K2 / Proflex Riders Group
General => Tech Forum => Topic started by: Skinnyboy on February 09, 2010, 01:45:15 am
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G'day fellas! I have recently scored basically what is either a little gem or a money pit from the Bay of E. Turns out by my research its a 1995 Animal. Shes in a sorry state, the Maguras are faded the frames paint work has chipped etc. But amongst the filth I see some promise. Just a couple of questions though. First, on BikePedia they state the seat post size is 27.2 but when measured with a vernier its actually 26mm :strokeychin: Which is it?
Also what direction should I restore this? I am a sucker for vintage bits but love the newer group sets as well. I work in a spray shop so paintwise anything goes, but i would love to build this Animal into a real sweet bike, should I go period group set or tart the frame up and modernise all the components?
Anyway, here she is, in its curent state, looking pretty sorry for itsself.
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2553/4343270008_42dd7c2c5d_b.jpg)
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4027/4342533153_a80f50d198_b.jpg)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2744/4343269330_0634d90f32_b.jpg)
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Is this the one from the blue mountains?
I was thinking of bidding myself, just for the brakes.
For how it could look with modern stuff, have a look at my 856 thread. Full XTR groupset and I rate it as highly as any modern bike I have ridden. I have a 955 built up period, but it doesn't get a look in now I have one with modern parts.
All I can say is enjoy playing with it and working out how you want it to be. If your like me it will constantly evolve until you find the sweet spot.
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Yeah i think it was, paid a ton 50 for it. I love your bike BTW! I bought a Mongoose NX9.7 frame from the Blue Mountains a few years back, thats currently sat on my desk awaiting my procrastinating to cease so i can build that up as well. I've always loved the ProFlex bikes, back in the UK where I grew up, when they came out every time we saw one we got jealous even on our decent bikes. I thought it was high time I got myself one.
As for the salvageable bits, the Maggies are in pretty decent order. They just need tidying up and some new brake pads fitted. The shocks are in perfect order too.
Going to start stripping it ready for paint this week. Have to decide on a colour sharpish, i was thinking white front triangle with a blue pearl and a powder coated gunmetal swing arm.
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Personally I like polished frames, but a blue pearl sounds nice. Do you intend on getting Proflex Decals made up for it?
You have the heart of a very nice bike though, and its cost you pretty much nothing. Can't wait to see what you do with it.
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I think your seatpost should be 27.2.
Maybe the clamp compressed it down. Check from the bottom side? Usually the Noleen shocks are blown.
Hope you can get it back in shape.
Terry
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Here are a few white Proflexs to give you an idea. They're not mine, just nice looking bikes. Good luck.
(http://idriders.com/proflex/coppermine/albums/userpics/10800/white_856_b.jpg)
(http://idriders.com/proflex/coppermine/albums/userpics/10800/white_animal.JPG)
(http://idriders.com/proflex/coppermine/albums/userpics/10800/White_857_urban.jpg)
Chris
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Thanks lads, I reckon white is the go!
Once I get started I'll do a build thread. I think I'll amass the parts first then build it in one go, but the paint job will be done in the next few weeks, I'll have to get in touch with Gil on Retrobike for some new decals.
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yep he'll sort you - but be patient - he's a busy man! I've met him a few times he's a good bloke though :)
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just notice a bit of photochoppery on that 857 with the Spin wheels
(http://idriders.com/proflex/coppermine/albums/userpics/10800/White_857_urban.jpg)
Note the deleted underseat bag shadow!
I put together a rough estimate partslist last night.... wasn't pretty lol easily a grand for the basics. Oh well, have to sell some Mugen stuff to the yanks to fund it hehe
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G'day fellas! I have recently scored basically what is either a little gem or a money pit from the Bay of E. Turns out by my research its a 1995 Animal. Shes in a sorry state, the Maguras are faded the frames paint work has chipped etc. But amongst the filth I see some promise. Just a couple of questions though. First, on BikePedia they state the seat post size is 27.2 but when measured with a vernier its actually 26mm :strokeychin: Which is it?
Also what direction should I restore this? I am a sucker for vintage bits but love the newer group sets as well. I work in a spray shop so paintwise anything goes, but i would love to build this Animal into a real sweet bike, should I go period group set or tart the frame up and modernise all the components?
Anyway, here she is, in its curent state, looking pretty sorry for itsself.
