Vintage 1984 Univega Sportour 47cm steel road bike 6 speed Suntour Dia-Compe Sunshine Araya Miyata
Frame and Wheel is auctioning a vintage 1984 Univega Sportour steel road bike on the Frame and Wheel eBay Store. The bicycle was purchased new at Northeast Bikes and Skies in Saugus, Massachusetts in the mid 1980s. It was used recreationally by its original owner until it was placed in storage in a dry basement, where it has been for more than fifteen years. The owner is selling the bicycle because he no longer rides it and would like to use the proceeds to upgrade his existing bicycle. The bicycle has never been crashed. It is has always been stored indoors in a dry location. The bicycle features chromoly double butted frame tubes, painted lettering, original rainbow sticker, crafted lugs, adjustable rear drop-outs, front and rear pannier eyelets, chain-hanger on the drive-side seat stay, two water bottle cage mounts, down-tube shifting, external cabling, Cat-Eye reflectors, 1983 Suntour ARX front and rear derailleurs, 1982 Sugino GT crank set, 1983 Dia-Compe 400 brake set, 1982 Sunshine Gyromaster hubs, Araya rims, original Benotto handle bar tape and Japanese provenance (the frame set was made in Japan by third party contract manufacturer and bike brand, Miyata). The bicycle as shown weighs 24 pounds (10.9 kg). The serial number on the bottom of the bottom bracket shell reads L285210. The serial number on the front fork reads TM 1258. Pedals are included. There are 80 images of the item at Frame and Wheel Auction Services Please take a look.
Review of condition
The bicycle is in good condition and it is ready to ride. It is clean and shows only light signs of wear. There are no dents, bends or cracks in the frame or fork. There are no bulges or bubbling in the finish anywhere on the frame set. There is no wear on the bottom of the down tube on the back of the seat tube or on the inside faces of the chain stays. The rear drop outs are in alignment with the center line of the frame. The rear derailleur hanger is straight and undamaged. The front fork is not bent and the drop out faces are parallel to each other. The handle bars are not bent. There is no corrosion in the head set and the races and bearings are clean and running smoothly. There is no play in the bottom bracket. There are no cracks in the cables and the shifting is smooth and complete. The brakes work properly and there is 10 mm of brake pad. The wheels are round and spinning properly. The spokes are tight and straight. The tires hold pressure.
Frame and Wheel notes the following. There is a 5 x 20 mm scratch on the non-drive side down tube on the “E” in Univega. There is a 2 x 10 mm scratch on the Univega logo on the head tube. There is a 3 x 35 mm imperfection in the finish on the drive-side top tube. There is a 3 x 10 mm imperfection in the finish on the drive-side top tube near the intersection with the head tube. There is corrosion on the underside of the fork crown. There is corrosion on the underside of the seat. There is wear around the front and rear dropouts. There is wear on the braking surfaces of the rims. The rear wheel is slightly out of true. The bearings in the front and rear hubs are running roughly. The chain measures 0.75 on the chain wear tool. The sidewall on the front tire is dry and should be replaced soon. There is something loose inside the front fork. The front fork has no safety tabs. The bar tape is slipping off in places. Frame and Wheel carefully and in good faith inspected this wheel, but cannot guarantee that every imperfection has been spotted.
Frame and Wheel conclusion
Frame and Wheel’s view is that this bicycle will suit the smaller rider who is comfortable riding classic bicycles and who seeks the zen of 6-speed down-tube shifting. It will also make a very nice and perhaps more suitable addition to a vintage bicycle collection: the components are original specifications, the frame has a distinctive Japanese provenance and the bicycle is an excellent example of Univega’s touring models form the 1980s. Frame and Wheel notes that it is unusual to find classic touring bicycles in good condition, as their lower price point makes it easier for the owner to relegate them to the garage and a lifetime of neglect. This scenario did not play out with this bicycle and thus the offering represents an excellent opportunity to obtain a unique, healthy and charming bicycle at an excellent valuation.
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Specifications:
Brand: Univega
Model: Sport Tour
Model year: 1984
Material: Chromoly Double Butted frame tubes
Frame design: traditional
Front fork: Mangalight fork
Front fork serial number: TM 1258
Seat post: Sakae Ringo Laprade 26.8 mm April 1984
Serial number: L285210
Size: 47.0 cm 18.5 inches
Color: Charcoal gray with silver lettering
Wheel size: 700c
Frame and Wheel rating: Good condition
Following measurements are by Frame and Wheel
Total weight with wheels: 24 pounds (10.9 kg)
Total weight without wheels: 16 pounds 5 ounces (7.4 kg)
Front wheel weight: 3 pounds (1.4 kg)
Rear wheel weight: 4 pounds 11 ounces (2.1 kg)
Center of BB to top of seat tube: 47.0 cm
Effective top tube: 50.5 cm (c-c)
Seat post length from bottom to center rails: 19.5 cm
Stand over height from middle of top tube: 73.0 cm
Bottom bracket height: 28.0 cm
Head tube length: 9.5 cm
Chain stay length: 42.0 cm
Front center: 58.0 cm
Frame set and group
Handlebars: Sakae Ringo Custom Road Champion 37.5 cm (c-c) 26.0 mm clamp diameter.
Stem: Sakae Ringo 6.5 cm alloy Angle: zero (90 degrees) 26.0 mm handle bar clamp diameter
Headset: Nova Tange 25.4 x 24T threaded external cups
Seat post: Sakae Ringo LaPrade 26.8 mm
Front fork: Mangalight fork
Steer tube: one inch steel
Steer tube length: 130 mm
Bottom bracket: Sugino English thread cups 1.370 ” x 24TPI
Crank set: 1982 Sugino GT 52T / 42T 165 mm crank arms
Drop outs: steel horizontal (R) steel vertical (F)
Rear derailleur hanger: integrated non replaceable
Front derailleur hanger: clamp-on
Cabling: external runs top of bottom bracket shell; runs on top of drive-side chain stay for rear derailleur.
Brakes: Dia-Compe 400 GX dual pivot caliper with quick release December 1983
Brake pads: Dia-Compe
Brake levers: Dia-Compe
Shifters: Suntour Symmetric
Front derailleur: 1983 Suntour ARX clamp-on
Rear derailleur: 1983 Suntour ARX
Pedals: MKS AR-1
Cassette: 1983 Suntour 14-28 (14, 16, 18, 21, 24, 28)
Chain: ARR
Saddle: Selle Italia with Univega logo
Water bottle cage: not included
Bar tape: Benotto plastic grey silver finish
Wheels
Wheel set: Araya alloy
Wheel size: 700c
Rim type: clincher
Rim depth: 13 mm
Spokes: straight gauge F & R
Nipples: External
Hubs: 1982 Sunshine Gyromaster F (36) R (36)
Skewers: Sunshine
Tires: Univega High Performance 700c x 20 mm (F) Cycle Pro 700c x 25 Touring Skin (R)
