k2/Proflex 4000 back from the dead!

[kingato]

I bought this bike on Ebay in 2001 for U$450 and it has been ridden hard on the past 7 years. The crank was replaced a few years back for a LX hollowtech. Derailleurs are XT. Still an 8 speed with v-brakes. The Noleen NR4 was rebuilt a few years back but even after the rebuilt it never felt right. It leaked after the rebuilt and I had to send it back and the rebound adjustment never really work. In 2007 it finally gave up yet I rode it like that for the season. The final draw was when the RS Judy XL fork I had, started leaking and at this point the bike didn't have any damping it was all springs.
I didn't ride in 2008 but the bug of riding was always there so I was on a mission of getting a new MTB. Something really turned me off: Price tags. I couldn't see myself spending U$2500 plus to get something on the quality of my reliable k2/proflex 4000. It was then when I decided to give my bike a second life.

The first step was to give it a new look so of to the powder coater it went from the bright red to a matte black color. The front end was replaced by a RockShox Tora Coil 318 fork and a Crane Creek headset, The old Noleen NR4 pogo stick was replaced by a Manitou SPV air 3 way bought on Ebay. (In order to fit the SPV shock you have to do some grinding on the swingarm bracket) After taken the swing arm off I didn't see any noticeable wear so I just greased up the bearings (I couldn't find the RK008 kit) and put it back on.

The results: The ride is awesome! the new suspension really makes an outstanding difference: Its a hard tail with suspension when I need it. I keep getting questions on what kind of bike is it and they can't believe is 11 years old. Its easy to keep up and surpass new stumpjumpers, fuels and whatever has a U$3000 + tag.



With custom made reflective decals.

[Spokes]

Nice job! And in that colour it does look a totally different bike.

[keith]

Nice one,think a black stem would finish it off though.

[shovelon]

Nice one,think a black stem would finish it off though.

Very nice indeed.

Yes, black stem would be the bee's knees.

[willem]

wicked nice - looks like a new bike