MARIN INDIAN FIRE-TRAIL-ADVISE

[kamen]

Hi, just like to say i like the feel of the forum, freindly people who actually want to help-out unlike some forums, anyway ive a problem i need some help/advise on
basically ive bought a MARIN INDIAN FIRE-TRAIL bike which, in my view needs some extensive work to make it A1 again
and what id like to know is, how-much work/money would-be involved in putting back to A1 original condition as ive got to decide if i want to hold on to the the bike and do the work (altho my time can-be limited)
or give it back and wait for another bike that is in better condition or needs alot less work/time/money spent on it
(altho this could take some time waiting for another)
i will give a basic run-down of what i think is required
the frame and forks need rubbing down and cleaned-up
but have no damage
the crank also needs cleaning-up but also in good condition
the rear de-railer needs cleaning-up but also in good condition
the wheels are in a "over-all" good condition but also need cleaning-up
maybe re-place??
the head-set and handle bars also need cleaning-up
things that need replacing are
the gears are the "grip-shift" handle-bar type, which i dont like
and would want to re-place for the original "under-bar" thumb shift
the brakes are also a late spec instead of the original canter-lever brakes
which id want to replace
all brake and gear cables would also need replaceing
and the saddle
so id like some views on wheather to use this as a project, price and time dependant??
or wait and get another that needs less time/money and be easeyer
to work with, all advise welcome thanks

 

[DeletedUser006]

Hi there and welcome to the forum,

From what it sounds it seems your bike is almost complete apart from a few of the original items, I presume it rides in its current state ?

Most of my bikes have been bought complete and a little time and effort on the components does the whole bike a world of justice. Cables, Chains, Brakes and tyres are in my eyes consumables and will eventually wear our or perish so a fresh set is always good money spent and the effect is instantly felt when riding.

Post a couple of pics and we can judge it, Oil and grime will usualy come off leaving nice shiny parts underneath with a bit of work, but if you have rust and corrosion from a bike thats been cruely left out in all weather then you may have to look at replacement parts.

Part of the fun with retro bikes is getting the parts to complete your bike, if they were all easily accesable then we would all have new retro bikes with spares at halfords when we need them

Cheers

 

[kamen]

FIRE-TRAIL-HELP

Hi and thanks for the welcome
to answer your question, the bike is rideable and the frame+forks do need a clean-up/rubbing-down but that in itself isnt a problem
as said they are in good condition except for the usuall scratches
as at somepoint someone has tryed to re-spray the bike
leaving over spray over the frame/forks/brakes/cables
but as said this isnt really a problem, just elbow grease
my main concern is getting the parts for the re-build
like the gears and the brakes and some ideas as too how much
these iteams may cost, also and update to whats on the bike
will have to try and get some pics up, but havnt had to do this before
so may need some help via PM
also just pointing-out im a novice MTBs so im trying my best
to read through old posts

de-railer/ shimano LX DEORE
brakes/ shimano STX-RC
gear-change/ shimano DEORE
handle-bar-leavers AVID SD 2.0
handle-bars/ sanrafael california
head-set/ marin lite gold forged
wheels/ MAVIK
any advise/surggestions welcome

 

[FluffyChicken]

Pics needed.

Post your frame number up as well, not only does it help us identify it, it adds to our lacking, Marin Alu frame info.

You'll be wanting XT stuff iirc so it's not too much though not cheap, probably some in the for sale section now.

Remember you'll get some money back hopefully by selling what you'll not be using.

Don't forget new gear and brake cables and probably a new chain.

Really the main part is time and effort.

 

[brocklanders023]

The bits you need should not break the bank unless you want NOS. Do you want the original spec or are you happy with period bits? I think you could make up a very nice looking bike for not much cash.

I'm currently stripping down a Bear Valley that was very snotty. First time I've taken on such a project and I'm loving it! I say crack open the old elbow grease and dive in.

 

[kamen]

The bits you need should not break the bank unless you want NOS. Do you want the original spec or are you happy with period bits? I think you could make up a very nice looking bike for not much cash.

Hi and thanks for the reply
i would like to replace the gears shifts for the orignals if possible but im also open to ideas
i will try and get some pics-up of the bike, but looking at the bike yesterday, i got carried-away and decided to start stripping it down
so any pics will be of the bike in bits, but if anyones interested i may try and start a post showing the build
(altho being a novice it could take a-while) ive soursed the canterlever brakes so my main concern is the DEORE XT8 shifters, or maybe something very similar
also im in need of the original or very similar (head) thats on the fire-trail
and also altho the forks are original the top of the stem/head doesnt seem compleat as the part that hold the break cable in-place doesnt seen to have a flush fit
but i assume that pics of the parts would give people a better idea as to see what-what
anyway until pics are sorted, ive got the frame number as requested
60-65E
FK6GAE005

 

[FluffyChicken]

FK6xxExxx

F is where it's made and consistent with the only other 1995+ serial number I've seen for a Indian Fire Trail

K is consistent with a 1995 code for Indian Fire Trail, though different to all years before that as they seemed to be incrementing the letter, though if it's the same as the 1995 one then no reason to increment the letter (Possibly)

6 = built in 1996, so it's probably a 1996 model, (though could be a 1997 model)

E means it's a damn large frame, you would need to measure centre of bottom bracket to centre of top tube (along the seat tube) may be ~ 20.5" ?

I would note I never looked at a Marin catalogue past 1995


Bikepedia has a few models under the 1996 model (if it's polished it' 1996, if it ball burnished it's 1997)
http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/Bike ... rand=Marin looks to be just suspension options from a quick look.
and it looks like your Gripshift are original :shock: Where you the one who asked a while back about shifters on indian fire trails ? If so I guess I answered wrong as I missed the 96 model.

So yes start a Bike thread in the My Bike <'97 and get something up.

Don't think we've had such a year Indian Fire Trail on here. A few '95 and before.

 

[kamen]

[/quote}E means it's a damn large frame, you would need to measure centre of bottom bracket to centre of top tube (along the seat tube) may be ~ 20.5" ?

it looks like your Gripshift are original :shock: Where you the one who asked a while back about shifters on indian fire trails ? If so I guess I answered wrong as I missed the 96 model.

So yes start a Bike thread in the My Bike <'97 and get something up.
[/quote]

thanks for the info
if ive mesured right, as youve described then yes its 20.5
which has me slightly worried as im only 5.9 and im unsure if the frame maybe too big, altho a mates normal IFT seems ok

yes it was me who asked about the grip-shifts
but i prefer the under-bar shifters XT8?
how hard would it be to get these shifters? or maybe something similar

i have a few pics of the bike, so will try to up-load them and start a new-post showing progress and asking for help/advise

 

[FluffyChicken]

Well 20.5" is probably a ~22" (measure to the top of the seatube) in a lot of old Retro Measurements.
I would say it was too big.

I ride a 20.5" Rocky so is about 18" to the toptube (though this is a sloping one so may be similar to your overall would need to check.

I'm 5' 9-1/2" though my leg is 34"

I would say you need at least a size smaller, unless you're just riding it along the road.
If you have normal length legs at 32" then you may find your balls take a hammering on the top tube :shock:

 

[kamen]

FIRETRAIL

thanks for the quick reply
i could have problem with the size as my inside leg is a only 31"
and the bike is being build to be used as a trail bike
so its goeing to get lots of off-road use
with regards to what youve said im unsure as how-to progress
as its not much point me building a bike that i cant use
maybe sell the frame and try and sourse another smaller one?