Apollophiles - The Apollo Appreciation Thread

[amyannick]

It's only original once?

It doesn't look too bad in the photos, unless you're after a show bike I wouldn't worry about it - adds character.

This is maybe more representative of the state of the paint, but point taken.

[Buzz22]

I've been admiring the bikes in this thread, there's some great old rides floating around. Once I reach enough posts I'll pop up some pictures of my Apollos, a 1995 Kosciusko and a 1982 Apollo IV that I've just converted to flat bars.
Thanks for the inspiration to get mine sorted out.

[P!N20]

Once I reach enough posts I'll pop up some pictures of my Apollos, a 1995 Kosciusko and a 1982 Apollo IV that I've just converted to flat bars.

No restrictions apply, post away!

[Buzz22]

With thanks to amynnick here is a couple of photos of my Apollos.
This is my 1995 Kosciusko. I bought it as a cheap runaround for my eldest son to take away camping and reclaimed it from him when I bought him a newer bike.


This is my 1982 Apollo IV that I bought recently.
The first photo is how it was when I picked it up, the others are following a change to flat bars and new levers, a Brooks seat I had spare and new wheels and tyres I had from another project.
I took it for it's maiden run today, absolutely love it.

[NDL]

Here's another Apollo VI. I was only speaking to a friend about his one a few hours before you posted about your one. This makes it number 3 of known existence(including munga's one). Are there really only 10 around?




















Chromed Suntour Superbe dropouts too


Blurry pic, but I think that reads 84 06 20004. Located on the BB shell

I think I just acquired your twin, 84 06 20005, found this old frame covered in many layers of random stickers. Where can I get more info about these limited VI ? How rare are they? My plan was to use the frame to replace my broken Miyata and transfer my groupset to it, of course will get it sand blasted and repaint first, however if they are rare I might try to restore them to factory specs, anyone know where I can find the factory spec list or a catalogue?

[rkelsen]

This is my 1982 Apollo IV that I bought recently.

Nice. Looks good with the flat bar!

If you're going to ride it often, it might be worth upgrading the brakes. Those 600 calipers are quite "flexy."

[morini]

Fantastic, another one has turned up. I think we've nailed down 4 on here, including mine, so yours makes it 5. Unless it's one of these 4.

Apollo Australia told me a number of years ago that were 10 made for the World of Wheels franchises and if you feel the need to further corroborate this please do. I have also come across a couple of interesting dudes on here who have tried to tell me that this comment from Apollo Aust was, for no apparent reason, not factual and there were a number of other series made. Evidence of this is non existent as far as I can make out and one bloke tried to tell me that Apollo made a later VI series with Shimano 600 so you can understand I'm skeptical.

If you haven't already go back through this thread you'll come across a fellow who bought his new, still owns it and details all the components it came with. I wonder if the others will eventually turn up?

[sli123]

I think I just acquired your twin, 84 06 20005, found this old frame covered in many layers of random stickers. Where can I get more info about these limited VI ? How rare are they? My plan was to use the frame to replace my broken Miyata and transfer my groupset to it, of course will get it sand blasted and repaint first, however if they are rare I might try to restore them to factory specs, anyone know where I can find the factory spec list or a catalogue?

Any pics? Would be great to see

[morini]

Taken from Classiciron's post on Sat Nov 02, 2013 10:51 am
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 pearl white Apollo VI had the following components when new and I have listed who the respective parts were manufactured by to the best of my knowledge:

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 Sansin ( Sansin 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 26.8mm;
Kashimax Five Gold white saddle.

[nemo57]

Much of the Suntour story is here:
http://pages.citebite.com/o2n1u6u4w3qui

[Imwit]

From page 3 of this thread. June 2012..

The below may be of interest.
=>> From my "APOLLO NEWS - World of Wheels (WOW) Catalogue, Warren Norris Advertising 984.

