An FSX Inspired 1994 Specialized S-Works M2 (Finished pics page... 16!)

[Joe*Pro]

Um, if I've now ridden it, does that mean it's finished?

Well that’s what I thought 2 or so years ago, then came along a better frame and forks!!

I think if you’ve achieved what you set out or envisaged, then yes it’s finished.

My tip is try your best now not to do any changes to it for 6 months or so, delete all your eBay alerts !! just ride it and enjoy. Get some good California back drop pics of it. Makes all the effort of the build worth it and changes your focus to the ride rather than the purchase of old Jewelry!

If you need support with the addiction, rather than go cold turkey, buying a few key spare parts is a good weaning process. I justify it as making sure it’ll work for the next 10 years.

oh and of course you then need the jersey !

 

[pw_pw_la]

Excellent advice that Joe...

...except for the fact that build number two is already in the post from Germany, so those eBay alerts are just getting refined rather than abandoned!

I'm going to take it on a proper little ride this weekend or next, while I await a couple of late small additions to show up in the mail.

Then it'll get one last polish-up before some finished build photos and the obligatory final spec post.

Hopefully a friend will help with the former, for something a little nicer than my usual budget old iPhone pics!

I may sneak in some post-ride updates between now and then, of course.

After that I think the 6 month ride-only rule is a good one to follow!

 

[pw_pw_la]

Well, it's cabled up and indexed now...



Which means I more or less have a functioning bike to ride. Almost 6 months to the day from purchasing the frame.

There a still a few little tweaks to make, however.

The rear brake is far from perfect (or all that effective!); the shifting isn't as smooth or as consistent as I'd like, and the local bike shop (god bless them) put the Tri-Dangles on backwards when they checked my work over and adjusted the shitty first attempt I'd made at setting up the brakes.

Anyway, there are still a couple of small things I'm waiting on for finishing touches, which should arrive any day now. At which point I either need a new phone with a better camera, or a friend with a real one to come through, for the finished bike photos. In the meantime, I've been taking the bike out most mornings on a nice little four mile loop near the house; a two mile road climb, followed by a blast down the canyon and back out through the neighborhood (downhill all the way)...



It's hard to put into words, and too late in the evening for me to even try, just how happy the above makes me. Building and now riding this bike is one of the most rewarding and gratifying things I've ever done.

It might be simple and easy to some, but it's not to me. And getting it even this close to being finished means more than I can adequately express.

Especially because I couldn't have done it (absolutely no chance) without this place!

So thank you all. Truly.

Anyway, a couple more detail shots out in the Californian sun:



And I'll leave this update on one of those aforementioned finishing touches, which arrived just this morning:



Some Nitto EC-02 bar plugs. Which are perfect I think. And a very good shout from @sunympholepsy!

One more helping hand, Etc.

 

[Spudly]

That looks absolutely mega to me dude, you've done a cracking job with it

And looking at the tri dangle that I can see on the front there, it's the right way round (unless you've turned it round, as the bolt holes should be on the outside) bet you're grinning like a little kid riding it aren't you

 

[Magpiegifts]

That's amazing. Me like shiny. Seriously though-top job Sir. Well done. Just enjoy now

 

[Joe*Pro]

Sure you don’t need some reflectors on it, in that dark California day light

brilliant job all round, think it really suits the backdrops, colour combo and shine and all.

I wonder if even when brakes are fully tuned, you’ll be reminded why we all moved to V and then discs. Your just going to have to perfect coasters and front wheel washouts. Just make sure you’ve some padded palm gloves at the ready !!!

but does it ride/feel like you remember back in the day ?

 

[Joe*Pro]

Re the indexing, I wondered the same, it’s the one area I try justify NOS in the hope of crisp shifts. But never sure if it’s best to invest that in the cassette & matching chain, derailleur or shifters or does it have to be all of them ?

I always thought it’s mostly shifters and cassette, assuming cable inners & outers are all new.

 

[Carge]

Chapeau - that's a lovely build.
Beautifully done

 

[Peachy!]

Yeah... that works

 

[FluffyChicken]

Re the indexing, I wondered the same, it’s the one area I try justify NOS in the hope of crisp shifts. But never sure if it’s best to invest that in the cassette & matching chain, derailleur or shifters or does it have to be all of them ?

I always thought it’s mostly shifters and cassette, assuming cable inners & outers are all new.

Generally not the shifter. It has an easy job.
Click and stop at next ratchet point


Rear mech can be the arse if the spring are gone or it wobbles a lot or warn jockies...

Cassettes are temperamental . They get hooks at the sides which can be a pain, but it will be skipping you see there normally.

But mostly it'll be cables and mech. Or mech hanger...
Or just needs a good kicking.
With the old setup, learn the art of tuning the shifter barrel while riding.