1995 Independent Fabrication Deluxe Help needed style gurus

[GoldenEraMTB]

I can't find the serial number

a bunch of those early IFs did not have serial numbers; no reason to suspect shady going ons. Neither does mine :shock:
Though the original owner told me a serial number...who knows.

Thanks for the detailed fork pics. It's definitely a different fork than the IF forks I've owned from around 96/97...much more slender. Also, my IF forks had the same style of caps/tube ends as the read, a flat angular end.

Your fork is good looking, and I know IF made a couple different types of forks over the years. Anyone know more about this?

 

[ededwards]

Confused by the fork comments - they look pretty much like these?

 

[GoldenEraMTB]

Confused by the fork comments - they look pretty much like these?

So is that a newer IF fork, and by newer, I'm speaking in retrobike terms, 1998 and on?

The forks I've had over the years were all mid-90's...like I said, I really never looked into their fork offerings; was just going by what I've owned.

 

[ededwards]

I think that one is 98 but not 100% sure. It certainly looks to me like the one from the original poster.

 

[GoldenEraMTB]

I think that one is 98 but not 100% sure. It certainly looks to me like the one from the original poster.

I'm sure it's legit; it's just made me curious. I'll make another thread for to satisy myself further, rather than hijack this thread.

nice pick up, Harry

 

[Harryburgundy]

Ah...might be able to spread a little light. The frame is early we know...but the owner had the frame resprayed at IF and at the same time had the forks made to match the frame (63mm suspension geometry).
I'm not sure how long ago but for sure, the frame is older than the forks.

 

[Anthony]

If you haven't got a serial number and neither the paint, the decals nor the fork are original, you might normally be concerned about the authenticity of the whole shemozzle. However the key here is that IF did the repaint, so we can rely on it that such a surpassingly respectable maker wouldn't paint anybody else's frame as one of their own. And if it is true as GoldenEraMTB says that early IFs had no serial number then it neatly suggests that this is an early IF.

I wonder whether IF themselves could tell you when they started using serial numbers? It seems strange that they didn't use serial numbers initially, as you would expect them to carry on in the Fat Chance style. Especially as when they did start using serial numbers, they used the same format as Fat Chance did.

 

[GoldenEraMTB]

If you haven't got a serial number and neither the paint, the decals nor the fork are original, you might normally be concerned about the authenticity of the whole shemozzle. However the key here is that IF did the repaint, so we can rely on it that such a surpassingly respectable maker wouldn't paint anybody else's frame as one of their own. And if it is true as GoldenEraMTB says that early IFs had no serial number then it neatly suggests that this is an early IF.

I wonder whether IF themselves could tell you when they started using serial numbers? It seems strange that they didn't use serial numbers initially, as you would expect them to carry on in the Fat Chance style. Especially as when they did start using serial numbers, they used the same format as Fat Chance did.

I stated that some of their early frames (pre9 didn't have serial numbers, some also had strange serial number (not uniformed). Also, much like Fat with the bullet stays, IF has a unique end to their stays- a slanted flat end. In addition, the seat tube diameter is unique, like that of Fat- 29.4; only a couple other mfg used that size if any.

 

[Harryburgundy]

You know Anthony...I was a little anxious that I have no proof of the frame manufacture etc. I have no proof that IF repainted it.
My heart has ruled my head and not for the first time. The ride is sublime..I don't know how a few tubes of steel welded together can feel so different...one lifeless and dull...the other superbly balanced and lithe.
If this is a bogus IF, I really don't care, but it would be nice to know the history.

 

[GoldenEraMTB]

Ah...might be able to spread a little light. The frame is early we know...but the owner had the frame resprayed at IF and at the same time had the forks made to match the frame (63mm suspension geometry).
I'm not sure how long ago but for sure, the frame is older than the forks.

This would explain a bit

In regards to what you replied to anthony, I would not be concerned that it's a fake, it has the IF rear end, at least if I'm seeing it right in the photo. I'll take a couple up close shots of two of my IF frames to show you what I mean by tell tale signs that it is an IF.