1989 Merlin Mountain

[Canuckbiker]

perfection! makes me really want a track2 fork on my own merlin.

interesting to see the hg41 cassette without the huge label. i've always felt it makes them look so cheap and shoddy, but simply removed and it looks right at home on a vintage example! good to know.

Thanks for the kind works

Ya, the HG41 may not sit on the top drawer parts pick list but I've used it on a few builds. With ugly stickers removed it looks the part and so far I can't find fault with the quality and it shifts nicely, nice Shimano is still producing 7 speed cassettes, at 250g it's pretty light as well

 

[Canuckbiker]

Think I'll through this in BOTM for June so here's a small update. I changed the title to remove (90?), I'm not 100% certain but after posting my Merlin on a FB group it seems most likely it was produced in 89' based on some of the comments.

I've been out on this Merlin a lot more than my other bikes for good reason, it has such a sweet ride

 

[Canuckbiker]

Made a few tweaks, the 150mm Salsa Moto was a bit long for my taste, I managed to source a 130mm at great expense, a nice surprise after receiving it in the mail was noticing it had full titanium hardware which softened the financial blow a bit , great original paint and decals as well and yes, a much better fit for my preferred riding position.

I'm a big fan of the @mkozaczek Merlin build and have, well, copied the idea of a small Cook Bros Racing decal on the rear of the top tube (hope you don't mind ), I made the decal myself using a scan of a decent quality image, having fitted Cook cranks and skewers I think it goes with the build

Also swapped the front derailleur for a standard clamp version which I much prefer the look of, swapped the Dia-compe brake lever blades for plain silver versions (more fitting for an 89' than the grey painted version) and swapped the grips to WTB units. Where has this grip been all my life! I may have to order a couple more pairs, super comfortable design

 

[Retro_Roy]

such a nice job. well done.
this has to be my favorite merlin out there.

 

[JCS]

Super!

Looks new!

 

[mk one]

Beautiful!

 

[27motorhead]

Love your updates @Canuckbiker . Always spot-on and enhance the bike further, even though before it looked "just right".

Looking forward to the next update, even if it is another "crew" ride as you've all go rather nice bikes and the backdrop ain't too bad either!

 

[Nimrod]

Lovely

 

[raidan73]

Superb mate

 

[Canuckbiker]

Time for a couple more tweaks I think

As much as I loved the Ti Syncros seatpost I got an urge to try a black seatpost. I do typically try matching seatpost with stem color, after trying it out I decided I think it works better, while at it swapped the rings to black ones, always something to tweak a bit eh?