Mountain Biking - Rebuilding my old friend

After hanging on a hook for 8 years, I've finally decided to rebuild my first real bike. She's an AlpineStars Al-Mega. Pics of the process so far:

http://cydewaze.org/album/previews/imgp2061.jpg
http://cydewaze.org/album/previews/imgp2062.jpg
http://cydewaze.org/album/previews/imgp2080.jpg
http://cydewaze.org/album/previews/imgp2081.jpg
http://cydewaze.org/album/previews/imgp2082.jpg
http://cydewaze.org/album/previews/imgp2083.jpg

That's as far as got before needing additional parts. Namely cable housings and tires. I'll pick up the rest of the stuff over the weekend.

Looks like a worthy cause - I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product.

Those bars are noice.

Cool frame.

Looks like a worthy cause - I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product.

Those bars are noice.
Thanks man. I like those bars (Scott AT-3 LF) because they're lighter (210g) than a lot of bar/bar end combos. Plus, they've saved my knuckles a bazillion times. I have a pair of the same bars on my Dakar.

Thanks man. I like those bars (Scott AT-3 LF) because they're lighter (210g) than a lot of bar/bar end combos. Plus, they've saved my knuckles a bazillion times. I have a pair of the same bars on my Dakar.
I'd like to see that Dakar of yours. I have 2003 Dakar that suits me just fine,almost.

Man, that's nice looking but man does that thing have a long wheel base.

That's a sweet frame!

I'd like to see that Dakar of yours. I have 2003 Dakar that suits me just fine,almost.
Here's my Dakar (Last of the Horst link bikes :D)

http://cydewaze.org/album/previews/imgp1527.jpg

Picked up the frame for $150 from Jenson, then found some 8-sp XT shifters. I love it, but I'm thinking of upgrading the rear shock.




Man, that's nice looking but man does that thing have a long wheel base.
I think that may be an optical illusion due to the lack of tires. The wheelbase is 42-1/4", which is over an inch shorter than the Dakar. The huge thing about the bike is the short chainstay length (15.75", thus the bend in the seat tube). This puts a lot more of your weight over the back tire, and the thing sticks like glue on climbs. As long as you keep the front end down, you WILL climb whatever you're trying to climb.

The bike also gives you the feeling that you're sitting very high on it, and you can really throw it around. Very good for snaking between trees. I can't wait to ride it again.

On a side note, I wonder how much I can get for my Trek OCLV hartail frame. Some guy at the LBS is dying to buy it.

i have 8-speed xtr, King headset,Avid BB-7 , Reba Team, etc.. I love the bike ,but wish it was a 20" frame . I got the frame for even less off Ebay . The Horst link was a big reason for buying this frame. :D

Nice Dakar man. And I'm with you on the Horst link. I held off on a full suspension bike til I could get one with it.

Ok, got some more of it done.

http://cydewaze.org/album/previews/imgp2084.jpg
http://cydewaze.org/album/previews/imgp2085.jpg

Then I ran into a hitch. While trying to get the front derailleur adjusted, I noticed that the newly welded braze-on won't hold the derailleur in place (the curve on the new tab isn't curvy enough). I try to tighten the bolt more, and it snaps.

http://cydewaze.org/album/previews/imgp2086.jpg

Now I need to decide whether to get a new bolt and try torquing it down more, or go to plan B and have a single chainring.

Sucks :(

I've always been a sucker for elevated chainstay bikes... mainly because I used to have a Nishiki Ariel and my current bike also has e-stays. Good luck on the rebuild.

I think that may be an optical illusion due to the lack of tires. The wheelbase is 42-1/4", which is over an inch shorter than the Dakar. The huge thing about the bike is the short chainstay length (15.75", thus the bend in the seat tube). This puts a lot more of your weight over the back tire, and the thing sticks like glue on climbs. As long as you keep the front end down, you WILL climb whatever you're trying to climb.

That was the same way with my old Nishiki. Very short chainstays (15.5") and steepish head angle made for some tight (and somewhat twitchy) steering. I loved the way it handled.

Does anyone know if there's a way to convert my LX crank to a single-ring crank? I suppose I could just pull the inner and outer rings off and run one of those idlers.

soo.. the real 100, million dollar question is

how much does it weigh?

soo.. the real 100, million dollar question is

how much does it weigh?
According to the bathroom scale method, 26 lbs, w/o pedals.