My latest project. What is it?

[Grant Lamontagne]

This thread is to detail the work on my latest project, and to get some help identifying what I have and what I need for it.  I need another project like I need a hole in the head, but for what I paid for this one (free) I couldn't pass it up.  So, here we go- what is it?



I know it's a bicycle you smart arse, or more specifically a dual suspension, aluminum bodied mountain bike.  I was wondering if anyone could tell me what type (make and/or model) it is.  It's been (badly) painted at least once, covering any markings it did have, so I have to wonder if at some point it was a little bit stolen.  Not that I care, as I plan to strip the paint anyway.



As you can see, it was made in Canada if that helps identify it.  Here are a few more pics:

















Since it was free you can expect there are a problems.  The suspension seems functional, the brakes work but it's missing a chain and rear derailleur.  The front derailleur appears to be pretty badly rusted but should be able to be made functional.

The rear shifter seems functional although it's not attached to anything, but the front doesn't up or down shift.  I figure I'm going to have to replace the front shifter, which means probably replacing the rear shifter (keep the "set") which also means replacing the brake handles since these are an all in one unit.  I think it goes without saying that it'll get new cables all around.

I'm also planning to strip the paint off it, although I'm not sure if I'm going to put a new paint job on it or if I am going to leave it as polished aluminum.  I'll probably decide that on the fly, depending on what it looks like after I strip it. 

There have been a lot of changes in bikes since I was last into them 20 years ago, so I'm pretty well lost.  If anyone has any thoughts or suggestions for components, setup etc, let'em fly.  This should be a fun build and I'm already looking at replacement components on eBay.  I figure I should have no issues tricking this thing out for under $200.

Def

[detron]

[hiraethus]

It's what's usually (and somewhat unfairly) known as a BSO, or Bicycle-Shaped Object.  Probably not worth sinking a lot of money into it, but fun to tinker with.  It'll probably be hard to make the suspension work properly as the usually didn't work very well when they left the factory.  The gears and stuff should be ok once you've doused them with WD40 and replaced the cables.  It doesn't look like it's had a particularly hard life so a strip down, thorough clean and a good lubing should work wonders.

[Corwyn]

It still looks sorta like a bicycle to me.
Or a 2-wheeled 1-seated pedal-powered double decker bus.
Or a wingless flying motorcycle without an engine.
Or a mutant horse with grafted-on wheels which sweats rust.
It could also be a mutant metal aubergine transformer from Mars, posing as a bicycle. 
From a certain angle it also looks like a Mechanical purple yeti in a wheelchair...
 

[Zed]

Free  always good  ,sadly as said the rear suspension wont be great but the judys are serviceable  possibly you just need new cables for the gesrs as look a tad frayed  shame you dont live closer boss as ive got parts dating from 50's-90's i just supplied a friend parts for his 1950's racing bike project, good luck 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

It looks like a fairly generic mountain bike so you should be able to get new forks and shock for very little dosh on evilbay

Everything else just needs a good clean and possibly new cables then your good to go

Sent from the astropathic choir.

[Etherealicer]

Problem I see are the shocks and the chain.

Shocks are kinda difficult to fix and replacing them is probably going to cost you more than you are willing to spend.
The missing chain is also a problem, because a new chain will not fit nicely on those gear-wheels, so that probably means you have to replace both chain and gear-wheels.

If you can get 2nd hand spares you probably can fix it for a good price. New parts would probably make it more expensive than a new bike.

[Grant Lamontagne]

I've been pricing out gears, shifters, chains and cables on eBay and that's where I got the "under $200" estimate from. I just want to be sure I'm buying the right stuff.

The shocks are fine. They are as functional as they get, or I wouldn't have bothered with it in the first place.  I've ridden by never owned a full suspension bike so this should be am interesting project.

Def

Sent from a digital multitool

[Zed]

Grant have you got a junk yard near you as i used to pick up old but good parts from mine,i cant tell if the cogs are hiperglide  or screw on,but as said you will need to replace cogs and chain to work properly,before you invest too much check in out local sales as might pick up a better bike for under $200 

[Grant Lamontagne]

No decent junk yards, and if there were there wouldn't likely be anything worthwhile there because of the speed at which things rust here.

