Apollophiles - The Apollo Appreciation Thread

[morini]

There are 6 Apollo models and the guy in North NSW is Greg Softley at Cyclomondo. He should have just about every one I would have thought but if he hasn't email him and ask him. I have a VI and just using some photos of my frame he managed to make perfect copies.

It's a lot of trawling but I vaguely recall there are some brochures buried deep in this thread. Good luck rebuilding.

[Dave_C]

Yes that is the guy, I sent him photos of what mine were - but he didn't have time to do them. They are a more ornate version than the shield that was typical - - I had that on my old bike. I will try again some time but have not got around to it

[rkelsen]

Guys,
Anyone got a link to a '79, '80 or '81 Apollo catalog online?

[rkelsen]

Just picked up a nice Apollo IV in very good shape for it's age. Looks like it was ridden home from the shop, parked indoors and forgotten about.

What was the original equipment specs on these? It looks like it's a 1980-ish model.

It's got:
SR-Laprade seat post,
Kuwahara Headset,
Nitto Olympiade Handlebar & Technomic stem
Shimano 600 (Arabesque) - basically everything else, including hubs which are laced to AKAI 27"x1" rims.

Unfortunately, it doesn't have bar tape or hoods... but it's otherwise complete and very clean.

There are a few minor chips in the paint work... I get the impression that the quality of the paint on these perhaps wasn't great, and there are a few tiny spots where it has bubbled up.

And, unfortunately, it's a little too big for me...

[LG]

Just picked up a nice Apollo IV in very good shape for it's age. Looks like it was ridden home from the shop, parked indoors and forgotten about.

What was the original equipment specs on these? It looks like it's a 1980-ish model.

It's got:
SR-Laprade seat post,
Kuwahara Headset,
Nitto Olympiade Handlebar & Technomic stem
Shimano 600 (Arabesque) - basically everything else, including hubs which are laced to AKAI 27"x1" rims.

Unfortunately, it doesn't have bar tape or hoods... but it's otherwise complete and very clean.

There are a few minor chips in the paint work... I get the impression that the quality of the paint on these perhaps wasn't great, and there are a few tiny spots where it has bubbled up.

And, unfortunately, it's a little too big for me...

I had one at some point, it was specced exactly the same as yours, so suggest it is as original.

[rkelsen]

I had one at some point, it was specced exactly the same as yours, so suggest it is as original.

Thanks Chief!

Do you remember what kind of bar tape was on it?

[LG]

I've looked but can't find any pics sorry, pretty sure it was something fairly smooth and shiny though.

[yame1]

Hi All,

New to retro bikes and have fallen in love with Apollos.

I was wondering which you all think are 'better' out of Apollo IIs or an Apollo Vitesse.
Unfortunately I don't know what year each was manufactured but images attached below

From what I've read on here the IIs have stamped dropouts but I'm not sure this would be an issue for me as I won't be riding more than 15km at a time on roads or the Yarra trail for those in Melbourne, so they should hold up.
It also sounds a bit like Apollo IIIs are where they really start to get sturdy?

I was looking at around $100 on these is that a decent deal? Otherwise I'll probably head to the reservoir tip and see what I can salvage

Images:
http://imgur.com/a/ppyUX3m

Any help is very appreciated
Cheers!

[10speedsemiracer]

Different era Apollo bikes, so sorta defy comparison.

I'd go for the Vitesse. An Apollo II is a little bit above entry-level, but still a good frame. Apollo III and Apollo IV is getting a lot more serious for the era.

The Vitesse, once you've gotten rid of the Tri bars, could be made into a very nice rider.

[yame1]

Different era Apollo bikes, so sorta defy comparison.

I'd go for the Vitesse. An Apollo II is a little bit above entry-level, but still a good frame. Apollo III and Apollo IV is getting a lot more serious for the era.

The Vitesse, once you've gotten rid of the Tri bars, could be made into a very nice rider.

Thank you! Really appreciate the help.
If given the choice between a III / IV or a Vitesse in similar condition, which would make a better base?

[10speedsemiracer]

.
.
<snipped>

Thank you! Really appreciate the help.
If given the choice between a III / IV or a Vitesse in similar condition, which would make a better base?

...better base for ?

Really depends on what you want to do with it. Also, good luck finding a IV in the wild nowadays. Rare-ish.

On that subject, you could do worse than something from amongst the other Japanese frames. Think along the lines of Fuji Finest, Shogun Samurai, Bridgestone RB1 and so on and so forth.

[rkelsen]

Also, good luck finding a IV in the wild nowadays. Rare-ish.

I could be convinced to part with mine for the right price.

I'd been looking for a III or IV for a lockdown project, and ended up finding this IV. The trouble is, it's in such good condition that I'm scared to touch it. It looks like it was ridden home from the shop and parked somewhere indoors. The only thing I've been brave enough to do to it so far is to change the cables. The hubs might need grease, judging by the sound they make when you spin the wheels, but I'm not keen to take them apart.

As far as I can tell, it's completely original. There are a few unfortunate spots where the paint has flaked off, but as I say, I'm too worried I'd ruin it trying to fix them.

It came to me with those tyres and no tape or hoods, other than that it's complete.

It's a little big for me, but this one is more a museum piece than a rider, so the size is irrelevant.



It's got a 6 speed cassette... not a freewheel.

Gearing is 52/42 crank with 13-24 cassette.

The markings under the saddle say: Ariake Jaguar II (made in Japan)... not sure if it's original, but wouldn't surprise me if it is given that the rest of the bike is Japanese.

