Back in 1990 after my first mountain bike got nicked (Raleigh Mustang) I saved up and bought a 1989 Specialized Hardrock Comp. It was much better than the Mustang and I loved that bike until I sold it mid 90's to a work colleague who pestered me to sell it.
Here' me as a 16 year old in 1990 on it:
Screenshot_20180804-215434_Messenger by mark Fradley, on Flickr
Screenshot_20170312-225443 by mark Fradley, on Flickr
Screenshot_20170312-225529 by mark Fradley, on Flickr
Fast forward 25 or so years and I'd forgotten all about it until one day I started thinking about the old bikes I used to own and started googling. With a hankering to relive my youth I started looking for one for sale, and joined Retrobike, which got me into bikes again. Nothing was out there but after a while I managed to find one in 19.5" size on ebay. This was nice but too small for me - the one I had back in the day was a 21.5" so I continued looking. A couple of years went by and I'd almost given up but by chance was browsing on here one day and a forum member was giving one away for free! Only problem was that it had to be collected, and was miles away. A quick plea on the forum for help saw russ77 not only collect it but also make a great job of boxing it up and sending it to me!
When I got it:
20171010_164338 by mark Fradley, on Flickr
20171010_164343 by mark Fradley, on Flickr
20180810_093910 by mark Fradley, on Flickr
20180630_122848 by mark Fradley, on Flickr
20180630_122854 by mark Fradley, on Flickr
20180712_125824 by mark Fradley, on Flickr
20180712_125919 by mark Fradley, on Flickr
It was pretty beat up with scratches, rust scabs and paint chips all over it but it was all there and original. Over the last year when I've had a spare hour or two (which is isn't often with a 2 & 4 year old around your ankles!) I set about trying to bring it back to its former glory.
I stripped it all down & re-greased it, polished all the shiny metal bits, & rust treated and touched up the all the scabs & chips.
20180822_201958 by mark Fradley, on Flickr
20180713_192119 by mark Fradley, on Flickr
20180713_192955 by mark Fradley, on Flickr
20180711_152135 by mark Fradley, on Flickr
It had a few decals missing, the USA flag on the chainstay which I got made in the correct size and applied:
20180822_201238 by mark Fradley, on Flickr
And the top tube decal was a mess on one side:
IMG_4644 by mark Fradley, on Flickr
I cleaned off the adhesive:
20190526_124537 by mark Fradley, on Flickr
Then I made the missing 'lized' lettering. I found a shade of sharpie pen which was a great match for the neon yellowy green lettering.
It's not perfect but looks a lot better than it did:
20190526_170120 by mark Fradley, on Flickr
I've changed a few bits from original which I had lying around, a Strong of Japan seatpost, XT pedals, Ritchey Z Max 2.1 tyres and a better original saddle. Also I've added a 1988 seat bag & bottle cage.
Here it is finished:
20190526_184206 by mark Fradley, on Flickr
20190526_184445 by mark Fradley, on Flickr
20190526_184240 by mark Fradley, on Flickr
20190526_184452 by mark Fradley, on Flickr
20190526_184505 by mark Fradley, on Flickr
20190526_184308 by mark Fradley, on Flickr
20190512_154623 by mark Fradley, on Flickr
20190526_184526 by mark Fradley, on Flickr
I'm pretty pleased with how it's turned out. I'ts not a high end bike but has some decent components on from Suntour, Araya, Dia Compe, Sugino.
It puts a smile on my face when I take it out and it takes me back, which I suppose is what it's all about!
Thanks for looking.
Mark.
Here' me as a 16 year old in 1990 on it:
Screenshot_20180804-215434_Messenger by mark Fradley, on FlickrScreenshot_20170312-225443 by mark Fradley, on FlickrScreenshot_20170312-225529 by mark Fradley, on FlickrFast forward 25 or so years and I'd forgotten all about it until one day I started thinking about the old bikes I used to own and started googling. With a hankering to relive my youth I started looking for one for sale, and joined Retrobike, which got me into bikes again. Nothing was out there but after a while I managed to find one in 19.5" size on ebay. This was nice but too small for me - the one I had back in the day was a 21.5" so I continued looking. A couple of years went by and I'd almost given up but by chance was browsing on here one day and a forum member was giving one away for free! Only problem was that it had to be collected, and was miles away. A quick plea on the forum for help saw russ77 not only collect it but also make a great job of boxing it up and sending it to me!
When I got it:
20171010_164338 by mark Fradley, on Flickr20171010_164343 by mark Fradley, on Flickr20180810_093910 by mark Fradley, on Flickr20180630_122848 by mark Fradley, on Flickr20180630_122854 by mark Fradley, on Flickr20180712_125824 by mark Fradley, on Flickr20180712_125919 by mark Fradley, on FlickrIt was pretty beat up with scratches, rust scabs and paint chips all over it but it was all there and original. Over the last year when I've had a spare hour or two (which is isn't often with a 2 & 4 year old around your ankles!) I set about trying to bring it back to its former glory.
I stripped it all down & re-greased it, polished all the shiny metal bits, & rust treated and touched up the all the scabs & chips.
20180822_201958 by mark Fradley, on Flickr20180713_192119 by mark Fradley, on Flickr20180713_192955 by mark Fradley, on Flickr20180711_152135 by mark Fradley, on FlickrIt had a few decals missing, the USA flag on the chainstay which I got made in the correct size and applied:
20180822_201238 by mark Fradley, on FlickrAnd the top tube decal was a mess on one side:
IMG_4644 by mark Fradley, on FlickrI cleaned off the adhesive:
20190526_124537 by mark Fradley, on Flickr Then I made the missing 'lized' lettering. I found a shade of sharpie pen which was a great match for the neon yellowy green lettering.
It's not perfect but looks a lot better than it did:
20190526_170120 by mark Fradley, on FlickrI've changed a few bits from original which I had lying around, a Strong of Japan seatpost, XT pedals, Ritchey Z Max 2.1 tyres and a better original saddle. Also I've added a 1988 seat bag & bottle cage.
Here it is finished:
20190526_184206 by mark Fradley, on Flickr20190526_184445 by mark Fradley, on Flickr20190526_184240 by mark Fradley, on Flickr20190526_184452 by mark Fradley, on Flickr20190526_184505 by mark Fradley, on Flickr20190526_184308 by mark Fradley, on Flickr20190512_154623 by mark Fradley, on Flickr20190526_184526 by mark Fradley, on FlickrI'm pretty pleased with how it's turned out. I'ts not a high end bike but has some decent components on from Suntour, Araya, Dia Compe, Sugino.
It puts a smile on my face when I take it out and it takes me back, which I suppose is what it's all about!
Thanks for looking.
Mark.