APOLLO VI – 12 Speed
Colour: Pearl White
Frame: 019 CrMo double butted frame
Forks: CrMo
Ensemble: Suntour Superbe Pro
Sealed bearing: B.B. Hubs & Pedals
Derailleurs: Superbe
Brake Set: CB3000
Panaracer Leger 230 GSM tubulars

APOLLO V – 12 Speed
Colour: Olympic Gold
Frame: CrMo double butted frame
Forks: CrMo
Ensemble: Shimano 600 Series, brakes, chain wheel set 52/42T, pedals, hubs, derailleurs, free wheel 12-21T.
Panaracer Leger 230 GSM tubulars
Saddle: Kashimax super pro black suede

APOLLO IV – 12 Speed
Colour: Silver/Mink or Flamboyant Red
Frame: Tange CrMo
Forks: CrMo
Rims: 27” black alloy HP wheels with QR Hubs
Derailleurs: Suntour ARX
Cluster: Suntour 13-24T Ultra 6Speed
Brakes: Diacomp GX500N Alloy side pull
Chainwheel Set: Sugino GT Drilled hole 52-40T

APOLLO III – 12 Speed
Colour: Silver/Grey or Metallic Lemon
Frame: Tange CrMo
Forks: Hi Tensile
Rims: 27” alloy HP wheels with QR Hubs
Derailleurs: Suntour ARX
Cluster: Suntour 14-28T Ultra 6Speed
Brakes: Diacomp G500N Alloy side pull
Chainwheel Set: Sugino GT Aero alloy cotterless 52-40T

APOLLO Cutlass – 18Speed
Colour: Champagne or Metallic Light Blue
Frame: Tange CrMo
Forks: Hi Tensile
Rims: 27” alloy HP wheels with QR Hubs
Derailleurs: Suntour ARX-GT
Cluster: Suntour 14-34T Gold 6Speed
Brakes: Diacomp N500 Alloy side pull
Chainwheel Set: Sugino GT Triple Aero 52-42-28T
Rear alloy carrier, many frame braze-ons.

APOLLO II – 12 Speed
Colour: Ice Blue or Black or Red or Peal White
Frame: Tange Hi Tensile Steel
Forks: Hi Tensile
Rims: 27” HP steel wheels with front QR Hub
Derailleurs: Shimano Z503 Series
Cluster: Shimano 14-28T 6Speed Uniglide
Brakes: Diacomp light alloy Alloy side pull with QR. Dual levers and centreon adjuster.
Chainwheel Set: Sugino Alloy Aero No.6 cotterless 52-40T

APOLLO I – 12 Speed
Colour: Apollo Blue or Black or Silver
Frame: Tange Hi Tensile Steel
Forks: Hi Tensile
Rims: 27” HP steel wheels
Derailleurs: Shimano Z501 Series
Cluster: Shimano 14-28T 6Speed
Brakes: Diacomp light alloy Alloy side pull. Dual levers.
Chainwheel Set: Sugino Alloy Aero No.5 cotterless 52-40T

All APOLLO bikes are manufactured and assembled to meet the requirements of Australian Standards AS1927.
APOLLO frames and forks carry a 15 year guarantee

Could you get the Apollo V & Apollo IV in a 25" frame? The Catalogue does not indicate whether this was possible?
(However Catalogue lists Apollo IV & II as available in 19 1/2, 21, 22 1/2, 23 1/2 or 25").

Rob.

[NDL]

I think I just acquired your twin, 84 06 20005, found this old frame covered in many layers of random stickers. Where can I get more info about these limited VI ? How rare are they? My plan was to use the frame to replace my broken Miyata and transfer my groupset to it, of course will get it sand blasted and repaint first, however if they are rare I might try to restore them to factory specs, anyone know where I can find the factory spec list or a catalogue?

Any pics? Would be great to see

I tried but can't seem to upload the photos, just got it back from sand blasting, not happy they took out the chrome bits I masked, but can tell the quality of the frame is great with no paint on.

[sli123]

From page 3 of this thread. June 2012..

The below may be of interest.
=>> From my "APOLLO NEWS - World of Wheels (WOW) Catalogue, Warren Norris Advertising 984.

APOLLO VI – 12 Speed
Colour: Pearl White
Frame: 019 CrMo double butted frame
Forks: CrMo
Ensemble: Suntour Superbe Pro
Sealed bearing: B.B. Hubs & Pedals
Derailleurs: Superbe
Brake Set: CB3000
Panaracer Leger 230 GSM tubulars

APOLLO V – 12 Speed
Colour: Olympic Gold
Frame: CrMo double butted frame
Forks: CrMo
Ensemble: Shimano 600 Series, brakes, chain wheel set 52/42T, pedals, hubs, derailleurs, free wheel 12-21T.
Panaracer Leger 230 GSM tubulars
Saddle: Kashimax super pro black suede

APOLLO IV – 12 Speed
Colour: Silver/Mink or Flamboyant Red
Frame: Tange CrMo
Forks: CrMo
Rims: 27” black alloy HP wheels with QR Hubs
Derailleurs: Suntour ARX
Cluster: Suntour 13-24T Ultra 6Speed
Brakes: Diacomp GX500N Alloy side pull
Chainwheel Set: Sugino GT Drilled hole 52-40T

