PurleySquire
Retrobike Rider
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I saw this frame, forks and sundry parts on eBay for £10 last summer and put in a bid, expecting to be outbid, but the auction closed and I was the winner. It was for collection only, from the Portsmouth area, which is a bit over an hour from home on a good run. I had some other business to conduct in the area, so made arrangements to head down a few days later.
It was much as the seller had described it; the bright "Kawasaki" green frame was oily and scratched everywhere, the forks poorly sprayed in a bright yellow finish that had cracked.
The brakes, cranks, chain wheel and deraillieur were all present, but in a sorry looking state.
When I arrived home I though I would test fit a couple of 26" wheels to give it a quick ride down the street. Unfortunately the brake pads lined up with the tyre and not the wheel rim, odd I thought, "Marin make mountain bikes not road bikes".
A quick internet search found me on this site and a download of the catalogues stored in the archive revealed that these early Stinson models were hybrid "comfort" city bikes with 700c wheels and 35 section tyres.
I took a break for a couple of days to think over what to do next. Eventually I decided to build it up, as it could prove itself a role as a fast commuter bike.
Page edited to show new image location
It was much as the seller had described it; the bright "Kawasaki" green frame was oily and scratched everywhere, the forks poorly sprayed in a bright yellow finish that had cracked.
The brakes, cranks, chain wheel and deraillieur were all present, but in a sorry looking state.
When I arrived home I though I would test fit a couple of 26" wheels to give it a quick ride down the street. Unfortunately the brake pads lined up with the tyre and not the wheel rim, odd I thought, "Marin make mountain bikes not road bikes".
A quick internet search found me on this site and a download of the catalogues stored in the archive revealed that these early Stinson models were hybrid "comfort" city bikes with 700c wheels and 35 section tyres.
I took a break for a couple of days to think over what to do next. Eventually I decided to build it up, as it could prove itself a role as a fast commuter bike.
Page edited to show new image location