2025 Time Warp build thread

[pwebb]

new project starting this week - aiming to get this one as close as possible to original catalogue spec. including this unique piece of 90s MTB history:



starting point is very promising as this frameset and paintwork have been preserved beautifully and are virtually unmarked.





have you guessed what it is yet?




more anon...

 

[pwebb]

started on the big shine-up task - chainset and pedals first...



...some serious 'mothering' needed to shift the gouges and marks on the M730 cranks but came good with some judicious use of wet+dry.
I am keeping the SR 'low fat' pedals as these are original and also have a very nice patina + super smooth axles and bearings still - they cleaned up well with paint restorer on the black parts and mothers+wet &dry on the shiny bits. Chainrings came clean enought but are quite well worn so will keep my eyes open for some NOS replacements

 

[sam_white]

1992 Diamondback Axis/Ascent/Apex?

 

[pwebb]

1992 Diamondback Axis/Ascent/Apex?

1992 Axis, ...the parts resto continued today: rear XT mech , original jockey wheels " I will get that ceramic bearing white again " ;-)


Freewheel replacement - opted for a 'modern' 8 speed with lowest cog removed as this is a shorter 7 speed freehub body. I retained the original large size freewheel lockring and added a spacer to ensure everything tightened nicely. there was very little damage to the splines and all I had to do was remove, clean and re-grease.


replacement chain added and derailleur adjusted - shifting is a lot smoother than before ( although it wasn't bad) and it has to be said that the XT trigger shifters of that era are very 'immediate' compared to thumbies. Everything working peachy now and a lot shiner than before

 

[fearfactoryüberalles]

Nice rig! DBs are criminally underrated, same quality as Marins/TREKs/etc. and sturdy mofos as well! Well, having about 4 of them slowly turned me a fan obviously...

 

[Scott-S]

1992 Axis, ...the parts resto continued today: rear XT mech , original jockey wheels " I will get that ceramic bearing white again " ;-)
View attachment 915560View attachment 915561View attachment 915562

Freewheel replacement - opted for a 'modern' 8 speed with lowest cog removed as this is a shorter 7 speed freehub body. I retained the original large size freewheel lockring and added a spacer to ensure everything tightened nicely. there was very little damage to the splines and all I had to do was remove, clean and re-grease.

View attachment 915563View attachment 915564View attachment 915565
replacement chain added and derailleur adjusted - shifting is a lot smoother than before ( although it wasn't bad) and it has to be said that the XT trigger shifters of that era are very 'immediate' compared to thumbies. Everything working peachy now and a lot shiner than before

View attachment 915567View attachment 915568

Loving this already, loving the splatter paint
Can I ask how you brought the rear cassette back from the black metal?
Ive degreased and brushed mine etc but it still looks terrible

 

[pwebb]

Loving this already, loving the splatter paint
Can I ask how you brought the rear cassette back from the black metal?
Ive degreased and brushed mine etc but it still looks terrible

Sadly I gave up on cleaning the old cassette as it was too far gone and so I made a replacement 7 speed from a new 12-28 8 speed cassette (omitting the smallest 12 tooth sprocket) and made it fit the smaller freehub body exactly using a spacer between the two smallest cogs and I re-used the wider diameter Shimano lockring from the old cassette for a snug fit and more retro look.
The sculpted nature of the modern sprockets are a giveaway to anyone inspecting the build but they also facilitate smoother shifting .

 

[minor_LEGEND]

Axis envy right here. I hope it gets the right tyres!

 

[pwebb]

Axis envy right here. I hope it gets the right tyres!

smokes are on order but proving elusive in the necessary beige/black so may be a wait for delivery from Europe. In the interim I am trying to source original XT brake blocks and will re-instate the funky brahma bar at the cockpit end. some odds and sods to finish the resto are also proving very hard - principally a decent saddle - cant find an avenir original on any continent so may have to be a similar period style or reproduction turbo saddle etc.

 

[retroJIM]

Have you got grips for the Brahma bars? I've got a set of bars but I've never been sure what grips to use. I'm tempted to just go with bar tape.