Nice Ti frame but what is it? Merlin?

[chusma]

mr. bleakley said:

>Hello Chus, I remember the dropouts in the picture. It was one of the
first TI frames I had my torch on. I am sorry I can't provide a drawing, do you know who it was built for? I might be able to find the build sheet in paper if I have that info. Thanks, James

Best regards,
Chus

 

[yo-eddy]

Is it just me or does it appear to have the worlds longest TT in proportion to the ST? :shock:

Nice looking frame though.

pretty long, but think the small tyres trick you a bit also

 

[sandmangts]

Thanks guys! Do you think I could have disk brake mounts added? I would love to have a Ti hardtail.

 

[pete_mcc]

You could, but I'd save your money for a modern frame with disc mounts and suspension corrected geometry. You can pick up much newer no name Ti frames like this for a lot less if you want a modern disc hardtail. If you want a classic build then this could be the one, if you can get them down on the price, a lot.

 

[pete_mcc]

I knew I'd seen this one before somewhere:

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewto ... ht=sandvik

 

[sandmangts]

You could, but I'd save your money for a modern frame with disc mounts and suspension corrected geometry. You can pick up much newer no name Ti frames like this for a lot less if you want a modern disc hardtail. If you want a classic build then this could be the one, if you can get them down on the price, a lot.

Good points, especially on the suspension. I am looking for a singlespeed light hardtail. I don't think this is a good candidate for modernization. Nice bike though.

 

[chusma]

Hate to say it but that's not a Black Sheep. Drop-outs say Sandvik, U-brake says early 1990s, straight unbent seat and chainstays say early 1990s, parts mix says early 1990s but Bleakley's only owned black sheep for the past 10 years making his bikes 2000+ (unless of course James just buys up old stock Sandvik frames and rebadges them rather than build his own - which I know he doesn't!)

Hi,
Pete, I must say that I agreed with you (mainly 'cause u-brakes are late eighties) but when I received Bleakley's mail I began to think that it could have been a made-to-measure bike and the customer had asked for u-brake bosses. Now I don't know. It's clear that Bleakley began building frames about 1998...
I'm sure that I will not take the decals out...
Regards,
Chus

 

[sandmangts]

Hate to say it but that's not a Black Sheep. Drop-outs say Sandvik, U-brake says early 1990s, straight unbent seat and chainstays say early 1990s, parts mix says early 1990s but Bleakley's only owned black sheep for the past 10 years making his bikes 2000+ (unless of course James just buys up old stock Sandvik frames and rebadges them rather than build his own - which I know he doesn't!)

Hi,
Pete, I must say that I agreed with you (mainly 'cause u-brakes are late eighties) but when I received Bleakley's mail I began to think that it could have been a made-to-measure bike and the customer had asked for u-brake bosses. Now I don't know. It's clear that Bleakley began building frames about 1998...
I'm sure that I will not take the decals out...
Regards,
Chus

He will take 700 bucks. Should I Bite?

 

[chusma]

I have a bike like that.
James Bleakley (owner, founder, etc) of Black Sheep Bikes would kindly tell you it is one of his frames (as he did with mine)
He overhauled mine with canti bosses and all aditional weldings.
In a week I'll finish restoring it and I'll put some pics.
Regards,
Chus

really looking forward to see this

Here it is; Pics on page 1 and 5
In Spanish I'm afraid
I paid 200$ for the frame, front and rear mechs and seat clamp. A BARGAIN, but yours seems in better conditions than mine.
Regards,
Chus

http://www.foromtb.com/f78/fotos-pag-5-black-sheep-408886.html

 

[dullonien]

You've gotta be a member to view images on that site Chus. Why don't you post it here aswell, I know I'd like to take a look.