Yeti FRO

[Smithjss70]

I just took delivery of a FRO that is believed to be circa 1989. It was repainted however and I cannot make out the serial number. It has simplex dropouts and a bmx steerer but am trying to determine the SN. Also, if it is an 89', would that suggest an original Yeti fork or Accu-Trax? I read the thread over at MTBR and saw ameybrook's side by side but am still having a hard time confirming if it's an Yeti fork or not.
http://forums.mtbr.com/vintage-retro-cl ... 20234.html

My old eyes are not what they use to be so I wanted to seek your opinions. :shock:

 

[RockiMtn]

Re:

that's lovely, no matter the year.

to my eyes from your photo, the fork bend looks more rounded like the later year version.

 

[Smithjss70]

Thanks. I have some tweaking to do to it to get it period correct and part consistent but that's half teh fun. Rides like a dream.

 

[RockiMtn]

here's another good thread on RBUK regarding forks, and FTW chimes in with his insight:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=132331

 

[Smithjss70]

Talk about going down a rabbit hole. That thread was wildly helpful so thanks! My fork has campy dropouts, filled vent holes and saw-cut angled end caps so this is one that FTW welded himself. I'll take some detailed fork pics later today. Would really like to know the serial number though. May reach out to Frank with some detailed photos. Thanks again!

 

[RockiMtn]

so my eyes on your photos was bad!

yeah, what a coincident. i was researching the the exact same topic just before posted your inquiry! i'll be having a look at my own forks later.

 

[ridevintagemtb]

Re:

Campy dropouts pretty much clinches it being a Yeti fork

 

[Smithjss70]

Thanks Mike. Def seems to be the case. Still trying to get the date of manufacture dialed in to ensure I have the components correct. If it's indeed an 89 or even an 88 no big deal as I'll go with M730. If it's an 87 that's a whole other animal. I expect it's probably an 88 or 89.

 

[rumpfy]

Thanks Mike. Def seems to be the case. Still trying to get the date of manufacture dialed in to ensure I have the components correct. If it's indeed an 89 or even an 88 no big deal as I'll go with M730. If it's an 87 that's a whole other animal. I expect it's probably an 88 or 89.

You can still get away with M730 on an 87. The BMX headset would imply 87 (maybe 8 as well.

http://mombat.org/Shimano.htm#1987

 

[Smithjss70]

Thanks Eric. I ran down some black Bullseye hubs laced to RM20s and have a line on a couple of crank options so slowly there. This will be a rider so I ordered some shims from Gil to allow for a hollowtech 2. Looking forward to some progress.

Update
Got to get the bike in direct sunlight today and using some pencil lead was able to make out the serial number under the BB.

Yeti FRO #496

Features:

• Oval top tube
• Yeti forks (with plugged drain hole per FTW)
• Simplex dropouts
• 2 o'clock cable stop location
• BMX head tube
• 26.8mm seat post

Still trying to sort out the year but based on the info I’ve gathered thus far from Martin’s site, RBUK, MTBR and “the usual suspects” this is likely a California-built transition bike from earlier generations (pre-86-87) to the production FRO. Still an early one and probably circa 1988 which would be pretty cool as that's the year I graduated high school.

Below are some images of the features noted above. Thanks for all the info guys and I’ll plan to update this thread as period parts begin to trickle in.