Author Topic: Introduction (new K2 4000rs & 856 frame owner) (Read 7518 times)

DugB · « **on:** July 03, 2008, 07:19:11 am »

Hello all,

I just picked up a k2 4000rs and a cheap 856 frame and while doing some online research I came across this list...given the age of these bikes I'm so happy to find an online community for K2/ProFlex owners!

First let me tell you about the frame...it's a decent 856 frame (for $50!) that says "Factory Test" or something like that in white lettering on the top tube near the seat tube junction. Callum thinks that might mean it's an early production frame (the number is somethingsomething 000603, whatever that means). Anyway, I'm happy to see bushings and washers in good shape as I clean the dried mud from it, regrease the fittings and prepare it for reassembly (in the process of IDing component deals on fleaBay). I'll need a set of the COS upgrade springs & retainers when they're available, but the Girvin dampers look good (maybe a little oil leaking from one, but nothing significant).

The K2 4000rs I haven't yet picked up. It's the one that was going on eBay. I probably paid a bit too much ($450), but I suspect it to have very little use because of the seller's comments and cues I see on the bike (heck, it still have the bike shop reflectors installed...I get the feeling the guy didn't ride it too hard). Anyway, I'll fill everyone in when I get it.

Anyway, just wanted to say HI...ever since college when these bikes came out I've wanted one...I love the aesthetics and design, but never had the cash in my post-student days.

- Doug :-)
Falls Church, VA

shovelon · « **Reply #1 on:** July 03, 2008, 09:17:22 am »

Welcome Doug!

The 856 and 4000 are great bikes(We are not biased here

).

Love to have some pictures.

Terry

DugB · « **Reply #2 on:** July 03, 2008, 09:22:13 am »

Ah, thanks! As for pictures here are some of the K2...once I pick it up I'll post more (and probably a ton of questions as well).

http://i19.ebayimg.com/03/i/000/fa/82/b86e_1.JPG

http://i11.ebayimg.com/02/i/000/fa/82/be7a_1.JPG

http://i2.ebayimg.com/03/i/000/fa/82/c14e_1.JPG

http://i7.ebayimg.com/03/i/000/fa/82/bc30_1.JPG

- Doug :-)

AndySV1K · « **Reply #3 on:** July 03, 2008, 09:57:35 am »

Hi Doug,

Welcome to the forum, from a fellow 856er

Andy.

Willie_B · « **Reply #4 on:** July 03, 2008, 10:02:53 am »

Welcome aboard. This is a great online group here. Always willing to help with advice and information.

Colin · « **Reply #5 on:** July 03, 2008, 10:54:22 am »

Are you sure that's an "RS"? what makes you think so?

Frame colour's wrong for an RS. (should be either Gloss Grey, or White/Red fade) also it'd say "RS" on the frame next to the "4000", and the rear pivot arm would be Aly not Carbon.
As standard, the RS had NR-2 front & rear shocks not the NR-5 Smart Shock and NR-4 rear shock that yours has got.

Looks like a normal 4000 to me.

That's not a bad thing as the RS had "Evo" type pivot needle bearings and no-one sells the K2 maintenance kits anymore, (but maybe you can get the bearings on the open market), Pivot kits for the standard 4000 might still be available from Iron Horse (and I've got some in the UK).

I'd also suggest that the rear shock is on upside down? doesn't really matter, but I prefer mine the original way up as muck is less likely to be ingested into the shock via the piston shaft.

Hope that doesn't sound all negative? Looks like you've got a fine pair of PRO~FLEX's there!

Welcome aboard!

Col.

Thunderchild · « **Reply #6 on:** July 03, 2008, 11:41:48 am »

Welcome to the center of the Proflex Universe. I own a 5000; basically the same frame I believe. Great bike and you can make the carbon fiber swingarm disc brake compatible if you desire. One thing to check is for cracks behind the seat tube where the water bottle boss is welded. Others have had this problem and had it fixed. After many miles, mine developed cracks and as soon as I can get it sent it will be getting fixed. Search through the emails to find posts about the 4000.

