GT Psyclone 95

[1552]

I'm sure some of you may have seen this a couple of weeks ago in the for sale section, well I was lucky enough to arrange collection from its previous owner and despite not actually getting to meet Matt, seems a thoroughly nice chap.

When I first saw the add I wasn't actually sure what a GT Psyclone was, but given the deal and only being a hop down the road I couldn't resist.

Photo's didn't do the blue colour justice, it's actually quite lovely with a fine pearl but it's also seen better days and has a fair few war wounds and scratches, so it will be getting a full strip and fresh wet paint with new decals under top coat as per the original.

If you don't know much about these frames, her is a quick bit of info from what I have learnt.

The GT Psyclone was offered from around 91-97 as a custom built to order frame using particular tube set and most importantly it is filet braised, meaning smooth joints and no welding scales.

The ride is said to be very enjoyable.

Build numbers are quite low making them more rare than the fantastic titanium Xzing.

I will update with more info as I have time

The biggest issue I have with this frame unfortunately is the bottom bracket, obviously fitted some years back without any grease on the threads, and it's seized solid.
The bearings were still smooth, but someone had already made a mess of the cups so it's been a bit of a headache to say the least!

After all other options were tried and failed, I have finally relented and as I type the caustic soda is going to work on the cups

I really hope it doesn't effect the frame in any way, I would be gutted.

Here's some pics so far...

 

[1552]

Re:

Attempted removal of the bottom bracket ended with all the little teeth on the cups sheering clean off, unfortunately there wasn't much to start with as they had been munched up quite badly already

I ended up removing the spindle after removing the seals and positioning the bearings in such a way as to allow the spindle to be removed (well played Shimano,not a full 360 race)
I then had to drill and remove as much cup material as possible with minimal risk of damage to the BB threads, then into the caustic soda bath.
Fingers crossed!

 

[Bawgixer]

Re: There's a Psyclone on its way...

I’ve removed one like that before on a gt was stuck soild,ended up using a hacksaw to cut through the cup and as it was getting near the end used the cut channel to bend back the inner edge of the full cup and it started to move round as it should .
Very light cut mark on the threads but hasn’t affected the new bb’s that have been in since.
The caustic route will waste the paint work in no time unless u keep the paint cooled

 

[1552]

Re: There's a Psyclone on its way...

I’ve removed one like that before on a gt was stuck soild,ended up using a hacksaw to cut through the cup and as it was getting near the end used the cut channel to bend back the inner edge of the full cup and it started to move round as it should .
Very light cut mark on the threads but hasn’t affected the new bb’s that have been in since.
The caustic route will waste the paint work in no time unless u keep the paint cooled

Hopefully it will be out by tomorrow, or it's disintegrated into nothing!
It's getting a full repaint as soon as this BB is sorted.

 

[mk one]

Re: There's a Psyclone on its way...

Nice, looking forward to seeing more of this.

 

[1552]

Re:

Good news!
The bottom bracket is out with very little damage to the threads in the frame, I will get them chased and faced after paint to make them perfect.
Bottom bracket appears to be a UN 91, shame it got destroyed.