Now, the feature problem of this build – the suspension fork. The third stage elastomers (orangish red, to the left) are intact, the first stagers (red) in varying condition, the second stagers (black) completely melted.
This “melted” state is the ultimate destiny of all MCU elastomers from this era. One day they’ll all be gone, leaving behind sad, empty fork shells and distant memories of trails once shredded…
New stem, riser bars, ergo grips, and rear derailleur. Recabling in progress.
Hours of rubbing and a quart of citrus degreaser later, the frame has been relieved of its adhesive burdens.
The joy of finding a cassette instead of freewheel is short lived… At some point the chain dropped into the rear wheel, scoring the outward-facing spokes. The likely culprit – a sloppy shifting rear mech – is quickly relegated to the scrap bin.
HB-02 – a 1994 Trek 850 Mountain Track
The modded front end could have made this an aggressive XC bike back in the mid-90s (possibly), now it just looks a bit grotty. This general line of taste is followed through with Cannondale stickers lining the frame tubes and Headshok stickers on the Manitou (!) suspension.
On the mechanical side… the saddle rails are bent, the front fork collapsed, grips torn, cable housing busting, tires worn, and the chain is in the usual condition.
The vibrant cyan and magenta bottle cages are, unfortunately, perfectly sound.
On the docket: HB-03
A wheeless, badgeless ~1984 Univega Supra Sport
