Apollophiles - The Apollo Appreciation Thread

[ldrcycles]

As above, if the parts are original check the date codes.

[BurtO]

Hey Jools, I had a hard time finding the serial No as well , then I found it, on the left side of the seat tube just above the bottom bracket. Mine was very faint so you might have to rub the paint back a bit.
Cheers
BurtO

[jools]

thanks for the directions BurtO - took some searching as it is very faint but the number looks like - 81 - 03 - 58410.

I had a look at the components but couldn't make sense of the numbers - the right crank has an FB along with a 2 and a 4 in circles but separate from each other. The left crank has HE and an F and H in circles. The brake calipers have 57 and the small chainring has a small JO or J0. The FD has something very tiny on it as does the RD - I might need to get these off the bike and use a magnifying glass to read the writing, but it looks more like words and not a two-letter code.

[ldrcycles]

Your right crank code is February 1981 (600 Arabesque was made from 1978 to 1984 btw), HE on the left would indicate May 83 but FH would be August 81 which would pretty well match it to the right so maybe that is the correct code.

The 57 on the brakes i'm guessing is just a reference to the reach, they should have a 2 letter date code as well but it can be hard to spot. JO on the chainring is 1985 but chainrings do wear out so that was probably just a replacement. The front and rear derailleurs will usually have something like (reading off my 93 Apollo Concorde)

RD-M320
Shimano
VIA Japan

The date code will usually be a bit off to one side.

[jools]

Thanks! I'll have another look at the brakes and derailleurs to see if I can make anything else out.

With regard to the serial number 81 - 03 - 58410, would that make it a March 81, 58cm frame, number 410?

[TedDancin]

Kinda like....
Recently sold
1984 Apollo IV

Rob

I was the one who picked up that Apollo 4, probably paid too much for it but they don't come up that often and it was walking distance from home. It doesn't have much wear, quite a bit of rust around the lugs on the frame though so I think would need a full sand and respray. Has Suntour arx group on it, with the symmetric shifters that trim the front derailleur when you change the rear. It's too small for me really, so I'm not sure if I'll keep it, am I dreaming if I think I could get what I paid for it?

I'll take a few photos this week to add to the thread.

[Rob74]

Hi TD
Re post » Tue Nov 20, 2012 9:03 am
"I was the one who picked up that Apollo 4, probably paid too much for it"
=>> However your key point …."but they don't come up that often" .....so well done.

"It doesn't have much wear, quite a bit of rust around the lugs on the frame though so I think would need a full sand and respray."
=>> Not sure of the level of the rust. I'd be reluctant to repaint it. If you have not tried it, "Rainex" Rust Converter works very well in removing and neutralising rust particularly on chrome or paint chips to bare steel.

See pg3 of this BNA thread (my post Mon Jun 04, 2012 11:56 pm) gives specs for your bike. I have the WOW Apollo Cat for it in .pdf PM if interested.

Rob

[TedDancin]

Here's a few photos of the old girl. Some nice little details on it, drilled cranks, seat stays wrap around the seat tube, barrel adjusters on the brake hoods.






Anyone looking for a summer project?

[BurtO]

Just took a photo of the tubing sticker for proof that Apollo IV from 1986 were triple butted, I think Redrover was asking. I put some new (old) handlebars on that has bought the hoods back a good 40mm, and Ive reupholstered an old seat to keep the look whilst giving my remaining ball a softer ride, I figure thats why I just had the other one cut out due to "nut rot" to many hard seats bouncing my jewels around , something had to give I guess! Worst part is I cant ride for six weeks, they found and fixed a hernia I didnt know I had whilst they were in there pulling out the nut! Anyway heres the photos of the sticker and finished bike.
Cheers BurtO

[jools]

Nice bike there BurtO! Mine's not quite so heavy though - doesn't need a trolley jack to lift it!

[BurtO]

LOL, And here am I thinking it made a great bike stand for photos, now Ive got the heaviest bike on the forum!

[gordowilso]

I have not been successful in IDing early 1980 Apollo III and Apollo IV NON-Kuwahara frames. I own four early 1980 Apollos. Two of the IIIs are Kurahawa frames with the serial no. stamped into the non-drive side of the seat tube. One III and the IV (very similar to TedDancin's recently acquired IV) have serial nos. stamped into the bottom bracket shell.
AKF15433 A (the III) and AKF16328 A (the IV). What is the origin of these AKF frames?

[jools]

BurtO, given the surgery you've just been through - use all the assistance you need!!

[Lots of steel bikes]

I searched for Vitesse in this thread and only got one return. Why is the Vitesse seemingly so unloved?

[munga]

Nice bike there BurtO! Mine's not quite so heavy though - doesn't need a trolley jack to lift it!

LOL, And here am I thinking it made a great bike stand for photos, now Ive got the heaviest bike on the forum!

gold!

[munga]

I searched for Vitesse in this thread and only got one return. Why is the Vitesse seemingly so unloved?

makes people think of Rover?

[sunho]

My Decal-less Apollo (so i have been told...)
Havent weighed it but not bad at all for a steely,

Suntour components GPX, ARX, RC, Symmetric, all except the levers (Diacompe)

[Kermit TF]

Hmmmm Im going to out on a limb here, Im not 100% convinced its a numbered apollo, ie pre 1985-ish. Those brake calipers just dont look apolloish. Can someone verify? Nice ride though

[gordowilso]

I think it is a numbered apollo. I have Suntour Symmetric shifters on a 1983 Apollo IV. We need a serial no. Bottom of seat tube (non-drive side) or on bottom bracket shell.

[sunho]

H2j4301, seat tube is a 26.8.
Extremely nice to ride minus hills...
I did a cruisy 50km loop on it and handled quite well. Wheels 27 and 1 inch.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus

[singlespeedscott]

26.8mm is definitely an indicator of good quality steel.

[gordowilso]

Serial no. = H2j4301. That is certainly not a Kuwahara frame serial no. Where is the serial no. on the frame?

[sunho]

Yeah definitely, I'll give it a weigh when I get my digital scale from china which should arrive in 20 working days!

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus

[sunho]

Under the bb. Interesting....

[gordowilso]

Sunho almost certainly not a numbered Apollo (1979-1984). I know bugger all about the named Apollos 1985 onwards. My knowledge is limited to the bikes Apollo I - V (1979 - 1984). Another point of interest is the Woolies WOW (Paddington NSW bike shop) decal. Did they sell
Apollos?