K2 / Proflex Riders Group

General => Tech Forum => Topic started by: apache on March 01, 2012, 01:12:26 pm

Title: Hellooo
Post by: apache on March 01, 2012, 01:12:26 pm

Found this place via Retrobike.

I am an ex, and a current Proflex rider. My first was a 750, back in (I think, it's a while ago) 1992. Being a while ago, photos are shall we say 'dodgy'  ::)

This post polish / respray  after the original paint was looking rather rough after a hard life in the Welsh mountains.

(http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h266/vixen_footwear/Bikes/bike.jpg)

Yes, drilled (LX I think) cranks and rings. I had access to a machine shop on the airfield I worked on.

(http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h266/vixen_footwear/Bikes/closeup.jpg)

Now, this is the same bike in its original colours before hard winter rides had taken their toll.

(http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h266/vixen_footwear/Bikes/2011-09-22_2.jpg)

(http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h266/vixen_footwear/Bikes/2011-09-22_0.jpg)

I part-ex'd this bike for a Marin Pine Mountain waaay back, and still wish I had them both!

Soooo... last year, I bought this. The paint wasn't as good as it appears here!

(http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h266/vixen_footwear/proflexjpg.jpg)

And it now stands somewhere beyond this.

(http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h266/vixen_footwear/Bikes/DSC_0005.jpg)

(http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h266/vixen_footwear/Bikes/DSCF2034.jpg)

It's NEARLY built now. Just waiting for powdercoat on the swing arm, and it will be ready to gleam in pub beer gardens this spring!

Title: Re: Hellooo
Post by: Thunderchild on March 01, 2012, 11:08:41 pm

Nice finish on the 656!  What color are you putting on the rear?

Thunderchild

Title: Re: Hellooo
Post by: apache on March 01, 2012, 11:27:22 pm

The idea was to strip the paint and polish it to a mirror finish. With it being steel, it will require a clear coating.

I'm also working on adapting a carbon swing arm to it, but that lengthens the wheelbase by 1.5" so might work as a 'cruiser' style bike, but not for proper riding  ;)

Title: Re: Hellooo
Post by: DugB on March 02, 2012, 06:58:23 am

Looks great polished! Tell us about that front shock, please! Did you have to fabricate any parts to mount a standard air shock in the tight Vector innards?

Thanks!

- Doug

Title: Re: Hellooo
Post by: fyrstormer on March 02, 2012, 01:33:54 pm

The rear swingarm on a 656 is steel??

Title: Re: Hellooo
Post by: orange on March 02, 2012, 02:44:26 pm

welcome over here :)

Title: Re: Hellooo
Post by: craiga on March 02, 2012, 03:51:47 pm

Hi,
Welcome, glad you found it then. Love the pics, the whole bike's looking great with the polished & purple theme.
Colin will read your post, so if you're still looking for the Vector kit, RK005 I think, he'll let you know if he has any.

Title: Re: Hellooo
Post by: shovelon on March 03, 2012, 01:54:40 pm

That is a really good polish job. It's going to look great. I like shiny bikes. ;)

Terry

Title: Re: Hellooo
Post by: fyrstormer on March 05, 2012, 12:39:08 pm

What is the brand of shock absorber in the fork?

Title: Re: Hellooo
Post by: Colin on March 06, 2012, 04:27:58 am

Quote from: craiga on March 02, 2012, 03:51:47 pm

Hi,
Welcome, glad you found it then. Love the pics, the whole bike's looking great with the polished & purple theme.
Colin will read your post, so if you're still looking for the Vector kit, RK005 I think, he'll let you know if he has any.

Sorry, no more RK004, 005, or 006 kits left.

Col.

Title: Re: Hellooo
Post by: Spokes on March 06, 2012, 12:00:51 pm

I must say that frame and fork look beautifull polished. An excellent finish, bravo!

Chris

Title: Re: Hellooo
Post by: apache on March 11, 2012, 11:22:02 am

It's a 'shock works' shock. A generic air shock. Reasonably priced but works as well as many big names.

Yes, the 656 has a steel swing arm, but the carbon swing arm off later bikes almost fits...  ;)