keithwbloom
Dirt Disciple
I am over the moon that I found this 1994 Team Issue for sale 10 blocks from my home by happenstance. In 2000 or so, an identical 1994 Team Issue frame set I had built up into my competition XC whip was pinched from my garden shed. That bike had started as a bare frame, fork, stem, seat post, and bottom bracket. The shop that sold it to me had cannibalized all the XTR kit from it to build up a custom bike bike for another customer. I ordered all the kit on that bike in XT, and had a set of hand-built wheels laced up from Mavic 230 rims and XT hubs by the local wheelsmith. I suspended the front with a banana yellow Judy SL. I loved the weight and feel of that bike, I was crushed when it was nicked. I have occasionally peeked at local classifieds and even sometimes at eBay listings to see if mine or another alike popped up. This weekend my luck was rich.
So fair warning to restoration purists, while I am restoring the frame on this to original finish, and I will try to source some parts missing or swapped out with OE kit, I am not aiming for a 100% original equipment restoration. When I am done, I plan to ride this as hard as I did my original one — and I trained for and competed in two 24-hour XC races on that one when it was new.
The original fork, stem, and seat post are missing. I will be not be replacing the fork, since I prefer it to be suspended up front. I'll first have a go at rebuilding the (replacement) Manitou SX-R unless sourcing parts proves too difficult, then I may replace with a Manitou 3 or Judy SL. For the frame set, I plan to strip the clear satin lacquer and reapply after beading/polishing the frame. I will 2-part epoxy clear coat the decals when they are ready for protection if Gil so recommends.
For replacement kit, I am sourcing a set of XTR M910 Mavic wheels and will be also replacing the (replacement) stem because it is too short. I will also be adding M737 SPDs. Brakes are not original M900, but because they are later generation XTR and work great, so I will likely keep them. Seat post will have to be swapped as well, the angle looks to raked for comfort. Saddle is not original, but it is narrow, light and durable, so I will likely keep it too. Would like to find a purple anodized seat post clamp nut like the original if I can. The cockpit, save for the stem, is original. Will replace grips with Ritchey WCS Foam and that's about all I have planned in that department.
I’ll start stripping it down tomorrow. Wish I could take it for a test ride, but the tubes are both punctured. :-(
So fair warning to restoration purists, while I am restoring the frame on this to original finish, and I will try to source some parts missing or swapped out with OE kit, I am not aiming for a 100% original equipment restoration. When I am done, I plan to ride this as hard as I did my original one — and I trained for and competed in two 24-hour XC races on that one when it was new.
The original fork, stem, and seat post are missing. I will be not be replacing the fork, since I prefer it to be suspended up front. I'll first have a go at rebuilding the (replacement) Manitou SX-R unless sourcing parts proves too difficult, then I may replace with a Manitou 3 or Judy SL. For the frame set, I plan to strip the clear satin lacquer and reapply after beading/polishing the frame. I will 2-part epoxy clear coat the decals when they are ready for protection if Gil so recommends.
For replacement kit, I am sourcing a set of XTR M910 Mavic wheels and will be also replacing the (replacement) stem because it is too short. I will also be adding M737 SPDs. Brakes are not original M900, but because they are later generation XTR and work great, so I will likely keep them. Seat post will have to be swapped as well, the angle looks to raked for comfort. Saddle is not original, but it is narrow, light and durable, so I will likely keep it too. Would like to find a purple anodized seat post clamp nut like the original if I can. The cockpit, save for the stem, is original. Will replace grips with Ritchey WCS Foam and that's about all I have planned in that department.
I’ll start stripping it down tomorrow. Wish I could take it for a test ride, but the tubes are both punctured. :-(
but doesnt look like it'll ride too nicely at the moment 
