needless to say, I have a soft spot in my heart for Univegas...

Best, Davis

Cycle Tourist

Just brought this home. I haven't cleaned or adjusted a thing yet. I know it's a low/middle level but a Univega low level is equal to many bikes mid/upper of the time.

HMJ

Thought I'd share a rehab project I finished recently. I picked up this bike for free a couple months ago. It was night time when I got it and when I shined some light on it at home I thought "uh oh" as it was pretty filthy - BUT I could see there was a decent bike buried in the neglect. It was a fun project, even with encountering a weird 3-nothced lockring on the headset. What I didn't plan on is that it fits me pretty well so I guess I'll keep it for a while. Here are some before and after pics.

Before


A dull looking bike on a dull day

Yuck

Needs some TLC

After


Nicer looking bike on a nicer day

Nice and clean

Looks much better

Mr. 66

This one came from the Goodwill just off Denny Way in Seattle.

Except for the saddle and seatpost, all original

Stetr24VW

Just joined with hope that someone can help me identify this sweet ride that has been painted and has zero identification other than a serial number L662199 and a 72 under the top tube. I picked it up last night from a local in Seattle for $150 and after riding it, I fell in love!. Based off the photos and research I've done in this thread, I believe I have an 83 or 84 Univega Specialissima? Based on the photos he provided, I thought it was a Miyata frame at first, but after seeing the diamonds in the lugs and the components, I had no idea. Figured I couldn't go wrong either way, so I bought it! Can anyone confirm the model and if any of the components are original? My plan is to clean it up, touch up the frame where it's scratched and chipped and ride it for a while. Eventually, I'd like to repaint the frame and add the original graphics, so if anyone has a lead on those, I'd appreciate it. Thanks!

Edit: Apparently I can't post photos until I've reached 10 posts, so I guess 9 posts to go... gotta love old school forums . I'll list the components below for now.

Crank: Sugino AT Triple
Derailleurs: Suntour Cyclone (F), Suntour Accushift Edge (R)
Shifters: Suntour Bar Con Power Shifter
Brakes: Dia-Comp Canti's w/ Gran Compe Levers
Fork: Tange Industries?
Stem/Handlebars: Sakae Randnner Road Champion
Hubs: Suntour Sealed w/ Suntour Skewers
Wheelset: Mavic MA2 27x1-1/4
Saddle: Italia

T-Mar

Welcome to the forums. Here's a link to your photos https://www.bikeforums.net/g/user/531286

The frame was manufactured by Miyata during 1983 but the serial number is high enough that it could be a 1984 model manufactured in late 1983. Based on the Sugino TAT and extra set of bottle bosses under the down tube, it should be a Specialissima,

Stetr24VW

Oh, brilliant! Didn't realize I'd be able to host images in my profile, not just in the threads. Sounds like my research payed off and I was correct. Thank you for confirming and for the welcome!

Cougrrcj

'84 Univega catalog... https://univegacatalogs.wordpress.com/1984-2/

niliraga 

That would be a serious score! Looks like you could have the original 40-spoke rear while the front was changed to the MA2?

Stetr24VW

Perfect, thank you! According to the catalog, the Specialissima either came in blue or burgundy, but the model in the photo is black. Weird. I think it looks better in black personally.

Both rims have been converted to Mavic's. The hubs are sealed Suntour's, like original, but the front has been converted to a 36 spoke. And 40 spokes remain in the rear.

Stetr24VW

Scratch that, the brochure says 32 spokes front, but I count 36. Am I not counting correctly

niliraga 

36 at least would be stouter than 32! but MA2 front wheel is unlikely original - seems like OEM should have been wider Araya rims.

Stetr24VW

Correct, original was Araya 16A 25mm. Wondering if the 32 spoke front wheel was a typo? The image of the bike in the brochure shows 36 spokes.

