1986 Mantis X Frame Valkyrie // Rare Non Elevated Chain Stay

[CTK]

Re:

New downtube then? Could be tricky at the headtube end. Really exciting project- I'd be interested to see how your framebuilder manages it.

 

[theproscloset]

Re: Re:

New downtube then? Could be tricky at the headtube end. Really exciting project- I'd be interested to see how your framebuilder manages it.

Definitely won't be easy..... lucky for us our next door neighbors are Mosaic Cycles:

http://www.mosaiccycles.com/

Aaron their lead welder and owner is a magician with a welder... Here is a link to some of his weld porn:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mosaiccycl ... otostream/

We may just weld the crack, not paint it or try to make it look pretty. Just build it up in the OG paint, dents, rust and all and ride it until it breaks again. We will see.... this one deserves the attention though.

 

[CTK]

Re: Re:

We may just weld the crack, not paint it or try to make it look pretty. Just build it up in the OG paint, dents, rust and all and ride it

This has my vote, the paint looks great on this bike.

 

[theproscloset]

Re: Re:

We may just weld the crack, not paint it or try to make it look pretty. Just build it up in the OG paint, dents, rust and all and ride it

This has my vote, the paint looks great on this bike.

I agree.... I'll keep you posted as we start to dig in.

 

[13]

Re: Re:

We may just weld the crack, not paint it or try to make it look pretty. Just build it up in the OG paint, dents, rust and all and ride it until it breaks again. We will see.... this one deserves the attention though.

Do like the idea of keeping the patina and dig the cable routing on the stem

 

[Retro_Roy]

Re:

speaking of cable routing, how is the end of the cable on the rear brake
fastened to make a loop? I need to do something similar. how about a nice close up.
also if you repainted it would be a shame to loose original decals.
especially the big shot spot on head tube.

 

[theproscloset]

Re: Re:

speaking of cable routing, how is the end of the cable on the rear brake
fastened to make a loop? I need to do something similar. how about a nice close up.
also if you repainted it would be a shame to loose original decals.
especially the big shot spot on head tube.

Spot shot is coming off.... sorry Roy! I go have access to another set of these og decals if need be so that would keep the integrity there. Bottom line it will come down to the level of repair needed to get this bike back on the trail.

I'll update with a nice close up of this rear brake cable.

 

[dalecooper]

Re:

Never seen one of those before, but it looks very cool and unusual! I was wondering how such a bike rides?

 

[ridevintagemtb]

Looking forward to seeing this in person

 

[theproscloset]

We found out this morning exactly what our serial number means from the man himself (Richard Cunningham).


VX = Valkrie non elevated
22 = frame size
1 = the first 22 we made
87 = should be the year it was made

So bad ass! This was the first X frame they made in 1987. They started making the elevated chain stay versions after this batch.