I thought I would kick this one back to the top with some more old photos.
Here is a ride I took with friends in January, 1982. All five bikes are Ritcheys, for the simple reason that it was the only real mountain bike you could get then.
I have included a detail shot of my first Ritchey, a 1980 model customized with brass plated bars, gold anodized everything including the Magura brake levers, rims, pedals, cranks and Blackburn rack, black ano chainset, red leather covers for the brake levers, red grips and red cable housing.
I sold this bike in 1983. Probably shouldn't have, but I replaced it with my Annapurna which I still have and which is a nicer bike.
The bike behind mine in the photo belonged to a guy who worked at our shop, and he customized his all black ano and black trim with flat black paint.