APOLLO III – 12 Speed
Colour: Silver/Grey or Metallic Lemon
Frame: Tange CrMo
Forks: Hi Tensile
Rims: 27” alloy HP wheels with QR Hubs
Derailleurs: Suntour ARX
Cluster: Suntour 14-28T Ultra 6Speed
Brakes: Diacomp G500N Alloy side pull
Chainwheel Set: Sugino GT Aero alloy cotterless 52-40T

APOLLO Cutlass – 18Speed
Colour: Champagne or Metallic Light Blue
Frame: Tange CrMo
Forks: Hi Tensile
Rims: 27” alloy HP wheels with QR Hubs
Derailleurs: Suntour ARX-GT
Cluster: Suntour 14-34T Gold 6Speed
Brakes: Diacomp N500 Alloy side pull
Chainwheel Set: Sugino GT Triple Aero 52-42-28T
Rear alloy carrier, many frame braze-ons.

APOLLO II – 12 Speed
Colour: Ice Blue or Black or Red or Peal White
Frame: Tange Hi Tensile Steel
Forks: Hi Tensile
Rims: 27” HP steel wheels with front QR Hub
Derailleurs: Shimano Z503 Series
Cluster: Shimano 14-28T 6Speed Uniglide
Brakes: Diacomp light alloy Alloy side pull with QR. Dual levers and centreon adjuster.
Chainwheel Set: Sugino Alloy Aero No.6 cotterless 52-40T

APOLLO I – 12 Speed
Colour: Apollo Blue or Black or Silver
Frame: Tange Hi Tensile Steel
Forks: Hi Tensile
Rims: 27” HP steel wheels
Derailleurs: Shimano Z501 Series
Cluster: Shimano 14-28T 6Speed
Brakes: Diacomp light alloy Alloy side pull. Dual levers.
Chainwheel Set: Sugino Alloy Aero No.5 cotterless 52-40T

All APOLLO bikes are manufactured and assembled to meet the requirements of Australian Standards AS1927.
APOLLO frames and forks carry a 15 year guarantee

Could you get the Apollo V & Apollo IV in a 25" frame? The Catalogue does not indicate whether this was possible?
(However Catalogue lists Apollo IV & II as available in 19 1/2, 21, 22 1/2, 23 1/2 or 25").

Rob.

A good quote to....quote

I've been reminiscing recently about my Apollo V and it's time in my life and how it came to be.

My parents owned a sports/cycling/fishing store in Boronia (Vic) during the period 1979-1986. It started out as a "multi-sports store" and ended up as a bike and fishing store. An odd mix but it worked well at the time.

As a kid I managed to get a couple of bikes by association. It wasn't until they were about to sell the store that, as a 16yo, I half joked about them letting me have the Apollo V that had been on the shop floor for at least a year. It was the 1985 (Olympic Gold colour model) with white saddle, Shimano 600 group set and white bar tape.

My memory has the price tag at the time as around $800.

To my surprise they agreed to give it to me.

From memory I asked for the saddle to be changed to a black one but other than that I rode it out of the shop as it was.

A few months later it was stolen from the front of the Bayswater 7/11 but was tracked down within minutes by my best mate who took off after the thief on his own trusty "paper-boy" beast.

My parents store didn't really deal in high-end bikes (European) and the V was the standout bike on their floor. Apollo's were well represented bikes in a lot of Australian bike stores at the time and were popular because their quality was very good even for their lower, inexpensive models.

As I knew them, the VI was only available in white, the V in Olympic Gold, the IV in Gunmetal Grey and then a few different colours for the III, II and I.

When my family relocated to the Gold Coast in the late 80's my scratched V got re-painted in my favourite Apollo colour - the Apollo IV gunmetal grey. It was re-painted again in the same grey in the early 2010's after the bike had spent time with one brother-in-law and then the other.

It proudly sits in the "man cave" now and gets a ride or two each year when the weather is nice and I'm feeling in a bit of a retro mood.

There's a little itch to return it to the Olympic Gold colour at some point.

Such a great bike

[NDL]

I already have another white frame, am I gonna be burn in hell if I don't keep the VI white? I feel kinda guilty changing its original color but I don't need another white frame in the fleet, just having a few different ideas. And I only managed to obtain the original nitto handlebar mod 55, the rest are just too difficult to locate. I might just go with the 600 tricolor groupset since it's too difficult to track down a decent condition superbe pro.

