1996/7 Muddy Fox Alu Pro *bare metal content*

[sparkybhp]

Hi, I bought this bike as a frame set recently but found a little hairline crack on the head tube once I got it home. It was cheap and came with some other decent bits so I wasn’t that worried.. Ran in in to the local welders and had a chap there clean it up and run a new weld over the crack. Hopefully once this is filed back and re-sprayed should be good to go.
Any love for these mid/late 90’s MF’s? I know people tend to avoid post ‘91 bikes but I like some of the details on this frame - like the top tube that curves down to the seat stays and the brake cable noodle around the top of the seat tube.
Not going to chuck heaps of cash at this one but should be a decent bike for the trails and jumps when finished..

 

[Stressed]

Lot's of love for 90s Muddy Foxes on here

 

[Deleted member 68825]

Hi, I bought this bike as a frame set recently but found a little hairline crack on the head tube once I got it home. It was cheap and came with some other decent bits so I wasn’t that worried.. Ran in in to the local welders and had a chap there clean it up and run a new weld over the crack. Hopefully once this is filed back and re-sprayed should be good to go.
Any love for these mid/late 90’s MF’s? I know people tend to avoid post ‘91 bikes but I like some of the details on this frame - like the top tube that curves down to the seat stays and the brake cable noodle around the top of the seat tube.
Not going to chuck heaps of cash at this one but should be a decent bike for the trails and jumps when finished..

A lot of love for MF....here’s an aluminium pro I’m still working on but nearly done

 

[sparkybhp]

Re:

Wow 37tattoos, that’s mint - love the Girvin forks, they suit the frame a treat.
Cleaned up the weld this afternoon and mocked up with rigid or some Zokes forks that came with it. Not sure which to choose, or maybe something else..

 

[Deleted member 68825]

There's nothing better than a rigid for offroad rawness.. . But a lil bit of bounce will keep you in the seat for longer .... Decisions decisions... And cheers man

 

[sparkybhp]

Had the chance to dig this out and commence work on it in between other bits and pieces.. used chemical stripper to start with and then scouring pads and finally autosol. Cleaned it down with thinners, applied decals and then some lacquer to seal it all in..
Can’t wait to start building - I’ll dig through my components and see what suits it but it’s looking sweet.
Love the curved top tube - such a nice detail.. Oh yeah - Help - can anyone tell me the model year? Can’t find one in the catalogue the same - it has a canti noodle around the top of the seat tube so must be early 90’s right??
The frame year might help me make a suitable component choice.. or I also have a hankering for 1x9.. we’ll see.

 

[sparkybhp]

Got this all assembled today, went for a 1x9 setup pieced together from various parts I already had, just waiting on a narrow/wide chainring to finish this off. On the whole I’m pleased with how it came out, I was tempted to scrap the frame when I discovered the crack in it - but a £10 fix saved this from being recycled..

 

[DrGooGoo]

Nice job! I have a 91' MF Alu Pro (spec'd with Deore DX), which I have owned since it was new. They were very rare here in the states. It was a one-off in the bike shop I purchased it from...they weren't MF dealers. I remember going to the shop to buy a Cannondale and saw it in the window. I came home with it...my first proper MTB . I rode that bike for many years...it means a lot to me. It has had a few different suspension forks on it, but I saved the original chromoly forks. I want to restore it to original, but have the same problem as you did. There are two hairline cracks in the headtube. Both in the front far away from the frame welds so I don't think if I get it welded up (like you did) it will weaken the frame. I just need to find a good TIG welder. Maybe a shop that fixes motorbikes?