Possible to maintain old full sus bikes?

[legrandefromage]

Marin frames are piss easy to maintain and have shock lengths of 165 to 200mm that are easy to source.

 

[ishaw]

Marin frames are piss easy to maintain and have shock lengths of 165 to 200mm that are easy to source.

Unless you have a gt RTS or sts (doh), or proflex or a specialized with brain. Ones to avoid if you want to have something parts are easy to find. I'm sure there are others, but lgf is right, many use standard sized shocks.

 

[unofficial]

This is the bike: https://www.blocket.se/stockholm/MTB_Sp ... ?ca=11&w=1

I really don't need more bikes. I shouldn't get more bikes. But... well like I need to explain to you guys! I was sort of hoping to get convinced against it haha, we'll see...

 

[Remko]

Re:

The Specialized design is nice but it has a lot of rotation points.
I've got a 1997 Santa Cruz Tazmon; the rear triangle uses only one bearing and two standard Fox bushings (if you're using a Fox damper).
2017 modelyear Fox dampers are still available as 165 mm version.

 

[shedobits]

Re:

My own experience with "old" full sus ---

I cracked the swing arm on my Spanish Massi Toro when jumping (well landing actually), it proved impossible to buy a replacement part even in Spain. After many years as a wall hanger the frame is now land fill.

I have a Maverik full sus, every part I've ever needed (NOS or remanufactured) has been available off the shelf and shipped the same day from "The Flow Zone".

As I've learnt the hard way you are right in doing your research about parts availability before buying. If that Specy has always been on your bucket list and will be part of your fleet then buy it and enjoy it. If it's going to be your main ride then think long and hard before pulling the trigger.

BTW nobody has mentioned Kona, there seem to bo loads available on the bay and they don't look too difficult to work on. What say the experts?

 

[unofficial]

Re:

I think I will stick to the rigid retros, after looking at Thias' build post I realise I am not up to the challenge. Is it possible? Yes. Practical? no... I have an apartment not a house and there is no room for metallurgy and workshops. And yes for a price some company will make what I need but at prices that defeat the point of having an old bike.

Thanks for all your viewpoints and feel free to keep the general discussion going for other more ambitious retro bikers!

 

[Remko]

Re:

I understand you're coming to this conclusion but I think most fullsus retrobikers prepare and maintain their bikes in their living room and garden shed with the usual tools. Sometimes it takes some extra time and patience to het a bike riding again but techniques are simple and parts are, in the end, always available.

 

[Lefty le gaucher...]

Re: (about a 96 Stumpjumper FSR)

Hi all, first post ;

I just paid for 115$ CAN a Stumpjumper FSR in not so bad shape (brakes, cables, stuff... but not much original parts left). I'm interested in knowing how much others have paid for replacing the bushings with custom made ones. And also for rebuilding or replacing the Fox Alps. As of now the bike is in good shape regarding the bushings and the shock.

I'm actually rebuilding the bike with used and low cost parts just so I can ride it. Suspension and stuff like paint and forks will have to wait. Hopefully I'll adress them someday.

JJWood's 1994 Specialized S Works FSR - Project Black new old bike is more inspiring to me than most new ones on the market, so yeah, that's it.

Thanks!

Lefty

 

[M-Power]

Re:

Too late for me but if anybody knows of a specialist who can make old pivot bushings, Delrin etc for sensible money, please post it up.

 

[tufty]

Re: Re:

Too late for me but if anybody knows of a specialist who can make old pivot bushings, Delrin etc for sensible money, please post it up.

If they're largely cylindrical, you can get dimensions, and you have, or know someone who has, a lathe, you're golden. I've got a lathe

Offcuts of POM / Delrin are cheap. Likewise bronze, at least in the sizes you'd need for bikes. Oilite would probably be the best, but it's an arse to machine.

On the other hand, there's a metric (and imperial) shitload of standard sized oilite bushes, if you have dimensions, it might be worth souring the web for such. If you have to shave a bit off in terms of OD or length, it's easy enough to handle, the problems come with machining the bearing faces, where your tools have to be *super* sharp, and you can't really use reamers to get an ID dead nuts on.