GT Lobo - Complete restoration

Hi from France !

Here is the story of my GT Lobo 99'. From death to live.

I'm riding MTB since 1991, and I've seen and loved all evolution of DH bikes from early 90's to actual bikes.
In 1998-99, I was 15, and my ultimate dream was the GT Lobo. Nothing was more classy than this Black/silver/red, Hope, XTR, AC finsish !!
GT Lobo was sold 49.990 Frs :shock: (7500 € in 99, calculate with actual inflation, it's more than any other MTB ever except Intense...)

WHAT A FU***ING DREAM IT WAS !!

So, in 2008, I found a Lobo in Leboncoin.fr adds, it's was claiming for help !!



When I received it, everything was destroyed, broken, bent. All screws were fucked, rusty.
What a mess ! I've been mechanic in local shops, I never ever seen such a shame bike. :facepalm: When you think the complete bike was sold 49990Frs only 9 years earlier...
Everything been trashed except tires, and Boxxer wich was fresh. I sold it.

Now, time to clean that beloved frame.
A black paint, very thick was on the old original paint... Difficult to remove.





...Polished rear end...


...Then Fresh coated powder paint ; I bought from Ebay, a NOS BoXXer 151, NOS Lobo hardwares, NOS Lobo Shock, NOS ChrisKing Pewter Headset, NOS Kore 50mm Stem, NOS GT STS DH Decals (never found Lobo)


... And I lost my job due to 2008 crisis..... Project stopped......

... 2012...
I haven't touched my LOBO for years, still looking for parts.

Two friends of mine, gave me the holy grail of Lobo lovers ! HOPE C2 Calipers special Lobo/Boxxer !! Fresh !!
Motivation is back !



Then my girlfriend came to live at home...... Project snoozing....... Until.....

.... August 2017...
I have time this week to rebuild my Lobo.

Fresh XTR M950 Groupset, NOS MRP Slalom, Protaper Handlebar, Finally cut the steerer...




..."Final" pictures are coming ! Bike never been that close to be fonctional.

I'm still missing a Hope Big'Un wheelset with a freshness that suit all the rest...

STAY TUNED !

always liked the Lobo, would still like to try/own one. This is looking good, cant wait to see finished pics.

Have you tried Gil m on here for decals?

Mark

1st Photo shooting tomorrow.... Teasing :

Crikey. Lots of new parts going on. Looks a proper job.
Rider or show bike / garage queen?

And to add to the above, Gil can do decal set for these, just waiting on ordering a set myself

Thanks mates ! Lot of work ahead still remains. Finishes are always the hard job.

This will be ridden as a cruiser few times in summer time, to pick-up ice creams on sea side ! I own a Demo 8 for real life riding.

Good to know someone does nice sticker kits for these, I will look into that !

Re:

That's looking great, have you been out riding it yet?

For decals try here.... https://www.facebook.com/retrodecals/

That is fantastic, brilliant job on that

Thanks !
Not been ridden yet, still missing few small barrel hardwares to lock suspension pivots. To be solved very soon.

I will service fork as well this week-end, to check if everything is still Ok for security reasons.
I like original parts... But I may swap Boxxer 151 hydracoil internal, by Boxxer WC 08' reduced to 160. No major esthetic change, better ride, and leave Hydracoil system new in a box... Still hesitate.

Re:

Looking très beau! Everyone loves a Lobo.

I'm currently in the middle (hopefully nearer the end) of a very similar build, with a very similar backstory. Can't wait for it to be done to the extent that I've run out of new Lobo pics to drool over on Google! Mine's not going to be quite an authentic rebuild, and definitely not showroom shiny NOS, more like the bike I promised my 15 year old self I'd build if I could.

Can't believe you found a NOS pair of 151s! They were delaying me for years. I ended up having to hack a pair together from bits from all over the world - internals and lowers from Germany, stanchions from the US, topcaps from Bristol, decls from Gil ha. I'm expecting the wheels and brakes to be the most problematic now.

Incidentally, I know for a fact Gil has the Lobo decal set, I redrew it for my project and gave it to him years ago (except the made in US flag for the seatpost, I've got a custom decal there). Give him a shout

Will keep an eye on this one, it might stave off my Lobo fever a bit longer

Cheers,
-Mark

Merci !

Good luck for your Lobo ! It's quite difficult to find the good way for brakes. My luck, two friends were working for French GT distributor in the past, And they had few parts left.
I admit, I was looking for 1st generation rear end to get upper arm with V-brakes plots... It's maybe an easy solution to move forward, and open wheels options.

I got my 151 in 2008, it was much more easier to find than today !

If you need anything don't hesitate to PM me ! I may have some 2nd choice specific parts.

Cheers