1989 Saracen Traverse

[sparkybhp]

Just picked this up on my way home from work after winning the eBay auction this lunchtime.
The full Mountain LX groupset is there and bike condition looks initially pretty good if a little grubby and in need of a full service
( which is how I like ‘em )..
Stay tuned for updates as I work my way through it.

 

[Magpiegifts]

What a great bike. And the wolber rims seem tidy!

 

[brocklanders023]

Lovely stuff, regret selling mine. They ALWAYS come up ace after a bit of elbow grease too, the paint is mega tough.

 

[sparkybhp]

What a great bike. And the wolber rims seem tidy!

Cheers! The tyres are also Wolber, I’m guessing original to the bike(?) - if that’s the case it’s really not seen much use, they’re almost new looking..

 

[sparkybhp]

Little update. I’m making good progress on the bike, I’ve stripped it and cleaned/polished the frame and touched in any rust spots or scratches. The paint I mixed up dried a little darker than I intended but never mind - should blend in a little with another polish and it looks better than brown rust spots..
Started to re-assemble servicing components as I go. Went for some yellow cable outers to tie in with the frame details and also the seat rails.
Note: there is no way that the tyres are original to the bike - at least not judging by the wear to the chainrings and derailleur sprockets! Replacements needed!

 

[sparkybhp]

Front view:

 

[Tsundere]

It's going to look lovely when finished, nice work on the frame

 

[sparkybhp]

Had a bit of a touch today - managed to pick up a donor bike off Gumtree.. Another retro Saracen, completely by chance and only 15mins drive from my home. She’s a bit sorry for herself but should yield some decent spares, mainly the black bio-pace chainrings that I need for mine..

 

[sparkybhp]

Been an interesting build this.. looks like the bike has been well used during its 30+ years. Got the chainrings cleaned up and mounted.

 

[sparkybhp]

Rebuilt the wheels and hubs, never seen cones this worn out, maybe because three of the front wheel bearings were missing?
It was causing the front wheel to grind and click and skip while it was spinning! Nasty.