1994 UNIVEGA ALPINA 5.3 - ONE DAY BIRTHDAY BUILD THRASH!

[34henry3w]

Hi Everyone,

When my twin brother and I were 15, we both bought our first mountain bikes. I got a 1994 Trek 930 SHX..and its life has been quite the saga..

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=120266

My brother bought a Silver 1994 Univega 5.3. I remember it well. It was his pride and joy through high school, and with limited funds, he did some pretty cool mods: Shimano 737 Pedals, a Vetta C10 computer, and the
the piece de resistance - Tan Tioga Psychos!

Priorities and interested changed, and the well loved (battered) bike was sold to a friend who subsequently had it stolen, Gone forever unfortunetly...

Fast forward 17 years. Our mutual Birthday was approaching. With all my nostalgic rides providing the needed inspiration, I do an internet search for a 1994 Univega 5.3. This one was for sale..correct size year and colour..DEAD on..too bad it was in Kentucky!

 

[34henry3w]

The bike was obviously mint. The photo of the chainstay guard was all I needed..I contacted the guy and asked if he would ship it to upstate new york ( 1 hr from my house)

He told me he just wanted someone to come by with cash (understandably)..paypal, boxing, shipping...just simply not worth it.

So I offered him 3 times what he was asking for it...

 

[34henry3w]

So I had the bike..but it was still not my brothers bike..

Thank god for the internet!

I got a set of NOS Tan Tioga Psychos from a member of this forum!
I got a MINT Vetta SL Saddle to replace the chessy incorrect one
I got a MINT Vetta C10 computer for $5.50 on Ebay..the lady even downloaded and printed the instructions for me!
I got the correct Stem
I got really nice 737 Shimano Pedals off Ebay.
I got a new BB, Chain, Grips, Cables and Housings..as they where all dried up from years of sitting..trying to stay as original as possible..

All in all this bike will be from Kentucky, The Bronx New York, California, Arizona and Montana!

It was the day before our birthday once everything was home..

I decided to set up a makeshift workshop in my bedroom..because it was the only room that my brother would have no reason whatsoever to wander into in case he stopped by..my girlfriend wasn't too happy about that!...

 

[34henry3w]

Disassembly began and it went fast..My girlfriend took apart the crank set and polished the arms..320, 600, 800, 1000..polish..being careful to leave the decals untouched..they looked like mirrorrs. She then turned the seatpost into a mirror..

I think I will marry her.

The frame was in great shape but had some storage wear..my dad helped pick out some close touch up paint at the local hardware store..The trick is to get something a bit too light, and another bottle of black, and then slowly add the black to the silver until it is perfect...this worked perfectly!

By 10:00am the frame and fork where cleaned, polished and touch up..in very good "nick" as you guys would say!

 

[34henry3w]

By late afternoon it started to come together. I cleaned the wheels, repacked the hubs and mounted the tiogas..wow these are cool!

I rebuilt the headset (which was bone dry) and installed the new bottom bracket..Every part that went on was carefully cleaned, polished, touched up, greesed as needed..it really started to come together!

 

[34henry3w]

A new HG chain went on, regreased shifters, cantis, all the little details..I cut new Shimano Housing and wired her up..I even put back the little black donuts!

I fiinshed at around 830 pm..I carefully took it for a ride down the street..it was perfect..felt like a new bike in every way!

 

[34henry3w]

When I was done I brought the bike to my brothers place and left it in his bedroom. He was away, expected to arrive home late.

At 4am, the morning of our birthday, I heard a loud banging on my door. Of course it was him to thank me..needless to say he was thrilled!

The next day we took a leisurely ride to get a beer...

 

[muppetman]

Now that's a cool story - bet your bro was chuffed with that.

 

[FST4RD]

That's awesome!
Well done

 

[Raging_Bulls]

Nice story and build. Well done.

I'm actually amazed how people keep finding all those NOS parts.