Vitus 979 Restoration

[Eddyspaghetti]

I have a Vitus 979 I am restoring Serial # E100195 . I looking for photos of what it looked like in its original state , year ..etc .
any information would be greatly appreciated
Eddy

 

[danson67]

They were available as Vitus own-branded, or available bare and branded up with anything from a pro-team to a local bike shop.
Much more info on the frames here: https://on-the-drops.blogspot.com/2016/12/the-peugeot-px-10du-vitus-979.html

All the best,

 

[Ric in Canada]

I have a Vitus 979 I am restoring Serial # E100195 . I looking for photos of what it looked like in its original state , year ..etc .
any information would be greatly appreciated
Eddy

Hi there. New hear and just saw your post. I bought my Vitus 979 in 1991, but all Dura Ace. I've added Ultegra sis 6600 ( I think) and now trying to fiture out where to get a ferrule or adaptor for the rear sis cable to fit the cable stop on the chainstay. Also concerned about intgrity of the bonding. It's been good but I read a lot about these bonded frames and potential for break down of that. I have 2 x recently experienced speed wobble... and wonder?
Have you checked joints carefully or heard of anyone who can actually text a frame?
I'm not a big guy and for the age of the bike (and me this is a beautiful bike that caught my eye just after I did some double century rides etc. Since then cycling has been on and off with few miles or abuse... now just loving this beauty!
Any inf you have as reggards my concerns... please let me know.
Good luck on your labour of love.

 

[Ideale]

I have 3 Vitus 979s and 2 of them ( early 1980s bikes)have been ridden many times over pretty rough terrain in France when taking part in various retro events eg Anjou Velo Vintage.No sign of any joint failures.[Speed wobble is something different,I think- what exactly happened?]However, these are old bikes and something could go on them anytime, as it could at any time on much younger bikes.These were quality bikes and the fact that they are still around and rideable says a lot.Your bike is quite a bit younger than mine and you’ve had it from new so much less of a worry!
Re stepped ferrule for rear brake cable I think that the one from Velobitz may work ( UK company)
Welcome to Retrobike!

 

[jim haseltine]

In my experience, speed wobble is often a symptom of an over-tight headset.

 

[danson67]

Hi Ric,

As Ideale mentioned, search for a "Diver's Helmet Stepped Ferrule'. That should turn up one with the required small 'nose'
like this:


All the best,

 

[hamster]

In my experience, speed wobble is often a symptom of an over-tight headset.

Good point, it's amazong how small headset imperfections can make a bike handle horribly.
Also it seems to happen with very light wheels and tyres on the front. Try a winter tyre on the front.

 

[Old Ned]

My Duralinox Vitus 979 is probably from around 1986 and was raced in time trials for several years by the previous owner who took great care of it. I think it was originally purchased as a 'Peugeot' one but Harry never fitted the decals. It came to me with a chainset, brake stirrups, seat pin, front mech and DT indexed levers. I rode it in 'Retro' TT's some years ago and I still use it occasionally, finding it an excellent ride, comfortable and predictable. I'll take a photo of it in its current state.

 

[Ric in Canada]

Hi Ric,

As Ideale mentioned, search for a "Diver's Helmet Stepped Ferrule'. That should turn up one with the required small 'nose'
like this:
View attachment 628219

All the best

I have 3 Vitus 979s and 2 of them ( early 1980s bikes)have been ridden many times over pretty rough terrain in France when taking part in various retro events eg Anjou Velo Vintage.No sign of any joint failures.[Speed wobble is something different,I think- what exactly happened?]However, these are old bikes and something could go on them anytime, as it could at any time on much younger bikes.These were quality bikes and the fact that they are still around and rideable says a lot.Your bike is quite a bit younger than mine and you’ve had it from new so much less of a worry!
Re stepped ferrule for rear brake cable I think that the one from Velobitz may work ( UK company)
Welcome to Retrobike!

What happened: Long curving downhill and was around 55km, it all happened very quickly. It was as though the bars "turned" and I went down. My knee and hip lost some skin but that's about all. A fleeting thought was that I hit a small stick... thought maybe a squirrel but for some reason my (vague) memory as that I saw a small 1" stick or branch maybe 1 foot long and if that was real rather than emagined, it seems to me I did not hit perpendicular, but almost parallel and hence that could have caused the front wheel to skid! I searched for a cause but could find no injured animal or sticks lol
I'm about 160 lbs and not that strong (at 74) but I was always aware that this was called a "spaghetti frame" for a reason! A couple weeks ago cycling in California and at slower speed, I swerved quickly to avoid a pothole and I could really feel a wobble of sorts in the front. I've had it to a local shop here but they saw nothing unusual though these are not common bike here! That's why I began questioning the possibility of a bond problem. THAT ALL SAID, I know that this frame was built towards the end of production and as such had the best possible bonding techniques!

 

[Old Ned]

Ooops! Sounds nasty, glad you're basically OK. Not experienced any handling problems with mine thankfully but I did have a related occurence a couple of years ago when riding in bright sunlight. I rode into an area of full shade under a tree. My eyes didn't immediately react - and there was a big lump of wood lurking in the road ready to pounce on an unsuspecting cyclist. I was that cyclist. I didn't come off ( great bike handling skills.................) but I hit it so hard that it punctured a tyre - thankfully the rear - and I had to change the tube. I'm always very wary now when I ride past that spot!