boy"O"boy's 1989 Ridgeback 604 SIS

[boy"O"boy]

Hi all.
Slight progress on the Ridgeback today.
I had all intentions of finishing up the build, but like all well laid plans it didn't work out that way.
Hopefully more to come tomorrow.....but I can't promise I'll finish by then.

Here's where I'm at -






Work since last update
- Stem repainted in RAL 9010 pure white
- Original bars added. Had a 2nd pair painted in RAL 5018 turquoise but they wouldn't fit through the stem and started to scratch..... reverted back to originals instead.
- Blackburn MTN bottle cage repainted in RAL 1018 Zinc yellow and added
- Biopace chainrings sourced and added to polished M730 XT cranks
- Early Avocet R20 saddle added.
- Ritchey Megabite 1.9" added. Massive thanks to @ratcapa for these hard to find tyres.
- M732 XT 2-finger levers/ Thumb shifters/ Grab-On MT2 grips all added.
- M730 XT Q/R wheel and seat levers sourced and added


Still to do.
- Chain and gear / brake cables and set-up / Index
- tighten hub cones
- Add pedals. I've got M735XT going on but long term would like to source some good condition M731 XT pedals to complete the catalogue spec.

More to come.
Cheers
boy"O"boy

 

[JCS]

Looking good

 

[boy"O"boy]

So.... after a 2 week break for the family holiday, I was able to find time today to finish up the build.
I'd say it's finished but to me... finished has to be rideable.
The rear hub spacing is causing the 7spd cassette to touch ever so slightly on the inner chainstay and is causing drag that's effecting the chain running smoothly. When the chain is in the lowest cassette position it jams.
To remedy this, I've got to adjust the axle spacers and re-dish the rear wheel slightly.
But....I couldn't wait to see it complete so even though it's not running properly yet, this is the complete build. The only changes planned are a nice pair of Shimano M731XT pedals. Just waiting on a nice pair to appear....the M735XT were destined for the 'Iceman' and since it's finally home, certain components 'borrowed' from the parts stash will have to be returned from a couple of builds.

Anyway. Here it is.







Cheers
boy"O"boy

 

[boy"O"boy]

More detail pics






Build spec to follow but essentially it's the '89 Freewheel catalogue spec as page 1.

The search continues for a fillet brazed 605 SIS in the same 20" size to complete the set. Patience is a virtue. These things turn up eventually! ....and the faith is strong after the return of the Iceman!

Cheers all.
boy"O"boy

 

[raidan73]

Superb job mate. I must dig out the old Freewheels again soon, for a further trip down memory lane

 

[boy"O"boy]

Build spec as promised.
As close to the 1989 Freewheel catalogue pic and spec as listed below.




Frame:
1989 Ridgeback 604 SIS 20" Tange Prestige

Fork:
Tange Prestige with panier mount eyelets/ mudguard mounts.

Headset: Shimano M730 XT 1" threaded

Stem: Madison Cro-mo 1" internal roller. Resprayed RAL 9010 Pure white

Handlebar: Original Ridgeback Cro-mo. Dark blue with turquoise 'splatter' finish

Grips: NOS Grab-On MTN2


Brakes: Shimano M730XT Cantilever
Brake Pads: Shimano M730XT
Brake Cables: Jagwire
Cantilever cable hangers: Shimano
Brake Levers: Shimano M732XT 2-finger

Shifters: Shimano M732XT 7spd Thumbshifters
Front Derailleur: M732 XT Bottom pull 28.6mm
Rear Derailleur: M732 XT Long cage
Derailleur Cables: Jagwire
Cassette: Shimano HG70 7spd 12-28
Chain: Sedis 7spd
Cranks: Shimano M730 XT 175mm
Crank Bolts: Shimano
Chainrings: Shimano Bio-pace 46-36-26
Chainring bolts: Shimano
Bottom Bracket: Shimano M730XT non-cartridge type. 118mm
Pedals: Shimano M735XT Short cage. (Eventually will change to catalogue spec M731XT)
Toe clips: Mt. Christophe
Toe straps: Zefal

Hub Skewers: Shimano M730XT rubber handle
Rims: NOS Mavic M7CD 36 hole ~ massive thanks to @RetroRider_IT
Front hub: M730XT 100mm 36H
Rear hub: Shimano M732XT 7spd 130mm 36H
Nipples: Brass 2mm
Spokes: DT Swiss
Tyres: NOS Ritchey Megabite Z-max 1.9" Amberwall ~ Massive thanks to @ratcapa
Tubes: Presta

Saddle: Avocet R20 (Early logo)
Seatpost: Shimano M730 XT 26.8mm ~ massive thanks to @ratcapa
Seatpost Binder. Shimano M730XT rubber handle
Bottle cage: Blackburn MTN - respray RAL 1018 Zinc Yellow

Thanks all.
boy"O"boy

 

[27motorhead]

Looks fantastic!

What a great looking machine from that amazing Freewheel catalogue that must have kept many of us occupied for hours on end! Well thumbed is a phrase that comes to mind!

 

[Cristian-T]

THAT is an absolute stunner ! Good star ! Making my 80s catalogues dreams come true.

Can i send you the fold out centre pages from an April issue of Mayfair 87’

 

[boy"O"boy]

Looks fantastic!

What a great looking machine from that amazing Freewheel catalogue that must have kept many of us occupied for hours on end! Well thumbed is a phrase that comes to mind!

Cheers! That's the 604 SIS now finished....I'm hoping that if I bide my time, the catalogue matching 605 SIS in 20" will eventually turn up.
The 2 examples I've seen here are both in massive 22" frames....so Ridgeback did sell some!

THAT is an absolute stunner ! Good star ! Making my 80s catalogues dreams come true.

Can i send you the fold out centre pages from an April issue of Mayfair 87’

Don't think I could make those catalogue wishes a reality!! - bit like Kelly Lebrock in Weird Science!






Rear axle spacing now sorted so the cassette locking/7th speed doesn't foul the frame and drag the chain. Rear wheel had to be slightly re-dished to centre the wheel alignment again. Gears re-indexed - now working nicely.
Just a pair of M731XT pedals to score now...but my work here is done.
Onto the Iceman prototype and finishing the Pro-flexes.

Cheers
boy"O"boy