Early Saracen Lovers Anonymous......

[riddim-track]

Re:

First time Saracen owner here

My brother in law has an old orangy/red/tomato soup coloured Saracen he bought new around 1991-2 and I never really gave it any attention and following the Halfords years pretty much dismissed them... until!

A colleague gave me a 'Special Edition' he was planning to dump, he'd already rescued it for the saddle and seat post, I actually just wanted the cranks and bb for my hack bike, had planned to remove them then take the rest of it back to the tip. Anyway on inspection I can't believe the quality of this thing, smooth braized head tube with unusual sort of lugs at the bb and seat post cluster, internal cable, chain pip on the rear stay, a mix of deore dx and lx, pretty light for cro-mo also, very dirty but hardly a scratch on it

Not sure of the year or model, I understand from this thread the 'Special Edition' tag was added to clear old stock. it's pre odd seat cluster arrangement with the seat tube passing through the top tube ?pierced top tube) and it is post horizontal dropouts, canti brakes, 7 spd HG, 1" steerer, Saracen 'hard anodized' rims by Wolber, Tange tubeset, if any of this helps date it.

Had a skim through this post 160+ pages!!, got a bit inspired now and didn't realise they are so popular before.

So anyway decided to keep it and make a project of it as a break from road bikes. Not sure what direction to go, maybe restore what's there or maybe strip it down for single speed use, or possibly donate parts from an abandoned Alpinestars project.

Any suggestions on project or ideas as to model/year invited.

Will take some snaps when the weather is brighter

 

[Muddy paw]

Pics would help with id althouth it sounds like a possible Hydro Tech model as for year i couldn't say without further info from other members that know more than i do ..

 

[riddim-track]

Pics would help with id althouth it sounds like a possible Hydro Tech model as for year i couldn't say without further info from other members that know more than i do ..

Funnily I was just browsing the catalogue scans when your reply came through. Ok so I'm pretty sure it's from the 89-90 catalogue however the components don't concur with what's listed. Possibly a killi or traverse Will get some pics in the light tomorrow, lucky I'm working nights currently.

Ok so dismantled it and surprised by how everything came apart so easily, seems quite low mileage with low brake wear and original tyres (Farmer John cousins), packed up now as it got dark and cold on the balcony, will resume in the morning.

Might start a build thread for the first time, funny but I haven't been this excited by a build in ages

 

[coomber]

Re:

Sounds like an 89 kili
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=335803&hilit=Saracen+kili

Does it look like that?

 

[Muddy paw]

After seeing coombers old thread again as i believe he's on the right track mate and those tyres on your bike were really popular in 89 ..

 

[riddim-track]

Thanks both ^^

Yes I suspect you're right, here's a pic of the frame, however I note the down tube cable guide isn't the semi circular one in your pics.

Components I just stripped off include: mechs FD & RD MT62, cranks FC MT60, cantis BR MT60, levers/shift ST M071, Deore pedals with Tioga cages and straps, Zoom stem and 155gm straight handlebar, Farmer John cousin tyres, fluo green Onza bar ends and a yellow saracen bottle cage. Will turn my attention to the cranks and bb tomorrow, couldn't find the spindle adaptor for my crank puller this evening.









Close inspection has found rippling under the powdercoat which I understand is likely to be corrosion to the tubes beneath

 

[riddim-track]

Also just to add the rear spacing is 130mm and the bb shell is 68mm, Prestige tubeset

Wheels seem to be all original with black Deore hubs and Saracen (Wolber) rims, spokes seem loose however wheels run true, bearings need some grease, original qr levers too biopace rings.

Can't figure the STIs out, they seem to be a bit intermittent with the rachet action, not sure if I'm doing something wrong or they might have had it?

 

[coomber]

Re:

You have got yourself a beauty mate. Looks like a rebadged kili. As you say, saracen used to rebadge surplus frames next year as a special edition.

Looks just like this I think although I am on my mobile typing/reading..

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=42406&hilit=Saracen+kili

 

[coomber]

Re:

Some good parts list so save what you can.

Shifters probably dry grease from inactivity. I tend to just strip out cables and blast with wd40

 

[riddim-track]

Re:

Some good parts list so save what you can.

Shifters probably dry grease from inactivity. I tend to just strip out cables and blast with wd40

Will give that a try and see if they come back to life, however also considering other options re components.

Also ^^ yes, referenced with the 89-90 catalogue in the archive and I think you're right, A Kili flyer with upgraded cockpit

So removed the bb and forks today, going to clean the frame up this evening. I can't believe how easily the whole bike dismantled, it was as if it was only built last week, my usual experience with a 25+ year old bike is that at least one thing has to break or be stuck, well I guess there's a first for everything.

Quick question before I get on, What's the arrangment with the internal rear brake cable? I'm a bit reluctant to remove what's there until I know how I'll be putting it back.