Silverfish 1990 Yeti FRO

[Silverfish]

Another Yeti build

I’m just waiting on some parts to finish that Crosstrac so figured I’d dig out this gem.

The last FRO build was an 87 so choice of parts was limited and finding them was a total ball ache. I already have most of the parts for this build and want to have a play around with some different stuff.

The 1990 FRO was a great bike. Slack angles, 1 1/4 head tube, no gusset and classic Yeti seat collar. I’ve wanted to build a Yeti with an RS1 fork and some Mavic bits for a long time but not really had the right Yeti to put them on.

Now I do

1990 what a year. Sonic Youth, Mudhoney, Pixies, Jane’s Addiction, the Breeders, Smashing Pumpkins, Afghan Whigs, Flaming Lips and shit loads of other great albums…

 

[slimjoe]

That’s pure class. My first FRO was white. Look forward to the build

 

[Silverfish]

Now that I’ve checked the marks around the chain stays weren’t anything to worry about, I’m happy to do the old insulation tape hack…

 

[Silverfish]

Well that change of build direction happened quickly
No way the NOS Mavic headset is fitting the RS1 steerer without me cutting a new thread in the steerer. Plus the crown race is bonkers tight and if it the RS1 looks shit I don’t think I’d get the crown race off the fork.
Might have to save it for another build.
Or come back to it when I have more time and the right tools
So it looks like I’m going fully rigid

Still, the headset looks sweet AF

Also managed to cut the thread in the Ringle ti seat
Bolt so just need to trim that off now

 

[Silverfish]

as well as the forced change of direction with the fork, it also impacts the stem I had planned
Will have a play with a few options tonight.

Don’t want to go white with all black - Altho it would look classy and probably best - I fancy a bit of colour

I’m determined to keep the Fluoro pink bar even tho I don’t have the fluoro pink RS1

It was 1990 after all

Fluoro is in

 

[Silverfish]

I’m loving how this is coming together…

 

[felixdelrio]

I really dig the handlebar.

 

[Once A Hero]

Love this. I really enjoyed building my FRO up

 

[Silverfish]

I was gonna go Grafton as I have a spare set of Speed Controllers in Black, but I need to source the brake pad hardware from somewhere so will give these a try tonight

 

[Silverfish]

Slow progress

Too many other chores
Rear brake is fitted
Gotta say I prefer the gloss black Shimano finish to the matt black Grafton’s on this bike so I may stick with Shimano.
Serviced both wheels - super happy with the Mavic hubs/wheels - especially with the matching headset
Dicked about with the old freewheel for what feels like hours - cleaned it - it really needs dismantling and re-greasing - but it’s a consumable and I’ve already wasted too much time on it - so fitted a new SunRace freewheel. Silky smooth now