Glad I found this forum for my $7 Proflex 854

[dirkhunt]

I just got the deal of the decade. $7 for an 854.
Since the elastomer mounts are missing front and rear I am designing replacement mounts for a spring loaded shock for the older girvin front fork. The only thing that i am not that sure about is the spring rate that I should get. I weigh in at 90kg/200# and want to use this for trail riding the rocky trails here in San Antonio.
The rear cantalever brakes were cracked where someone had overtightened them so i swapped Vbrakes for them (fit great) and completely protected by the frame.

The rear elastomer is a bit tougher since the rod that the elastomer mounts to the frame is missing there as well. If someone has that rod for the elastomer mount in the rear laying around that would be great (or knows where one is).

I have been riding since the 1970's but oddly enough this my first mountain bike.

[petes97857]

Hi Dirkhunt
Welcome to the Proflex condition yes this seems to be the best site for Proflex owners to find and share info and equipment spend a few hours searching through the old pic's and info you will find some help here and also Retro bike it's UK based.

I owned a 1994 Proflex 754 similar to you bike you may know already that the last number states the year first number group set the higher the number the better group set.

My 754 was a great bike if a little small for me when it was fitted with well functioning elastomers it was a good XC bike with a little suspension to take the worst of the bumps out I toyed with the idea of spring damper convertions but lack of space at the rear without heavy mods to frame this was not an option.
The front end was also a bit iffy as the front Girvan forks were of the early type with stem as part of fork set up the stem was also longer than used for today's rider position on XC bikes.

V brakes were a good upgrade and also 8speed and riser bars.

If I were in the same position as you and your new bike had a good frame paint and most of original parts I think I'd keep it stock or only swap parts that can be changed back again there is an old adage that it's only original once and early frames are rare.

Good luck and enjoy your bike

Pete

[dirkhunt]

Here are a few pics of the bike.
(i tried to use the image insert but it didn't seem to like Flicker)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30838499@N02/7119103617/#

As you can see here i am starting with a clean slate as far as the suspension goes
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30838499@N02/7119103995/#
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30838499@N02/6973023590/#

I could use some help filling in the parts for the rear suspension on this.
I did figure out the threading on the rear post is 1/2-20 to mount a rod down to the seat stay.
I figured i could just use a coupler and a tap threaded bolt and link it together with a firm bushing as a vibration dampener or if I am lucky find a 100mm shock and mount it in there clovis hitch style.
If someone has a dead fram with the elastomer mounts for the rear I would rather start from there.

Thanks
Dirk