Northernlight
GT Fan
Having been hooked into mtb since I was a 12 year old with a hand me down Falcon Everest back in 1989, I always hankered after one of those real world hero mtb’s that you only saw in photos when looking at MBUK with your mates.
At school, a classmate worked endless odd-jobs over one summer and ended up the envy of everyone when he proudly rode in one day on a shiny new ‘91 Karakoram Elite. We all marvelled at the frankly awe inspiring paintwork (particularly having just re-painted my rusty Falcon with Hammerite) and ever since then I was always bewitched by those early GT paint jobs.
Fast forward ‘many’ years and after lurking on here marvelling at the awesome bikes and stories for many moons (but sadly with little real spare time to get involved), I finally decided to bite the bullet with a sanity project in lockdown.
After a lot of internet scouring, ebay watchlists etc, I finally spotted a half decent looking Daktari white 91 Avalanche in the right size. After a few questions to the eBay seller, it looked like a decent bet (being too far to go and view) and I was fortunate enough to win the auction.
Headed down to collect and was delighted to find that it had been very sparingly used and always garaged - still on its original tyres and missing only its original seat and post.
Been slowly collecting a few period correct parts with the idea of making it the bike I always lusted over as a kid (when Deore XT was akin to platinum compared to my workmanlike Exage Trail).
Finally started putting it together recently and really enjoying the mix of nostalgia and wonder at how simple yet effective bike engineering was back then. No hydraulics to bleed, no dropper posts or tyre sealant, just good old steel! Although if I’m being honest, I had forgotten what a faff cantilever brakes are to get (and stay) properly set up!
First photos as it was when collected, will add progress pics following.
At school, a classmate worked endless odd-jobs over one summer and ended up the envy of everyone when he proudly rode in one day on a shiny new ‘91 Karakoram Elite. We all marvelled at the frankly awe inspiring paintwork (particularly having just re-painted my rusty Falcon with Hammerite) and ever since then I was always bewitched by those early GT paint jobs.
Fast forward ‘many’ years and after lurking on here marvelling at the awesome bikes and stories for many moons (but sadly with little real spare time to get involved), I finally decided to bite the bullet with a sanity project in lockdown.
After a lot of internet scouring, ebay watchlists etc, I finally spotted a half decent looking Daktari white 91 Avalanche in the right size. After a few questions to the eBay seller, it looked like a decent bet (being too far to go and view) and I was fortunate enough to win the auction.
Headed down to collect and was delighted to find that it had been very sparingly used and always garaged - still on its original tyres and missing only its original seat and post.
Been slowly collecting a few period correct parts with the idea of making it the bike I always lusted over as a kid (when Deore XT was akin to platinum compared to my workmanlike Exage Trail).
Finally started putting it together recently and really enjoying the mix of nostalgia and wonder at how simple yet effective bike engineering was back then. No hydraulics to bleed, no dropper posts or tyre sealant, just good old steel! Although if I’m being honest, I had forgotten what a faff cantilever brakes are to get (and stay) properly set up!
First photos as it was when collected, will add progress pics following.
