Orange Prototype Aluminium O

[onion]

I have an Orange Aluminium O which is a joy to ride. Since completing a tour of almost 700km last year in the South of France (without hiccup) I'm deciding to do it the justice of a make-over.

Does anyone know where to get replacement decals from? Orange themselves don't have anything to help. I've heard on the forums that theres a person Gil_M or whatever. How do I find this character?

Also I was wondering if anyone out there knew what the original spec was for the bike? Date of release etc?

Currently :

Shimano deore xt levers and thumbshifters
Raceface airalloy handle bars
YST Evolution
Orange stem
Deore xt crank (fc - mt60)
Deore xt cantilever
Shimano Biopace-hp chainring
Shimano Close front and back wheel quick release axel
Suntour Toppull front mech
Shimano deore rear mech
Lizardskins grips
Orange saddle
Mavic rims
Unknown slim hubs

Thanks in advance,

 

[EarlofBarnet]

Looks a great bike, nice to have a prototype.

You can get Gil on: gil@thecycleshed.co.uk

 

[coomber]

Hard to say if a prototype but with the dx rear mech has to be 1991 or 1992 I believe.

Have a gander in the archives:

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/gallery2/mai ... temId=3349

 

[onion]

Could be the Elite? Given the box section chainstay combined with regular seatstay.

Hadn't seen these catalogues before. Excellent resource.

 

[Anthony]

If the 'Prototype' decal is original/authentic, the date of manufacture should tell us whether it's an O or an Elite. Look under the bb shell for an A number - e.g., A108 6840 was made in August 1991, but another format is that A9102 0354 was made in February 1991. I think an earlier date than that would suggest a protype of the O, whereas a later date would suggest a prototype of the Elite.

 

[Carge]

I thought the chainstays on the AluO were rectangular box section, and I'm not aware that it was available polished?
The chainstays on the Elite were a little more rounded.
I'd put my money on it being an Elite

 

[onion]

The chainstays are rounded. I'll check the frame for a code.

Does anyone know what sort of brakes would have used the built-in mounts at the front and back? I'd like to put them back in action.

 

[Carge]

This would have originally had cantilever brakes - not the V brakes that you have at the mo.
If you have a look on the back of the rear mech there'll be a RD-Mnnn number.
Likewise, in the back of the cranks arms, there'll be a FC-Mnnn number.
Hopefully these will be the same or at least similar - which will then help you to tell which brakes were probably on it originally.

 

[Anthony]

I thought the chainstays on the AluO were rectangular box section, and I'm not aware that it was available polished?
The chainstays on the Elite were a little more rounded.
I'd put my money on it being an Elite

Here is a silver O, although I do agree that they are rare (and I'm not sure whether it's polished or silver). And an early Elite to compare.

 

[Carge]

Hi Anthony,
Familiar with that type of AluO - it's painted silver and sitting in the garage

The chainstays and seat stays are deffo more rectangular on the O - the Elite has round seatstays and the chainstays are a more oval / rounded rectangle.

To be honest - Onion's bike looks in pretty good condition. Given the potential rarity of the Prototype decal - I wouldn't remove it - unless Gil_M can do the biz!