Orange P7 questions. Frame ID and rust advice content.

Good afternoon.

Can anyone confirm if my Orange P7 is in fact a 1997 vintage? I've been making comparisons with catalogues on the web and here on retrobike. The conclusion I have drawn is 1997 by comparing decals and eliminating the fact that the frame does not have a rear cable stop braze on or disc mounts.

The frame number is A606001379.

Also, can you protect the internal surface of the frame from rust with a suitable oil of some kind? Whilst the frame is not rusting, it doe have a light cover of rust type residue internally.

I'm ready to place the order for new decals and then off to the sprayers - at last! Must admit i'm bored with the scrubbing and polishing of parts etc, but i suppose patients is a virtue.

Ta very much.

Hello,
I think the last two digits of the serial number, backwards, are the year - so it would indeed be a 1997. I use JP Weagle's Frame Saver - just spray it inside the tubes, forget your troubles and dance! Or ride. It's good stuff:

http://shop.18bikes.co.uk/products.php? ... 2b0s403p39

Thanks for the quick response XC Dave

I disagree with XCDave. I was told by a guy who works for Orange that it's the first three numbers after the letter that tell you the year and month your bike was made ! i.e. The letter A is probably the shift in the factory that made the frame ( A shift/B shift etc... ) 6 = 1996, 06 = June ! So I reckon you've got a june 1996 bike.

ooooh - a proper vintage from the summer of 1996

If it is a 96 then I would feel better about puting 95 decals on cos Gil_M doesn't have decals to match those on the frame.

Cheers geetee61.

And if you don't want to spend £20 on JPs framesaver. Buy a can of Waxoyl from Halfords... £6.99

Pretty sure thats a 98 or newer going on the decals and headtube badge.

retro gurus and old skool heros know nowt!

97, 96, and now 98. :roll:

thanks for the nudge on waxoyl Russell. By the time i've budgeted for RC36 fork service and framesave - this build has cost me £1,006,345.09

Many thanks comrades.

Ok done me research, I think thats a june 96 build date...

If so its already had one refurb!

Good luck with the build up

Russell":3b5mo20c said:

And if you don't want to spend £20 on JPs framesaver. Buy a can of Waxoyl from Halfords... £6.99

Click to expand...

Or spend a few quid less and buy a can of supertrol which after using on the frame and around the battery tray on my car I actually prefer to waxoyl it's a bit more runny / searching - I still have waxoyl, I just reckon st is better for thin tubes ...