mrkawasaki
Retrobike Rider
Araya Muddy Fox 1990 (FINISHED 29/04/12)
- Thread starter Mahoney1978
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Rod_Saetan
Old School Grand Master
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I had a mid 80s Muddy Fox clearly labelled 'built by Araya', it was very StumpJumper-esque.
mechagouki
Senior Retro Guru
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This one is too cool for school:
Mahoney1978
Retro Guru
Mahoney1978
Retro Guru
Team... before I start cleaning my new machine can you guys give me a helping hand (some retro-tech genius hints would go down a treat please).
1. Getting rid of the rust spots on the painted work (so Frame, stem, handlebars) - what is best to use.. wet and dry sandpaper? Or shoudl I be getting some kind of special cleaner?
2. I have bought two bottles of degreaser (remember this is my first retro clean up... :? ) and will used these to get the bike as sparkly as possible. Should I use these first and then clean, or clean and then degrease? (amateur's aye!!)
3. Cables. These are SHOT. No doubt about it.. SHOT. Therefore where do I start? I have just bought some Thumbies and brake levers, which I may use on it. These have the inner cables (cheers Stoppi_71) and just need the outers... where is best to start looking for these. I assume ALL bikes cabling is different, therefore am I best to hit up my local bike shop to custome supply these? Or can these be bought off of Ebay and cut to size??
4. Any tips on removing and cleaning the derailleurs. The front mech has a very flimsy looking metal clasp with rust spots... would hate to break this!! Shoudl they be soaked in something? Can you rub/clean over the decals (where it says Deore XT?). Same with the hubs... should I be scrubbing the part where the Deore XT is written?
As you can see... I'm clueless and this bike started off being cheap buy for parts. However, I'm starting to get to like it... and will reserve judgement until it's all cleaned up and therefore I want to do as best a job as possible.
I have a window of opportunity to do a bit of cleaning this weekend, so any advice prior would be great. Photo's of the clean up to come (when I have started).
1. Getting rid of the rust spots on the painted work (so Frame, stem, handlebars) - what is best to use.. wet and dry sandpaper? Or shoudl I be getting some kind of special cleaner?
2. I have bought two bottles of degreaser (remember this is my first retro clean up... :? ) and will used these to get the bike as sparkly as possible. Should I use these first and then clean, or clean and then degrease? (amateur's aye!!)
3. Cables. These are SHOT. No doubt about it.. SHOT. Therefore where do I start? I have just bought some Thumbies and brake levers, which I may use on it. These have the inner cables (cheers Stoppi_71) and just need the outers... where is best to start looking for these. I assume ALL bikes cabling is different, therefore am I best to hit up my local bike shop to custome supply these? Or can these be bought off of Ebay and cut to size??
4. Any tips on removing and cleaning the derailleurs. The front mech has a very flimsy looking metal clasp with rust spots... would hate to break this!! Shoudl they be soaked in something? Can you rub/clean over the decals (where it says Deore XT?). Same with the hubs... should I be scrubbing the part where the Deore XT is written?
As you can see... I'm clueless and this bike started off being cheap buy for parts. However, I'm starting to get to like it... and will reserve judgement until it's all cleaned up and therefore I want to do as best a job as possible.
I have a window of opportunity to do a bit of cleaning this weekend, so any advice prior would be great. Photo's of the clean up to come (when I have started).
mechagouki
Senior Retro Guru
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I'll go through in order, and my word is by no means the last or best.
1.rust spots on paint - I'd start with T-cut or a similar mildly abrasive polish and then for stubborn spots use a fine scotchbrite pad and look to remove as little material as is necessary to get rid of the rust - afterwards you'll need to re-lacquer to prevent the rust recurring.
2. Depending on what you bought some degreasers can be harmful to paint and the clear lacquer on some aluminum components - try to only use it where there are heavy deposits of hardened grease - a toothbrush and some dish soap is a gentler way to clean moving parts.
3.Cables: Some mid-to-late 1980s bikes use a heavier gauge brake cable and outer - it will be visually obvious if you have these and you may find small brash bushings and alloy ferrules at the lever end - don't lose them! If the inner cables look similar to a modern bike then you'll get replacements at any bike store - if you're unsure take the old ones with you and ask staff to match them.
4.Derailleurs: I don't personally think soaking derailleurs in degreaser is a good idea - it can lead to stickiness in my experience - get out yor toothbrush and dish soap and put some time and elbow-grease into them - don't scrub the XT markings with anything abrasive - they will come off!
