An intro, a gloat, a grovel and a request.

[Slow6]

Your 455 is a model year 1995. The last digit is the year. For example, an 856 is year 1996.

Thanks for that.. makes it easy! do you have photos of all the proflex bikes in your sig in the one thread somewhere?

New old tyres arrived today.. I have lost a few evenings to wandering around these forums now and The few bikes that stopped me in my tracks were all sporting Panaracer Smokes and Darts.. I spent more in phone calls trying to find them than I did on the tyres but worth the wait.. not as cool as they were on the orange bike I saw them on (sorry can't find the thread to give credit but it was a bit sexy)

The brake pads were in really awful condition as they had been only half making contact with the rims so as a quick fix I sanded them flat on a belt linisher until I get a new set. The bike at least pulls up now but I can't see the rear brakes ever being winners as they don't line up with the rim.. the front of the pad makes contact well before the rear if that makes any sense so unless I shaped the pads to suit (is that common practice?) they'll never be any good.
Front Shocks are elastomer it turns out and seem fine, maybe a little soft.

Saddle next.. I have a new stem/post to get my bum in air a bit more but the saddle is horrible.

I have ridden her a little every day.. the love affair is off to a good start.

I don't remember my legs burning quite like this when I was a kid :?

Thanks for looking folks.. although a lurker I'm getting a lot of inspiration from this forum.. the 90's MTBs definitely have something.

oh yes. I'd love some opinions on weather I should try to re-tension and work out a small buckle in the rear rim, I remember trying to do it as a kid and really making a mess of it.. but I'm older, uglier and more patient now.. any links to on-line tutorials.. want to talk me out of it?

Cheers

 

[cornholio's RC200]

welcome to the forum! Keep close tabs on your wallet or it will empty rapidly

Great to see another Proflex rider on board; its good that we can keep them going. Yours looks particularly good and a real steal for the money

Now the real question is where did you find those tyres? Me want.

 

[Xesh]

......the front of the pad makes contact well before the rear if that makes any sense so unless I shaped the pads to suit (is that common practice?) they'll never be any good.

It sounds like they've been toed in too far. The front of the brake block should touch the rim just before the rear. When the front of the pad is on the rim there should be a gap of 2mm maximum between the rear of the pad and the rim.

To adjust it you need a 5mm allen key and a 10mm spanner. Loosen off the nut that's holding the brake pad and move it on the half-moon washers so that it's at the desired setting. Don't adjust it so it's perfectly flat otherwise the brakes will squeak when used.

When you get some new pads get the cartridge style as they are easier to change pads when they wear out. You just slide the old ones out and re-fit the new ones and you don't usually have to re-adjust the pad holder again.

BTW welcome to the forum and say goodbye to your bank balance!

 

[Slow6]

To adjust it you need a 5mm allen key and a 10mm spanner. Loosen off the nut that's holding the brake pad and move it on the half-moon washers so that it's at the desired setting. Don't adjust it so it's perfectly flat otherwise the brakes will squeak when used.

Hi Xesh. Thanks for that.. when I put the pads back in I totally missed the ability to adjust them that way.. I just looked at the parts and saw rotate but no side to side.. went back today and fiddled, very clever simple little set up, brakes are much better now. Cheers

 

[Slow6]

Me want.

PM on the way.

 

[FluffyChicken]

V-brakes are the invention Shimano came out with for rear suspension like that (the real reason for V's ). So that would be the logical choice if ever you go that route. Means new brake levers as well though.
It'll do away with the rocker set up and clamping the cable to the frame.

I assume you've been given the link to the pro-flex forum

 

[Slow6]

I assume you've been given the link to the pro-flex forum

I have registered a few days ago.
Just being completely slack about making that first post.

 

[Sidewinder]

Me want.

PM on the way.

Me Too (please)