1987 American Breezer

[rumpfy]

Being a Northern California local, I've had the great fortune of being able to ride with Joe Breeze on several occasions.
In addition to being humble and fun to hang out with, he's a fantastic rider...especially when the going gets fast. Very smooth, lots of finesse. My kind of riding style. Given all these positive traits as a person and a mountain biker with skills to emulate, I figured it would make sense to own a bike designed by Joe.
A Series I, II, or III is a tall order. I decided an American Breezer was the best place to start. Of course, whenever you decide you want a particular bike, thats when you can't find one. So I spent the better part of a year looking for the right bike. I found....a bike. A brutally beaten first year American Breezer in my size. It needed everything, but I was desperate, so I committed to it. Over paid.

So the following posts will be my photo journey in bringing this bike back to glory.


Frame: 1987 American Breezer
Fork: Koski DuraTrac
Rims: Araya RM-20
Hubs: Shimano Dura Ace
Quick Release: Dura Ace
Tires: Panaracer TimbukII
Pedals: Shimano M737
Crank: Shimano M730 XT
Chain: Sram
Rear Cogs: Shimano Dura Ace
Bottom Bracket: Shimano XT
Front Derailleur: Shimano M730 XT
Rear Derailleur: Shimano 600
Shifters: Shimano M730 XT
Handlebars: Salsa Moto
Grips: Grab On Foam
Stem: American
Headset: Shimano 600 Arabesque
Brake set: Shimano M730 XT
Brake levers: Shimano M730 XT
Saddle: Selle Italia Turbo
Seat Post: IRD w/ Hite-Rite
Paint: Polished
Size: 19"
Serial #: B0064

 

[rumpfy]

A picture of the bike, emailed from the seller. He said it'd seen a lot of hard miles and put away wet. Original fork long lost and replaced with a DD from an M2.

 

[rumpfy]

Get the bike home and photograph it in its current 'before' state.
American offered these with a pretty simple off the shelf XT build kit, Koski fork. You could also get them as a frame only and build it as you wanted.
There weren't a whole lot of parts left on this bike that would be usable, so the 'upgrade' build would be my direction.

 

[rumpfy]

Strip down. Joe suggested using Never Dull to polish up the aluminum. You can see my test rub on the NDS seat stay.
Start some part clean up while we're at it. See what can be salvaged.

 

[sinnerman]

Oh Nice....

Was this the one I outed on the bay a while back...? I forget...?

Really looking forward to seeing you carry on with this one. Thanks for sharing.

 

[rumpfy]

Progress mock. Micky mouse rattle can job on the fork while looking for the correct Koski. Trade a polished American stem for a black one. Dump the Specialized headset for an Arabesque 600.

 

[rumpfy]

Oh Nice....
Was this the one I oughted on the bay a while back...? I forget...?
Really looking forward to seeing you carry on with this one. Thanks for sharing.

I'm afraid not. That one got nabbed before I could get to it!

 

[sinnerman]

Oh Nice....
Was this the one I oughted on the bay a while back...? I forget...?
Really looking forward to seeing you carry on with this one. Thanks for sharing.

I'm afraid not. That one got nabbed before I could get to it!

It matters Not, you got style class and taste, and that's enough for me.

Bookmarked.

 

[rumpfy]

A proper Koski fork is found from a donor Bridgestone MB-1! The steerer is too long and taken to a local shop for a cut and thread. They make a mess of it.
Fork goes to local builder Dale Saso for a steerer tube extension and comes out brilliantly. This would not be the last time I go to Dale for steerer help.
Koski Duratrac and a Ritchey Logic fork get a fresh black spray.

 

[rumpfy]

It matters Not, you got style class and taste, and that's enough for me.
Bookmarked.

Thanks man! I might be a bit light on class.