Author Topic: Own a 1955 Proflex 855 (Read 7234 times)

JohnO · « **on:** March 25, 2006, 08:00:40 am »

I just discovered this forum. I'm an old guy who mainly is a roadie. My machine is very low milage, has excellent drive train, shifters, and wheels, but of course the elastomers are toast. I'm too tecnically inept to order parts and fix it, and two bike shops I patronize in the San Diego area won't touch it. I would like to have a machine to ride fire roads (No riding off cliffs, thank you), and if I could get someone to put springs on it, or change out the system, I would. Anybody have any ideas? Anyone want to buy it? I'd sell cheap ($250), and the pristine stuff on the bike alone should be worth that, or is my price excessive? I would really appreciate any help or suggestions.

bikendan · « **Reply #1 on:** March 25, 2006, 08:04:37 pm »

you can order new elastomers thru REI. at least you used to. not sure if they can order them from K2 or Iron Horse bikes, which now owns the K2 bike division. they aren't that expensive.
but you might find someone who'll be interested in buying, if you decide to sell.

kiwi · « **Reply #2 on:** March 25, 2006, 08:14:29 pm »

purely for informations sake,what size is the frame.

JohnO · « **Reply #3 on:** March 26, 2006, 09:12:12 am »

Response to #1: Thanks for the tip! There's an REI in San Diego, and I'll take my machine there to see if they can fix it. Actually, the few times I rode it when it was new were great. I hope they can fix it.

Response to #2: I don't know hat size the frame is. Measuring from the circular collar at the top of the seat post to the end of the bottom bracket is 20 inches. I've shrunk to 5' 9" and have a 30 inch inseam and the bike fits.

seanzzo · « **Reply #4 on:** March 26, 2006, 10:58:52 am »

I also own an 855 but mine's a [smiley=laughing.gif]1995 model [smiley=nod.gif] nod nod wink wink know what I mean know what I mean say no more say no more

JohnO · « **Reply #5 on:** March 26, 2006, 02:25:14 pm »

Whoops! Yes, the bike is a 1995, not a 1955, and WHAT is spelled with a "w." Believe it or not, I'm supposed to be an educated person.

shovelon · « **Reply #6 on:** March 26, 2006, 02:50:49 pm »

Maybe RDI can set you up with steel springs.
http://www.rapiddescentscotland.co.uk/

Terry

JohnO · « **Reply #7 on:** March 27, 2006, 01:12:13 pm »

The San Diego REI store had some helpful, polite mechanics in their repair shop. They sympathized but thought the elastomers required were unobtainable unless an expensive individual fabrication could be made. They suggested replacing the front fork, but didn't know what to do about the rear "shock" arrangement. OK, who knows where I can order the elastomers? REI will work with me on the installation. Who knows where I could get a cheap old style frame with old style cantilever brake mounts? Then I could canibalize my 1995 Proflex parts and have a usable fire trail riding bike. Would it just be smarter to buy a new less expensive mountain bike?

seanzzo · « **Reply #8 on:** March 31, 2006, 11:35:26 am »

:)All in good fun my friend [smiley=laughing.gif]

seanzzo · « **Reply #9 on:** March 31, 2006, 11:43:42 am »

Try this: RE: RE: Proflex 754 and Animal Elastomer Replacements?
Author: Ken Posted: 3/28/2005 7:57:18 PM

I've purchased tubes of urethane elastomer in 70A and 90A durometer hardness (same as the original rear elastomer shocks) with a 1.75" OD and 0.5" ID which work well on my Proflex Animal. The front shock should be donuts of 50A and 70A durometer rather than 70A and 90A, so my front shock is a bit stiffer. I just cut the tubes of elastomer about 1.5" thick on my band saw. Contact PSI Urethanes, Inc., 10503 Metropolitan Dr., Austin, TX 78758. (1-800-888-5156) and www.psiurethanes.com
Here's a link to the page:
http://www.dirtworld.com/community/techtalk/replythread.asp?message=1538&replyid=13248&level=2

seanzzo · « **Reply #10 on:** March 31, 2006, 11:45:46 am »

Here's another
https://secure7.nexternal.com/shared/StoreFront/default.asp?CS=k2parts&BusType=BtoC&Count1=569042384&Count2=486182808&CategoryID=40&Target=products.asp

That's a link for K2 Bike Store, you can buy replacmeent elastomers there.

Theres also a link on http://www.idriders.com/proflex (at the top of the forums)

good luck!

seanzzo · « **Reply #11 on:** March 31, 2006, 11:47:41 am »

[smiley=groucho.gif]Sorry this seem's to be a dead link
https://secure7.nexternal.com/shared/StoreFront/default.asp?CS=k2parts&a mp;B usType=BtoC&Count1=569042384&Count2=486182808&CategoryID=40&Target=produ cts.asp [smiley=diaper.gif]

kiwi · « **Reply #12 on:** March 31, 2006, 04:08:47 pm »

JohnO check out the parts sticky links at the top of the page.There is an address there for iron horse who now hold proflex/k2 parts,you can get elastomers there.You might have to break the piggy bank and get a risse,or look out on ebay for one.

JohnO · « **Reply #13 on:** April 04, 2006, 02:46:26 pm »

Thanks to all of you who tried to help. The links suggested just didn't have elastomers or other solutions for an owner of a low milage Proflex with a shock system that's rotting away. I found one idea of cutting up elastomer tubes with a band saw, but I'm just too technically inept to order the tubes, and I don't have a band saw. The Rapid Descent Scottish website had some neat springs that supposedly would solve my problem, but I couldn't find a price or a way to order them, and they haven't answered my inquiry. I'm thinking of ordering a cheap (120 bucks) frame from Nashbar and a 90 dollar front suspension fork and spending another 100 to canibalize the Proflex and out fit a new bike, but I could buy a better used mountain bike for what it would cost me.

shovelon · « **Reply #14 on:** April 04, 2006, 03:01:47 pm »

I am going to guess that Rapid Descent is on vacation. Iron Horse may carry those elastomers. I would not give up yet.

You could cut up some kind of rubber to stuff in there for a while.

Terry

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Author Topic: Own a 1955 Proflex 855 (Read 7234 times)