Opinions - Repair, or split to sell?

[kaysee]

Hi All,

A few days back I picked up a Proflex 862 in a bit of a sorry state. I started cleaning, replacing and repairing, but have found major problem. The poor thing must have spent much of the last few years in a damp shed, and the RS Mag forks have really suffered. The gold paint is mottled and peeling (all the workings seem fine though, and I have the magic pump), but worse is the crown has large chunks chipped off due to major corrosion - I shan't be riding that then.

The rest of the bike isn't too bad - a few rusty paint chips, but all seems good. The spec was good for it's day, but I can't decide if it's worth spending any more money on. The biggest problem is the 1 1/4" headset - i'd need to hunt around for suitable forks of that size.

Alternatively, I could strip and sell the parts. Almost full 7-speed XT 735 rapidfire group, with no real wear, and only minor surface corrosion that will clean up well. Pair of half-decent looking skinwall Smokes, Sun rims, Suntour SE rear calipers, and the real reason I bought it - a one-piece ti flexstem and bar.

Time is precious at the moment, and I can't decide what to do - strip for parts, or hunt down some cheap forks, change the cables, and go riding...

Any opinions? Anyone have forks to fit?

Ta.

 

[RockiMtn]

if everything else is in good working order. i'd say get a new fork, or rebuild it and source a new crown, clean it up and ride it.

 

[coomber]

IF it is a 1 1/4 headset why not use spacers or whatever they are called and that will enable you to run 1 1/8th which is a lot easier to source and do. Most bike shops should be able to sell you some even if they have to order them in.

 

[kaysee]

But if I use spacers, I can't run the ti bar\stem that was the main reason for buying the bike...

 

[jimihendrix]

Always seemed a bit crazy to me running a flexstem and suspension forks :? , the flex stem was meant to be an alternative to forks.

Chris King do 1.1/4 headsets, you may have a hard time finding forks with an 1.1/4 (threaded ?) steerer, if you really want to keep the Flexstem maybe look for a set of original Offroad Proflex rigid forks ?.

Appart from that i'm afraid your best and easiest option is to fit headtube reducers (or a CK Devolution headset) and fit a set of 1.1/8 forks, headset and stem.

What size is the frame ?, if it's a 16" i may be interested if you split

 

[kaysee]

BITD I had a Diamond back with Mag 20s and a flexstem. The 862 seems to have been a rare beast, but from what I can tell, it had both as standard. I'll pull the forks off later just to confirm it is 1 1/4, but i'm 95% sure it is.

The fitted headset is fine, and if the fork crown was safe, I'd polish the legs up, as they work well - it's a shame the legs bolts in but the crown doesn't.

I should have the correct die here to cut fork threads, and I missed out on a nice set of rigid forks on ebay by 50p.

As for size, it was advertised as 20", but it looks more like an 18".

 

[was8v]

Is this the one that was on ebay recently - didn't have a pic for ages?

I'd look out for some 1 1/4 forks.

Alternatively can you swap the quill/pivot part of the flexstem for the quill/pivot bit of a 1 1/8 standard flexstem?

Then you can easily get some 1 1/8 forks, spacer and headset for it.

Sell the Mag 21s on.

 

[SouthCoastRetro]

..and should you desire to move on the M735 or the Smokes.....

 

[jimihendrix]

BITD I had a Diamond back with Mag 20s and a flexstem. The 862 seems to have been a rare beast, but from what I can tell, it had both as standard. I'll pull the forks off later just to confirm it is 1 1/4, but i'm 95% sure it is.

Cant remember Offroad fitting the Proflex with RockShox as standard :? , may be wrong though, i think the top dollar 952/962 came with Vectors as standard.

I can confirm it is definetely 1.1/4 though, i bought a new Proflex in 1992, a 752 with full DX, was replaced under waranty with an 852, same frame just silver/grey instead of the cherry red of the 752.

Was an 18" though and was always a shade too big, been looking on and off for a 16" for a while.

Post some pics up, would love to see it

 

[kaysee]

I think the current plan is to hold out for some 1 1/4 rigid forks - I'll stick a WTD up in a sec.

I'll pull the Rock Ring (TM) off, give the chain a clean, find a seatpost to replace the old one that was cracked, then get some pics up.