New proud owner of an 856 - advice welcome

[mach_y]

Just picked it up today... price was right, free! 

Seems to be pretty much stock including original MCU's. 

This is my first full suspension bike. 

This is certainly going to be a budget build, so what should I look into upgrading / replacing first?

Aluminum custom parts / welding I can have done for free, if that helps.

I have been reading the first 15 pages of posts so far, and found some good info... Ti springs on ebay to replace the MCU's, possible disc brake conversion...

Thanks everyone in advance

Mark

[shovelon]

Welcome Mark. FREEEEEE YOU SAY. 

Certainly you should check play in the swingarm and forks, and pickup a set of bushings on Ebay like ASAP, as the stocks are getting low.

I should think your MCUs are done?

What color is the bike?

Terry

[orange]

You might consider a spring conversion from here (Callum is also a member on this website). I have used his spring conversion and it is excellent.
http://www.rapiddescentscotland.co.uk

[mach_y]

Welcome Mark. FREEEEEE YOU SAY. 

Certainly you should check play in the swingarm and forks, and pickup a set of bushings on Ebay like ASAP, as the stocks are getting low.

I should think your MCUs are done?

What color is the bike?

Terry

Hi Terry,
   Bike is a dark purple with yellow lettering.
   I did an ebay search for proflex, and didn't find anything regarding bushings.. what even are they? (sorry... very new at this!)  The bike was ridden very rarely (I got the bike from the original owner).  The MCU's look fine, but I have no issue replacing them if need be.

Hi Orange,
  If I do the conversion to springs, do I just need the front and rear kit from Callum?

Thanks

[shovelon]

Maybe just a regreasing is in order for the pivots.

Take a look at this thread for piviot kits if you think you want them.

http://idriders.com/proflex/smf/index.php?topic=3355.0

[orange]

Hi Orange,
  If I do the conversion to springs, do I just need the front and rear kit from Callum?

As long as you have the ODS (oil damped) shocks (you can tell what you have if they have a gold coloured body with a black bit you twist for preload) then yes you just buy the kit which will have a spring and two 'caps' that the spring sits against. You'll need two kits if you are doing front and rear. Have a chat with Callum - he'll talk you through it.

[kiwi]

Just picked it up today... price was right, free! 

Seems to be pretty much stock including original MCU's. 

This is my first full suspension bike. 

This is certainly going to be a budget build, so what should I look into upgrading / replacing first?

Aluminum custom parts / welding I can have done for free, if that helps.

I have been reading the first 15 pages of posts so far, and found some good info... Ti springs on ebay to replace the MCU's, possible disc brake conversion...

Thanks everyone in advance

Mark

actually try reading from THE BACK.....856s go back to 1996.....there was a lot of discussion re shock.adapters YEARS ago