New acquisition. 1989 (?) Bridgestone MB-4

[cackalak]

Just picked this up. It is not in the best shape, but not bad. Everything is at least functional. Some rust spots that will need some attention. I believe it's an 89, but not sure.

My intention for this bike is to ride it and ride it hard. I'm unsure if I will leave it geared or convert to singlespeed.

Really looking forward to riding it.

One question: What clamp size is the handlebar? I'd like to get a new handlebar, as I'm just unsure of the structural integrity of this current bar. I'm assuming it's something like 25.4 or 25.8? Just looking for a flat bar. I've got some Onza barends to put on there as well.

 

[otherself]

 

[Mike Muz]

Nice one ,
Don't see many Bridgestones these days , can't help with bar size I'm afraid , can you borrow some vernier calipers to find that out ? but looking forward to seeing what you do with it
Mike

 

[Mr Universe]

As mike says not many bridgestones around these days , great bikes , as regard the Dia of the bars, looking at your picture, looks like the shifters and brake levers you currently have fitted are shimano units and would assume unless the are overtigtned will be old school 25.4 mm, not heard of 25.8 ? ,You could always fold a piece of paper around the bars and mark at the join, then measure that if you don't have vernier calipers , the bar is it cracked or split to have the need to replace it?

Do you have any more photos too ?

 

[stork59]

Just picked this up. It is not in the best shape, but not bad. Everything is at least functional. Some rust spots that will need some attention. I believe it's an 89, but not sure.

My intention for this bike is to ride it and ride it hard. I'm unsure if I will leave it geared or convert to singlespeed.

Really looking forward to riding it.

One question: What clamp size is the handlebar? I'd like to get a new handlebar, as I'm just unsure of the structural integrity of this current bar. I'm assuming it's something like 25.4 or 25.8? Just looking for a flat bar. I've got some Onza barends to put on there as well.

Nice bike. Can't tell really but looks like a TIG frame from Taiwan? Still tying to nail down what year my MB4 was manufactured but is LUG contstructed and sticker says made in Japan. I think I bought it in 88 although I can't find it in any of the catalogues. Closest I saw had chainstay brakes instead of seatstay. what? Solid lake blue with orange b sticker. Prinstine.

 

[27motorhead]

100% 1989. Exage Mountain LX group was released for one year only and this was 1989, before things all changed in 1990 with the introduction of first generation STI push-push shifters. Lovely bike BTW!

 

[27motorhead]

Bars would I assume be 25.4mm DIA. Without calipers you can check as @Mr Universe said using a piece of paper wrapping around the bar in the centre and dividing by pi to get the clamp DIA. It might be engraved under where the stem clamps or under the grips with the clamp DIA.