Apollophiles - The Apollo Appreciation Thread

lobstermash
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Re: Apollophiles - The Apollo Appreciation Thread

Postby lobstermash » Mon Sep 23, 2013 11:37 am

I did the commute on it today. Gave my legs a bit of a shock going up the first hill, but was a very smooooooth ride.
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Classiciron
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Re: Apollophiles - The Apollo Appreciation Thread

Postby Classiciron » Wed Oct 02, 2013 12:59 pm

THE Pearl White Apollo VI

Hi all, the "mythical" pearl white Apollo VI which appears earlier in this thread is actually my bike. A mate in Brisbane posted the image about a year ago. I have owned it since new and purchased it in late 1984 from Balwyn Cycles in Victoria. I will post a photo of it once I have worked out how to as I am new to this site.

The frame consists of Ishiwata Chromoly double butted tubing and is the Glories Victory 019 tube set. (019 was used to identify the complete tube set which weighed 1.9kg). The group set on the bike is Suntour Superbe Pro (SSP) first generation. All of the SSP components feature in the Suntour catalogues as Superbe Pro however, none of the components are labled as Superbe Pro, just Superbe. The first generation SSP was a friction only shifter set and the brake levers were non-areo and had drilled levers. The hubs were the best money could buy and are magnificently smooth. All of the components within the group set are finished to exceptionally high standards and the machining tolerances were very, very precise. Suntour (Maeda Industries) at the time was amongst the front runners of Japanese industry and had a great influence in breaking the "Japjunk" stigma which was common around the late 70s and early 80s. I believe Suntour manufactured mainly derailleurs and shifter sets and freewheels but they did outsource the manufacture of other components to other Japanese manufacturers under very tight design and quality controls. Subsequently the entire SSP group set is made to the highest standards of design, function, and finish.

My Apollo VI, yes, the "Mythical" pearl white, had the following components when new and I have listed who the respective parts were manufactured by:

SSP brakes manufactured by Dia-comp;
SSP alloy headset manufactured by Hatta ( is a Suntour stamped Hatta Swan Deluxe head set);
SSP alloy cup sealed bearing chainline adjustable bottom bracket set ( uncertain but probably manufactured by Hatta);
SSP Fr & Rr derailleurs - Friction with shifters ( these shifters were used on other sets within the Suntour range);
Suntour Winner Ultra six speed freewheel 13-18;
SSP sealed bearing hubs manufactured by Sanshin ( Sanshin was marketed as Sunshine);
Araya World Champion tubular rims;
National Panaracer tubular tyres;
SSP Classic (style) Crank set 42T-52T manufactured by Sugino;
SSP sealed bearing pedals:
SR Sakae alloy toe clips with Sakae toe straps:
HKK Nickel and black chain;
Nitto Pearl 9 headstem;
Nitto Olympiade 115 handlebars (450mm width);
SR Laprade seat post 28.6mm;
Kashimax Five Gold white saddle.

So what of the bike now? The bike still exists however it has undergone a restoration which is almost complete. I was racing this bike in masters "B" grade road and criteriums up until late March 2013 before it was dismantled for some TLC. I will race this bike again as soon as the restoration is complete. I have upgraded the derailleurs to SSP "Accushift", have replaced the brake callipers with the SSP hidden spring type, replace the cranks with SSP 172.5 crankset, and 42-53 chainrings, new sealed bearings in the bottom bracket new full nickle chain and winner 7 speed freewheel 12-18 (I do frequently still race 6 speed Suntour freewheels). I have replaced the superior quality SSP pedals with Look Keo Carbon Blade Ti clipless pedals onto which I clip on my leather lace-up cycling shoes with carbon soles.

Can anyone tell me how to put a photo on this site? as I would like to show more of the Apollo VI. Thanks.

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singlespeedscott
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Apollophiles - The Apollo Appreciation Thread

Postby singlespeedscott » Wed Oct 02, 2013 2:58 pm

Just open an account with someone like Photobucket. Upload your photos then link them to your post. You will need at least 10 posts on BNA.

Can't what for the photos.
Image

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im_no_pro
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Re: Apollophiles - The Apollo Appreciation Thread

Postby im_no_pro » Wed Oct 02, 2013 3:10 pm

singlespeedscott wrote:You will need at least 10 posts on BNA.

