'90 Zolatone Marin Pine Mountain restoration - FINISHED!!!

[Chopper the ex Copper]

Re: '90 Zolatone Marin Pine Mountain restoration - FINISHED!

Very pleasant. Nice to see someone cleaning up existing parts instead of smattering it in NOS bits. Gives it a nice used-but-smart patina.

 

[Foulplay]

Re: '90 Zolatone Marin Pine Mountain restoration - FINISHED!

Yes, although it was really nice to receive a few NOS parts in the post, it was also great stripping down the chainset, brakes and derailleur and tidying them up. The enthusiasm waned by Christmas, but up until then I was flying!

 

[wookiee]

Re: '91 Zolatone Marin Pine Mountain restoration - FINISHED!

Ahh, well... if I was going to ride it, I wouldn't be worrying about aesthetics, as that just won't come into things if I'm going for an accurate biomechanical fit.... Seatpost height for correct leg/knee extension; saddle position for correct knee over pedal position; stem height for correct/comfortable reach etc...

If the correct seat came up on eBay, I'd probably swipe it, and the same goes for Deore DX brake/shifters (instead of the incorrect XT parts that I have put on there), and also a pair of Marin Rockstar tyres would be a great find! If I was really going for a 100% accurate recreation, I'd also need to source the DX brake blocks, and maybe even the correct bottom bracket.

As you can see... there are quite a few inaccuracies at the moment, but the bike is looking good now and I can sit back and take my time correcting those inaccuracies as and when parts become available.

Don't worry about the "inaccuracies" You have done a great job in restoring this Pine Mountain to its former glory! The important thing is that you have a love for it and it shows. Yes the seat is in a somewhat strange angle/position and the stem looks a little high (maybe beyond the safety line?) As for the XT parts they are a period upgrade and what you would have done BITD so don't fret. You've seen my Team and what I did to that, not to everyones taste, but what I would have done back then. As for the Rockstar tyres they really are not anything special and were made by Cheng Shun so your better off with what you have! One thing...don't just look at it ride it! I know its hard when so much time and effort went into it, but enjoy it fully! My Team has seen a fair bit of the muddy stuff since I finished it and in my opinion so it should! It is after all an offroad machine designed for that very purpose, and it seems a shame to cage its freedom! See my Muddy 1!

Doug

 

[minor_LEGEND]

Re: '90 Zolatone Marin Pine Mountain restoration - FINISHED!

Great looking bike, but have to agree on the saddle angle, such an eyesore.

 

[mechagouki]

Re: '91 Zolatone Marin Pine Mountain restoration - FINISHED!

1990, yes, light grey (like yours)
1991, afterburners (not like yours)

WD

Although (just to add to the confusion) that doesn't always hold true, as has been discussed before. I have owned 1991 Bear Valleys with and without Afterburner stays, and also a 1991 Eldridge Grade without Afterburners. I think we decided in another thread that it was a mid-year revision.

 

[Foulplay]

Re: '90 Zolatone Marin Pine Mountain restoration - FINISHED!

Saddle position corrected and photos updated.

How's that? Any better?

 

[wookiee]

Re: '90 Zolatone Marin Pine Mountain restoration - FINISHED!

Bingo!