Recent content by Ardvark99

Hi I am undertaking some research on vintage bicycles and am trying to develop some baseline information. I have developed a short survey (<2 mins to complete). If you are interested in vintage bikes I would invite you to complete the survey below. https://goo.gl/xRNxJ5 The survey is in a...

All I have been given an Aluminium fork marked F14 which I believe is off an Orange Clockwork (1990s) MTB. Does anyone know anything about it as its interesting in that the brakes mount at the rear of the fork rather than in front which seems like a great idea but obviously not replicated...

I am trying to fit a Dia Compe 500 caliper brake onto my front fork. The problem is i seem to be trying to fit a "recessed nut" brake onto a fork but the hole is not large enough for the nut to be slid in. I managed to fit the rear brake as it has a nut that threads on entirely outside the...

Hi - yeah that was my guess as i did find these on the Mercian site - but thought it worth the ask. Thanks Andy

Hi - yeah that was my guess as i did find these on the Mercian site - but thought it worth the ask. Thanks Andy

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Hi All I am in process of building up from bare frame and fork a Mercian steel touring bike. I just purchased a Fuji League from 1984 as quite a nice selection of components. Which of these are worthy of sitting on my lovely Mercian frame and which should i sell on. B114 Nitto Handlebars...

Hi Anyone have a scan of a Mercian 1983 catalog? THanks! Andy

Hi All Can anyone advise on a suitable set up for a 5 speed bike with either double or triple cogs up front giving me either 10 or 15 gears. I dont have a huge budget so either need to source parts on ebay or find decent prices on some new parts. The build is to go onto a 1983 Mercian King...

F14 Alloy Orange Fork - Which Bike??? Mid-late 90s?? Hi all Hi All Some years back i purchased a new Orange F14 fork in a deep red metallic colour. It might have come off an Orange Clockwork circa mid 90s but i never saw the bike so not sure. What made it unusual is that it allows the...

Hi all I have had a Balance XR-550 since 1993 when it was purchased on a trip to Canada. It came with a set of Answer Forks which were awful and heavy so were quickly swapped out for a light rigid fork. Bike came with a complete LX 7-speed groupset. Much of this is still on the bike but...

Hi All Some years back i purchased a new Orange F14 fork in a deep red metallic colour. It might have come off an Orange Clockwork circa mid 90s but i never saw the bike so not sure. What made it unusual is that it allows the front brakes to be mounted behind the fork as opposed to on the...

You still got Balance Bike Hi I just found your post re fix up of old Balance 550? I have had mine since new and i have many of same issues as you described - ie rust spots and original drive train wearing out. How did you get on with rebuild? Best Andy

Hi All I am just about to embark upon a full rebuild of my 1993 Balance XR-550 which believe it or not has the same drive train despite many thousands of miles on and off road. I would like to try and replace what i can albeit i guess it could be hard to source replacements. According to...

Hi All I am just about to embark upon a full rebuild of my 1993 Balance XR-550 which believe it or not has the same drive train despite many thousands of miles on and off road. I would like to try and replace what i can albeit i guess it could be hard to source replacements. According to...