Can't wait for the photos.
Because the first statement is correct and I agree entirely with the second one, Feel free to PM me a link to the pics once they are on the web and I will post them up here for you. Or just put the links in a post and shoot me a PM, I will edit the post to show the pics. Either works.
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rangersac
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Re: Apollophiles - The Apollo Appreciation Thread

Postby rangersac » Wed Oct 02, 2013 4:56 pm

Also posted in the ebay thread. There's a VI for sale at the moment here.
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Kermit TF
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Re: Apollophiles - The Apollo Appreciation Thread

Postby Kermit TF » Wed Oct 02, 2013 10:20 pm

Awesome bike ClassicRon..
My apollo catalogue has the VI listed pretty much as you described..The biggest problem with verifying the V's and VI's was that the model no. was painted on the top tube and would easily wipe off when you touched it with sweaty hands :roll:
The one on ebay looks clean, just a pity its a small frame for me and its located way out west Qld..
Ever seen the 1984 apollo aero ? Droooool ! It made the same period Italian and French bikes look like dinosaurs.
When in doubt......mumble.

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Classiciron
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Re: Apollophiles - The Apollo Appreciation Thread

Postby Classiciron » Wed Oct 02, 2013 11:56 pm

Thanks Kermit TF. My bike never had a model number on the top tube. As it appears in the photo is how it has been since it was taken of the shelf when I bought it in 1984. The one on ebay looks like it is a little newer than mine as it has the Accushift selectors and later style SSP 144bcd crank set with the classic style 52T chainring also the later model Accushift rear derailleur. I suspect the wheels are not the originals. The hubs look more like Shimano.
If there's something you can do about it, do it. If theres nothing you can do, don't worry.

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The Fixer
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Re: Apollophiles - The Apollo Appreciation Thread

Postby The Fixer » Thu Oct 03, 2013 7:25 pm

Here's the latest addition to my stable.
I was going through some old bikes at the community group I'm a member of, choosing which to either
scrap or wreck for parts, and found this nice, original(?) Apollo 'Delta'.
I hope you like it as much as I do.
It's complete and rideable, and is very good mechanically. Ancillary equipment seems OK. Tyres are a
bit ropey, but will hold 100psi OK.
There are some stone-chips etc on the frame, but no-where near bad enough to justify re-spraying.
It's lovely to ride, and looks good, so I will keep it original, I think.
Any idea on age, original price, specs etc, or links thereto?

Thanks.

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Last edited by The Fixer on Thu Oct 03, 2013 7:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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munga
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Re: Apollophiles - The Apollo Appreciation Thread

Postby munga » Thu Oct 03, 2013 7:26 pm

The Fixer wrote: Any idea on age, original price, specs etc, or links thereto?

Thanks.
look for date codes on the components and go from there.

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The Fixer
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Re: Apollophiles - The Apollo Appreciation Thread

Postby The Fixer » Thu Oct 03, 2013 8:06 pm

munga wrote:
The Fixer wrote: Any idea on age, original price, specs etc, or links thereto?

Thanks.
look for date codes on the components and go from there.
Thanks, Munga. I just found a site from a link here earlier, should help.
One thing of interest that I haven't seen before, is the security cable on
the seat to stop people from nicking the seat/seat-post.
A good idea if you have an expensive seat or post, and so simple!
I don't care if it's a $20 Huffy or a $20k Colnago, as long as you're riding, and you're happy.

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im_no_pro
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Re: Apollophiles - The Apollo Appreciation Thread

Postby im_no_pro » Fri Oct 04, 2013 11:28 am

Pics of the VI as promised by classic iron. Quoted (most) of your email CI, hope thats ok 8)
classiciron wrote:The photos of it with the black rims is as it was before I pulled it apart for the resto. I will send you a picture or two of it once entirely completed if your interested. It is however, no longer badged as an Apollo.

Also, I have included a few pics of my current race bike. Also a picture of my BMX bike which I have owned since 1979/80 and just recently restored. More of that can be seen on BMXmuseum.
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I havent posted all the pics, there are too many. I have however created a photobucket album that has the rest of them in it. Click through, the Cinelli alone is worth it :mrgreen:
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grantw
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Re: Apollophiles - The Apollo Appreciation Thread

Postby grantw » Fri Oct 04, 2013 3:08 pm

Sweet. I love the fork crown on the VI.
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The Fixer
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Re: Apollophiles - The Apollo Appreciation Thread

Postby The Fixer » Fri Oct 04, 2013 4:22 pm

Nice!!
I don't care if it's a $20 Huffy or a $20k Colnago, as long as you're riding, and you're happy.

