Marla Streb's 1998 X-Games YETI DH4

[nporternz]

Got this recently from a friendly retrobiker in Sweded. To cut a long story short this is one of my all time favourite bikes and it turns out this one has a bit of history to it too!!

Legend has it that this bike was once owned by Mert Lawwill and was raced at the 1998 X-Games by Marla Streb. Its got bearings on all the pivots and the rear travel is 5, not 4, inches

I got it in very good condition - although i've added a few decals (sorry Neil) and some other parts

DHO Forks - yes I know its an sl brace
Boxxer Front Hub
HED Downhill Rims
Magura Front Brake

But I cannot decide whether to keep it like this or strip it down and do a proper restoration job on it respray etc.......

any thoughts welcome

 

[hoegaardenadds1]

personally id clean it up as best as you can, maybe touch up a few bits but its wounds are its history.

 

[Enid_Puceflange]

I think, If your going to re-spray it and replicate the original paintjob then crack on.
A good restoration of something with a little history behind it is a lovely thing.

If your going to use it as yeti intended then just freshen it up, but i would guess your going to ride it and not thrash it to death so go RE-SPRAY

Gc

 

[Neil G]

I'd leave it...bikes always look good with some marks of use/history and often when you start spending money restoring etc. they become to precious and end up in the garage 24/7/365!

 

[beepbeep]

Re: Yeti Lawwill 4

although i've added a few decals (sorry Neil)

Hey no problem, I love decals!!

Looking sweet with the HED wheels.
It's a tough decision, one I mulled over constantly when I owned it. I'm a big fan of patina, as is Yeti founder John Parker who now runs the Primer Nationals http://www.primernationals.com/primer/event.html but I think the Lawwill would also look great totally restored and factory-fresh.

Not much help am I?

 

[kaiser]

Thats fantastic, I'd go full resto then use it.

 

[nporternz]

Re: Yeti Lawwill 4

although i've added a few decals (sorry Neil)

Hey no problem, I love decals!!

Looking sweet with the HED wheels.
It's a tough decision, one I mulled over constantly when I owned it. I'm a big fan of patina, as is Yeti founder John Parker who now runs the Primer Nationals http://www.primernationals.com/primer/event.html but I think the Lawwill would also look great totally restored and factory-fresh.

Not much help am I?

its real difficult!! if i go full respray then will the decals look weird if they are viynl and not under the clear??

leaning towards building it and having a little fun and then stripping and restoring!!

Cant wait to put THOSE shifters on!

 

[fingers]

leave it be and rag it...

not like its gonna rust is it...

 

[GaryTurner]

Don't touch the paint , just a old and good component on .

 

[driven]

get it resprayed in its original colors