Mantis Valkyrie

[Retro_Roy]

it is the original fork. i had it changed to accommodate u brakes.
this is the frame and fork as i aquired it.

https://www.mtbr.com/threads/1988-89-mantis-valkyrie.863832/

 

[mkozaczek]

I remember that bike and when Lawrence bought it. Frame looks legit, but the fork I'm not so sure about. Then again, the later bikes had much more finished/refined brazing that the earlier bikes, so who's to say RC didn't start brazing the forks as well.

All I know is that I've had a dozen or more of mantis forks of all shapes and sizes and other than the bi-plane forks on the very early 82-83 frames none were fillet brazed.

 

[Retro_Roy]

oh ya, i had the brazing done at same time bosses were changed.
frame was brazed so i thought, why not.

yes, we have had dialogue regarding this one before. you bought the stem
from lawrence just before he offered frame and fork to me.

 

[Retro_Roy]

found more on this one here. as stated, no serial number.


https://www.mtbr.com/threads/all-things-mantis.2236/page-15?nested_view=1&sortby=oldest

 

[mkozaczek]

Lawrence said it had some repairs, maybe the BB shell was replaced hence what looks like fillet brazing at the BB shell, which again was not how they were originally made.

FWIW - these bikes are more often than not a huge mess. I just got a non-elevated X that looked to have some seat tube problems. After digging into it it seems that the whole thing is virtually rotten, cracked and broken. Turning into a huge project. But with maybe 10-15 non-elevated and 25-30 elevated frames in existence each one is worth preserving.

 

[Retro_Roy]

and in turn i took frame and fork to paul brodie and had him go over
it thoroughly. it was very rough as well. did the fork, added all the cable guides required.
fixed numerous dents and complete realignment. paul said it was way out. he
had to file rear drop outs to get wheel to sit square in them.

thanks for the input martin.

 

[Dr Dremel]

Would this bent piece of steel be of any use (not mine)?

 

[Retro_Roy]

stem? what stem?
thanks dude.

 

[Dr Dremel]

damn!!! you outed it. i saw that this morning.
but thanks.

Deleted, nothing to see here

 

[Retro_Roy]

it has been a very long time coming but i am happy to say that this one is finally
as good as done. well maybe 95% done. i might change a couple things down the road.
today i had canuckbiker work his magic on the brakes. he was kind enough to offer
to take a shot at them. didn't take him that long. the man is a wizard. many thanks.
i'll start with a few warm up pictures of the stripped frame that paul brodie put a few
hours into getting it up to snuff. cable guides added, plenty of dents fixed, aligning it.
he also made the filet brazed. it was originally tig welded. i know they didn't come this
way but the frame is filet brazed so i thought it only fitting the fork should be as well.
no harm, no foul in my books. anyone disagree?