[P!N20]

Geez, that's mint.

[rkelsen]

Yeah, you can see why I'm hesitant to bring a spanner to it?

Haven't ridden it yet either!

[10speedsemiracer]

Oooh baby

[singlespeedscott]

Looks nice but be warned the arabesque 600 calipers make for some rubbish braking

Strange it has a freewheel. The two I’ve had used 6 speed uniglide freehub

[rkelsen]

^ If you're referring to my bike, it has a 6 speed cassette... not a freewheel.

I'm not going to be riding it, but yes those brakes are certainly "flexy." If I was going to ride it, I'd probably shelve the stock calipers and put some dual pivots on it.

[yame1]

.
.
<snipped>

Thank you! Really appreciate the help.
If given the choice between a III / IV or a Vitesse in similar condition, which would make a better base?

...better base for ?

Really depends on what you want to do with it. Also, good luck finding a IV in the wild nowadays. Rare-ish.

On that subject, you could do worse than something from amongst the other Japanese frames. Think along the lines of Fuji Finest, Shogun Samurai, Bridgestone RB1 and so on and so forth.

Apologies for the slow response I've lost internet at my place. I should've been more specific, just a better base for a commuter and maybe some light resto.
If you saw two models at the tip how much would condition weigh in to your considerations, eg an eclipse vs a concorde being from the same era - would you rather the better condition or go for the higher-end model? Assuming there is some difference, but not to the level that one is a rust bucket.
You mentioned before Vitesse and II/III aren't particularly comparable due to the era, is a Vitesse comparable to the Jaguar, Eclipse, Concorde era as they're all chromoly? If so where would it fit in?
Sorry to be such a pain with all these questions, just trying to get on top of it all for when something eventually pops up.

Thank you for the recommendations I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for those as well.

I've also been trying to figure out where each model fits in its generation but haven't had any luck when calling Apollo for information, I always go to voicemail.
From reading on here and other forums I can't find any information on what came in the generation after Clipper, Jaguar, Access, Eclipse, Delta, Concorde, Team.
Has anyone else had any luck with that, or sourcing digital copies of old catalogues?

Cheers

[a-frame81]

IMO the Vitesse is a great base for a commute/resto project. Here's mine below:

I upgraded from the old Shimano 300 groupset to a Claris RD with old Sora flightdeck shifter. It has worked perfectly for the last 8 or so years since then. Almost to the point where I should strip it down and repaint it again.




A few parts have changed since then have new 2 piece cranks with hollowtech BB am on my second set of wheels after cracking formed around one of the spokes. I also used an adaptor to change to a standard 1 1/8th" stem so I could try different lengths easier.

[rkelsen]

IMO the Vitesse is a great base for a commute/resto project.

Nice one. Yeah, they're not light, but are an excellent frame for a daily basher. Easily up to the task.

I had one which I bought from Ceres for $10 ages ago. It was meant to be a stop gap until I found something decent... but it did such a great job that I kept using it.

[gregeh64]

Just picked up this Apollo 1 pretty sure by the serial it's a 1982 in need of some love.

[amyannick]

I posted over in the eb ay/gumtree/fb finds thread about an Apollo IV that was too big for me. Well, it turns out the seller mismeasured and it's (almost) exactly my size. So I've got another bike I guess. I'll post some pics tomorrow, some surface rust but the chrome on the forks looks great. It's a 1980 model made by Kuwahara with the serial stamped on the side of the seat tube.

Any hints on working out whether it is Tange or Ishiwata tubing? No decal left unfortunately.

[sli123]

Also, good luck finding a IV in the wild nowadays. Rare-ish.

I could be convinced to part with mine for the right price.

I'd been looking for a III or IV for a lockdown project, and ended up finding this IV. The trouble is, it's in such good condition that I'm scared to touch it. It looks like it was ridden home from the shop and parked somewhere indoors. The only thing I've been brave enough to do to it so far is to change the cables. The hubs might need grease, judging by the sound they make when you spin the wheels, but I'm not keen to take them apart.

As far as I can tell, it's completely original. There are a few unfortunate spots where the paint has flaked off, but as I say, I'm too worried I'd ruin it trying to fix them.

It came to me with those tyres and no tape or hoods, other than that it's complete.

It's a little big for me, but this one is more a museum piece than a rider, so the size is irrelevant.



It's got a 6 speed cassette... not a freewheel.

Gearing is 52/42 crank with 13-24 cassette.

The markings under the saddle say: Ariake Jaguar II (made in Japan)... not sure if it's original, but wouldn't surprise me if it is given that the rest of the bike is Japanese.

Very nice!

[amyannick]

I posted over in the eb ay/gumtree/fb finds thread about an Apollo IV that was too big for me. Well, it turns out the seller mismeasured and it's (almost) exactly my size. So I've got another bike I guess. I'll post some pics tomorrow, some surface rust but the chrome on the forks looks great. It's a 1980 model made by Kuwahara with the serial stamped on the side of the seat tube.

Any hints on working out whether it is Tange or Ishiwata tubing? No decal left unfortunately.

The promised pictures. As you can see, quite a lot of surface rust, it really could do with a repaint. Not sure I'm brave enough to attempt that. The headset feels pretty shot and the cable guide is bent, but other than that everything seems to be moving nicely. The chrome is in good condition. It only came with the rear wheel, which has a really nice Miche competition hub so it's a shame that the front is missing. Let me know if you have thoughts on the tubing and feel free to talk me into/out of repainting it.

[P!N20]

feel free to talk me into/out of repainting it.

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.