A bit Special - my M4 S Works FSR

[Osella]

Nice!
The swingarm etc looks original - it's not the same as the Max Backbone version (that one has cutouts in the dropout & thicker seatstays). You should then be able to tell the year of manufacture from the serial no on the inner face of the dropout. Both the FSR XC and the Max swingarms have the bolt hole for the Sharkfin disc adapter.
I've got the 'standard' version frame (black anodised) from 2000 the main difference on mine is the shock link is the 'standard' FSR version, rather than the one you have.

Just keep a lookout for stress cracks around the drill hole just behind the chainstay/BB main pivot - many FSR's cracked there and had to have warranty replacements in about 2000. I think yours is the original version but there are people out there with a tonne more knowledge than I have(!) on FSR stays..

The bushings on the pivots are pretty solid & long-lasting tho - but clean the things occasionally & they'll be better

 

[LikeClockwork]

Re:

Thanks, I really must clean it... :facepalm: ...and then have a proper look all over him, although I did in fairness when he arrived as it was an ebay purchase, I've already had a partial refund due to the shock issue, in reality this bike doesn't owe me an awful lot built up the way he is.

From memory the frame number was across the BB shell and started with a 99, but again it's something I will check as soon as it's clean again and I have the time, bit busy with work at the mo. Whether the S Works frames were different in this respect, I don't know.

 

[LikeClockwork]

Re:

Well bit of faffing with the old FSR, as one does when it's a beautiful hot sunny day and you should be riding not faffing....hoping to do the 'riding' bit tomorrow...

Took these extra pics, might help with definite ID, the frame number is across the BB...

 

[Muddy paw]

This seems to be the same frameset except for the colour and spec and is suppose to be a 1999 model and you've got 99 at the begining of your frame number and from what i understand the M4 is what the rear triangle design is called ..

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j ... 2336581124

I hope this helps Kaz ..

Ian

 

[LikeClockwork]

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Yep, reckon that's him, thanks Ian.

Anyone know if there's a way to know if it was a team frame....?

 

[LikeClockwork]

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Well, managed a 12 mile proper shake down ride today with my old Dad on his fancy new fangled Scott 29er. Amusing really, as he keeps on trying to convert me to 29" wheels and disc brakes, yet I managed to keep up with him just fine on my diddly little 26" wheels, and his disc brakes creaked and squeaked pretty much the whole time....my ancient M600 V brakes, on the other hand, were perfectly silent and so well set up I skidded a couple of times inadvertently when coming to a stop!

It was a fair bit of smooth cycle track which I found quite tiring on the big tyres after having got used to skinny slicks on the Kona, but then I suddenly remembered the lock out...and all of a sudden I have the perfect hardtail! The rough stuff really WAS rough, up and down, very pot holed where puddles had dried out, and then finished off with a section where the whole surface is made up of rubble and big bits of brick, really hard work, but with the lock out now off again it was the most amazingly well behaved full susser, with no pedal bob or power sucking bucking about, like I remember on past full sussers I've owned.

All the more surprising perhaps, as the shock is now leaking oil fairly well, and losing air fairly rapidly too. Not a worry, as I knew it would need replacing sooner or later. Not helped today by Father admitting sheepishly that he had 'borrowed' it and taken it around the block when me and Mum were up town before the ride. Bearing in mind it was set up for my weight at 10 stone, and he's 6' and possibly getting on for 18 stone....and I don't suppose he was gentle with the poor bugger

 

[Muddy paw]

Re: Re:

Yep, reckon that's him, thanks Ian.

Anyone know if there's a way to know if it was a team frame....?

Only by checking teams from that year i guess Kaz ..