So a good few months ago now it seems, I won a Nuke Proof Reactor frame on eBay. Having done some research before pulling the trigger, and having wanted one since I saw Jago's build thread on here (having never seen nor heard of one before then), I was pretty pleased to say the least when I came across one and that it ended up in my possession.
I went into the purchase with my eyes open, and to the best of my knowledge all I'd need would be a shock for the front end, and the braces for the forks/linkages. The latter I knew I would probably have to get made, so was ready for that.
However, the frame arrived yesterday morning just as I was on my way out, so whilst excited, I had to wait until the evening before I could get the box open and see what was inside. That was when my excitement faded a little and I now know I have a lot more work on my hands than I had planned, or the eBay auction eluded to (or answers to my questions indicated).
Issue 1 - seat post damage
Due to the frame being poorly packaged and with no protection at all for any areas that could suffer damage in transit such as rear drop outs, head and seat tube extremities etc, I guess I was lucky that the only damage suffered to the frame was that the seat tube top has been squashed a bit and is now ovalised.
Issue 2 - Fork braces
As mentioned, I knew that I would need to source these somehow. As luck would have it, a very helpful member on here has been in touch and is making some for his own project, so hopefully I can get in on that action and have a set made as well.
Issue 3 - No bearings whatsoever
Now this really is a pain, as without any fixtures and fittings, I have no way of easily sourcing the parts I'd need. Apparently the lower headset bearing is impossible to get, so am I already screwed before I start? Does anyone know of a bearing supplier who might be able to help with a very odd and unusual sized bearing (as yet unknown information, but hoping to get). Bearing fixtures and fittings (bolts, bushings etc) are also going to be on the wanted list once I know what I need, so again, any suppliers known that can provide this kind of thing?
BB shell tapped on one side only
No idea if this has been done well or not, but I will of course need to get the other side done if I am to give me more choice on BB and crankset. Anyone know a friendly bike shop in or around the Epsom area that can do this? Fudge cycles can't, and say only a frame builder would be able to do it. I seem to recall this kind of thing being done by my LBS back in the day, but I guess there is no real demand for this type of service in today's society of planned obsolescence.
No bottle bosses, just holes
Another unexpected surprise that I need to deal with on both down and seat tube. Fudge Cycles again can't even do this, so looking for someone who can.
Seat tube repair
Should this be something I leave to a professional, or give it a go myself? I've opened a case with eBay about this and the other missing bits that the description hinted at being included, but just trying to plan ahead.
Head tube bolt hole?
There appears to be what I imagine is a hole to allow access to the front shock mounting bolts. However, the inner sheath would appear to block this, so am I missing something? Should a hole be added to the inner sheath for the head tube or is the hole for a use I simply can't see?
Is it all there despite the above?
As I have no experience at all wit this frame, I am still not 100% sure it is all there. It looks as though the seller wasn't either, as included in the box of bits was what I can only assume was the CNC BB bridge from the rear suspended version?
OK, now that is the negative/issues over, now on to the more exciting stuff. Assuming the above can be overcome, how on earth should I build this up? I was thinking M952 most of the way, with perhaps some black cranks, but then as a lot of the head tube end is silver, should I try and build this up in a more silver friendly way, with M739 (aside from the cranks) and some silver finishing kit?
Wheel wise I had contemplated getting out the old Nuke Proof hubs I bought years ago, and getting them built up, but if I went into black finishing kit mode, I was thinking a completely not period correct set of Spinery Xyclone wheels with black rims/hubs and yellow spokes?
Decisions, decisions, but before I get to it, I need to work out if it can actually be done (by me at ay rate).
I went into the purchase with my eyes open, and to the best of my knowledge all I'd need would be a shock for the front end, and the braces for the forks/linkages. The latter I knew I would probably have to get made, so was ready for that.
However, the frame arrived yesterday morning just as I was on my way out, so whilst excited, I had to wait until the evening before I could get the box open and see what was inside. That was when my excitement faded a little and I now know I have a lot more work on my hands than I had planned, or the eBay auction eluded to (or answers to my questions indicated).
Issue 1 - seat post damage
Due to the frame being poorly packaged and with no protection at all for any areas that could suffer damage in transit such as rear drop outs, head and seat tube extremities etc, I guess I was lucky that the only damage suffered to the frame was that the seat tube top has been squashed a bit and is now ovalised.
Issue 2 - Fork braces
As mentioned, I knew that I would need to source these somehow. As luck would have it, a very helpful member on here has been in touch and is making some for his own project, so hopefully I can get in on that action and have a set made as well.
Issue 3 - No bearings whatsoever
Now this really is a pain, as without any fixtures and fittings, I have no way of easily sourcing the parts I'd need. Apparently the lower headset bearing is impossible to get, so am I already screwed before I start? Does anyone know of a bearing supplier who might be able to help with a very odd and unusual sized bearing (as yet unknown information, but hoping to get). Bearing fixtures and fittings (bolts, bushings etc) are also going to be on the wanted list once I know what I need, so again, any suppliers known that can provide this kind of thing?
BB shell tapped on one side only
No idea if this has been done well or not, but I will of course need to get the other side done if I am to give me more choice on BB and crankset. Anyone know a friendly bike shop in or around the Epsom area that can do this? Fudge cycles can't, and say only a frame builder would be able to do it. I seem to recall this kind of thing being done by my LBS back in the day, but I guess there is no real demand for this type of service in today's society of planned obsolescence.
No bottle bosses, just holes
Another unexpected surprise that I need to deal with on both down and seat tube. Fudge Cycles again can't even do this, so looking for someone who can.
Seat tube repair
Should this be something I leave to a professional, or give it a go myself? I've opened a case with eBay about this and the other missing bits that the description hinted at being included, but just trying to plan ahead.
Head tube bolt hole?
There appears to be what I imagine is a hole to allow access to the front shock mounting bolts. However, the inner sheath would appear to block this, so am I missing something? Should a hole be added to the inner sheath for the head tube or is the hole for a use I simply can't see?
Is it all there despite the above?
As I have no experience at all wit this frame, I am still not 100% sure it is all there. It looks as though the seller wasn't either, as included in the box of bits was what I can only assume was the CNC BB bridge from the rear suspended version?
OK, now that is the negative/issues over, now on to the more exciting stuff. Assuming the above can be overcome, how on earth should I build this up? I was thinking M952 most of the way, with perhaps some black cranks, but then as a lot of the head tube end is silver, should I try and build this up in a more silver friendly way, with M739 (aside from the cranks) and some silver finishing kit?
Wheel wise I had contemplated getting out the old Nuke Proof hubs I bought years ago, and getting them built up, but if I went into black finishing kit mode, I was thinking a completely not period correct set of Spinery Xyclone wheels with black rims/hubs and yellow spokes?
Decisions, decisions, but before I get to it, I need to work out if it can actually be done (by me at ay rate).