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The Fixer
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Re: Apollophiles - The Apollo Appreciation Thread

Postby The Fixer » Fri Oct 04, 2013 9:24 pm

Just acquired...

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and this...

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And this... A very sad and tired Apollo II, a long way from home... :-(

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I don't care if it's a $20 Huffy or a $20k Colnago, as long as you're riding, and you're happy.

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Classiciron
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Re: Apollophiles - The Apollo Appreciation Thread

Postby Classiciron » Sat Oct 05, 2013 11:10 am

Im-no-pro, thanks for posting the picture for me. I apprieciate it.
If there's something you can do about it, do it. If theres nothing you can do, don't worry.

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Rob74
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Re: Apollophiles - The Apollo Appreciation Thread

Postby Rob74 » Sat Oct 05, 2013 2:50 pm

Re The Fixer » Thu Oct 03, 2013 7:25 pm
"Apollo Delta ....Any idea on age, original price, specs etc, or links thereto?"

Suggest 1987/88 ish it approximately replaced the Apollo III.

1987/88 Apollo's order went
Jaguar (Apollo I replacement)
Eclipse
Delta
XXX (Can't remember),
Concorde
Alternative (Apollo VI replacement)

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The Fixer
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Re: Apollophiles - The Apollo Appreciation Thread

Postby The Fixer » Sat Oct 05, 2013 10:48 pm

Thanks for that info, Rob. Much appreciated.

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Classiciron
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Re: Apollophiles - The Apollo Appreciation Thread

Postby Classiciron » Sun Oct 06, 2013 12:21 pm

I havent posted all the pics, there are too many. I have however created a photobucket album that has the rest of them in it. Click through, the Cinelli alone is worth it

The history of the this Cinelli has been posted in Retro Biking - Cinelli.
If there's something you can do about it, do it. If theres nothing you can do, don't worry.

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Re: Apollophiles - The Apollo Appreciation Thread

Postby munga » Sun Oct 06, 2013 12:48 pm

So who won that Apollo VI for $250!!!

gravelrash
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Re: Apollophiles - The Apollo Appreciation Thread

Postby gravelrash » Sun Oct 06, 2013 4:07 pm

I have an 89 Apollo 'Team" it has full Shim 600 group set, Tange 2 tubing and Wobbler aero's (TX Profile) where does it fit in. In the Apollo catalogue?.

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Kermit TF
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Re: Apollophiles - The Apollo Appreciation Thread

Postby Kermit TF » Sun Oct 06, 2013 8:26 pm

Meh...not me.. :roll:
Too much $ to transport it 1000kms my place....Munga why didnt you have a crack at it ?
When in doubt......mumble.

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munga
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Re: Apollophiles - The Apollo Appreciation Thread

Postby munga » Sun Oct 06, 2013 8:39 pm

i was in it for a bit, but assumed it was going to go silly at the end, so didn't watch it finish..

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hitchhiker
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Re: Apollophiles - The Apollo Appreciation Thread

Postby hitchhiker » Sun Oct 06, 2013 9:43 pm

The Fixer wrote:
And this... A very sad and tired Apollo II, a long way from home... :-(

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I had an Apollo II from Lavington cycles back in the 80's! I think half the town had them

Is that one blue or black?

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The Fixer
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Re: Apollophiles - The Apollo Appreciation Thread

Postby The Fixer » Mon Oct 07, 2013 6:52 am

A very faded and tatty blue...

But it is straight and basically complete,
I don't care if it's a $20 Huffy or a $20k Colnago, as long as you're riding, and you're happy.

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hitchhiker
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Re: Apollophiles - The Apollo Appreciation Thread

Postby hitchhiker » Mon Oct 07, 2013 9:14 pm

The Fixer wrote:A very faded and tatty blue...

But it is straight and basically complete,
I had a black one...... that is until my sister borrowed and left it unlocked at the netball courts and it got stolen

although it's probably time to let that go...

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