Project F 7

[Woodsen]

Hi, first i shall introduce myself.
My name is Roy and i'm from the Netherlands.

I've been looking around on this forum and thought that maybe my bikes would intrest some people...

In 1999 i bought a VOTEC F 7, type FR.
I'v been riding it from that moment on until last year. I decided that it was time to rebuild it with new parts and stuff...

Here is the story...

This was the bike, in the folder

And... Brand new after delivery...

True the years some modifications where done like a new chainstay (the original one broke in half), new brakes and other stuff.

Two years ago, i bought a second F 7 (Acid green with a blue back end), it was brand new and had been standing in a bikeshop for 10 years.

It was decided, i would rebuild both.
One would be an XC bike and the other a AM bike...

Let me start with the AM version.
In the early days of my live, i had this poster of an P-51 Mustang. This plane would be the color inspiration of me "new" VOTEC F 7

P-51 Mustang "Ferocious Frankie"

First i stripped the frame by hand, whitout sandpaper. I cleaned it and put some new decals, that i'd bought on ebay, on it.

I did almost the same with the back end...

Clean...

Primer...

...And the new color, Army green...

More to follow.

 

[kenaltobelli]

intresting; never heard of votec/ dutch or german make?
and welcome to the forum

 

[02gf74]

website looks to be German.

be good to see this interesting project finished - any more pics?

 

[Woodsen]

VOTEC is German, Founded in the early 90's. Currently VOTEC is not the same as it was in the 90's and early 2000. I thought it went bankrupt in 2004 or 2005.
VOTEC was a High end bike manufacturer that had their own frames and forks built in Germany itself by hand in their own factory. They had a number of various bikes like the TOX, T 5, M 6, F 7, C 9 and some roadbikes. You could order it in any color and it was build with care.
You could choose from several extension options, in various groups. With or without disc brakes, XTR group, lots of travel, little travel you name it. They eventually went bankrupt because of bad manegement. Their bikes were / are of top quality, but that did not apply for the leadership of the brand.
The brand VOTEC nowadays, only bares the name, not even the logo (devils fork) is the same.
They have their frames build in Asia and assemble them in Germany.

 

[Woodsen]

In the meanwhile i bought some new parts and stuff like:

New derailleurs (Front and Back)

Wheels and tyres

...And other stuff...

Also bought a new saddle from Nukeproof.
And started with the refurbishing of the fork (VOTEC GS4 O/S) and the rear shock (Manitou Swinger 4-way Coil)

More to follow...

 

[IbocProSX]

Notably Votec was also the supplier of the Porsche bike frames some 15 years ago. IIRC the German bike guru behind Votec is Peter Voitl. After Votec folded at least for some time he ran his own brand Voitl bikes and last I know he is the technical heart of Carver bikes also of Germany.

http://www.voitl-bikes.de/produkte.html

http://www.carver.de/bikes/

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewto ... p;t=105284

Enjoy!!

 

[Woodsen]

Great, thanks. Still looking for a VOTEC USD Fork, hard to find...

 

[coomber]

Cool bike and thread. Enjoying this.

 

[Woodsen]

Did some work on the fork, stripped, refurbished and put some new decals on it.

Did the sam with the rear shock...

...And started to rebuild the bike.

It still fits...

 

[Woodsen]

Did some work on the VOTEC F 7 AM,

Fitted the fork back in position.
I'm not sure if the Marsh Guard stays. It doesn't look very good... Opinions are welcome...

In the meanwhile, i starded and finished with the F 7 CC...