1998 GT Zaskar 14.5"

[Factory Jackson]

Having just restored a 1991 Zaskar to era specific spec I'd been toying with the idea of something retro but with a modern twist. The bike looks lovely, but riding it you do feel somewhat hesitant to even pop it off a curb incase something should snap.

Here's the link to the 91 bike: http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewto ... p;t=356927

So this had my mind ticking over. I was flicking through some FB buying pages on a break at work and noticed a Zaskar for sale for not much money. Plus it was in a 14.5". Being 5.11" this would suggest far too small for me, but there's something so playful about the smaller frames and in my eye, smaller frames just look so much cooler.
I've also got an RTS in 14.5", and that's pretty cool to ride.

The deal was done and the frame has arrived today.

All looks nice and straight. No obvious issues. Could do with a good polish then I'll start collecting the parts I envisage.

Untitled by FactoryJackson, on Flickr

Untitled by FactoryJackson, on Flickr

Untitled by FactoryJackson, on Flickr

The planned spec is something loosely like this:

Zaskar Frame
New decals from Gil (toying with earlier year decals)
Judy SL's
SRAM 1x11 drivechain
Magura HS33's
Thomson post & stem
Hope Fatso/Ti-Glide in purple
Mavic D521's in grey
Smoke/Dart re-issue
Flite
Lots of purple anodising

And here it is with the 91 Zaskar.

Untitled by FactoryJackson, on Flickr

Going to be a fun project this one.

cheers
Chris


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[jimo746]

Re:

That's nice, those frames look great polished up.
Thought about disc brakes? I use an A2Z rear disc adapter on my '98 Zaskar, combined with a dropper post it makes for a pretty handy hardtail.

 

[Factory Jackson]

Re: Re:

That's nice, those frames look great polished up.
Thought about disc brakes? I use an A2Z rear disc adapter on my '98 Zaskar, combined with a dropper post it makes for a pretty handy hardtail.

Mmm. Hadn't thought of that, but it's not a bad call. Will look into it, cheers.

 

[Factory Jackson]

Re: 1998/9 GT Zaskar

Picked up another tube of Autosol today from B&Q and spent a couple of hours hard graft.

The frame was in pretty good shape and clean already to be fair.

Untitled by FactoryJackson, on Flickr

Before the polishing commenced

Untitled by FactoryJackson, on Flickr

After about half an hour it's starting to get there

Untitled by FactoryJackson, on Flickr

BB area I used a tooth brush to get the paste into all the nooks and crannies

Untitled by FactoryJackson, on Flickr

And the same again around the seat post junction area.

Untitled by FactoryJackson, on Flickr

Untitled by FactoryJackson, on Flickr

Job done. Sore hands, but well worth the effort.

Untitled by FactoryJackson, on Flickr

Next job, to get it rolling....


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[Factory Jackson]

Re: 1998 GT Zaskar

Popped an old headset in along with some Pace rigids I had knocking about. Plus wheels off another bike.

Untitled by FactoryJackson, on Flickr

On the lookout for some Judy SL's (see wanted thread).
But until them i'm quite liking the look of these rigids.

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[Trus29]

Re: 1998 GT Zaskar

I'm over jealous. I missed one two month ago on Ebay...450€... Those guys are so expensive today.

 

[Factory Jackson]

Re: 1998 GT Zaskar

I'm over jealous. I missed one two month ago on Ebay...450€... Those guys are so expensive today.

For a Zaskar? Managed to pick this up for £60.
The forks are going to be the expensive bit I fear.


Managed to get it cobbled together with stuff from the parts bin.

Untitled by FactoryJackson, on Flickr

Huge amount of spacers on the steerer I know, but i've decided these forks wont be staying and Judy SL's are definately the way forward.

Untitled by FactoryJackson, on Flickr

And with it's older brother..

Untitled by FactoryJackson, on Flickr
Untitled by FactoryJackson, on Flickr

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[legrandefromage]

Re: 1998 GT Zaskar

If memory serves, yours is an actual 'LE' from when the LE version was a lighter frame over the standard Zaskar - reason I say this is the machined bits such as the headtube and seatclamp areas.

Maybe.

 

[Factory Jackson]

Re: 1998 GT Zaskar

If memory serves, yours is an actual 'LE' from when the LE version was a lighter frame over the standard Zaskar - reason I say this is the machined bits such as the headtube and seatclamp areas.

Maybe.

Possibly, though it doesn't have the intricately machined dropouts like on the LE of that year.
See Yidaki's thread here..
http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=239875

Would be nice to be an LE, but i dont think it is.

 

[Factory Jackson]

Re: 1998 GT Zaskar

The headset previously fitted turned out to be totally goosed and I found a yellow FSA I'd forgotten I had so fitted that.
Didn't like the stem that was previously on there so swapped that too for a shorty Azonic copy.
Now much better.
Took it for a quick blast in the sunshine.

Pretty good ride, but with the rigids up front and Zaskars known for their harsh riding back end it felt pretty brutal; a but like an overgrown BMX.

Fun though

Untitled by FactoryJackson, on Flickr

Untitled by FactoryJackson, on Flickr

Untitled by FactoryJackson, on Flickr

Untitled by FactoryJackson, on Flickr

Untitled by FactoryJackson, on Flickr