([url]http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2553/4343270008_42dd7c2c5d_b.jpg[/url])
([url]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4027/4342533153_a80f50d198_b.jpg[/url])
([url]http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2744/4343269330_0634d90f32_b.jpg[/url])
just notice a bit of photochoppery on that 857 with the Spin wheels
([url]http://idriders.com/proflex/coppermine/albums/userpics/10800/White_857_urban.jpg[/url])
Note the deleted underseat bag shadow!
I put together a rough estimate partslist last night.... wasn't pretty lol easily a grand for the basics. Oh well, have to sell some Mugen stuff to the yanks to fund it hehe
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hey nice score, quick qustion. you mentioned "bikepedia" is that a site? info like that is always good to know
thanks, spike bender
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http://www.bikepedia.com/Default.aspx (http://www.bikepedia.com/Default.aspx)
there ya go chief!
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Well the bits are starting to come in for this build. I've stripped the bike down and hopefully it will get painted or polished this week. Its getting a SRAM X9 rear mech and shifters with Deore chainset and 520 SPDs, found some retro Onza bar ends in great condition from the US, a sweet Ritchey seat post and a nice wheelset that cost me next to nothing. So hopefully I should have some progress pics and ride the damn thing soon enough!
Props goes out though to my new mate Arran, who has more stuff than most bike shops, cheers for helping out fella!
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8)
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Frame now ready to get a paint job, finished stripping it today and spent a couple of hours finely "metal finishing" it so the paintwork will have a top notch surface to go on. Still deciding on the damn colour! White is currently number 1 but seeing it in the raw, makes me want to have it anodised a titanium colour.
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2681/4405667943_e0b6cb36c1_b.jpg)
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4027/4406431932_ea93134c37_b.jpg)
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Naked looks dang good! ;) ;)
Terry
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Yup- polish that mutha..........
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Yes I agree. After all that effort stripping it, it looks lovely bare. Polish it! :)
Chris
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Polish you say.... ;)
I might look into geting it bright anodised instead, should be a bit more durable than a straight polish I hope.
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Polish you say.... ;)
I might look into geting it bright anodised instead, should be a bit more durable than a straight polish I hope.
Straight polish with Autosol lasts a long time. Just as long as it takes to coat an anodized frame with mud or dirt.
I ride my 957 quite a bit, and every other month I just bring back the luster. Once you get it polished the first time, the hard part is done.(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-6/1036595/100_3031.JPG)
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Very nice fella!
I had some Mugen wheels for my Prelude polished some time ago, so I might take the frame down to the polishers to see what he can do. I also thought maybe get teh swing arm polished and have the frame done battleship grey..... bloody thinking not enough doing lol.
BTW, just picked up a brand new pair of M520's for 30 dollars, so about 15 quid in old money. Result!
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bit of an update, nearly finished this steed!
(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs516.snc3/27066_386305746050_603521050_4475783_2767830_n.jpg)
(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs496.ash1/27066_386305756050_603521050_4475784_1474726_n.jpg)
(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs516.snc3/27066_386305826050_603521050_4475786_3686672_n.jpg)
Just waiting on bits now, the damn volcano has buggered me haha
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Excellent!
That'll be a flyer!
What make are the bar ends?
They look like the Ti one's I've got on my XP-X ('97 x56)
What front shock are you using?
Col.
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Excellent!
That'll be a flyer!
What make are the bar ends?
They look like the Ti one's I've got on my XP-X ('97 x56)
What front shock are you using?
Col.
Thanks Col, the barends in question are Onza, really light as well, they are going in favour of some Scott AT4's I recently bought. As for the shock, its a standard Noleen, although I'm off to see my mate who does CNC work to draw up some adaptors so other shocks can be used. Still got a way to go with it, its basically the waiting game name for parts. Gil from the cycleshed has done me some awesome decals for it as wel, so looking forward to getting those in the next week or two. Also got some magura spares coming as well so I can bleed the brakes and thread the hose properly. Dying to ride it though haha!
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I love deep profile rims 8)
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nearly there just drivetrain and I'm done!
(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs319.ash1/28098_390495936050_603521050_4574092_5477479_n.jpg)
(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs319.ash1/28098_390495956050_603521050_4574093_3718513_n.jpg)
(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs319.ash1/28098_390496086050_603521050_4574097_7321048_n.jpg)
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Oh! NOW I'm really jealous!
