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 Post subject: 1985 DiamondBack Apex
PostPosted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 10:40 pm 
North Wales AEC / OWMTBC 2010 Champion
North Wales AEC / OWMTBC 2010 Champion
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Location: Chester
This Diamondback Apex nearly ended up in the skip. The seller had purchased it many years ago from a student who had bought it form the original owner. Although not in a terrible state it is clear that it has had many years of use with only the minimal maintenance.
I stripped it down, most of it disassembled pretty easily except for the LH crank arm. The dust cap had seized solid so I had to cut that off but the crank threads were still clogged up with the remains so it made getting the socket on for the crank bolt a major job. No chance of getting the cranks extractor on so I used a bearing puller. The crank arm can be saved by chasing out the threads.

The bike is all original except for the wheels which are Araya RM20 on M730 hubs.

I'm not sure how to tackle the frame, either clean and treat rust then laquer to preserve, or colour match and blow over while preserving the decals, or a full strip and re-paint. The later is my preferred option but I would only consider it if I can get exact decals reproduced. The paint has a nice subtle fleck which sparkles but it doesn't come out in the pictures.

In my haste to strip the bike I forgot to take pictures of it!
And so the project begins :D

Here is a link to a nice example http://trek4fun.com/mountain_biking/198 ... k_apex.htm

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Here is the sellers picture.
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Frames after a strip down. I dare not touch the BB until is has had a weeks soaking.
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Last edited by Easy_Rider on Sat Jun 16, 2012 12:08 pm, edited 4 times in total.

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 10:42 pm 
North Wales AEC / OWMTBC 2010 Champion
North Wales AEC / OWMTBC 2010 Champion
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reserved for updates


Last edited by Easy_Rider on Sun Jan 22, 2012 11:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 11:09 pm 
National & North West AEC
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Great stuff Gav. I'll look forward to seeing this one develop.


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 11:22 pm 
Retro Guru
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Location: Granny ring
Sweet spoke holder/chainstay protector ;-)


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 2:53 pm 
Dirt Disciple

Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2011 8:24 pm
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Well smart that- proper MTB. any luck with the BB yet?


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 12:31 pm 
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WOW!! As an avid fan of Diamond Back I've never seen one as old as that.

Even nicer that I prefer the Apex over Axis monicker. Thats some retro gold right there.


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 8:32 pm 
North West Deputy AEC
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minor_LEGEND wrote:
WOW!! As an avid fan of Diamond Back I've never seen one as old as that.

Even nicer that I prefer the Apex over Axis monicker. Thats some retro gold right there.


X2^
stunning is that, personaly I would de-grease t-cut and then touch up with model paints then a lite coat of laquer, I had the same quandry about my 85 dawes and this is what I have done (no laquer yet though) it was good enough to win bikeoftheride at the twizzler this year :wink:
im loving the spoke holder too, a great find mate,
Lee.


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 9:43 pm 
North Wales AEC / OWMTBC 2010 Champion
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Location: Chester
Not sure when the first DB mountain bikes were, is 1983 the first one?

I've cleaned up the frame and there is quite a lot of chipping and surface rust. I think i've pretty much decided in a resparay, I think there would be too much touching up needed and would probably look worse.

I've not attempted the BB yet. I think i'll buy a new BB tool as my current one would probably mangle it.

I've tarted up the rear mech because it was heavily scratched and scored, may buy a new one yet as the stag detailing has been lost.

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 Post subject: Apex
PostPosted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 10:18 pm 
retrobike rider
retrobike rider
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Joined: Mon May 03, 2010 12:21 pm
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Location: Cheshire
Really looking forward to seeing this progress.
Worth taking your time over I reckon - Fantastic project - Enjoy.
Simon.


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu Jan 26, 2012 5:29 pm 
retrobike rider
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Very nice!

I really like the early DiamondBacks, I have an '88 with under-stay U-brake also.


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 Post subject: Spoked chainstay
PostPosted: Thu Jan 26, 2012 9:33 pm 
retrobike rider
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Just had a closer look, what's the 3 spoke chainstay thingy all about? :?


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 Post subject: Re: Spoked chainstay
PostPosted: Thu Jan 26, 2012 9:46 pm 
Retro Guru
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s1monf wrote:
Just had a closer look, what's the 3 spoke chainstay thingy all about? :?


Its not something unique to Diamond backs of this vintage, it's just a handy little touch incorporated into a frame that could be used for touring/expedition use. It seems to double as a chainstay protector on here, I've seen them underneath & on seat stays before. Obv its only any use if its tailored to the spoke length on that bike also.

Re the frame finish though, I agree that too much touching-in will potentially look a mess.


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu Jan 26, 2012 11:34 pm 
North Wales AEC / OWMTBC 2010 Champion
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Location: Chester
Funny you should mension the rear brake as I was just cleaning it up. It's a Cunningham designed Suntour XC power roller cam, it's very nice but it's just a shame it resides under the chainstays where it cannot be seen.

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The spoke holder must be one of my favourite features of the bike. Here is another Apex.

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 11:47 am 
retrobike rider / Gold Trader
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Joined: Wed Sep 19, 2007 12:26 pm
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Love it ! 8)

I think a refinish will be much deserved on an old beastie like this. I know a place that could help on the decals if you get stuck :wink:


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 1:20 pm 
Gold Trader
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Joined: Thu Oct 01, 2009 11:31 am
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Location: Munich, Germany
The frame number suggests that this bike was made for the devil himself. :twisted:
Scary but i like it. 8)


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