Classic & Vintage - 1985 Bridgestone MB-1

I already posted these pics over at the Mountain Bike Forum, I hope it's OK to post them here as well.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/232/478788614_66a548e9c5.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/214/478788606_25e19e8039.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/182/478788598_5b38e532e0.jpg

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/bridgestone/1985/images/19-bridgestone-mb-1.jpg

I'll definately get some better quality pics later.

I'm the original owner of this 1985 18" frame version of the MB-1.
It's served me well over the years!
Currently, I'm in the process of rebuilding it, or at least refurbishing it.

Features:
Lugged CrMo 4130 frame.
Ridged CrMo front forks
Shimano 600EX head
Araya silver anodized 26x1.75 rims
HB-MN72 hubs (still have the "Sealed Mechanism" stickers)
Bridgestone 26x2.125 Skinside block pattern tires (I need new ones)
Shimano Deore XT front and rear Sealed Mechanism deraillers
Shimano Deore XT Sealed Mechanism Shifters.
Shimano 600UG chain (I need a new one)
Sugino TAT one piece, alloy forged 175mm crank & arm 46/36/28T
SunTour XC-II alloy pedals w/ sealed CrMo axles
Alloy black fluted seat post (I am replacing with a longer one)
Stella Itallia Anotomic seat
Nitto #902 AA Alloy, silver anodized, one-piece bar & stem handlebars
Shimano Deore XT Cantilever, sealed brakes w/ black anodized levers
Approx. weight 30 lbs.

I ordered some new ball bearings and a couple of cone wrenches from Sheldon and have taken everything apart and cleaned it except for the Bottom Bracket (I'll do that later, it's nice weather and the crank runs nice and smooth now, so it should be fine for the Summer). I'm putting new cables on it and may see if I can find some front derailler guides for it.
I'll probably get the spokes replaced in the future, the originals are showing some rust at the rims nuts.
If anyone knows where I might get some cones for the front and rear axles, please let me know.

It's in pretty good shape (probably better than I am), the paint is chipped where the chain nicked the lower frame arm and there is some wear where the cables rubbed over the years. Surprisingly enough, the clear plastic labels are all still intact. The Shimano parts show a few small scratches here and there but work like the day I bought the bike (or better), (Says a lot for Shimano, I've taken this bike over all kinds of rough trails, bolders, scree slopes and back roads over the years).
I put some temporary tires on it until I can find something to replace the tan skinside orginals.
The seat fabric is deteriorating so I need to at least find a nice gel cover.

I'm open to suggestions about touching up the paint where it's chipped and worn as mentioned above.

Any other Bridgestone fans out there?

:eek: :eek: Nice ride! Looks to be well maintained.....!

Definitely okay to post them here. Bridgestone was a great bike company, albeit kind of strange
sometimes. They certainly did things their own way. Here's my MB-5 fresh from a refurb. Thankfully the paint was pretty much perfect. Barely any chips to speak of, and was able to shine with a light polishing. Mine is very interesting to ride, feels like a fat tired road bike. Tight handling for sure with the steeper rear stays. Yours looks more relaxed, I wonder when they made the switch?

If you like the old seat, check out your LBS. Most have a junk box with old seats etc for cheap. I think I paid $5 for the one on this bike. If you're lucky you may find one just like it from a seldom used garage bound bike.,,,,BD

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n267/Kustombyker/Cleanstone.jpg

Ive never owned one, but it looks like a sweet ride :)

Hi BD & ILB's,



Mine is very interesting to ride, feels like a fat tired road bike. Tight handling for sure with the steeper rear stays. Yours looks more relaxed, I wonder when they made the switch?



I think part of the reason that mine is "more relaxed" is because it's an 18" frame but still has the 26" tires.
It's sort of a "compressed version". I got the 18" frame because I wanted to take it on narrow winding trails through the woods, I figured it was slightly more manoverable under these conditions.
You may be right though, that it was a shift in the way they designed them, not sure.
I know what you mean about the "fat tired road bike" feel, fortunately these aren't so heavy though.

As for being well maintained, I'm not proud of the fact that it's been sitting outside for the last few years, but it's held up well during that time and the remainder of the last 22 years and I'm working to bring it back to life now, so perhaps I'll be forgiven.
I've never held back on it, rode it wherever i dared, ridges, gulleys, bolders, creeks and over logs but mostly on rough logging roads here in the Pacific Northwest. Those sealed mechanisms definately have helped keep it sound.

You did a nice refurb on yours, looks like it's in great shape, fun to work on, aren't they!
What year is yours?

I'll have to check the LBS for a seat, ya never know what they might have. Of course the LBS is over 20 miles from here, but I like livin' in the sticks.

Thanks to you both for your comments!

FYI, don't know if you noticed or not, but I don't have my brakes back on it yet, don't think I'll test drive it yet.

I'm not proud of the fact that it's been sitting outside for the last few years


Hear that? It's the sound of an angel dying.

The earlier ones had more slack geometry in the frame and more "kick" in the fork. My '88 MB-2:

http://thumb9.webshots.net/t/56/56/9/79/69/2846979690068014369opcapm_th.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2846979690068014369opcapm)

Just picked up a very nice condition (not mint though) 85 MB-1 for peanuts. Not quite big enough for me, so it will be on the block as soon as I re-condition it some.

jim

:eek: :eek: Nice ride! Looks to be well maintained.....!



BD, (not to hijack...sorry), that's a great rack - simple & minimalist. Details?

Good looking bike, and welcome to the forums. Take a look at this thread (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=148170) and remember to post your new photos there to help keep the thread alive. :)

I just sold my MB-5 but this thread is making me wish I hadn't. It was a little big for me, but I really should have kept it. I'm kind of in "sell everything" mode right now and I got an offer I couldn't refuse.

Thanks for sharing, 85MB-1! Which way do you head for the LBS? Vancouver? Or The Dalles?

How did you come to pick up such a fine machine in 1985? You showed excellent taste.

East Hill

It's another junk box find, for $10. Not sure how old it is, but it's a Topeak, with a sliding bag mount. I don't have a bag for it unfortunately. Do they still make slide mount bags, anyone?,,,,BD

Thanks for sharing, 85MB-1! Which way do you head for the LBS? Vancouver? Or The Dalles?

How did you come to pick up such a fine machine in 1985? You showed excellent taste.

East Hill

Hi East,

Hood River has a pretty good shop. A bit on the spendy side, but aren't they all nowdays.

I rode one of those old fat tired road bikes as a kid, I bet that thing weighed twice what I did. :eek:
When I purchased the Bridgestone, I wanted a Mountain Bike ...
... I don't think there were too many choices available. I was raised at the workbench in the garage, my Dad was always working on one thing or another, I think I learned to appreciate well made mechanisms.
I also broke the bank paying for that bike. No regrets though. I think that what caught my eye was the one-piece bar & stem handlebars, way sturdy and looked pretty impressive with those perfect welds, nice Shimano sealed thumb shifters ... I was hooked. :D

85...