1994 Dynatech Diablo STX. DONE (More or less..)FINAL PICS

[Dare]

Re: 1994 Dynatech Diablo STX.

Paint remover will not harm frame's joints you can use it freely. You will still have some sanding to do just much much less.


For those cranks get caustic soda. Disassemble the cranks, dip it in mox of caistic soda and water and after cca 5 mins go over them with sandpaper than autosol. You will get desired look

Autosol best cleans and polishes pure metal and those cranks have anodisation on them.

 

[doctorstewie]

Re: 1994 Dynatech Diablo STX.

Ah, I may well do that on the next one The paint/sticker/horrible pain the bottom is almost all off now, and the Cranks will do for now ( they look nice from a distance ;-) as I want it ready for Iconoclassic
Today was spent not doing anything because I wasn't well. Back to it in a couple of days I think.

 

[doctorstewie]

Re: 1994 Dynatech Diablo STX.

Right, I did a bit of gentle footling today : the paint is all off and I have got the frame ready for the next stage of fettling: more abrasives and then some Autosol.
So far it's been very gently sanded with 60 grit, 240 and 400 grit wet and dry: the 60 just to claw some of the really thick stuff off then going straight to 240 when I could see metal. After that, 400. Next will be 1200 then 2000. I am going to try using some Autosol on the actual wet and dry before a final polish with cloths.
I have left the cable guides blue, because I quite like them like that. I dunno if they look a bit tacky though.
Tomorrow it's get the wheels cleaned up, respray the stem and get it reassembled over the weekend if all goes well.

Oh and I will probably touch up the paint on the rear triangle with a close match and shove a chainstay protector on it.

I have new tyres ( went for Splashbacks after all - 12 quid a pair...)
A new alloy bar and an old LX rear mech cleaned up all ready for it, so it should end up looking quite spanky. ( Fnarrrrr)

 

[doctorstewie]

Re: 1994 Dynatech Diablo STX.

Also, I had always thought of the seat stay cluster being an alloy casting like the other lugs, but this one, bearing in mind the stays are brazed straight into it must be steel *checks* yep, it's steel. The one on my old Sentinel was alloy ( and beautifully chunky ) and the rest of the contemporary range were at the time too: stays either bolted to the lug, or bonded wishbone stays. I suppose this design saves a bit of weight and is probably cheaper to manufacture, but I must admit I'd still like one of the older ones. No pleasing some people ... ;-)

 

[Dare]

Re: 1994 Dynatech Diablo STX.

Nice work!

 

[doctorstewie]

Re: 1994 Dynatech Diablo STX.

Cheers Looking forward to getting it out for a shakedown Mind you I am looking forward to the next few stages of sanding as well. It's dead relaxing.

 

[doctorstewie]

Re: 1994 Dynatech Diablo STX.

Just the rear wheel to finish cleaning up then I will reassemble it, give it a really quick shakedown cruise, then final sorting and ready for Iconoclassic.
( It's no major classic like a RM or an 82 Stumpie, but I love it. It's a kind of Bagpuss on wheels.)

 

[doctorstewie]

Re: 1994 Dynatech Diablo STX.

Good Grief, Splashbacks are a tight fit to Bonty BCX3s...Cue swearing, zip ties and grunting. Lots of grunting.

Well, she's gonna have a little patina, but she's getting there.
So far I have replaced the bar, the stem ( with a Marin one I had kicking about: gives the same riding position, but together the two save about 400g from the stuff on the bike when I got it. )
Wheels from Rampage. The previous owner clearly decided he likes red spoke nipples, so got him/herself some Humbrol and set to. :shock: :shock:
I don't have time to get all that off before Warwick sadly but hey: the rims and hubs are as originally specced on the bike and nice and light.
I had a 94ish LX rear mech, so that's gone on and everything's been given a good scrub/degrease and regrease, new bearings on headset and wheels.

All reassembled except grips, bar ends, chain and cables, then a good fettling.
Pics tomorrow when done

 

[doctorstewie]

Re: 1994 Dynatech Diablo STX. FINISHED. (More or less..)

I WAS going to post some pics tomorrow, and I will, if nothing else because I want some pics of it in the sun, but I went ahead and did the main stuff - installed all the remaining bits and set up the brakes and gears.

It's completely rideable now, but I am going to keep the tyres nice and clean for Warwick ( yes, I know it's just a mid range mass market jobbie, but it's the only 94 Dyna Tech registered at last look and I think they were terrific and underrated bikes that tried something new. )

Anyway, here she is for now:

What's left? I am going to put a chainstay protector on, a little more touch up, a frame protector patch on the part of the headtube where the paint has completely gone ( one of those fake carbon ones) and get rid of the red paint on the spoke nipples.

And after Warwick I'll probably put a shorter stem and some risers on it
I think it'll make a really nice towpath cruiser.

 

[Dare]

Re: 1994 Dynatech Diablo STX. FINISHED. (More or less..)

It is nice! I like it very much!
I wish you many happy kilometers on it