restoration - how far do you go?

[missmyfat]

How do you restore a bike to OE spec if sold as a frame only?

Even BITD you would never see two fats with same spec. People would be constantly changing or upgrading bits.
I say put whatever takes your fancy on it and ride the thing!
There is a danger of taking this all too seriously (getting like the USA round here! )

 

[REKIBorter]

So the question is do you restore or refurbish?

 

[Russell]

If 'correct' is your bag, then you need to build it up like this...

http://www.bike-alog.com/BikePedia/Quic ... &Type=bike

But if yours was bought as a frame only, then you can slap whatever you like on it

 

[legrandefromage]

Mine was an LE frame built with XT.... :?

http://www.bike-alog.com/BikePedia/Quic ... &Type=bike

 

[Archangel]

Mine was an LE frame built with XT.... :?

http://www.bike-alog.com/BikePedia/Quic ... &Type=bike

Can't be right then for since 1992 Zaskar LE was XTR equipped and the normal Zaskar had XT.
Could it be that it has been "custom built" from the frame-only option ?

 

[legrandefromage]

It was bought in Mike's Bikes, Cambridge, UK, Zaskar LE with XT, Mag 21, October 1993.

Cant find any difference in the frames other than the LE decals

 

[tintin40]

All the way

 

[hamster]

Firstly there's a difference between a piece of garage decoration and a rideable thing.

Assuming you are going for rideable, then I would use the guide of what a very conservative owner would have done.
Reasonable repairs of things that wear out is fine (e.g. swapping chainrings, chain, brake blocks, cassette.) However I would draw the line at things like swapping from cantis to V's or 4-arm cranks.

It's a bit like taking an old MGB and fitting 3 spoke alloys. No!

But period accessories are fine, especially if they are part of a fashion (Onza bar-ends, chill pills etc) which evoke the times!

 

[messiah]

This is interesting. My 2p is to go for what YOU want to do. If you trying to get your old bike back as you had it, or showroom as it was then period correct all the way. Not my cup of tea but I'm glad others do it... I love to see them

As for my idea of a restoration... I've been building my Lloyd up as much as possible in the "what would it be like if I had owned it since new". To this end I have upgraded for function and fashion but with as much of a retro feel and with as much old kit as I kept, and can add too. Primarily this bike is for riding so it's function almost all the way, some items have worked really well while others have been a disaster and have had to go to be replaced by something that works better.
I'm happy with it at present... although I have planned changes... I doubt I will ever stop making changes as I see bits I want to try, or I break bits etc. It's all part of the never ending fun that is bikes, be they old or new,

Tyres... run what works... old tyres perish.

 

[hamster]

My 1994 Pine Mountain has a custom paint job, no decals and Magura rim brakes. In fact I think the only original bit now on it is the frame itself.
I still have flat bars and bar ends, the bars well below the saddle, plus a 5 bolt crank and 63mm travel forks. So it all feels retro, while still being a ride of choice. I also run super-retro thumbies because I still can't see the point of those nasty click-click rapidfires. And it's 7 speed because the wheel is stronger and I ride clumsy...

..so I agree with you. Historical accuracy is for somebody else.