GT RTS identification help

[ishaw]

I think of myself as pretty knowledgeable when it comes to the GT RTS. I've owned many, and my team is a keeper.

Today I took delivery of a front triangle (hope to find a rear) as it's a little larger than my team, and I wanted to try a larger frame on for size.

The frame has a few anomalies I've not come across before that I am hoping I can get some help with:

First up, it has a flat cap on the top tube, the sign of a us built rts, but the serial on the bb shell doesn't match the format I'm familiar with (zaskar style): 092356. Seems to suggest 0 month and a 92 frame? I've had a Taiwan built RTS-2 which had a very long number, and the one here is short and very cleanly punched.

There are no bottle bosses on the horizontal tube. All my frames have had a set here.

There are no cable noodles to help route the cable around the shock area.

I suspect the frame has been painted, as whilst the paint is in good condition, it's a bit orange peely under the top tube, and the decals aren't original imho.

So, what is it? I cant work it out.

Oh, if anyone has a spare rear end, or just chain stay, I'm all ears.

I'll post a pic or two up later.

 

[ishaw]

Re:

Pics up. Hopefully mysteries will be solved.

 

[boxxer]

Warner and MBUK used to run black RTS’s.....

 

[ishaw]

Re:

That's interesting. Perhaps one possibility for the frame serial being different? Could it even he a very early one before the more usual serial was used?

 

[ishaw]

Re:

Anyone got any clues as to the origin of this frame and the differences it has?

 

[Vinbad]

Re:

I have the same type of frame but in BB finish (well it was - needs some work). Think it’s an early frame. Same bottle bosses. Mine came with a very strange rear end as the tabs for the brake rocker were wider than any other rocker I had seen. Have switched for a ‘roller’ rocker back end as this was the earlier type I believe.

 

[Vinbad]

Re:

Oh - and I have a spare steel rear end in good nick. Not sure if it’s from this exact model but would work. Normal rear rocker style (not with it) and no replaceable mech hanger. Shout if you’re interested. You can also have the bizarre original (rusty) one if you’re interested?

 

[Vinbad]

Re:

Here it is- standard rocker doesn’t fit. Tried a few now.

 

[ishaw]

I'm still intrigued to find out about this frame before I do anything with it

I have had a rear end converted to disc (properly) and had the bushings replaced with bearings on the rear pivot, and intend to use them on this build. Got a new decal set too. Just don't want to do anything with it until I find out what it is first.

The only thing I can think is that the serial punch missed the 1 at the start, making it 10/92, but that's just a massive punt as the rest of the serial is very clear.

Anyone got any thoughts or knowledge that can help me identify this specimen before I do something silly with it (not that most can't be undone, may strip the paint and have it redone, maybe in white......

 

[ishaw]

So, still hoping to identify what this frame is. The serial is throwing me as are the other things I've not come across on any of the other us built RTS I've owned.