Ok. This is my first ever post and my first retro bike build, although I did build bikes in 1990 and 91. So to go back to my roots I wanted to own a bike I always wanted as a young lad. So the opportunity came along and thanks to Ash I purchased a XL dolomite in great condition. My plan is to build as close to factory spec as possible. The components will be reconditioned where possible or purchased as NOS.
Oh just to give you a bit of back ground on my mechanical expertise. My main hobby is classic sports cars so will be using some of my restoring technics on this bike and parts.
So to date I have clean and polished the frame using top quality cutting compound and top coat wax. Found a 1990 donor bike with full XT (I will not be using all parts and will sell on at a later date). Ash also supplied NOS Klein grips and a nice XTR m900 seat post QR. Using the retrobike sale forum I have also managed to purchase a NOS XT SP-M730 seat post.
So far I have reconditioned the following:-
• XT M730 crank by sanding at different grades of wet and dry paper until I got the desired lustre. I didn’t want to go for a polished look as I wanted to match the anodised coating as much as possible. To be honest it has worked really well.
• Cleaned and oiled the Sti shifters,
• Cleaned and re-greased the rear mech
• Cleaned the rear cassette (Dish washer worked very well )
• Cleaned the XT front and rear QR Skewers
I have the following parts but need to finish working on them:-
• XT PD-M730 pedals (I did a few of these back in the 90’s and remember what a pain they were, I have checked the cones and ball bearings and all looks good so in theory these should restore well ).
• I am also attempting the recondition the HG90/1 chain ( I have a few ideas on how to do this so will let you know how I get on)
• Cantilever brakes just need a clean
• XT hubs & Rims need a clean and re-grease
• Avocet Gelflex saddle needs a clean
I have yet decided what cabling to use. I have spoken to a many modern MTB bike enthusiast who say Jagwire are excellent cables. If I can find original NOS cables from the 90’s I will use these but I expect these are not easy to come by.
I will hopefully be postings updates as I go along until the bike is complete.
Oh just to give you a bit of back ground on my mechanical expertise. My main hobby is classic sports cars so will be using some of my restoring technics on this bike and parts.
So to date I have clean and polished the frame using top quality cutting compound and top coat wax. Found a 1990 donor bike with full XT (I will not be using all parts and will sell on at a later date). Ash also supplied NOS Klein grips and a nice XTR m900 seat post QR. Using the retrobike sale forum I have also managed to purchase a NOS XT SP-M730 seat post.
So far I have reconditioned the following:-
• XT M730 crank by sanding at different grades of wet and dry paper until I got the desired lustre. I didn’t want to go for a polished look as I wanted to match the anodised coating as much as possible. To be honest it has worked really well.
• Cleaned and oiled the Sti shifters,
• Cleaned and re-greased the rear mech
• Cleaned the rear cassette (Dish washer worked very well )
• Cleaned the XT front and rear QR Skewers
I have the following parts but need to finish working on them:-
• XT PD-M730 pedals (I did a few of these back in the 90’s and remember what a pain they were, I have checked the cones and ball bearings and all looks good so in theory these should restore well ).
• I am also attempting the recondition the HG90/1 chain ( I have a few ideas on how to do this so will let you know how I get on)
• Cantilever brakes just need a clean
• XT hubs & Rims need a clean and re-grease
• Avocet Gelflex saddle needs a clean
I have yet decided what cabling to use. I have spoken to a many modern MTB bike enthusiast who say Jagwire are excellent cables. If I can find original NOS cables from the 90’s I will use these but I expect these are not easy to come by.
I will hopefully be postings updates as I go along until the bike is complete.
