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Bontrager privateer nice paint
- Thread starter player
- Start date
Safe in it's new home.
Yup I won the auction and for the price I won it, I would have been happy if the frame was the only thing worth saving and that's pretty much how it is!
I'm not sure if the bike has been used in the last few years, it certainly hasn't been maintained as well as it could have been and looks like it's been stored outside. I've scrapped some of the paint away to check for any damage and it looks okay apart from a slight bend to the rear-mech hanger. Only surface rust, the worst of which was concealed by paint and was on the rear wishbone of the seat-stays
The forks were knackered, sticky with badly scored stanchions. The rear hub is also destined for the bucket, not checked out the front yet. It appears to be a specialized hub with an oversize quick release skewer?
I'm in a bit of a dilemma with how to restore it. Do I fit modern suspension forks and screw up the handling or do I fit rigid forks on a frame designed for suspension forks?
Even though I plan to restore this, I don't plan to keep it wrapped in cotton-wool, it will get used as it was intended!
Yup I won the auction and for the price I won it, I would have been happy if the frame was the only thing worth saving and that's pretty much how it is!
I'm not sure if the bike has been used in the last few years, it certainly hasn't been maintained as well as it could have been and looks like it's been stored outside. I've scrapped some of the paint away to check for any damage and it looks okay apart from a slight bend to the rear-mech hanger. Only surface rust, the worst of which was concealed by paint and was on the rear wishbone of the seat-stays
The forks were knackered, sticky with badly scored stanchions. The rear hub is also destined for the bucket, not checked out the front yet. It appears to be a specialized hub with an oversize quick release skewer?
I'm in a bit of a dilemma with how to restore it. Do I fit modern suspension forks and screw up the handling or do I fit rigid forks on a frame designed for suspension forks?
Even though I plan to restore this, I don't plan to keep it wrapped in cotton-wool, it will get used as it was intended!
Re:
Welcome to the forum, first of all!
Looks like you've started your collection with a good deal!
I'm sure you will get plenty of advice on what's best, and don't be afraid to ask questions. I still do, and I've been doing my own mechanics for 25 years!
Most of all, have fun building and riding it!
Bontys are ace to ride!
Mike
Welcome to the forum, first of all!
Looks like you've started your collection with a good deal!
I'm sure you will get plenty of advice on what's best, and don't be afraid to ask questions. I still do, and I've been doing my own mechanics for 25 years!
Most of all, have fun building and riding it!
Bontys are ace to ride!
Mike
Stiff_Orange
Old School Hero
Re: Safe in it's new home.
Keep an eye on the retrobike for sale forum, you may be able to get a good period replacement. There are even some on there now:-
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=331998
You can easily get the lowers painted and gil_m can supply the decals.
Johnni68":11cw70jh said:
Keep an eye on the retrobike for sale forum, you may be able to get a good period replacement. There are even some on there now:-
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=331998
You can easily get the lowers painted and gil_m can supply the decals.
Re:
It's got to be one of the last Trek built Bontragers, 1.125" headset, 73mm bottom bracket shell, no roller for the front-mech. The rear-drop outs are a real give away.
I've started stripping the frame ready to send it to a frame builder for alignment checking and painting. Was thinking about sending it to Dave Yates, I've had two of his bikes in my time and his work is exemplary.
Does anybody know it the Trek built bikes used the same short fork-rake?
I'm considering sticking a modern suspension fork on it and converting it to disc brakes. Yes I know the purists won't be happy, but this is a mass-produced bike from one of the large companies rather than welded by the man himself!
This small part is now my most prized possession!
It's got to be one of the last Trek built Bontragers, 1.125" headset, 73mm bottom bracket shell, no roller for the front-mech. The rear-drop outs are a real give away.
I've started stripping the frame ready to send it to a frame builder for alignment checking and painting. Was thinking about sending it to Dave Yates, I've had two of his bikes in my time and his work is exemplary.
Does anybody know it the Trek built bikes used the same short fork-rake?
I'm considering sticking a modern suspension fork on it and converting it to disc brakes. Yes I know the purists won't be happy, but this is a mass-produced bike from one of the large companies rather than welded by the man himself!
This small part is now my most prized possession!