I'll just order parts on eBay.

Def

Sent from my smurfing hunk of techno sorcery

[PTRSAK]

Ha,  I love these projects, start with good intentions of recycling ( pun) something that's really too good to throw out... end up spending more than a new one is worth and still end up with a half worn out piece of smurf with flogged out bearings and wobbly wheels.

Best of luck boss,  I hope you have more success than I usually do

[Grant Lamontagne]

Thanks. 

It's been a long time since I did anything with a bike and I was wondering if anyone could suggest a good chain/derailleur/gear combination, or is that something I need to worry about?  I mean will any chain fit every set of gears or is there a difference in brand and type nowadays?

I see chains listed as seven speed, nine speed, ten speed etc, which I assume only accounts for the rear gears?  This one has seven gears in the back and three on the front crank for a total of twenty one.

I'd hate to buy parts that don't fit.

Def

Sent from a digital multitool

[kirk13]

Boss from what I could see you've a Shimano TY group set,so the chain should be cheap as chips. The TY ain't great,but it is tough! The crap I used to put my TY equipped bikes through

[Grant Lamontagne]

I'd planned to stick to Shimano as that is one of the few names I recognize from the good old days. They were good back then and I was hoping they'd still be good now.

So, correct me if I'm wrong, but if I replace the chain, front and rear derailleur etc with Shimano stuff it should pretty well all fit together properly?

Def

Sent from my smurfing hunk of techno sorcery

[kirk13]

I'd planned to stick to Shimano as that is one of the few names I recognize from the good old days. They were good back then and I was hoping they'd still be good now.

So, correct me if I'm wrong, but if I replace the chain, front and rear derailleur etc with Shimano stuff it should pretty well all fit together properly?

Def

Sent from my smurfing hunk of techno sorcery

Sort of...it's a bit like SAK modding. Some group sets are cross compatible,and some arn't. Kinda like putting Wenger tools in a Vic chassis?

In the days I was spanner ing with intent,TY group sets were split into indexed and friction. The fact that you've got EZ or Quickfire shifter/levers means you've got an indexed group set. What it means( I think) is you should be able to use TY21 or up,Altus or the one up from Altus.

Or hit things with a big hammer,that always helps

[MadPlumbarian]

Well, best of luck, I was always into bikes, ever since I was like 4? But I was always a simple 20" BMX kinda guy, until about 8yrs ago I bought one kinda like yours, 21 speed, 26", suspension on both front and back, I don't think I got more then 5 miles out of it, kinda sucks.. JR

[Aloha]

If the Rock Shox are in working order then some fresh oil and you should be good to go.  You may need new seals and those IIRC can be purchased still.  As fas a new chain since you have 7 cog set in rear the chain you get will say "for 7 speed" you can use higher just not lower and I wouldn't go much higher than 9 speed.  I'd replace the rear cog set and front chain rings as well since you will be getting a new chain anyway.  Clean and lube and moving parts.         

[Grant Lamontagne]

I've been looking at Shimano Group sets on eBay and it looks like there are a few sets available for around $200.  Is Alivio any good? Also, us there anything else I should be looking for?

The only problem I see with the Alivio group set is that there are no integrated brake levers on the shifters, which is what I currently have. Changing the shifters means having to get new brake handles too.

Def

Sent from my smurfing hunk of techno sorcery

[Aloha]

I guess to start from the beginning I would first determine what works and what doesn't.  You can get 7 speed replacement rear cassettes no problem but the next question is how is the hub?

You can get replacement front chain rings but how is your bottom bracket?  If you are gonna do the work yourself you will need some specialized tools as well. 

It would be great to know exactly what can be salvaged and what actually need replacing.  Do you know if your drive chain system even works?  You may need a whole new crank set including bottom bracket as well as rear cassette and derailer and hub.  With out a chain Im not so sure how to go about testing other than having a bike shop look at it.   

The group you saw is a good basic set but I guess for me I'd start with how is my current system working then go from there.

You can go buy all new and start fresh..... rear 7 speed cassette, new front chainrings, new cables, make sure to get index compatible, the Shimano SIS = Shimano Index System.  I'd also stick with the same "tooth" size front and rear for your sprocket sets.

Getting an integrated brake/shifting system shouldn't be a problem I dont think.       

