1999 Santa Cruz Chameleon...major update. Rebuild Nr 2 (p4)

[Mindmap3]

I bought a part built project from another member of RB, to build up a bike for the other half because I sold her last bike so that I could get my SX Trail finished sooner....

I gave the bike a wash today before beginning to strip it down...

As you can see the frame is slightly marked / tarnished etc. Upon further investigation, it would appear that the frame was once black and has had the paint stripped and been polished; there is small patches of left over paint in some of the welds and hard to nooks and crannies.

First job was to remove the decals and stickers....which proved harder than I first though. Thank you Mr Nitomors...

More to follow....

 

[Mindmap3]

I assume the frame is from '99 because the frame number starts with 99.

Anyway, once all of the decals, stickers and glue was removed I decided to start to polish the frame. It is still a work in progress, but here are some pics...

Pictures of the side that I have not yet touched for comparison.

You can still see where the decals were - the frame is still polished were they were. The amount of scratches discolouration makes it look they are silver!

 

[slope]

Damn that looks good.
Can't wait to see it finished!!

 

[Mindmap3]

Damn that looks good.
Can't wait to see it finished!!

Thanks - its going to take a while to get done. I need to get the SX Trail sorted first (needs new pedals and tyres this month, a new set of wheels and some Fox 36's). I will keep an eye out for the bits that I am intending to put on this and collect them as I go.

I need a set of X9 shifters, new post, bars and stem (Easton hopefully), brakes (Hope Mini / M4) and cranks.

I've e-mailed Gil M about some custome decals so hopefully they will be sorted in the next few weeks.

Updates may be a bit slow, but I will make sure I do them as I make progress.

Once this is finished, the Cannondale in the back ground will get some TLC but I think that may be an expensive project.

 

[trxrincon]

She's looking good dude! Oh I like the cdale too!

 

[cyfa2809]

Look forward to this.

You lucky!

Want to see the sx too please.

 

[Minty Sauce]

Looking good, pulling up a chair for updates

 

[Mindmap3]

Finished polishing the frame today, cleaned and fitted the front mech and pushed in the headset cups.

Here are a few pics - pretty pleased with the finish. Just need to get some images to Gil for the decals and will get those on.

The seat post will be going, I don't think the dark blue will tie in the colour scheme (which will involve pink as it is for my other half).

Also cleaned the Z1's up and polished the crown and brace. I also noticed that the crown was sitting too high....I refitted them and the adjusters smack into the down tube (they did before as well)....looks like they will definitely be going.

I think the image is caused by the pigmy headtube. I had a similar problem when I put Pikes on my small MkI - it wasn't as bad, so I ended up filing down part of the adjuster.

 

[Mindmap3]

She's looking good dude! Oh I like the cdale too!

Few pics of the Cannondale (its a bit grubby)

It was my uncle's (I inherited it when he passed away a few years ago, and it has since sat in the garage). I'm hoping that the purpe USE post, USE bar and purple bar ends are in my aunt's garage (I'll check next time I see her). BB and headset are knackered - plan is to rebuild it with the things that I loved when I first got into riding in '97.... Pace Pro Class, XTR etc.

 

[Mindmap3]

Look forward to this.

You lucky!

Want to see the sx too please.

Another off topic post....my SX Trail.

I picked the frame up relatively cheap on e-bay, a bit rough round the edges but solid. Plan is to ditch the Diabolus of Atlas AM's (got a mega deal on the Daibolus cranks so couldn't resist), a pair of 36's because the Z150's weigh more than my house and some lighter / nicer wheels, these will then end up on the P1 which only needs a rear mech, chain device and brakes once these wheels are free.