actual 1981 stumpjumper, not listed as such going cheap?

[GoldenEraMTB]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... MEWAX%3AIT

It's missing a few first year parts, but the frame is a very rare 1st year (1981) Stumpjumper, along with the cranks,seatpost and saddle.

Look at the frame closely and see that it is not lugged, from what I've read, only the 1981 stumpjumper frame was tig welded, like the one in this auction. Only 500 sold...if this was my size, (it's too large), I would go for it, to swap out with my 82 stumpjumper build.

please correct me if I'm wrong, thanks.

 

[craigsmith]

I believe it's a late 82 or 83. The first 400 made had different Specialized typeface (linear, more upright) on the downtube. From 400 onward (early 82) it changed to the more familiar Specialized slanted script. I own an early 82 (serial number 4xx).

The one on sale here is in good nick and mostly original, bar the golf club stem and tyres. Ask the seller for the serial number if you're interested.

 

[GoldenEraMTB]

I believe it's a late 82 or 83. The first 400 made had different Specialized typeface (linear, more upright) on the downtube. From 400 onward (early 82) it changed to the more familiar Specialized slanted script. I own an early 82 (serial number 4xx).

The one on sale here is in good nick and mostly original, bar the golf club stem and tyres. Ask the seller for the serial number if you're interested.

Hmmm, I was under the impression that from the 1st gen stumpjumpers, only the 81 was tig welded; all the other years were lugged. If you look at the joints in the auction pics, those are not lugs, hence my impression.

Decals can always be switched, so I didn't want to go by that.
But I could be wrong

 

[craigsmith]

You're right that later years got the lugs. The question is when the switch was made. MOMBAT lists 1982 Stumpjumpers that are still TIG welded http://www.mombat.org/1982_Stumpjumper_0375.htm

The 1981 batch wasn't made until late in the year, so the first 400/500 spanned 1981 and 1982. I think. I guess the answer lies in identifying the last TIG welded bike by serial number. As soon as it gets light I'll post some pictures and serial number of mine.

 

[GoldenEraMTB]

You're right that later years got the lugs. The question is when the switch was made. MOMBAT lists 1982 Stumpjumpers that are still TIG welded http://www.mombat.org/1982_Stumpjumper_0375.htm

The 1981 batch wasn't made until late in the year, so the first 400/500 spanned 1981 and 1982. I think. I guess the answer lies in identifying the last TIG welded bike by serial number. As soon as it gets light I'll post some pictures and serial number of mine.

sounds good. Have you made a reader's ride thread for it?

Here's my thread for my 82; it's already lugged and missing some original parts, including the fork and crankset.

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewto ... highlight=

But I did get a hold of the golf club stem, along with a few other original parts.

I know the stumpjumper brought along the demise of some custom builders in the very early years as it was a knockoff for mass production and consumption, but it has meaning for me.

 

[craigsmith]

I saw your thread a little while back. Nice bike, nice pictures (better than mine). I've started a thread in MTB chat http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewto ... 970#485970.

I think (hope) most people here would agree that while the kudos belongs to Charles Kelly et al, it need Specialized (or someone) to come along and democratize mountain biking. If that had never happened we wouldn't have the sport we have today (or Retrobike).

 

[GoldenEraMTB]

I saw your thread a little while back. Nice bike, nice pictures (better than mine). I've started a thread in MTB chat http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewto ... 970#485970.

I think (hope) most people here would agree that while the kudos belongs to Charles Kelly et al, it need Specialized (or someone) to come along and democratize mountain biking. If that had never happened we wouldn't have the sport we have today (or Retrobike).

true...going to check out that thread now.

great looking stumpjumper...very original