[Grant Lamontagne]

As much as I was looking forward to rebuilding this one, some of you made sense when suggesting I look around for a second hand bike at a reasonable price.  I have found a brand new bike that (supposedly) someone won in a contest but doesn't want so they are selling it for $125- far cheaper than the $200 I had expected to put into this one.

I'll try to meet this person today and I'll report back with whether or not I am successful with the new one.

Def

[Philby]

In my own half arsed way, I'd just by a new chain, cover it in grease and/or oil, and ride the smurf out if it! Unless the cogs are warped id stick with what's there. Greasing and using should clean up the working parts alright. As for the frame up to you, I like the beaten up old rusty look myself, also less likely to get nicked! So new chain and keep this as a beater, and/or get the other for $125. If it was me i'd probably just get a new chain and see how it goes, if I bought  the new one it would live in my shed and never get used, the old beater with new chain would get used exclusively and kept outside always ready to rock and roll! 

[Aloha]

In my own half arsed way, I'd just by a new chain, cover it in grease and/or oil, and ride the smurf out if it! Unless the cogs are warped id stick with what's there. Greasing and using should clean up the working parts alright. As for the frame up to you, I like the beaten up old rusty look myself, also less likely to get nicked! So new chain and keep this as a beater, and/or get the other for $125. If it was me i'd probably just get a new chain and see how it goes, if I bought  the new one it would live in my shed and never get used, the old beater with new chain would get used exclusively and kept outside always ready to rock and roll! 

This is what I was worried about.  That's why I wondered if they even worked and not having a chain and rear derailer spoiled that.  I agree it would be great to stick a chain on and ride it like he stole it  .  It may still be a decent project down the road if you should run into parts. 

[Grant Lamontagne]

Now you tell me....

I've just gotten a new bike for about half of what I was going to put into the old one. And, like an idiot I decided to go to the local park and see how badly out of shape I am.  Well, as it turns out, very.

I shot video although I think it might meet with an accident, never to be seen again.... after I give in to some sadistic pleasure and watch it myself.

At any rate, here's the bike.

Def

Sent from my smurfing hunk of techno sorcery

[Etherealicer]

I think that was a good decision to for the new bike. That looks in better shape than your 200$ would have gotten the rust bucket

[MadPlumbarian]

Nice find, now you gotta paint the white green to match the jeep, leave the black black to match and even the little blue on the back next to the chain to match the license plate! Nice grab! JR

And even the white on the fork too, to match the plate!

[Pacu]

swap out everything for ritchey logic, go full shimano xtr, spinergy wheels, continental cross countries, and a brooks saddle. 

i was way into bikes (road, mountain and cross) and the oh so expensive parts in the late 90s.

always remember the ride is more important than the shwag.

[Grant Lamontagne]

I think I'll just play with this one as is for now. Bikes sure have changed a lot since the 90's. 

This one is a bit small for me though.  I'm at the very upper limit of what this bike is supposed to be able to manage but it'll do me for a while, at least until I decide if this is something I'm going to stick with or not.  I think the other one is bigger, so I may decide later on to use this one as a donor for the other one.

There's still a bit more tweaking involved in this one to get it perfect, and it'll take me a while to get used to the twisty shifters, but all in all its functional enough for now.

Def

Sent from my smurfing hunk of techno sorcery

[Philby]

Good deal on the new bike, just need to leave it outside a lot to get a nice coating of Red Oxide!

[Pacu]

bike looks like a Pro-Flex maybe Girvin or K2.  Those shocks in the back range in price from $ to $$$$. Fox makes them of you could hit up ebay or a friendly bike shop for a replacement.
I went full suspension back in the day when schwinn went full in to high end bikes. Had a Homegrown. I felt invincible thrashing the singletrack ..just floating over stuff .

As for the Judy if i remember my rockshock builds you could replace the oil system for coil springs and elastamer shock innards.

I was what bikers call a Clydesdale ..a bigger than the average stick boy rider. Try finding bike shoes in size 17. I never went into carbon fiber after reading about a fiber seat post breaking and stabbing a fellow in his manhood. 

[derekmac]

I never went into carbon fiber after reading about a fiber seat post breaking and stabbing a fellow in his manhood.