1988 Muddy Fox Courier

[Minifreak]

Time for another project I think, a bit different from my most recent, a GT RTS Team on SPINS. This elderly lady was picked up from a charity bicycle recycler in Taunton earlier in the year and has been waiting her turn for some love. I'm into patina so no repaint for this one, everything will get a good clean and polish and all mechanicals will get an overhaul.

It's pretty original, cassette and chain appear to have been changed recently, as have the shifters to the ugly plastic things in the pics. I've gathered a few spares together including some Shimano thumb shifters but have scored some Karma Suntour shifters on here so they'll go better.

Anyway pics speak a thousand words so here you go









Now stripped and ready to get going:

 

[Muddy paw]

Pulling up a seat to see this little gem come together as i just love these bikes and that patina looks great even though the wife finds liking patina a bit weird she kinda understands the idea of keeping it that way now i've explained
.

I'm loving your plans for it mate and can't wait to see it up n running once sorted but i'm quite amazed tbh how good those wheels look :shock: which goes to show it's not been abused over the years ..

 

[Muddy paw]

I know some folk find it a bit weird Tim but i prefer a brake setup of left lever to the front and the right to the rear as i tend to be a little heavy handed with my right hand and this setup for me is safer :facepalm: so
that's how i'd do the brakes unless i were just rebuilding a bike just for show that is ..

 

[tintin40]

I had a couple of those. lovely mtb.

 

[JackN]

Re:

Great find. Beautiful lugged frame and the paw prints in the seat stays are a great touch. I bought mine in 1987 and fully restored it last year. Luckily you have the saddle, much faded (they all do that sir.) I threw mine away and replaced it with a gel saddle in the late 90s.

 

[Muddy paw]

I had a couple of those. lovely mtb.

I use to have a 19" Explorer which is as close as i'd ever been to owning a Courier but the colouring of the courier is just gorgeous imho ..

 

[Muddy paw]

Re: Re:

Great find. Beautiful lugged frame and the paw prints in the seat stays are a great touch. I bought mine in 1987 and fully restored it last year. Luckily you have the saddle, much faded (they all do that sir.) I threw mine away and replaced it with a gel saddle in the late 90s.

Yes i agree that some of the little details are really nice and the bike doesn't get the recognition that it deserves so have you got any pics up on the forum mate as i'd love a gander at them ..

 

[JackN]

Re:

No pictures on the forum, hadn't found retrobikes when I began the restoration. If you tell me what you want I can send you them.

 

[Muddy paw]

Re: Re:

No pictures on the forum, hadn't found retrobikes when I began the restoration. If you tell me what you want I can send you them.

I just wanted to look at your Courier to admire it mate although i am curious to see what thumbies are like on it too as for the life of me i can't remember how they use to look or which ones ie; Powershift or Accushift but yes i really like looking at MuddyFoxs and seen as you have one i'd just love the chance to see it ..

 

[Minifreak]

Well I've nearly got everything ready to rebuild, just need to tidy up and service the wheels









Odd bit of rust but nothing to worry about and fantastic for its age.













I think the Suntour Accushift with big levers are the correct ones, can anyone confirm? The right one is missing the plastic cable holder/guide so trying to locate another if anyone has one? Or I may be able to modify the one off the 200GS lever.