[NDL]

From page 3 of this thread. June 2012..

The below may be of interest.
=>> From my "APOLLO NEWS - World of Wheels (WOW) Catalogue, Warren Norris Advertising 984.

APOLLO VI – 12 Speed
Colour: Pearl White
Frame: 019 CrMo double butted frame
Forks: CrMo
Ensemble: Suntour Superbe Pro
Sealed bearing: B.B. Hubs & Pedals
Derailleurs: Superbe
Brake Set: CB3000
Panaracer Leger 230 GSM tubulars

APOLLO V – 12 Speed
Colour: Olympic Gold
Frame: CrMo double butted frame
Forks: CrMo
Ensemble: Shimano 600 Series, brakes, chain wheel set 52/42T, pedals, hubs, derailleurs, free wheel 12-21T.
Panaracer Leger 230 GSM tubulars
Saddle: Kashimax super pro black suede

APOLLO IV – 12 Speed
Colour: Silver/Mink or Flamboyant Red
Frame: Tange CrMo
Forks: CrMo
Rims: 27” black alloy HP wheels with QR Hubs
Derailleurs: Suntour ARX
Cluster: Suntour 13-24T Ultra 6Speed
Brakes: Diacomp GX500N Alloy side pull
Chainwheel Set: Sugino GT Drilled hole 52-40T

APOLLO III – 12 Speed
Colour: Silver/Grey or Metallic Lemon
Frame: Tange CrMo
Forks: Hi Tensile
Rims: 27” alloy HP wheels with QR Hubs
Derailleurs: Suntour ARX
Cluster: Suntour 14-28T Ultra 6Speed
Brakes: Diacomp G500N Alloy side pull
Chainwheel Set: Sugino GT Aero alloy cotterless 52-40T

APOLLO Cutlass – 18Speed
Colour: Champagne or Metallic Light Blue
Frame: Tange CrMo
Forks: Hi Tensile
Rims: 27” alloy HP wheels with QR Hubs
Derailleurs: Suntour ARX-GT
Cluster: Suntour 14-34T Gold 6Speed
Brakes: Diacomp N500 Alloy side pull
Chainwheel Set: Sugino GT Triple Aero 52-42-28T
Rear alloy carrier, many frame braze-ons.

APOLLO II – 12 Speed
Colour: Ice Blue or Black or Red or Peal White
Frame: Tange Hi Tensile Steel
Forks: Hi Tensile
Rims: 27” HP steel wheels with front QR Hub
Derailleurs: Shimano Z503 Series
Cluster: Shimano 14-28T 6Speed Uniglide
Brakes: Diacomp light alloy Alloy side pull with QR. Dual levers and centreon adjuster.
Chainwheel Set: Sugino Alloy Aero No.6 cotterless 52-40T

APOLLO I – 12 Speed
Colour: Apollo Blue or Black or Silver
Frame: Tange Hi Tensile Steel
Forks: Hi Tensile
Rims: 27” HP steel wheels
Derailleurs: Shimano Z501 Series
Cluster: Shimano 14-28T 6Speed
Brakes: Diacomp light alloy Alloy side pull. Dual levers.
Chainwheel Set: Sugino Alloy Aero No.5 cotterless 52-40T

All APOLLO bikes are manufactured and assembled to meet the requirements of Australian Standards AS1927.
APOLLO frames and forks carry a 15 year guarantee

Could you get the Apollo V & Apollo IV in a 25" frame? The Catalogue does not indicate whether this was possible?
(However Catalogue lists Apollo IV & II as available in 19 1/2, 21, 22 1/2, 23 1/2 or 25").

Rob.

A good quote to....quote

I've been reminiscing recently about my Apollo V and it's time in my life and how it came to be.

My parents owned a sports/cycling/fishing store in Boronia (Vic) during the period 1979-1986. It started out as a "multi-sports store" and ended up as a bike and fishing store. An odd mix but it worked well at the time.

As a kid I managed to get a couple of bikes by association. It wasn't until they were about to sell the store that, as a 16yo, I half joked about them letting me have the Apollo V that had been on the shop floor for at least a year. It was the 1985 (Olympic Gold colour model) with white saddle, Shimano 600 group set and white bar tape.

My memory has the price tag at the time as around $800.

To my surprise they agreed to give it to me.

From memory I asked for the saddle to be changed to a black one but other than that I rode it out of the shop as it was.

A few months later it was stolen from the front of the Bayswater 7/11 but was tracked down within minutes by my best mate who took off after the thief on his own trusty "paper-boy" beast.

