Rambo Mambo
Kona Fan
Hi all,
It’s been a while since I did a build thread so this is quite exciting for me.
I’ve acquired Caz’s race bike from 93(?) and I can’t tell you how much of an honour it is. I loved following her in the MBUK mags but unfortunately didn’t get the chance to see her race. This is the closest I have got to racing history. She was quite the thing as we will recall.
Anyway, this bike has been around. Was for sale in a jumble sale in Chalfont, may have been on sale here (I'm sure I saw something) and then it popped up on FB marketplace. I couldn’t resist.
The story goes that I recently acquired it for a nice price from a chap from Kent who, it appears, had personal connections with Caz and her then partner, the inimitable Barrie Clarke. The stories he told me of them on the day I collected left me on cloud 9!
This build is going to be a slow burner. Im thrilled to say that most of the components appear to be original! The original Grafton XTR M900 perches are still present can you believe?!
Other parts on the bike she raced were also mostly Grafton/Ringlé so I’ll be reaching out to John G, also sourcing parts from the USA whilst trying to keep it sensible in terms of build cost. I’ve already bought some parts but they ain’t cheap! M900 won’t be so hard to get hold of. Left shifter is dead for example.
Here is an early shout of thanks to @reg for his help with advice about how to go about this. It’s turns out he worked on her bikes also. If anyone else wants to chime in I’ll be welcoming that!
Needless to say there won’t be any respray action going on.
2025 is already shaping up to be a good one (retro bike wise)
Peace and love for the new year my fellow bike nuts.
It’s been a while since I did a build thread so this is quite exciting for me.
I’ve acquired Caz’s race bike from 93(?) and I can’t tell you how much of an honour it is. I loved following her in the MBUK mags but unfortunately didn’t get the chance to see her race. This is the closest I have got to racing history. She was quite the thing as we will recall.
Anyway, this bike has been around. Was for sale in a jumble sale in Chalfont, may have been on sale here (I'm sure I saw something) and then it popped up on FB marketplace. I couldn’t resist.
The story goes that I recently acquired it for a nice price from a chap from Kent who, it appears, had personal connections with Caz and her then partner, the inimitable Barrie Clarke. The stories he told me of them on the day I collected left me on cloud 9!
This build is going to be a slow burner. Im thrilled to say that most of the components appear to be original! The original Grafton XTR M900 perches are still present can you believe?!
Other parts on the bike she raced were also mostly Grafton/Ringlé so I’ll be reaching out to John G, also sourcing parts from the USA whilst trying to keep it sensible in terms of build cost. I’ve already bought some parts but they ain’t cheap! M900 won’t be so hard to get hold of. Left shifter is dead for example.
Here is an early shout of thanks to @reg for his help with advice about how to go about this. It’s turns out he worked on her bikes also. If anyone else wants to chime in I’ll be welcoming that!
Needless to say there won’t be any respray action going on.
2025 is already shaping up to be a good one (retro bike wise)
Peace and love for the new year my fellow bike nuts.
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Classy bike & rider! 
I use to see Barrie Clarke on random days when I use to commute at my first job in Surrey/Greater London. Always used to give me a friendly wave/nod as went past each other riding in opposite directions. Think he used to work for BT.
. Any advice would be great.
