1989 Klein Top Gun

[Canuckbiker]

Look what followed me home from the local swap meet yesterday

Another Klein build . Really looking forward this one, Top Gun’s seem pretty rare, I got a great deal I think, even found an appropriate Spinner fork for dirt cheap at the swap

This won’t end up in my collection but it’s looking positive that my oldest son may want it, would be great to keep it in the family

The factory paint is actually in quite good condition, no repaint planned for the frame, on the fence whether to paint the MC1 red and also paint the fork with the Patriot fade, black on black doesn’t look bad at all, but if I can pull it off, original colour scheme would be best I think

The purchase also included Klein OG decals, no repops

 

[Retro_Roy]

will be watching.

 

[Canuckbiker]

It's looking like an early one, serial# TG02F, if my online hex converter is correct this would be #47

 

[Canuckbiker]

It's definitely looking like this build will end up in my sons hands so I'm loving that, always more fun for me when the finished build stays close to home

This will however influence the direction the build takes, I'll be offering up opinions as I'd do with any of my local collecting buddies but in the end we'll go in the direction he chooses of course.

My other son gifted me the below red Selle Italia XO saddle a few Xmas's ago, it currently does not have a home, last night I threw it on with a Syncros post and some tan wall covered wheels to get an idea of the stance. The XO is too new if we end up going more period correct of course but I think it makes a good case for using a red saddle

Note: decision has been made to repaint the MC1 red and the fork with the Patriot fade

 

[Canuckbiker]

An interesting detail on the 20" Top Gun frame: the rear brake noodle and lack of the typical brake cable bridge

I had noticed the noodle approach used on XS Attitudes, etc that came later which makes a bit more sense due to the compact seatpost cluster

Possibly this is an example of Gary trying the idea out early on and eventually only using it on the XS frames?