FUNK EXPERTS help - identify the year?

[Silverfish]

Anyone know if it’s possible to narrow down the build year on a FUNK from the serial number?

My serial number is B307320

Been told it’s a 91

Does that sound about right?

 

[Swede]

Unfortunately not. Some have numbers, some don’t.

The cable stops and guides are your best options but there’s quite a bit of variation with those as well.

 

[Silverfish]

what am I looking for with the cable stops and cable guides?

 

[1552]

Early funk, (89-91?) no cable stop on seat post, used a roller.
Chunky welds, 26.8 seat tube?
Riveted cable stop on top tube.
Angle cut top of seat post, welded clamp.

91-93 cable stop on seat tube, welded guides on top tube, started to smooth welds.

93-94/5 31.6 seat tube, 34.9 front mech.
Smooth welds, welded cable stops on TT
External seat post clamp.

I'm not 100% on these details as things changed, but pretty sure it's about right.

 

[Swede]

Early bikes used screw-in gear cable stops and the half moon guides on the top tube were also riveted. Overtime these were welded but the transition took a few years. A ‘91 might have a mixture of both.

 

[Swede]

The early bikes used a screw in cable stop in the front mech. The roller was added later.

 

[Silverfish]

Welded guides on TT
ST has roller front mech pulley
Screw in cable guides on seat stay
Big Smooth ish welds
31.6 post
No seat binder bolt - uses external seatpost clamp

 

[Swede]

Imprecise science.

 

[Silverfish]

Imprecise science.

Yep
Pretty frustrating
I want to get the build correct
But having sourced a load of 91 parts
It feels like I could have just specced anything between 1990 and 1995 and nobody would even notice
I like to get it right - and even better - I like to be challenged. But I don’t want to build it 1991 and then some Funk guru walks up and says that’s lovely - but why did you build that 93 frame with all 91 parts?

 

[Swede]

A ‘93 should have the later decals so it’s either a ‘91 or ‘92.

I’d say ‘91 because of the screw in stops on the seat stays but ‘92 because of the seat post diameter.

Imprecise…