1989 Kestrel MX-Z

[deoreo]

Re:

lol- yeah the Cannondale is a late 1986 SM500

As for the Kestrel, I was not looking forward to pulling the fork apart after reading all of the stories of the elastomers turning into a super-sticky goo that was nearly impossible to remove from the fork legs.

Decided to tear into them. Thankfully, I was lucky and everything came apart easily. The old elastomers were hard as a rock, but came out in one piece, and did not stick to anything- whew!! Everything looks good. No scratches or wear. Need to clean, lightly polish them up, and reassemble them with the new elastomers and dust seals.

The headset is in good condition as well, and just needs cleaned and re-greased.

 

[deoreo]

Re:

Got the fork back together with new elastomers and dust seals. Amazing to think this was once state-of-the-art "plush" travel

Parts have started to come together. A few pics of the new-old stuff. Like the new, old looking, titanium bulge handlebar:

Have the fork back on, and the headset adjusted. Bottom bracket adjusted, and the cranks installed. Getting there. Still waiting for some drivetrain parts.

 

[Ollie]

Some nice parts right there, it's going to look great finished .

 

[deoreo]

Re:

Another update. Between a 10 month old at home, and riding the trails when not wet, time for the retro stuff is hard to come by.
A little bit closer. Cleaned and installed the front and rear derailleurs. Installed the rear brake posts, and set-up the stem, bars, seatpost and seat.

I had an old original set of decals for the frame. Instead of using them, Gil recreated them, and got the original copper color perfect. I wanted to add some bright color to a basically monochromatic build, so I asked Gil to make up a set in neon pink- I love the 80's fluorescent colors! I don't have them on yet, but think they will look great

Hoping to get it finished up soon.

 

[walleater]

Awesome bike. I drooled hard over them in the mags back in the day. Then an older riding buddy bought one and let me have a ride on it. At one point I tried to do a wheelie on it but fell off the back! Luckily I was hidden behind a tree at the time so quickly got back on the bike and pretended that nothing happened

 

[shamobius]

Such a unique bike, with interesting problems to solve, like that trippy front dérailleur mount! The frame looks like its super stiff.
Good score and nice treatment, keep it up!

 

[deoreo]

Re:

Thanks for the kind words, guys!
Nice one walleater! I have to admit, I've done similar, showing-off doing wheelies in clipless pedals, only to loop out and land on my back
shamobius- I've been following your thread on your '88 Manitou. Love it- that's an awesome bike!

 

[shamobius]

Re: Re:

shamobius- I've been following your thread on your '88 Manitou. Love it- that's an awesome bike!

Thanks deoreo, we've got two completely different bikes, both retro exotica. Yours is a spaceship, mine is a race tank...

Back in the day I would have had a hard time choosing between the two!

 

[yeti_bomb]

Very rad

 

[KDM]

Re:

It seems as though it's coming together nicely