My parents store didn't really deal in high-end bikes (European) and the V was the standout bike on their floor. Apollo's were well represented bikes in a lot of Australian bike stores at the time and were popular because their quality was very good even for their lower, inexpensive models.

As I knew them, the VI was only available in white, the V in Olympic Gold, the IV in Gunmetal Grey and then a few different colours for the III, II and I.

When my family relocated to the Gold Coast in the late 80's my scratched V got re-painted in my favourite Apollo colour - the Apollo IV gunmetal grey. It was re-painted again in the same grey in the early 2010's after the bike had spent time with one brother-in-law and then the other.

It proudly sits in the "man cave" now and gets a ride or two each year when the weather is nice and I'm feeling in a bit of a retro mood.

There's a little itch to return it to the Olympic Gold colour at some point.

Such a great bike

Thanks for sharing the story, I feel less guilty after reading it. Maybe is ok to change the color of the VI, I can always change it back couple years later if I feel like white again.

[sli123]

Thanks for sharing the story, I feel less guilty after reading it. Maybe is ok to change the color of the VI, I can always change it back couple years later if I feel like white again.

If the VI paint was in pretty good original condition I'd be reluctant to do anything with it. It's a Unicorn. But if you've already created a blank canvas then the world is your oyster (and you should pick white )

[ApolloFour]

Hi Team,

New to the forum and enjoying the years of beautiful old Apollo's and shared knowledge here.

I have been lucky enough to inherit an Apollo IV from my father and am on the pursuit to restore it back to its former glory; not that it is in terrible condition now.

The front rim has a slight wobble and could be bent (suspect from a crash maybe.. fixable?), crank slips when peddling hard and has cosmetic wear as normal, but other than that it's in pretty damn good nick; my father really loved this bike.

Couldnt find too much specifc info, but from what I've read the Apollo IV was actually a higher end model from this era. Hopefully the wealth of knowledge you guys have will help give me an idea of what year range, if the parts are standard or aftermarket and what could do with replacing/upgrading.

From what I can identify, the below is on the bike:

- SunTour (ARX Derailer, Gear Levers, Pedals)
- Shimano GT crankset
- Nitto olympiade 115 bars
- Dia Compe Brakes
- Suzie Juno Wheels 27"

I would like to restore it as original and period correct as possible, within reason of course, but not sure I will he able to find certain replacement parts any more. Also, I would love to give it a blast and power coat to ensure its protected for another 40 years but I can't find the decals anywhere.

Any help advice would be greatly appreciated.

Trying to figure out the photo attachment process too. **PHOTOS FINALLY**
















Chris

[munga]

coming from someone who's made more mistakes than most, if i had an apollo vi frame i'd either restore it to original spec or pass it on to someone who will.

you've got one of the rarest apollo bikes, and possibly one of the rarest 'mass-market' bikes sold in the country, period, and you want to change the colour because it doesn't suit your current fleet?

on the other hand, when you die and your wife/children take it to the op shop, none of this will have mattered anyway, so do what you want.

[NDL]

FYI the Apollo VI is now powder coated in Pearl White, now waiting for some OG stickers, will post some pics soon.

[sli123]

FYI the Apollo VI is now powder coated in Pearl White, now waiting for some OG stickers, will post some pics soon.

Excellent. Look forward to seeing some photos

[NDL]

Here is my Apollo VI, still deciding if I want to use the updated sram groupset or the vintage shimano 600 tricolor.
Enjoy
Now



Before

[Imwit]

Looks ace. Nice work NDL

[sli123]

Here is my Apollo VI, still deciding if I want to use the updated sram groupset or the vintage shimano 600 tricolor.
Enjoy
Now

Nice!

[jeremytk]

Hi everyone,

I picked up an Apollo Eclipse 'Olympics Edition' over the weekend. Just wondering if anyone can shed any light on this model?

Appears to be a lower model mid 90s (?) with fluoro yellow and blue colour scheme. Shimano Tourney TY20 12 speed and Sakae Powerking crankset. Frame is 'Race Series' steel tubing. The particular bike is in excellent original condition with only one owner.

Thanks

[Guzziracer]

Hi everyone, have just added a somewhat more modern Apollo to the collection. I’m now the proud owner of an Apollo RDZ 1000 and Apollo 3 that’s undergoing a full concourse restoration.. Don’t suppose anyone knows the paint code or name of the red paint used on a 1980 111 ? The Apollo company aren’t able to supply any info on their vintage machines.