Breathing new life into a 1994 Marin Team Issue

[shawnb]

Re:

Great to see another team issue being given another lease of life - they were really respected high end bikes bitd!
As for the lacquer/rust spots you asked about on minifreaks post don't be afraid of the finish! My bike was far worse than yours, automotive paint stripper took the clear lacquer off in seconds, after that I used the softest grade wire wool with metal polish and the rust spots came off. Nickel plate is super super strong stuff, you wont harm or mark it! My frame has come up as new. I didn't bother re-lacquering it after, the nickel comes up like chrome after polishing but soon dulls off to a lovely slightly golden finish which is the correct bare nickel shade, it wont change or deteriorate further..... New decals from Gil_m / retrodecals finished it off a treat.

I have a little collection of bikes (they are on my instagram link below) but this bike isn't going anywhere, I couldn't say that for sure about any of the others....

Keep up the good work

 

[keithwbloom]

Re:

Shimamo M737s on their way. Cosmetically, need a lot of restoration, but mechanically very good. Any comprehensive DIYs for early SPDs?

 

[keithwbloom]

XT M737 SPDs, Rock Shox Judy SL, and XTR M900/Mavic Wheelset

It didn't take long to get the bits I was looking for, although I missed an opportunity to pick up a nice set of M900 XTR and Mavic 230 TIB wheels for a song because I slept through the auction close. :x

Since I last posted, I restored a set of M737s, and picked up a late '90s Judy SL to be rebuilt and refinished. I am chuffed to have a barely used set of M900 XTR/Mavic 261/DT Swiss laced wheels on theier way, completed with a Panaracer Dart up front, and IRC Piranha in the back, the exact same setup I used when I raced my Team Issue in 1995-1996.

The fork just landed on my bench, the wheel will be here later this week. Here's a collection of "befores" and "afters" on the quick M737 restoration:

 

[SEANSTEPHENS]

Re:

Pedals are looking smart, however Im not sure The paint will survive much riding before it scratches off. Being spd's might help though seeing as they have less contact with the foot.

Sean

 

[keithwbloom]

Re: Re:

Pedals are looking smart, however Im not sure The paint will survive much riding before it scratches off. Being spd's might help though seeing as they have less contact with the foot.

Sean

I assume they will get scratched up rather quickly, but they will be MY battle scars, not someone else's. ;-)

 

[keithwbloom]

The last functional bits for now are onboard. I rebuilt a single c.1995 Judy SL from bits of two boogered donors. I found a set of nearly new M900/DT/Mavic wheels with good rubber to thrash for the next few months before a full tear-down and bare frame restoration. My younger son's interest in my renewed passion for MTBing prompted me to pick up a used but all OE 1995 GT Timberline FS with a large frame for his 183cm height (at 14 years old). We did our first XC trail ride yesterday and had a great time until he took a spill on an overpass bridge when he took his eyes off his line while watching a train pass underneath. :-(

So here are the latest as is photos:

Judy Rebuild:

New vintage whip for my son's first MTB:

With XTR/DT/Mavic 261s:

Current Specs:

[italics denote intentional non-OE spec bits]
[red indicates will be replaced with final restoration]

Frame: 1994 Marin Team Issue - Tange Ultimate Superlight MTB

Fork: Rock Shox 1995 Judy SL with red powder coated coil springs (elastomer replacements) of unknown manufacture — but they work and feel sweet ;-)
Headset: Cane Creek Sealed
Stem: Ritchey 110mm 5° Rise
Handlebar: Marin Lite T6 Aluminium
Grips: Ritchey WCS

Brakes: Shimano XTR M950 V-brakes
Brake Pads: Shimano XTR/XT V-brake Extreme Condition
Brake Cables: Unknown
Brake Levers: Shimano XTR M900

Shifters: Shimano XTR M900
Front Derailleur: Shimano XTR M900
Rear Derailleur: Shimano XTR M900
Derailleur Cables: Shimano XTR M900
Cassette: Shimano Hyperglide
Chain: Unknown
Cranks: Shimano XTR M900
Crank Bolts: Shimano XTR M900
Chainrings: Shimano XTR M900
Chainring bolts: Shimano XTR M900
Bottom Bracket: Shimano XTR M900
Pedals: Shimano M737 SPD

Hub Skewers: Shimano XTR M900
Rims: Mavic 261 32-hole
Hubs: Shimano XTR M900
Nipples: Brass
Spokes: DT stainless
Tyres (F/R): Panaracer Dart 26x2.0/IRC Piranha 26x2.0
Tubes: Unknown

Saddle: Terry Dragonfly with Manganese Rails
Seatpost: Unknown
Seatpost Binder: Stainless 10mm Hardware

Weight: 25.8 lbs

 

[keithwbloom]

Restoration/restomod long since complete!

I have been remiss about updating this thread since I completed my restoration/restomod last spring. Apologies. She is so sweet to ride, and I have frequently, on many of the trails I trained on with her predecessor over 20 years ago. The final specs for my build (and I am not sure I would change a single thing, even with means and opportunity) are below the photos...

Frame: 1994 Marin Team Issue - Tange Ultimate Superlight MTB

Fork: Rock Shox 2001 SID Dual Air Long Travel
Headset: Cane Creek Sealed
Stem: Titec 3/2.5 Titanium
Handlebar: Bontrager Ti
Grips: Ritchey WCS
Bar Ends: Onza Titanium

Brakes (F/R): Shimano XT V-brake, Shimano XTR M900 Cantilever
Brake Pads (F/R): Kool Stop Dual Compound V-brake, Shimano XTR M900
Brake Cables: Shimano XTR M900
Brake Levers: Shimano XTR M900

Shifters: Shimano XTR M900
Front Derailleur: Shimano XTR M900
Rear Derailleur: Shimano XTR M900
Derailleur Cables: Shimano XTR M900
Cassette: Shimano XTR Hyperglide
Chain: Shimano HG90 Hyperglide
Cranks: Shimano XTR M900
Crank Bolts: Shimano XTR M900
Chainrings: Shimano XTR M900
Chainring bolts: UV Purple Anodized Aluminium
Bottom Bracket: Shimano XTR M900
Pedals: Shimano XTR M959 SPD (photos feature restored Onza H.O., didn't favor them for cold weather, so I switched to 959s for all my 90s retro rides.)

Hub Skewers: Control-Tech Ti Stix UV Purple Anodized Aluminium
Rims: Mavic 230 SBP 32-hole
Hubs: Shimano XTR M900
Nipples: UV Purple Anodized Aluminium
Spokes: DT stainless
Tyres (F/R): Michelin XC-R Dry/Michelin XC-R Dry
Tubes: Unknown

Saddle: Selle Italia Flite Titanium 1990s Rerelease
Seatpost: Thompson Elite
Seatpost Binder: Control-Tech Ti Stix UV Purple Anodized Aluminium

 

[toothpick]

Inspiring post, looks like brand new life now!