FINDING THE APOLLO GRAN TOURISTE

It was my good fortune, to run across two vintage touring bicycles, on the same day, this gorgeous Apollo Gran Touriste and a Peugeot Nomad III.  I quickly bought them both.

There is no special story to acquiring the Apollo.  I saw it, and the Peugeot, sitting on sidewalk display, out front of a local bicycle shop.  I talked to the owner about purchasing them and paid less than made him happy.  That's about it.  In all fairness to the owner of the bicycle shop, he frequently takes in older "Ten Speeds" knowing that I will be interested in purchasing them and I do appreciate all the help I can get, when it comes to finding old road bikes.

When it came to preparing the Apollo, for its test ride, I had little to do.  Both, the Apollo and the Peugeot, had already been checked over, and tuned up, at the bicycle shop.  I did take the time to clean them carefully, waxing and polishing in preparation for auction.  That, coupled with a new application, of color coordinated handlebar tape, was all it took to make this well cared for old touring bicycle, look just great.

The Apollo was a very well made bicycle.  A host, of neat little features, pulled my eye, this way and that.  Brake yokes with pulleys.  Fender and luggage rack brazed on eyelets.  Beautifully executed long pointed lugs, carefully outlined with gold paint, adding even more quality appeal, to an already lovely old bicycle. Sloping fork crown and cantilever brakes, were all present, to make the Apollo one of the nicest old road bicycles, to have come my way, in some time.

NEXT - BUILDING THE APOLLO GRAN TOURISTE

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