K2 / Proflex Riders Group
General => Tech Forum => Topic started by: DugB on October 13, 2009, 10:30:50 am
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Hello all,
Just finished the initial build on the restored 956LE frame I snagged from Terry. The frame is fresh from the refinisher after having been stripped, repolished and clearcoated with 2 coats of powder clear between which the airbrushed graphics were applied. I'm still considering using some yellow pre-2005 Magura HS33's, but for the time being here she is!
I know the "LE" lettering is a little different...I was hoping that the refinisher would match all the graphics exactly, but the letters are in the same font as the 956 numbers, not the scripty letters from the original. I'm happy with it, though.
- Doug :-)
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And more pics...
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that's a beaut - great job you've done there!
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That frame is stunning, what condition was it in before you cleaned it up?
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Great bike!!!
Were the weldments polished? They seem smoother than the X57 bikes...
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Photos? What photos?
Where do I find em?
Terry ??? ??? ???
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That looks cooooool 8) 8)
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Hey all,
Terry, there are 6 pics total in the first 2 messages in this thread (I sent you some via email a few days ago as well).
As for the welds, they are smoothed like those on a Cannondale frame. Also, as it came from the factory in it's prototype glory it was clearcoated, unlike the 957 & 955 (probably better that they weren't, as clear coat lacquer doesn't stick well to polished aluminum). All I know about it domes from Terry, but he said that there were only about a hundred or so of these frames made, and they were fir team racers and distributors (Terry, did I get that right?).
Any of the other gurus on the list know anything about the old 956LE?
Terry had taken good care of it...when I got it nearly all of the decals were intact, but the original clearcoat was almost completely gone. There were several oxidized areas, such as near the cable stops and by the front derailleur clamp. I attempted to repolish it and reclear it, but screwed up the clear. I them went to this local refinisher, and am glad I did :-)
- Doug :-)
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According to my catalogue it was 23lbs out of the box. I have the spec if needed.
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Hey all,
Terry, there are 6 pics total in the first 2 messages in this thread (I sent you some via email a few days ago as well).
All I know about it domes from Terry, but he said that there were only about a hundred or so of these frames made, and they were fir team racers and distributors (Terry, did I get that right?).
- Doug :-)
"Terry, there are 6 pics total in the first 2 messages in this thread (I sent you some via email a few days ago as well)." That's Ok, I did see you email pics. :'( :'( :'(
I got the frameset from an Easton engineer that had worked at Proflex. He snagged one and kept it under his desk the whole time after he moved to Van Nuys. The elastomers hardened and the clearcoat had crackled. It flaked off in big chunks. Anyhow he said that these were preproduction to the 957 and came speced with a lot of race componenents including the friction dampers that you have. You have them, RIGHT? ;D ;D And only about 100 were produced before they started the 957. All of the carbon on the swingarm and fork legs were hand layed with large weave carbon.
Another interesting tidbit was that all the polished bikes were made in the US, and of 6061 alloy, all the painted ones were 7005 and made in Asia. Towards the end of the carbon era, the carbon bits were moved to Mexico for production. He said that Bob Girvin was a very behind the scenes guy, but brilliant. Todd was the Girvin quality engineer that oversaw the carbon bits that came from easton, then went to work with easton when K2 got heavy footed.