Looking forward to seeing the results of your work.
1.rust spots on paint - I'd start with T-cut or a similar mildly abrasive polish and then for stubborn spots use a fine scotchbrite pad and look to remove as little material as is necessary to get rid of the rust - afterwards you'll need to re-lacquer to prevent the rust recurring.
2. Depending on what you bought some degreasers can be harmful to paint and the clear lacquer on some aluminum components - try to only use it where there are heavy deposits of hardened grease - a toothbrush and some dish soap is a gentler way to clean moving parts.
3.Cables: Some mid-to-late 1980s bikes use a heavier gauge brake cable and outer - it will be visually obvious if you have these and you may find small brash bushings and alloy ferrules at the lever end - don't lose them! If the inner cables look similar to a modern bike then you'll get replacements at any bike store - if you're unsure take the old ones with you and ask staff to match them.
4.Derailleurs: I don't personally think soaking derailleurs in degreaser is a good idea - it can lead to stickiness in my experience - get out yor toothbrush and dish soap and put some time and elbow-grease into them - don't scrub the XT markings with anything abrasive - they will come off!
Looking forward to seeing the results of your work.
Mahoney1978
Retro Guru
Wow... sorry it's been a month since I replied to say thank you for the advice (@ Mechagouki).
I have finally started and the bike is pretty much completely stripped (bar the crank, which I have had to buy the right tool to remove this. Surprisingly, everything else came off very easily. I was expecting the stem and seat post to cause some distress to my muscles and brain, but they didn't?
I have started cleaning the XT rear mech (jeez.... it takes a whole lot longer than you ever think!!) and it is coming up ok. There are some deep scratches where the Deore XT is worded, but this will all add to it's 'character' right?
Front Mech... same as the rear, coming along nicely but some 'pitting' in the metal finish that may have to stay. Will take to it with some light wet and dry sand paper and see how it goes.
The front weel was next. Don't ask... my hands are hurting and it still looks dirty.
T-Cut on the bars and Stem have made them come up really well. Honestly shocked at the results? They both had surface rust... but now that has dissapeared (you beauty). I really thought a new stem would be needed... but now I have made it my mission to try and not buy anything new for the bike, other than cables.
So this weekend will be the rear wheel, some more work on the derailleurs and some thought on the saddle. The saddle is very ugly (was once white - now just dirty!). I am going to experiment on the saddle with leather/upholstery cleaner/scrub, dubbing, pressure hose at work etc etc and if I break it.... I have an old Bontrager saddle I can substitute in.
Hopefully I can get some pictures up over the weekend of the frame and forks in the sunlight (sorry - my previous photo's really are rubbish aren't they!).
I have finally started and the bike is pretty much completely stripped (bar the crank, which I have had to buy the right tool to remove this. Surprisingly, everything else came off very easily. I was expecting the stem and seat post to cause some distress to my muscles and brain, but they didn't?
I have started cleaning the XT rear mech (jeez.... it takes a whole lot longer than you ever think!!) and it is coming up ok. There are some deep scratches where the Deore XT is worded, but this will all add to it's 'character' right?
Front Mech... same as the rear, coming along nicely but some 'pitting' in the metal finish that may have to stay. Will take to it with some light wet and dry sand paper and see how it goes.
The front weel was next. Don't ask... my hands are hurting and it still looks dirty.
T-Cut on the bars and Stem have made them come up really well. Honestly shocked at the results? They both had surface rust... but now that has dissapeared (you beauty). I really thought a new stem would be needed... but now I have made it my mission to try and not buy anything new for the bike, other than cables.
So this weekend will be the rear wheel, some more work on the derailleurs and some thought on the saddle. The saddle is very ugly (was once white - now just dirty!). I am going to experiment on the saddle with leather/upholstery cleaner/scrub, dubbing, pressure hose at work etc etc and if I break it.... I have an old Bontrager saddle I can substitute in.
Hopefully I can get some pictures up over the weekend of the frame and forks in the sunlight (sorry - my previous photo's really are rubbish aren't they!).
mechagouki
Senior Retro Guru
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Thanks for the update, good to hear you're sticking with the project, and I like your no new parts attitude.
So...pix?
So...pix?
mrkawasaki":2ngn6un8 said:
Very few of these early bikes were sold here.
I know someone with a NOS one in his garage! He was a bike shop owner back in the day. I offered 700 pounds for it about 5 years ago but he wasn't Interested.
al.
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