1983 Ross Force One

[Nabeaquam]

I bought it from the original owner, who purchased it when he was 13. Made in Allentown Pennsylvania. I replaced the fork, with an original, as it was dented. I also replaced the chain, rear derailleur, cassette, cables and tires. The original tires were 1.90 so I went with 1.75 gum walls, like the originals. One spoke was bent so that was straightened. I did nothing with the original paint. The brake blocks are original, not worn, and work as they should. The seat is the right one and in very good shape so that is probably original as are the pedals.

 

[27motorhead]

Love that!

Can lightweight and hi tensile be used in the same sentence?!

Love the cable hangers. Great survivor and originality. Bet you that is lovely to ride. Proper cool.

 

[Jc24]

Really nice bike!

When you have time, would you mind sharing the details of the build?

 

[Nabeaquam]

Really nice bike!

When you have time, would you mind sharing the details of the build?

It was in pretty good shape when I got it as it was stored in the original owners parents house. He hadn’t used since university. It was more of a tune up and refresh. Finding a replacement fork without a dent was the slowest thing. I had to buy a stripped frame just for the fork. The replacement fork had a long steerer so I threaded the steerer and cut it to size. The original cassette was a French five speed and it was worn out. I have a lot of vintage cassette pullers but I didn’t have one for the old French unit. I took it to a bike shop that’s been around forever. None of their vintage pullers fit, and they had a lot of them. One of the mechanics remembered seeing one in their junk drawer and that one fit. I read on the net that people can’t remove these because these pullers are nonexistent in North America. I lucked out. I replaced it with a nos Shimano skip tooth 5 speed because it’s all I could find with the original gear ratios. All the bearings were serviced. The cables and chain were replaced. It was cleaned. A slight rear wheel truing and new tires and tubes. It didn’t require a lot. It’s got the original wheels with unobtainable Ukai gold rims. I was planning on removing the rust and corrosion from the bars, brakes and front derailleur but I gave up as it matches the worn paint. Good enough. Everyone that rides it comments on how smooth and true it is.

 

[Frankenorange]

Lovely bike. Lovely story.

 

[Lhatch4]

Great bike. I had an 86 Mt. Hood but I sold it a couple weeks ago. These are completely underrated. They are very well built and were a big player in the 80's.