1983 Lotus Legend

Here's a lovely Lotus, a first for me. Lotus, like Univega, Nishiki and Centurion, was a US-based company that created designs that were contracted out to Japanese manufacturers. Unlike those other companies, though, there seems to be a dearth of information out there about Lotus. I haven't found a single Lotus catalog on the web, so my knowledge of these machines is sadly limited. Fortunately, there is one good website (http://vintagelotusbicycles.com/) which is in the process of culling information on Lotuses (or Loti?), from which I learned that the Legend was at the top of Lotus' "sport" lineup and is a bit of a cult favorite.

This one has been completely rebuilt with assorted components. I wish I could repaint it, but the current paint isn't quite bad enough to justify it. In order to spruce things up a bit, I tried something new: I re-upholstered an old Turbo saddle in leather and stitched together some bar wrap to match. After applying some Proofide leather conditioner/protectant, it looks pretty darn good, amateurish sewing notwithstanding.