early 90s zaskar (hopefully) looking for some advice

[gmac123]

evening all,

introducing my zaskar build, decided my old 92 avalanche was a tad too big, so i picked this up on ebay last year and swapped out some parts, adding some others. i realise the syncros and mavics are a bit modern but i'll get it fully retro sooner or later.

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built up zaskar by gmac123, on Flickr

i'd appreciate some advice from all the gt experts out there

Firstly - the frame, numbered 09900236 is it a zaskar? i ask as i'd interpreted this as sept 90, however i'd also read the zaskar was launched in 91.

this leads on obtaining the appropriate correct decals, any pointers

then - the forks, in need of stripping and powder coating. plenty of coaters local, what the correct method of prep. i have a mate with one of those sand blast chambers with the built in gloves. would this be too heavy handed? also the the hans rey picture on my wall in the 90s had taper forks, are these correct or was it a xizang?

lastly - when i got the frame it was pretty heavily tarnished, a night of elbow grease and it was sparkling. its dull again, once i've got the polished and decals applied is it possible lacquer to keep that sparkle?

so many questions, i'd appreciate your thoughts

cheers
g...

 

[Coleman]

Nice bike!

By my understanding of the serial numbers yours was made in september 1990. The Zaskar was launched in 1991 bu they will have had to have been made before that for stock/trade shows demos etc so it's one of the first - very cool IMO.

Theres a chap on here who has a similar ID to yours just with a few more numbers on the end - he knows most things about GTs so I'm sure he'll add some more info.

As for the polishing - there are a couple of points of view on that - if you lacquer then moisture can get under it and make it look naff - obviously if you don't then you have to polish it lots to keep it looking nice - I think that most people don't lacquer - do a search on Zaskars on here and have a look.

Enjoy!

 

[mikee]

looks good

bring it to dunkeld on the 30th

mike

 

[MADJEZ]

Never worked out the last numbers on the Zasker,
could this be production number 236 !

gm1230126 is your man.

GM, any idea how the serial numbers run and I always wondered how
many Zaskars (and indeed Xizangs etc) they made in a any
particular year (ie how rare are they).

 

[gmac123]

looks good

bring it to dunkeld on the 30th

mike

I was hoping to, however the mighty motherwell have a cup semi final that day however I'm swithering.....

 

[gmac123]

thanks guys, sounds like gm1230126 is the man

 

[mikeekim89]

thanks guys, sounds like gm1230126 is the man

gm, However massive his intelligence is.. And it is great... Isn't the only GT guy..

evening all,

introducing my zaskar build, decided my old 92 avalanche was a tad too big, so i picked this up on ebay last year and swapped out some parts, adding some others. i realise the syncros and mavics are a bit modern but i'll get it fully retro sooner or later.


i'd appreciate some advice from all the gt experts out there

Firstly - the frame, numbered 09900236 is it a zaskar? i ask as i'd interpreted this as sept 90, however i'd also read the zaskar was launched in 91.

this leads on obtaining the appropriate correct decals, any pointers

then - the forks, in need of stripping and powder coating. plenty of coaters local, what the correct method of prep. i have a mate with one of those sand blast chambers with the built in gloves. would this be too heavy handed? also the the hans rey picture on my wall in the 90s had taper forks, are these correct or was it a xizang?

lastly - when i got the frame it was pretty heavily tarnished, a night of elbow grease and it was sparkling. its dull again, once i've got the polished and decals applied is it possible lacquer to keep that sparkle?

so many questions, i'd appreciate your thoughts

cheers
g...

The frame number is September 1990. I think the 0236 is the frame finished in that month.

Zaskar's we're first sold in 1991. However GT built there bikes a few months early for sale the next year, Which is why you will see a few wearing decals for the year after they say on the serial number.

Unfortunately due to my age, I have no experience with the fork question, Zaskar/Xizang.. Or where local to you is good for powdercoating. If I remember rightly there is a prep thread on here somewhere..

Yes you can lacquer the frame to keep the shine. Ball Burnished frames often dull as the salt, Water and pollution etc.. Damage and dull the finish..

Your a VERY lucky guy getting a 90 dated Zaskar.. I'd LOVE one..

 

[gmac123]

thanks for the responses

I'd really appreciate any images or files if possible of the decals so i can them made up and brand the old girl properly

appreciate your help

cheers
g..

 

[MADJEZ]

Sorry Mikee...

So is 236 the number of frames in total (including abroad)
or how many were made in Huntington Beach that month.

I'd assumed it was numbers of Zaskars for the year.

Anway Gil-m is the man (hopefully we can all agree on that) for repro
decals. A quick search on here will show you some of his handy work.

 

[mikeekim89]

Sorry Mikee...

So is 236 the number of frames in total (including abroad)
or how many were made in Huntington Beach that month.

I'd assumed it was numbers of Zaskars for the year.

Anway Gil-m is the man (hopefully we can all agree on that) for repro
decals. A quick search on here will show you some of his handy work.

Don't worry, I'm not positive as I say how the numbers at the end work besides quantity. Either monthly or annualy.. Which seems more likely the more I think about it. gil-m or manitou916? both do amazing decal work. Although the decals are rare to find good prints of IMO