Jaush

I rebuilt a Specialissima over the summer with Apex 11s, new DT/105 wheels, Soma Hwy1's, and Bon Jon Passes. 23ish lbs with the heavy group, full fenders, Selle Anatomica X2, and XT spd's. It is my favorite bike of all I've ever owned. Such a sweet ride! You can't go wrong with this frame as long as it fits. FYI, I first went with 700x38's (Barlow Pass) set up tubeless. There was very little clearance at the chainstays, and after a shakedown ride there was slight paint rub on one side. Could definitely crimp the stays a little more and it would be fine, but I decided I wanted fenders and switched to Bon Jon Passes. With 45mm VO fenders, the rear needs deflated to mount, but otherwise clearance and fit is really nice. Regarding decals, velocals has the correct ones.

Mine is SN L905286, so manufactured in '83 by Miyata like yours. It has the original metallic grey paint, so wouldn't be an '84 model (burgundy & blue only). It doesn't have the loop on the chainstay, and there is no evidence of it ever having one. It is definitely original paint. It had stickers hinting it was a student or prof's commuter in California in '85, and appeared to not have been ridden since then. All other details match other 83 Specialissimas I've seen. Most strangely, it has a 74 deg HT (and 72.5 deg ST). All documentation I've seen shows 72/72 for all years of Specialissima and Miyata 1000, but I've measured and re-measured using several methods and have always seen 74ish degs. It definitely rides like a steeper HT, but is very stable and not twitchy at all. The short TT, steep HT, and fenders add up to quite a bit of toe overlap, but it hasn't been a problem for me.

Comparing to all available Univega and Miyata catalogs, and a July '84 Bicycling magazine touring bike test, I haven't found a match for the frame geometry. Mine is 58.5 center-to-center seat tube, 56.5 top tube, 45cm chainstays, and 1050ish wheelbase. '83 Miyata catalog lists a 23" & 25", with 55 and 57.5cm top tubes. '84 lists 57, 60, & 63cm frames. The 57 has a 56.5 TT, but the 60 & 63 frames are 58. Have only found '84 Univega catalog and it doesn't have a geo chart. It does list sizes as 57, 60 & 63. The Bicycling article's chart shows the Specialissima as 57.9 TT, but doesn't list ST or frame size. All of the evidence, anecdotal or otherwise, that I've seen says that the '83 & '84 matched the 1000 geo exactly, so this frame is an enigma.

I have some photos, but this is my first post so I can't include them here. Not sure of a workaround. I'll try to get to 10 posts quickly without spamming!

I'm really curious about the '72' stamp. Where on the top tube is it located? Would you mind measuring your frame and posting your results? If you don't mind, include the down tube ctc length, as well.

Does anyone else have any insights or input into this potentially bastard frame?

Josh

implayaz

Sorry if this is in the wrong thread. Picking up a 1980's Univega Gran Premio soon. Does this have the M6 bolts or M5?

noobinsf 

Which bolts? When you have 10 posts, you'll be able to post pics, so spend a little time commenting on other threads that interest you ("nice bike!") to get your post count up.

niliraga 

the only M5 vs M6 grief I've had with Univegas has been when I discovered that Gran Turismos use mostly M6 at the dropout eyelets -- unlike the standard M5 of the era -- forcing me to drill out vintage rack hardware to handle the larger bolts.

if this is your question, then I think most 80s Gran Premios solve this quite neatly ... by having no eyelets at all

implayaz

I got some lights and they need to be installed with the M5 or M6 bolts on the frame or the components. I know the body does not have many eyelets so was wondering if this would work with the components.

niliraga 

Could be that you have fancy lighting that was designed with some modern bike trends in mind, ie. eyelets and/or threaded bosses all over the frame & fork. An 80s Gran Premio will have none of those, except the ones your shifters are attached to on the side of the down tube (or on top of down tube for some years). Possible that you need some sort of custom mount solution...

Mr. 66

I found some Univega pedals with some very clean straps, these will go on a Gran Premio

Stetr24VW

Hey Josh, sorry I didn't respond to your post! The 72 is stamped on the underside of the lug that connects the top tube to the head. And as far as measurements, the seat tube is 60cm, top tube is 56cm and down tube is roughly 61cm. I'll post some photos once I'm able. I think 2 more posts to go 😂

- Trevor

casanewt

Found a gem today. A Univega I did not know even existed. Check out this 1986 Univega Superlight. It's the Miyata Omnium frame rebadged as a Univega. It is all original except for the stem and handlebars that were changed out. It was not ridden much based on the condition.