Thunderchild

RhinoDave · « **Reply #7 on:** July 03, 2008, 04:58:44 pm »

Yah Doug Welcome to the "Club". My 856 has become my primary ride even though it's old technology and I've only had it since March. My non-strut EVO frame has gone through many modifications and is still going strong. Tough to get rid of these old beasts when they perform so well. Good luck getting yours set up.

keith · « **Reply #8 on:** July 04, 2008, 11:53:13 am »

Welcome Dug,your 4000 is the same as the one I've been riding the last 9 yrs,I love mine and I'm sure you'll enjoy yours

DugB · « **Reply #9 on:** July 04, 2008, 12:46:05 pm »

Quote from: keith on July 04, 2008, 11:53:13 am

Welcome Dug,your 4000 is the same as the one I've been riding the last 9 yrs,I love mine and I'm sure you'll enjoy yours

Awesome! That's nice to know :-) I'm so eager to pick up the bike, but it's 4 hours from me and with gas the way it is i'm tempted to wat until we head up that way for a wedding in a few weeks.

I had a chance to rebuild the 856 frame yesterday and I was really jappy to find all the plastic bushings and washers in excellent shape...I guess that's what people are talking about when they discuss the fork rebuilt kits. A little aluminum metal polish on the fork and wax on the frame and it'll look great. I just need to find afew more parts and a set of springs.

That said, anyone have a spare set of COR or other springs that will fit the Girvin ODS units? I plan to order a new set from callum when they're available...but...I wanna ride now :-)

Thanks!

- Doug :-)

DugB · « **Reply #10 on:** July 18, 2008, 07:30:03 am »

Hello all,

I finally got around to snapping a few pics of my bikes and parts...sorry for the small images, but the forum requires them to be pretty compressed.

- Doug

DugB · « **Reply #11 on:** July 18, 2008, 07:30:40 am »

And one more of the cheap, early 856 frame and fork I picked up as parts...

shovelon · « **Reply #12 on:** July 18, 2008, 07:58:25 am »

Very,Very Nice!!!!!

Terry

Colin · « **Reply #13 on:** July 18, 2008, 10:37:44 am »

Quote from: DugB on July 17, 2008, 07:18:51 am

Man-o-man, have I caught the bug bad!
- early model has ODS (and had elastomers), the later model has Noleens front and rear with coil springs
- early model has no gusset/reinforcement where the downtube meets the headtube (on the underside), the later model does
- early model has "Factory Test" text where seat tube meets top tube, later model has something like "World Class Design"

There may be other differences. ............even the original "Girvin" crank (rebranded Sugino) ..............all for $275
- Doug :-)

Yes, you have got it bad, you'll be joining me in what my wife calls my "PRO~FLEX Museum" soon!
I didn't know that any 856 shipped with Noleens OEM, I thought they were just expensive after market upgrades, but maybe they did this to shift the frames?
Correct about the down tube gusset, hopefully sorts out some cracking problems on earlier frames.
Another difference on later bikes........My XP-X (UK edition of the x56) has got a seat tube without a Canti hole in it, it;'s not welded up as someone said elsewher here, it was built like that....they finally realised canti's were dead.....
It'd say "World Cup" on newer models probably.
Original crank was Sugino............branded Girvin.............
$275 WOW! that £140 in the UK, a real bargain if it's good as new!
Then again, The Brits have always paid the same price in £'s as you Yanks do in $'s i.e. the 856 was about $1400 and £1400............

Good luck with it!

(replied in here rather than in the "For Sale" section)

Col.

jeffgothro · « **Reply #14 on:** July 18, 2008, 04:20:46 pm »

shuuuu-weeeet

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Author Topic: Introduction (new K2 4000rs & 856 frame owner) (Read 7518 times)