Final build for the year, or ever... 1998 DeKerf Team SL

[TOMAS]

Some nice parts going on, i have the same cranks, matching stem too but im keeping that nice choice with the headset colour. Not sure about the grey forks, maybe a darker grey, like the xtr, or green or colour matched to the frame maybe?

mark

Cheers Mark, out of interest what is the matching RF stem for these cranks as I cannot find any literature for late 90s RF stuff? Matt ran some Deus stuff on his Dekerf but I think Deus could be 2000>? I can always decide on colour of fork once build complete but am siding with a darker grey the more I go on with build

 

[mk one]

Its a RF System stem, in gunmetal. I think they first came out in '98.

mark

 

[TOMAS]

Re:

Few new bits added recently, grey 206g Syncros ahead cattleprod stem to compliment the Syncros post, Bontrager Ti Saddle, that's in incredible condition and a mere 234g, a Zoom bar at 168g (this is temp and looking to be swapped out for something American/Canadian ideally in similar glossy black anodized to match the post), and of course it has to be XTR M950 Stis at 358g with gear cable inners to complete the XTR M950 groupset, these are thanks to Matt Haywood on here. I've stripped the covers, thoroughly blasted out the crud/old grease with spray lube and lightly re-lubed with gear oil, these work like new.

Now onto wheels... I do have some possibilities from my stash, but if any guys and gals have some nice wheels for sale that they think will compliment this build, please shout up! I'm ideally wanting grey or black hubs and similar colour rims. Thinking maybe M950 hubs, maybe X517 or 217 rims, the grail would be green Chris King hubs but suspect these will be beyond my budget...

 

[TOMAS]

Re:

WHEELS/TYRES - I've managed to source a Dave Hinde (that names like a swear word these days) built set of Mavic X517s in grey, currently black LX Parallax hubs and stainless DB spokes. My intention is the have these wheels rebuilt into different hubs at some stage, depending what comes along (ideally something American/Canadian and grey/black or green in colour.

I found a NOS Wildgripper tyre going for a good price and paired it up with a used but still VGC similar in folding/amberwall.

Picked these up Friday, a £10 Shpock find! Marzochhi Z2 Flylight 1999, they appear in superb order and thanks to SEANSTEPHENS thread a few years ago about his restoration on his, it has helped me strip the lowers off to give them a clean and fresh bath oil, however on rebound there is audible sloshing sound so can only assume the oil in the rebound cartridges wants changing too. Thankfully bushings are sound, no play and all seals seem fine and holds air well.

Impressively light @ 1.5kg for a 70mm travel shock, I think these are about the right length A-C, however happy for peoples input? Do I get them re-painted or does gold work with the tangerine frame?

 

[WWC]

Re:

 

[mk one]

yeah, im not sure about the gold with the orange, would have to see the whole bike to decide. Having said that, its not my bike so doesnt really matter wether i like it

heres a pic of the RF stem...

 

[TOMAS]

Ahh thats a sweet stem! I'll have to keep a lookout for any that come up in that colour as think it'll suit way better than my syncros jobbie! Once it's built up and i'm happy with how the fork rides, I might toy with idea of a re-paint, If I keep the central section of the lowers in polished alloy as they are, then it should be a doddle to mask up the dropout and top of lowers and repaint... anyhow i'm a long way off that yet

 

[james1985]

That looks great so far. cant wait to see more of it.

 

[TOMAS]

Re:

FINALLY got around to finishing this off...

So I managed to get hold of a NOS 140g Syncros bar from the 98/99 period (these are getting mega rare) - thanks Jordi off this forum, M747 SPD's - a great ebay win @ £11 and dead on 400g for these, ODI Attack grips (the newly released ones - not sure if there is any difference to the period ones they did) and a ahem SRAM 11-28 8 speed cassette (when I find a good condition period Shimano at the right price, it will be replaced).

Finally all built up, ready for it's maiden voyage down the local canals this weekend.

I'm still undecided on fork colour, also if a black Syncros stem comes up I might see if someone will swap for the grey I have, unless I repaint the forks the same colour as the stem... Fit seems very good for me, those with beady eye may also notice I swapped out the Bonyt saddle for a more fitting WTB SST dropnose job thats about as NOS as you'll find a used one.

 

[SEANSTEPHENS]

Re:

Glad you found my superfly rebuild thread helpful. Beautiful bike btw, i love it