Proflex 755 - newbie retro build

[wrightair]

I've had my 755 since new in 1996 but got rid of the Girvin forks pretty quickly. I found this site last year when looking for a replacement front mech and was reminded why I fell for Proflex bikes in the first place. I think those forks looked fantastic! (Wasn't convinced of their effectiveness though!) I'm also still using elastomers on the rear suspension.
I was offered - and bought - a set of Girvin Crosslinks and a Girvin rear suspension unit and seat stays from Jussa, who gave some great advice and was really helpful.

 

[wrightair]

I have to admit to being pretty inept mechanically and my LBS helped with the initial separation of the suspension units from the frames. They'd apparently come from a Proflex Beast and look like they hadn't been particularily well maintained!

 

[wrightair]

I looked for tips on here about removing powder coating and found out that Nitromors (green can) would work......it doesn't!! As a lot had been chipped off anyway I tried scraping with a scalpel and sanding with some 400grade production paper. Took ages and wasn't completelt effective. Between times I'd been sourcing a local powder coater and found one who could strip the old powdercoating as well!

 

[wrightair]

The shock units themselves were in need of a service. The rear came appart easy enough but the front was a problem. It took me a while to find out the best way to strip it and some invaluable help from user WD Pro.

 

[wrightair]

Sadly, the rear spindle is badly pitted and worn.

 

[Jussa]

Wow loving this thread great to see its coming along, can't wait to see the finished Flex

Jussa

 

[wrightair]

The shocks had stumped me for a bit until I saw a brilliant post by user WD Pro - http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewto ... c&start=45 - who I contacted and who gave me some really helpful advice:
"You only need very basic tools to open them up (a park green pin spanner) and they take very little oil. The seal and the oil are the only replaceable / serviceable items.
They are very easy to do, have a look here : http://www.rapiddescentscotland.co.uk/i ... File_id=13
The replaceable seal is the black item, second on the shaft (working from the top of the picture down).
The metal items either side of the seal (I think, again would need to check) are 'oil lite' bushes - the are made from a porous metal so they hold oil.
Either solvent clean and leave them soaking in clean oil over night or (prefered), solvent clean and then simmer them in hot oil (you will see bubbles and sh1t come out) and then let them cool in the oil (so it draws fresh oil in).
Don't let any of the above put you off, they really are easy !
It will save you a heap of cash and there's little / nothing you can do wrong !
You might even end up with a better job than paying for it because if they are oil lite bushes, I don't think most places would bother (or even know how to) recharge them
Hope this helps and let me know how you go on"

 

[wrightair]

So the shocks were sorted and serviced, even though the rear was bad news! I'm due to pick up the re-coated springs today and while I've been waiting I've drawn up the logo to be printed on vinyl.

 

[dicoverybmw]

Looking to source some of those decals myself if you get any further with them! Was it someone local who recoated the springs for you? Looking forward to seeing the finished article.

 

[wrightair]

The firm that will print the decals is on holiday for the next fortnight so it won't be until after then that I can get some more details and prices. The Powder Coating firm was fairly local to me in Middlesbrough http://www.powdercoatinguk.com/Multicoat.html. A little bit pricey as they have a minimum order of £35, but they did strip them first too.