Author Topic: Resuscitation/upgrade (Read 8407 times)

pressureangle · « **on:** August 23, 2008, 04:07:50 am »

Got my Proflex in the mail today...How do I tell an 856 from something else? I got the thing on ebay for $177 so I can't complain either way, just want to be sure I know what I'm working with. The frame's been painted in the past so I can't read anything.

It has;
Girvin vector II fork
STX components
7-speed Deore LX shifters
Mavic 238 rims
Shimano FH-R050 Silent Clutch rear hub
Most importantly it has black elastomers, which I'm still trying to figure out how to get apart
(I have not tool one here yet) I've ordered springs from RDS...Hope I wasn't premature and they'll fit.
it also needs a headset. Any suggestions, and what size is it?

Thanks

Eric

rapiddescent · « **Reply #1 on:** August 23, 2008, 04:34:33 am »

the best thing to do is to search google images for a proflex that looks like yours and then post it here. don't worry about the cor springs: if they don;t fit I'll take them back - or if you want, ebay them once I've run out and then get your money back.

I thought the 856 came with Deore LX rear mech ...

callum
rds

orange · « **Reply #2 on:** August 23, 2008, 06:03:15 am »

have you still got the ebay link?

pressureangle · « **Reply #3 on:** August 23, 2008, 07:45:48 am »

ebay link; (long)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=120290313397&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=002

I don't have any allen keys here, I can probably borrow some tomorrow to take the shocks off.
The front shock has four wrench flats on the major diameter above the mcu's and the rear has preload rings on it.
The thing obviously has lots of miles on it, has been painted and no reason to think it didn't have the components downgraded when some previous owner bought a new bike. For my usage here, it'll be fine with nothing more than a new headset, but I know me and it's double boredom here most of the time so I'll probably upgrade everything. I'm following the 9-speed thread, it'll probably get XTR-9 running gear just because it's cheap on ebay. Should it have a square or splined bottom bracket? (I'm really dating myself here, my 'new' bike is still my '93 Cannondale SV1000)

orange · « **Reply #4 on:** August 23, 2008, 08:42:21 am »

looks like an 856 to me, suppose it could be an 855 or 756, either way they're all basically the same. now get to work on it!

shovelon · « **Reply #5 on:** August 23, 2008, 09:17:09 am »

The front is definatley a friction damper. The rear is the same. Basically all you need to do when you get good elastomers is grease the innard with synthetic-non petroleum base grease. They both have a rubber marble inside as a bottom out stop, but most people leave the front one out to increase whatever travel they can get. The impact without it in the rear could damage the shock. You dissasemble from inside the shock, by sliding out the steel sleeve and grommets. Then a long allen wrench to get to the inside screw.

Looks to me like the bike was cobbled together with nonstock drivetrain components. Look at the frame closely for any cracks at the swingarm pivots, seatmast and under the front of the toptube, as well as the bottom headset. You more than likely won't find any but now would be the time to deal with them.

Good find for $177!

Terry

rapiddescent · « **Reply #6 on:** August 23, 2008, 09:53:46 am »

no. thats definitely not an 855.
+ someone has added MCU's to it - but they're not RDS ones.
+ it has a vector 1 shock (see how the shock attaches to the stem instead of the headset)
+ it has the non-ODS shocks on it.

sorry, not such a great deal. I'd get back in touch with the seller because the advert is incorrect

callum
rds

shovelon · « **Reply #7 on:** August 23, 2008, 04:58:24 pm »

Quote from: pressureangle on August 23, 2008, 07:45:48 am

I'm following the 9-speed thread, it'll probably get XTR-9 running gear just because it's cheap on ebay. Should it have a square or splined bottom bracket? (I'm really dating myself here, my 'new' bike is still my '93 Cannondale SV1000)

I prefer square taper BB on my bikes. The can flex a bit, but I have weak legs anyway. I think I would just get it ridable if I were you, then concentrate on the shortcomings.

Twas me, I would spring for a nice 4 inch travel fork, probably 2 or 3 year old Fox(I like Noleen megaAir forks myself). Nothing wrong with Vector(other than I don't get along with em myself

).

Then work on a new drive train(XTR used is good). Good used wheelset, and you have a custom build.

Good thing you got it cheap, because you can build it anyway you like.

Terry

shovelon · « **Reply #8 on:** August 23, 2008, 04:59:14 pm »

Look up Simon's 856. It will make you cry!

orange · « **Reply #9 on:** August 24, 2008, 01:31:29 am »

kiwi · « **Reply #10 on:** August 24, 2008, 03:05:54 am »

its a 855 or 755 wc not a 856.bith the 856 and 756 used the girvin fork with the ulm not the stem mount.The frame is very very similar to the x56 bikes though.
BB will be square 68 x 110, headset will be a one and one eight but you will need to reuse the spacers and also see if you can get a 1 inch bottom race to fit the girvin fork,if it need s replacing.

shovelon · « **Reply #11 on:** August 24, 2008, 10:34:46 am »

Quote from: orange on August 24, 2008, 01:31:29 am

blubbr,blubbr

snort

sniffle

pressureangle · « **Reply #12 on:** August 24, 2008, 12:31:52 pm »

Well, I've looked this thing over real good now and made my peace with it. No, it isn't what the seller said it was. But, for the money I spent my other option was a K-Mart quality steel frame POS at the PX so I can work with it.
I admit, I've always been a simp for the girvin fork. I like the look. As far as durability, truly this is going to be used pretty close to a street bike-I think the biggest hill on post is about 4' and not a cliff. So the suspension will be just fine, the shock rubbers are flexible at least, and certainly up to the task of riding on a dirt road. The bushings appear all to be nice and tight, at least as I can tell by hand.
The headset and BB are the problem spots; it's obvious that the BB was stuffed in just to hold the cranks and that nobody with any concept of machinery ever rode it the way it is. I think the headset has parts missing. The chainrings are pretty worn, the chain is shot but it all still works. I'll need a headset though before it can go out the door.
I'll keep an eye out for some shocks to go under my RDS springs-anybody got any stockers lurking around the garage? If not, I'll post them up when somebody needs them or ebay them some time down the road.
The good part is that I needed a project anyway, so the worn out stuff is justification rather than just replacement to a level I truly don't need here.

Now if I can only find some of that Desert Tan Epoxy...

pressureangle · « **Reply #13 on:** August 25, 2008, 10:39:40 am »

Drat.
I've contacted the ebay seller but don't expect any resolution.

I've done some research, and it looks like the fork stem is missing a spacer so it rattles around in the headset. It's not the headset that's slack. The fork serial number is also within the recall for the 'adhesive joint' in the steer tube, though it's not broken. I'm sure those recall parts are long gone.
Can anyone tell me what that spacer looks like? I assume it's 1-1/8" OD x 1" ID with a shoulder on top to support the stem spacers (which are not correct either)
What else can I expect to be surprised with?
I may be forced into a fork upgrade anyway.
Rats.

shovelon · « **Reply #14 on:** August 25, 2008, 12:25:47 pm »

Ahha, that is a Vector reducer you are looking for. What they did was make it as a dual fit fork.

The seller owes you an expaination for that one.

Terry

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Author Topic: Resuscitation/upgrade (Read 8407 times)