1993 Merlin Mountain

[Skynet]

Started putting it together today. Hadn't checked the shell width just read the spindle length off the sticker as I assumed the seller (from here) knew what he was selling, but the bottom bracket turns out to be a 73mm not a 68mm. So shows if you assume everyone's an idiot you won't be disappointed.

 

[PopsTrippin]

Steerer swapped, was slightly worried it would be a bit too short but wasn't.

I always had faith :xmas-big-grin:

Keep the pictures coming!

R.

 

[Skynet]

Currently trying to find a temporary replacement bottom bracket locally.

Also found the inner ring spacers that came with the cranks are way too thin. So it's going to be a 2x8 until new ones arrive, not a big deal around here though.

As pretty much anything that could go wrong has, I wouldn't be surprised if there's at least one more thing.

Edit: The only one around here was a Tange, weighs a ton and cost nearly 3x more than what CRC are charging for a UN55 but will do for now. My brother will either sell or swap the Syncros and try and find one that actually fits.

 

[Skynet]

Re:

Another one lives! It's in one piece with no new surprises.

Think it looks pretty good even if it wasn't what I'd first imagined. Didn't really consider quill or rigid to start with but think they suits it especially the stem.

It's too late to try and take pics but I've lent him my Leica, so expecting some David Bailey worthy shots tomorrow, depending on the weather of course.

Can think of a few things I'd like to change, don't need to, just fancy, so no rush. Top of the list is that I'm not exactly a fan of the decal as a head badge, just looks cheap. So I'm thinking of making one, or at least having a go, I'm finishing up the design in Illustrator at the moment.

There are a couple of other bits I'm thinking of trying too, bottle cage and cable ferrules (not sure about the latter). Should be fun and not expensive even if it's a complete failure!

 

[Vinevo]

Re:

Looking forward Marc to seeing what I didn't manage to find time to do!

 

[Skynet]

Just bought all the bits to make the head badge, it will be sterling silver and copper. Think I'll find out it's much, much more difficult than it seems and it will be rubbish, we'll see. Will keep me quiet for 5 minutes if nothing else.

 

[Skynet]

Few finishing bits arrived today. Ti expander bolt, cork plugs and copper plated stainless bottle cage bolts, should look close in colour to the Middleburn chainring bolts.

The copper sheet for the head badge arrived, think my guesstimate on thickness was a bit off, that plus a layer of silver is too thick. So I'll either get thinner sheets or do a redesign to only use 1 layer.

 

[Skynet]

Here are the pics my brother took yesterday. I've also uploaded the full sized to Flickr.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/95826765@ ... 624256420/

Think the few bits of brown and gold works well.

Would have preferred an older Syncros post but at least it won't crack. Had hoped the graphics were painted but they're etched, so can't easily cheat and put older ones on. But it's fine.

It's not too obvious that it currently has mismatched wheels. Still not found a Team rim but will do eventually.

Once the very lardy bottom bracket and the fairly lardy bar go it will be just over 20lb, which isn't too bad, it's not exactly heavy as it is though.

 

[Smithjss70]

Very clean build. Great work!

 

[Minifreak]

Beautiful well done, a mission but a very successful one. Have to get the bad boys together sometime!