Bridgestone MB-? ID

[dychron]

Hello friends, I have a frame that is claimed to be a bridgestone mb, and I would love if anyone could offer any info or ideas on frame model or year.
The serial is M8A65949
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks

 

[RustyGold]

Firstly, welcome .

Secondly, I don't know if it's just me but I can only see one of many your pictures. I'm sure someone will chime in to attest, or denounce, this.

Bridgestone only had a handful of mountain bikes in their roster (MB-1 through to the MB-6, If I recall), so narrowing it down shouldn't be too tricky.

I have always had a soft spot for Bridgestones myself. I'm sure it'll make for an interesting project. All the Bridgestone information I have referenced in the past has been available through Sheldon Brown's website. I'm not sure if the serial number can be verified, I've read that they're a bit of a mystery .

It would be well worth your time and effort to look through the extensive catalogues and Bridgestone production details in an effort to identify the model.

Sheldon Brown: Bridgestone Section: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/bridgestone/index.html

 

[Mr Panda]

maybe.......

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewto ... hlight=mb3

....or maybe something else.............. :xmas-wink:

 

[lrh]

Assuming that "8" means 1988 then my guess: http://sheldonbrown.com/bridgestone/1988/images/bridgestone-1988-08.jpg

Didn't do many with U-brakes so must be 1987-1989.

 

[Rampage]

Bridgestone MB-1 had a lugged headtube.
This hasen't.

 

[velomaniac]

Taiwanese built mainly welded frame, Japanese built were all lugged about 1987 ( bridgestone did U-brakes that year only it seems) possibly a MB-3 as all red was one of the options for this model though I've just noticed the white underneath which is a 1987 MB-3. Should be fitted with a skinny Spinner unicrown fork. The all lugged Jap built ones had triple butted chromolly main triangles, not sure about the Taiwanese ones. really weird how both Jap and Taiwan models built at the same time using different construction techniques. i think the jap factories took up the slack when the Taiwanese couldn't fill an order as the lugged build style was usually only seen on Bridgestone road bikes.

They ride great