Saracen Eiger

[Viv1969]

Working on it guys, just had a real busy week so far, hopefully I'll get a chance to sneak into the old nissen hut and get some photo's tomorrow ;-)

 

[Viv1969]

Sorry for the wait guys, got some pics at last. Dragged it out of the murk of the nissen hut and it's an old Eiger. 19" looks like plenty of original parts. Anymore info much appreciated such as year etc. I put the wheels back on for photo, then had to retrieve 15mins later off container being loaded for Africa :facepalm: Now tooked safely back in Nissen hut awaiting rescue, pending a verdict from you guys I've grabbed a few other close ups of various parts etc if you need any to help identify year etc, but didnt have time to search a frame number today, someone give me a clue where to look? rear drop out? BB? ?????

 

[TCD333]

Hello guys,

I have been given a bike (to try and get fitter after a health scare) which I would like some advice on.
It is a "Saracen Eiger" Limited Edition - whatever that means! It seems to be in good condition, all the gears shift smoothly. It had a front puncture, which I think I have sorted..... I may change the tyres to some "less knobbly" ones. I have a question about the front forks (I will try to post a photo) I don't think that there is any suspension on the forks, but the are rubber gaters - are these just for show?

 

[Muddy paw]

Hello guys,

I have been given a bike (to try and get fitter after a health scare) which I would like some advice on.
It is a "Saracen Eiger" Limited Edition - whatever that means! It seems to be in good condition, all the gears shift smoothly. It had a front puncture, which I think I have sorted..... I may change the tyres to some "less knobbly" ones. I have a question about the front forks (I will try to post a photo) I don't think that there is any suspension on the forks, but the are rubber gaters - are these just for show?

Saracen Eiger's were classed as limited editions so that probably explains why it's on the frame and at a guess i'd say it was a 97 model but maybe some one else with better knowledge will confirm the year as it appears quite modern tbh as for the forks well i think the rubbers are just basically protective covers but not sure so what condition are those tyres in as i could do with some amber walls even if they are cheap ..

 

[Muddy paw]

Sorry for the wait guys, got some pics at last. Dragged it out of the murk of the nissen hut and it's an old Eiger. 19" looks like plenty of original parts. Anymore info much appreciated such as year etc. I put the wheels back on for photo, then had to retrieve 15mins later off container being loaded for Africa :facepalm: Now tooked safely back in Nissen hut awaiting rescue, pending a verdict from you guys I've grabbed a few other close ups of various parts etc if you need any to help identify year etc, but didnt have time to search a frame number today, someone give me a clue where to look? rear drop out? BB? ?????

Well it should have Araya rims if memory serves me correctly and the Exage groupset was fairly robust and always seemed to wear pretty well to be honest and the U brake on the chain stays is a clear indication of it being an 1988 model and the paint work was pretty tough gear back then so should be in pretty good condition overall ..

 

[Minifreak]

Those are rubber boots to stop crud getting into whatever seals those forks have. The forks will be elastomer sprung I am guessing and they will have perished with time. There is likely an Allen key under a cover on top of each fork leg which you will need to undo to pull the forks apart to see what is going on. Not as scary as it sounds so give it a go and report back

 

[TCD333]

Well I took the top cover off and there does seem to be an allen nut of some sort in there - but it is about 3/4 of the way down inside the fork tube. Could you explain a bit about elastomer sprung forks - I am not sure how that works.

 

[Minifreak]

The Allen key bolt will run through the the inner leg and there will likely be what's left of the cylindrical rubber elastomers under that. Once you undo both sides Allen bolts and pull the forks apart you will see what I mean hopefully.

 

[TCD333]

Re:

Minifreak, thanks for the info - is this something I could replace? Does it do any damage if I don't change this part? Any advice you can give would be appreciated.

 

[Minifreak]

You can replace them with other elastomers l springs of the correct length, the forks are only very short travel but it'd be nice to have them and the head angle will be out without doing something about the collapsed fork.