Small additions to the 1983 Univega Sportour

The Sportour has eyelets on its rear dropouts, but no rear rack bosses on its seatstays. Fortunately, I saved a rack from a 70's Centurion Super LeMans that clamps onto the brake bolt. The eyelets on the dropouts were unthreaded 5mm holes, so I tapped it to fit M6 x 1mm screws. I also had to enlarge the holes on the rack to fit a 6mm diameter bolt. Since I don't have any cutting oil, I used PB Blaster for the job, and it turned out alright. I also had to re-bend the mounting arm that goes on the brake bolt. It probably took me much longer than others to do these simple tasks, but I think everything turned out decent in the end.

I also added a Specialized bottle cage that I had lying around.

A few pictures:

1983 Univega Sportour - Drive-side with new rack (3/24/12)

Rear rack (3/24/12)

Rack mounted on the brake bolt (3/24/12)

Rack mounted on the brake bolt (3/24/12)

New bike: 1983 Univega Sportour

I am not sure why I keep running into so many Univegas, but I acquired this bike back in December 2011 from Goodwill for $56.10. I was originally planning to either give it to a friend or flip it for a profit, but it was in such a good condition that I decided to keep it. It appears to be an upper-entry/low-mid level bike, but it looks well-built and the ride feels especially solid. There are minimal signs of wear/use, despite most of its part being original. The only thing not original in the current form are the handlebar, brakes, bar tape, pedals and the bags. It originally came with a flat bar and flat bar brake levers. but I replaced them with a drop bar and Dia Compe brake levers taken off of a Centurion Elite 12 (plus pedals).

From my readings of forums, the serial number on the frame suggests that the frame was actually manufactured in 1982 (by Miyata?), but the Suntour aRX components point it to the 1983 model. It appears that the '82 model was equipped with Shimano 600 Arabesque components, so the aRX seems like a step down. The rear dropouts look stamped, not forged, but has a derailleur hanger, which I haven't seen before. The frame material is double butted Tange Champion, so it's definitely not a gas pipe bike. I'm guessing the fork is a hi-tensile steel. The 27" rims also look like Araya 20A rims, which are double-walled with eyelets, and they're laced onto Sunshine (Sansin) Gyromaster hubs that use cartridge bearings. However, given a decent selection of rims and hubs, the spokes are not stainless steel. Overall, the bike is a healthy mix of decent and entry level stuff.

I read on Disraeli Gears that the aRX never shifted as well as the older models, but personally I think it does just fine One major drawback I do see is the steel cage because it seems to be pretty soft and I can see it going out of alignment. Maybe it feels alright just because it hasn't been used much.
I'm planning to keep all the original parts since they're relatively unworn. I do plan on changing the bar wrap with cotton ones (the current ones are those that my friend was going to throw away). I'm also going to add a rear rack so that I can use the bike for short commutes. Since the bike is a bit small, it feels a little cramped when my hands are on the drops. So I may experiment with a different length stem sometime in the future.

Specs then pictures:
Frame: Tange Champion Chrome Molybdenum Double Butted tubes; 49cm center-to-center; fully-lugged; stamped rear dropouts
Fork: Unknown; single eyeleted dropouts
Headset: Unknown chrome steel
Crank: SR Super Custom; "Univega Cotterless" dust caps; 52-42t chainrings
Shifters: Suntour Symmetric friction
Derailleurs: Suntour ARx GT
Pedals: SR SP-100BL; CyclePro toe clips
Chain: Sedis
Seatpost: SR 26.8mm
Saddle: Selle Italia(?); Univega Logo inscribed
Stem: SR Custom
Handlebar: SR Custom
Brakes: Dia Compe G
Brake Levers: Dia Compe non-aero; Dia Compe gum hoods
Hubs: Sunshine Gyromaster; 6-speed Suntour Perfect 14-28t freewheel
Rims: Araya 27 x 1, double-walled, eyeleted, presta valve
Tires: 27 x 1 1/4 Performance GT-k rear; 27 x 1 Forte (Performance) GT2-K front

1983 Univega Sportour - Drive side (3/21/12)

1983 Univega Sportour - Front view; Schwinn Voyageur handlebar bag (3/21/12)

1983 Univega Sportour - Dia-Compe brake lever w/ original gum hood (3/21/12)

1983 Univega Sportour - SR Custom stem; Schwinn Voyageur handlebar bag attachment (3/21/12)

1983 Univega Sportour - Cockpit (3/21/12)

1983 Univega Sportour - Front view; Schwinn Voyageur handlebar bag (3/21/12)

1983 Univega Sportour - Head tube lugs; Suntour Symmetric shifters (3/21/12)

1983 Univega Sportour - Univega decal (3/21/12)

1983 Univega Sportour - Suntour Symmetric downtube shifters (3/21/12)

1983 Univega Sportour - Araya 27 x 1 (3/21/12)

1983 Univega Sportour - Fork crown; Dia-Compe G brakes; Elastic for handlebar bag (3/21/12)

1983 Univega Sportour - Seat cluster (3/21/12)

1983 Univega Sportour - Tange Champion double butted tubes (3/21/12)

1983 Univega Sportour - Univega decal on seat tube (3/21/12)

1983 Univega Sportour - Bottom bracket cable routing (3/21/12)

1983 Univega Sportour - Suntour aRX front derailleur (3/21/12)

1983 Univega Sportour - SR Super Custom crankset (3/21/12)

1983 Univega Sportour - Schwinn Voyageur seat bag; Selle Italia(?) saddle (3/21/12)

1983 Univega Sportour - Univega-inscribed Selle Italia(?) saddle (3/21/12)

1983 Univega Sportour - Suntour aRX rear derailleur (3/21/12)

1983 Univega Sportour - Suntour Perfect freewheel (3/21/12)

1983 Univega Sportour - SR SP-100BL pedals (3/21/12)

1983 Univega Sportour - Sunshine Gyromaster hubs (3/21/12)

1983 Univega Sportour - At the metro station (3/20/12)

1983 Univega Sportour - Inside the metro train (3/20/12)

For fun:

More Smartphone Camera Fun

I took these on the way back from work at the Union Station, using the Camera 360 app with the Sketch effect. Thanks to the super vibrant color of the flowers, I think they turned out pretty cool! I've included both the regular picture and the same pictures with effects.

1984 Alpina Ultima - @ Union Station (2/28/12)

1984 Alpina Ultima - @ Union Station (2/28/12)

1984 Alpina Ultima - @ Union Station (2/28/12)

1984 Alpina Ultima - @ Union Station (2/28/12)

1984 Alpina Ultima - @ Union Station (2/28/12)

1984 Alpina Ultima - @ Union Station (2/28/12)