Those AT-4's are exactly the type of handlebars I have been imagining for my XP-X in Road Warrior mode for my Lands End to John O'Groats ride this September!
I currently have straight handlebars with long "ski" bar ends which gives me a few extra positions, but I'd also like an "aero" position, so was contemplating bolting on a "Tri" bar as well!
Or I was considering a "butterfly" comfort bar but all of the one's I have seen bring the main control handlebars too far back.
Those AT-4's do all of those jobs in one set of handlebars!
I WANT A SET!!!
but they seemed to stop making them in 1996!
I'm going off to sulk now!
Col.
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Hey Colin,
I saw you are doing the Lands end - John O Groats ride. I don't know your route but it might be an idea to get a list of people prepared to help eg if you have bike issues & are nearby you could use my repair, shower. food, clothes washing etc facilities.
I'm near Blackburn & could meet you if needed.
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Ditto in Derby :)
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I got these by accident Col, badly listed on eBay as it turns out. I had mentioned to one of the fellas on Retrobike if he wanted to sell his set them give us a hoy. About a week later he emailed me the ebay link and a few bids later i got them. Paid 50 quid for them which i was a bit miffed at but i wanted them so ya gotta pays! Got my Bontrager cranks today and Campagnolo seat collar so whacked them on the Raceface ISIS BB and was fiddling with my SPD's, so damn close to riding it lol. Got an email from CRC to say the XTR levers I've got on back order wont be in till the 21st of this month. i can then tape up the handlebars then. I was going to put some Ritchey TCV's on the bars but they are pretty narrow as it is and having grips go half way round the corners looks a bit crap, so I got some Ritchey Pro blue cork tape which should look pretty decent and lightweight!
I have been checking out the Risse Racing shocks, and they look a decent upgrade, anyone had any dealings with them, and can you still get them new?
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I have been checking out the Risse Racing shocks, and they look a decent upgrade, anyone had any dealings with them, and can you still get them new?
I just recently had them build up a set of Genesis shocks for my 855. They are excellent and will set the shock up for your specific riding style and body weight. I highly recommend them. They set up the rear shock with extra damping to handle the loads produced by the LTK I used on my 855. Good folks, good products.
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Hey Colin,
I saw you are doing the Lands end - John O Groats ride. I don't know your route but it might be an idea to get a list of people prepared to help eg if you have bike issues & are nearby you could use my repair, shower. food, clothes washing etc facilities.
I'm near Blackburn & could meet you if needed.
That's very kind of you Craig!
Thanks for the idea, I'll post my route nearer the time (Sept 2010) and will welcome any offers of support.
Cheers
Col.
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Haway lads!
Finally turned a crank on my build and is pretty much finished now.
Just some minor things to sort out such as the lower fork mount saga, and bleed my brakes and then I can go for a decent ride!
(http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1389/4720754880_decee9258c_b.jpg)
(http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1225/4720754466_5d54932496_b.jpg)
Final spec is:
Frame: 1995 Proflex Animal
Fork: Girvin Vector 2 (refreshed with a K2 seal kit)
Headset: Cane Creek Aheadset 1 1/8th
Stem: Girvin Vector 2
Handlebar: Scott AT4
Grips: Ritchey Pro cork tape
Brakes: Magura HS22 Blue
Brake Pads: Magura Swiss Stop
Brake Hoses: Magura
Brake Levers: Magura Machined with TPA
Shifters: Shimano SLM970
Front Derailleur: Shimano Deore XT FD737
Rear Derailleur: Shimano XT RDM770 Shadow GS
Derailleur Cables: Shimano XTR
Cassette: Deore XT 9SP
Chain: Wipperman Connex 9SP
Cranks: Bontrager Select ISIS
Crank Bolts: Bontrager Select
Chainrings: Bontrager Select
Chainring bolts: Bontrager Select
Bottom Bracket: FSA power Pro ISIS
Pedals: Shimano M520 SPD
Hub Skewers: Crank Brothers Split Lever
Rims: Stars 28 hole
Hubs: Quando
Spokes: Flat Blade
Tyres: Panaracer XC Fire Pro Kevlar Greywall
Tubes: Slime Schraeder
Saddle: Selle Italia Flite Titanium
Seatpost: Ritchey Comp 27.2
Seatpost Binder: Campagnolo 31.8