S & G Cycles Muddy Fox MB-MF 26 B

[Gtpulse]

Nearing the end of a period of convalescence and am able to do it a bit more - it’s also chucked it down all day. The other half asked as she left this morning would I be doing anything useful today……….yes. Had to get the kids to lift the bikes out of the way/onto so I could access my latest victim. I think the Japanese/Araya influence is obvious from the length of the name!

This one I’ve had probably over 10 years having spotted it in a charity shop. It arrived caked in grease, rusty bars etc and was treated to a clean and regrease shortly after buying. Pretty sure there’s a set of Muddy Fox mudguards and rack somewhere that came with it. Anyway, tyres were on their way out 10 years ago and are now completely toast. The bars came up ok with tinfoil etc. but have never been great with quite a bit of chrome missing.

Pretty sure this a 1983 model, I posted some 1984 S&G documents here https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/muddy-fox-1984.434524/ and its earlier than those - brakes have a 1983 date on them.

 

[Gtpulse]

Out of the waiting area and on to the operating table…….

 

[Gtpulse]

Really not loads of work to get this one looking presentable. Another survivor “build” I use this term loosely as all I’ve done really is take apart and put back together a bit cleaner and with a few updates.
The tyres for now are the cheap and cheerful tan walls from the Curio website https://curiouk.com/collections/mou...ck-gumwall-mountain-bike-tyre-tire-26-x-2-125
kindly recommended on Retrobike - can’t really go wrong for the price I bought a couple of pairs and I think they look fine on this build - definitely make it rideable. The original/correct tyres would have been early IRC or Panaracer so would be mega bucks for me to obtain, I do have an early pair of IRC Racer but they are on the verge of crumbly and while would look ok would never be ridden.

Now, the original bars they looked ok if a bit crusty and I’m keeping them to only ever be used on this bike, however, I saw a photo of the ‘84 Explorer in the info I posted in catalogues sporting Nitto bars and stem. At the same time a similar set of Nitto bars and stem were available thanks to Narcotitlan on the forum. So, while I do like to keep things original these are almost “correct” and make it more rideable for me. I think they look good too!

 

[Gtpulse]

There are some lovely details that I guess was good quality stuff when the bike was sold in the early ‘80s.

Kashimax saddle, Suntour/Sugino drivetrain, Dia Compe 980 braking, SR P-468 pedals, Suzue hubs, Araya rims, OGK grips, the quality/longevity of this stuff makes it a pleasure to restore as it just comes up so nice.

 

[enc]

Great job. Always on the look out for a project embryonic mountain bike to tick off from my bucket list… how does it ride?

 

[was8v]

Lovely

 

[Gtpulse]

Great job. Always on the look out for a project embryonic mountain bike to tick off from my bucket list… how does it ride?

Wide and comfy! Though I only got to the end of the road and the bottom bracket came loose. I now remember this happening when I first bought it. Not sure what’s going on, adjusted and retightened and came loose again. Not had this happen before, I lightly grease the threads when installing a bottom bracket to aid future removal and wondering if the lock ring has got too much. Will strip it out, degrease the threads and try again with copaslip and see if that helps.

 

[enc]

Strange! Last resort, threadlock ?

 

[greencat]

Wide and comfy! Though I only got to the end of the road and the bottom bracket came loose. I now remember this happening when I first bought it. Not sure what’s going on, adjusted and retightened and came loose again. Not had this happen before, I lightly grease the threads when installing a bottom bracket to aid future removal and wondering if the lock ring has got too much. Will strip it out, degrease the threads and try again with copaslip and see if that helps.

Double check the threads aren't worn or bottom bracket shell cracked as I've had that happen on two of my bikes.

 

[Gtpulse]

Double check the threads aren't worn or bottom bracket shell cracked as I've had that happen on two of my bikes.

Going to try it with a sealed unit over the next week and see if that also comes loose - I can’t see any obvious cracks or damaged threads, the existing bottom bracket will tighten up as tight as I can go but being cup and cone it won’t rotate if I do that!