1999 Specialized S-Works FSR XC M4 Build Thread

[ExpertBlay]

Never actually done a build thread before but started using RetroBike a lot more recently so think I should start!

First up, this bike is finished already, but I do have an album of photos to post from start too finish haha…

This was a sentimental build with my dad, it was his favourite bike BITD so this build meant a lot too me.

The first pic is when the seller I bought it off bought the bike, the second is when I bought it, the third is when I was building it, the 4th is the bike complete! And finally the 5th photo is my dad racing his original bike.

The spec:

Frame - S Works M4 FSR XC 17”
Fork - Rock Shox SID SL
Bars - Easton CT2
Stem - S Works 110mm
Brakes - Shimano XTR
Shifters - Shimano XT
Grips - S Works
Headset - Specialized own
Saddle - Specialized Team Festina
Seatpost - Thomson Layback 30.9
Cranks - S Works Strongarm
Pedals - XTR SPD’s
Front Mech - XT
Rear Mech XTR
Cassette - XT
Tyres - Very Knackered Panaracer Trailblasters 1.80”!
Wheels - S Works Stout

The only bits my dad kept from his original bike were the rear wheel and rear brake so I didn’t really have much to go off but still got it done!

Although the forks are not black like my dads were I still think it looks decent, if anyone has a set of SID SL’s in black I’d be up for a swap?

Thanks for reading all and I hope you like the photos

 

[ExpertBlay]

Been in the garage this evening swapping forks over, stuck on a set of Manitou SX’s I got from @Markybeau , Originally the bike came stock with some manitou Mars forks, I just about got away with the steerer length although it is pretty ugly but going to be changing headset soon anyways….Black CK headset will be going on at the weekend, hopefully stack height isn’t any taller then the current headset!

Will eventually get some black SID SL’s.

 

[rentedmule]

Nice looking build!

I'm finishing up a '98 Stumpjumper FSR now and was surprised at how long the headtube was. I thought I could get away with an old SID I took off another large frame but the steerer tube was way too short!

What were the specs on the bottom bracket you used?

 

[ExpertBlay]

Nice looking build!

I'm finishing up a '98 Stumpjumper FSR now and was surprised at how long the headtube was. I thought I could get away with an old SID I took off another large frame but the steerer tube was way too short!

What were the specs on the bottom bracket you used?

Hey mate, I just used the BB that came with it, the cranks are s works ones so you’d need a XTR splined BB, it is probably a M952.

 

[ExpertBlay]

Nice looking build!

I'm finishing up a '98 Stumpjumper FSR now and was surprised at how long the headtube was. I thought I could get away with an old SID I took off another large frame but the steerer tube was way too short!

What were the specs on the bottom bracket you used?

Something like this but obviously it depends on BB shell width.

 

[ExpertBlay]

Any such thing as a super low stack headset for straight steerer 1 1/8" NOT semi-integrated? Cannot get the headset to preload properly, i have tried all different headset spacer combos but cannot get it to lock up.

 

[rentedmule]

There was a recent thread on low stack height sets making the rounds here but I can't lay my mouse on it now. There's a crank brothers headset that's supposed to be reasonable and a few no-name options IIRC.

(edit - never mind, I think that was your thread in the wanted ads!)

 

[ExpertBlay]

There was a recent thread on low stack height sets making the rounds here but I can't lay my mouse on it now. There's a crank brothers headset that's supposed to be reasonable and a few no-name options IIRC.

Yeah I sat on the computer earlier for about an hour and found the thread but none of them are available anymore, it was a crank brothers one and a Tune one.

 

[ExpertBlay]

All sorted now! Turns out the star nut hadn’t been fitted properly, just look how close this is to the top of the steerer

 

[ExpertBlay]

Fitting my dads ORIGINAL ExtraLite stem, one of the bolts are cross threaded, anyway to sort that? It’s extremely light so not sure how strong the material will be!