Proflex Offroad 552 - Re create

[matthewwilliam83]

Hello, I've just picked up a 1992 Proflex 552 Offroad.
It is in bad nick but the frame is solid.

The plan is to strip it and replace all parts with 90's gear, get it riding again and take it out.

I'm wanting to keep it as original as I can so the parts i'll replace will all be from the early 90's.

It's been a while since i worked on a bike so will no doubt be asking for advice!

First question is, does anyone know how i can get a replacement to the rear shock, it states inter damp and is not working.

I'll be uploading photos along the journey,
Thanks

 

[jimihendrix]

Nice , my first proper MTB was a proflex, was a 752 bought new in 92.

Confused by the "replace all parts with 90's gear" though, it looks original to me :? , pretty sure the 552 was LX equipped, this could be upgraded to period XT though, maybe this is what you mean ?

Parts for the rear shock are unobtainable but it's a very simple thing, basicaly just two bits of rubber, some have improvised using Land Rover suspension bushes (as well as other sources), suspension travel was never that great though, an inch or so at best, just enough to take the buzz off the trail.

Still nice riding bikes though and a worthwhile project

 

[matthewwilliam83]

Hi and thanks for the advice.
The lx it has is ruined so will be replacing it with full xt (have a bid in on eBay)

On the rear shocks, would the land rover shocks fit or would they need to be altered?

Literally everything on it is ruined so everything will be replaced, in time, only thing I,m keeping is frame, Stem and wheels.

Outside of the land rovers is there anything else that can be used?

Thanks

 

[shovelon]

There are 2 more options for the rear suspension.

http://www.suspensionforkparts.net

http://www.risseracing.com
I always thought this was a unique application.

 

[jimihendrix]

On the rear shocks, would the land rover shocks fit or would they need to be altered?
Thanks

It was one or two of the suspension bushes, dont know which one though, someone on here even used the rubber rings from a cheap "suspension" bike seat, proper name for the rubber bits is Elastormers but as said they are basicaly just rubber.

The Risse shocks are nice but pretty sure they are for the later frame, too long for the early one.

 

[legrandefromage]

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[legrandefromage]

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[legrandefromage]

why it posted 3 times, I havent a clue!

 

[weeman_mtb]

I've just bought the exact same frame and forks from the man above (big cheese fella).

I'm making my own elastomers at work from some urethane rubber which I am hoping will be successful. I'll upload some pictures of the results tommorrow if I get chance. It's going to be trial and error to get it right especially as I've never even sat on a Proflex before so don't know what to expect. I must admit that so far I'm really impressed with the clever simplicity of the thing, it's perfect for home tinkering.

matthewwilliam83 could you please find out the seatpost size for me, I'm guessing 27.9/28.0 at the moment. Also a photo of the none drive side cable routing will take the guesswork out of things for me.

There are now three of these being built/restored on here, like bloomin' buses .

 

[jimihendrix]

Been looking on and off for one myself for a few years, usuall thing though, when one comes up for sale i've got too much other stuff on the go :roll:

When i bought the new one in 92 made the fatal mistake of buying a size too big so the bike never felt right, it was an 18" like the grey one above, would have needed a 16" like the blue one, they seem to be built big, the later frame design is just about impossible to find in my size :roll: