Early Saracen Lovers Anonymous......
- Thread starter Carlos the Slackal
- Start date
Sahara Elite
hello everyone, congrats on the site.
I've just bought a black Sahara on an ebay whim, sight unseen for 20 quid and change. I think it's been sitting in a garden shed for several years; paintwork is pretty poor in places and there's more surface rust than I'd have hoped for. Downtube in particular bears the scars of a crudcatcher or similar. There's an unsightly dent in the top tube as well (maybe 20 x 5 x 3mm deep).
Saddle & seatpost are both very scruffy, but came out without complaint. Most of the kit seems pretty original or fair-to-middling quality, even if cosmetically challenged: BIOPACE / Exage 400LX, Deore thumb shifters & canti brakes w/ Richey Logic levers etc. Wheels are original and in good nick; front tyre is a nice old Tioga which may scrub up well.
A couple of questions :
Can anyone date it accurately (I'm thinking circa 1991 - the missus has a similarly-equipped Rock Hopper of that vintage); and where did the 'Sahara Elite' fit within the range?
Also... What should I do with it now? My plan was to just add a pannier rack & skinny semi-slicks and use it as my winter commuter (less than 5 tarmac miles a day). However, now I have it, I'm tempted to strip/powdercoat/restore -- so what do you think, worth the effort to save it from the street salt?
{ pic to follow... }
hello everyone, congrats on the site.
I've just bought a black Sahara on an ebay whim, sight unseen for 20 quid and change. I think it's been sitting in a garden shed for several years; paintwork is pretty poor in places and there's more surface rust than I'd have hoped for. Downtube in particular bears the scars of a crudcatcher or similar. There's an unsightly dent in the top tube as well (maybe 20 x 5 x 3mm deep).
Saddle & seatpost are both very scruffy, but came out without complaint. Most of the kit seems pretty original or fair-to-middling quality, even if cosmetically challenged: BIOPACE / Exage 400LX, Deore thumb shifters & canti brakes w/ Richey Logic levers etc. Wheels are original and in good nick; front tyre is a nice old Tioga which may scrub up well.
A couple of questions :
Can anyone date it accurately (I'm thinking circa 1991 - the missus has a similarly-equipped Rock Hopper of that vintage); and where did the 'Sahara Elite' fit within the range?
Also... What should I do with it now? My plan was to just add a pannier rack & skinny semi-slicks and use it as my winter commuter (less than 5 tarmac miles a day). However, now I have it, I'm tempted to strip/powdercoat/restore -- so what do you think, worth the effort to save it from the street salt?
{ pic to follow... }
DeletedUser006
Old School Grand Master
Hello and welcome to the site and of course to Saracen Lovers anonymous 
Looks in very good codition, I would keep it / restore especially if you can keep the original paint and decals. But its your choice.
Front tyre looks an FJ Nephew !
Nice to see another Saracen
Looks in very good codition, I would keep it / restore especially if you can keep the original paint and decals. But its your choice.
Front tyre looks an FJ Nephew !
Nice to see another Saracen
Carlos the Slackal
Retro Guru
Superb, folks! Keep 'em coming!
DeletedUser006
Old School Grand Master
Anyone seen this puppy ?
Looks sweet and would be an easy entry to the thread
http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=43699
Looks sweet and would be an easy entry to the thread
http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=43699
Marmite King
Retro Guru
Carlos the Slackal
Retro Guru
Marmite King":6dbieyxo said:Here`s a picture of my 19.5" Kili Racer 1992................am trying to sell it but can`t get the interest
Nice...!
D'you know, I wasn't sure when I started this thread. I thought people might have been embarrassed to admit their love, but it seems I was right, there ARE a lot of us out there!
Repack Rider
Senior Retro Guru
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