1995 Vario No Limit downhill prototype

[44Racing]

I've had them all too I'm keeping a set(one nos) in case something comes up in the future. which would be the third generation(I think)
Sit well with this hubView attachment 592094

Nice

I need to have a retro clear out as I’m sitting on a load of parts for future “builds”, but in all honesty decent retro parts are going for obscene money now and it’s taking the fun out of it all, so I’m not sure I’ll bother doing any more full builds after this…well unless I source a 94/95 Sunn Radical

 

[mk one]

well unless I source a 94/95 Sunn Radical

Is that the blue one Nicolas Vouilloz used to race? probably my all time favourite dh bike, and era.

 

[velofrog]

https://www.pinkbike.com/news/bike-check-nico-vouillozs-1997-sunn-radical.html

 

[44Racing]

Is that the blue one Nicolas Vouilloz used to race? probably my all time favourite dh bike, and era.

In an ideal world id want the turquoise version with the single crown bolt through Chaos forks, or the silver chromed version and if I couldn’t source the above then I’d go for the dark blue or white slightly later version

 

[joglo]

Very nice bike and it looks like there is huge interest to see what you're making out of it

I have noted the offer on ebay also earlier the year, still have a copy of same pictures as in you're first post from the seller on my local drive, it was not very reasonable priced initially, but the seller made attractive offers later.

With regards to the Spring suspension parts.
First of all, i would definitely recommend to keep those, or let's say it different, for what reason are you planning to replace them?
Secondly, are you sure about German origin?

This old add from Shannon says "made in Italy by Motoquality", but maybe this is just valid for this earlier model, same booster as in #14 but still with Elastomer damping.


Motoquality would be still around
https://www.motorquality.it/Maybe just contact them?

 

[44Racing]

Very nice bike and it looks like there is huge interest to see what you're making out of it

I have noted the offer on ebay also earlier the year, still have a copy of same pictures as in you're first thread from the seller on my local drive, it was not very reasonable priced initially, but the seller made attractive offers later.

With regards to the Spring suspension parts.
First of all, i would definitely recommend to keep those, or let's say it different, for what reason are you planning to replace them?
Secondly, are you sure about German origin?

This old add from Shannon says "made in Italy by Motoquality", but maybe this is just valid for this earlier model, same booster as in #14 but still with Elastomer damping.
View attachment 592205

Motoquality would be still around
https://www.motorquality.it/Maybe just contact them?

Thank you so much for this information, it’s really helpful. I will do some further research and contact the company.

I had read an article that quoted German origin, but maybe it was lost in translation and was just referring to the importer for that country. Italian origin would make far more sense regarding the Bianchi factory link. I found this Polish website earlier that had SPRING suspension models over the years -

http://retroforksbike.pl/category/vls-spring/
At present I have no plans to change the SPRING suspension as thats what the bike was originally built up with, but as mentioned I do have a period correct option of a 1995 Marzocchi DH3 just in case.

I think the build will be a Dola/Vario factory bike homage.

 

[44Racing]

So a bit of an update and some parts sourced…

I managed to source some immaculate wheels with Hope titanium early disc hubs in anodised blue with equally immaculate Hope cable discs. These will replace the current wheels/hubs, but I may swap the rims to NOS Mavic 117 SUP hard ano grey rims (still looking for 1 32h rim in VGC/NOS), however the anodised blue rims do look good on the build

After some research & enquiries it turns out that the rear Hope cable disc caliper that came with the frame was also a pre-production prototype part from Hope that was a nice touch and will be staying on the build (subtle differences that can be seen in the pictures below with the main difference being that there is no CNC'd Hope logo or flat machined surface where the logo is on the pre-production prototype rear caliper)

 

[44Racing]

 

[al-onestare]

Wow - what a bike and one I'd not remembered from BITD. Those wheels...boy o boy...

Can't wait to see this come together

 

[44Racing]

Wow - what a bike and one I'd not remembered from BITD. Those wheels...boy o boy...

Can't wait to see this come together

It’s a bit different hey mate! These were insane rare back in the day mainly due to the tiny production runs they did.