How much travel does a 550 have?

[Aceartist]

Hello good peoples

Edit: Ok cool so previous question answered - thanks! - new question asked by prospective buyer: how would the travel match up to a standard pair of mag 20s i.e. how much travel does this frame have?  On that note I would also be interested if it's possible to change the elastomers to a spring??

I look forward to your help thanks in advance!


I have an Offroad frame etc I acquired a year or so ago from the back of an old shed where I was working - I kept seeing it just sitting there and finally asked if whoever owned it wanted it - turns out I got it for free with a little bit of TLC I managed to get it working enough to live out a childhood dream of riding a 'Proflex'!

Thing is I really haven't a clue what it is my best guess is 752 but I'm also confused that I haven't seen any others in this paintjob.  Any help much appreciated - the best result would be an old ad with it in or a catalogue pic.

I'm also attempting to sell it so ideas of value for this would be very cool (not great condition but restorable without too much hassle I think).

Thanks!

[purple gerbil]

Hi there!
looks like what you have there is in fact a 16" 550 from 1992...bottom of the range fitted with lx group and a steel front triangle....cant really give you a price though..is it complete??

[Aceartist]

Aha!

Thanks for that - I'll see if I can find it (I'd love to see what it would have looked like new!) - for the right price it could be complete as I currently have the wheels that came on it (Alivio with Maxxis f+r tyres - are these likely to be original?) but I'm trying to sell a newer bike with them on for a good deal at £150.  As I'm guessing in it's current state the Offroad is unlikely to get near that even if complete?? I'm banking on it being more worth my while to sell it as frame with extras

Any further info much appreciated!

[Lysander]

I still have the manual from my 550 somewhere- I'll have a look and dig it out, see if it gives travel length. If I remember right, girvin did an aftermarket kit @ 1993/4 with the bigger yellow elastomers, which increased travel. Either way, it was never that much by today's standards!!

Cheers,
Dav

[purple gerbil]

just as lysander said the yellow elastomer increased travel to around about 2". but with the old black elastomers roughly about 1 1/4" measured at the back wheel..in it's day this was good! used to get alot of admireing glances and people would stop you to ask what it was...some jerk even thought it was a raleigh activator.cheapo suspension bike to those overseas...

[Aceartist]

Thanks guys so this frame has about 1-1/4" travel.  Oh my goodness I had forgotten about the 'activator' [shiver]

[Akagi]

I'd love to get a Proflex with that type of geometry frame, too bad its not 1 1/8 though.

Also...

Activator captions out of a 1995 catalgoue:

"First in the field and first to bring affordable technology withing the reach of every rider.  Activator is the MTB range that still rides the rough off the road.  Simple and effective the suspension activator range provides improved performance handling and comfort whatever the terrain With three seperate model specifications, ACtivator offers a hcoice of front and rear suspension options:
Synchro Shock: the original and still most popular gives 1.5 inches of spring loaded suspension to abzorb the impact of uneven ground.

Pro-Shock: with advanced elastomer damping in a lighter fork design provides true professional control. 

Whiist the ACtivator II with Pro-Shock front and EDS rear suspension leads the way in affordable total suspension technolgy.  improving traction acceleration and braking performance."