1999 cannondale Martyn Ashton signature full restoration.

[Luke26mhz]

Being an 80’s baby I got to witness the best era of trials in the uk. Martyn Ashton was a hero for many of us, and still is! I mean tricks and stunts was probably the best mtb video!

Luckily I got to meet him at bike 99 or 00 and there was a picture of us with him singing my baseball cap.

I remember the signature frame being released. 1/500 ever made, but back in 1999 and being 13 years old, I was never going to be able to afford the £550 frame and fork price tag.

Ever since then, I have always wanted one. I have probably passed up 8 Ashton’s over the years. But when I got back into bikes last year, I had to have one.

There was only one problem though. These frames are incredibly rare. Out of 500 made, there’s not many about and if they are about, they are expensive.

Last July I was given the heads up about an Ashton signature bike on Pinkbike. The bike was a good spec and some of the components were in great condition, however the frame had obviously been used as a trials bike. A dented top tube and a few scrapes. I was assured there was no cracks etc. I got it very cheap because of the dent.

A 6.5 hour round trip saw me in possession with my childhood dream bike. However, it wasn’t all smiles. The frame had 2 cracks on the rear seat stays and a small pin hole on the L/H chain stay where the bearing had failed in the rear wheel, resulting in the tyre rubbing the frame.

So here it is!

 

[Luke26mhz]

So now I have acquired my base, it was time to fully strip the frame.

On the stand.



Stripped.

 

[Luke26mhz]

Now the frames fully stripped, it was time to take the frame to my friend to have it repaired.

I took it to my good friend badger who owns hard knocks speed shop. He’s one amazing welder. Even though he doesn’t work on bicycle frames, I knew he’d be the guy to repair it.

Back end all flow welded, pin hole welded and the dents sorted.

Before:






After:

 

[Luke26mhz]

The next and probably the most important task of this project was getting the decals remade to exact spec.

Only one man in my opinion for this job and that’s Gil from Retrodecals.

Unfortunately these unique decals on the signature have never been re-designed and Gil had non of them on file.

Luckily I know a very good friend who’s a graphic designer. He helped with the orange zero petr kraus decals if you have seen my orange zero project.

So G-One designed all the graphics Gil didn’t have. All the designs went to Gil and after so many emails, the project was put on hold on my behalf last September.

Fast forward to February this year and we’re back to the project.

Even though I didn’t want to, the only option to get these decals 100% accurate in size and colour was to send the frame to Retrodecals.

I literally took no chances, this frame to me is priceless. I used lagging on the whole frame and forks, bubble wrapped it, boxed it, then boxed it again. Even Gil said he’s never seen a frame so well protected!


Frame arrived with Gil and work began. He worked his magic and just like that, the decals had been made.



Last week the frame was delivered back to me along with the decals. Gil and G-One have really done an amazing job on these.

 

[Luke26mhz]

Next job was to find a painter. I was looking on a Facebook group where someone had some deemax wheels painted and Bristol bicycle restoration name was mentioned.

I checked out the page for pictures and videos and immediately I was impressed by Joshua’s work. I see a video of one of Jamie Lynn’s Downhill bikes being repaired and painted by him and at that point, I knew Joshua was the guy to paint the frame and forks for me.

He see the decals Gil made for me and when I contacted him, he told me right away he wanted to paint this for me.

So today I dropped the frame and forks off to Joshua for paint. In 4 weeks time we will see a fully restored cannondale Ashton signature.

Full colour match
Decals applied
Lacquer over the top
P bone-r forks painted and lacquered
Fatty-r forks painted and lacquered













Stay tuned for the next update.

 

[trailstar82]

Watching this one fo sho ;-)

 

[W7Ford]

This is going to be awesome! Looking forward to seeing its new coat of blue. I've still got my MBUK watch strap somewhere, and a dark blue version.

 

[coomber]

Wary of aluminium repairs but that looks ace

 

[adam_c__trials]

Wicked looking already! Love the repairs they look super clean

 

[Luke26mhz]

Watching this one fo sho ;-)

This is going to be awesome! Looking forward to seeing its new coat of blue. I've still got my MBUK watch strap somewhere, and a dark blue version.

Thank you . I have a NOS mbuk blue strap for this project.

Wary of aluminium repairs but that looks ace

I have been assured it won’t crack, but I can safely say, no hard trials will be ridden on this. She’s going to be semi retired.

Wicked looking already! Love the repairs they look super clean

Thanks man. I hope so