simpleton.

So I picked this bike up last week and I'm unsure as to what I should do with it. Whats the general consensus as far as repainting a frame like this? Is this as rare as I think it is? it appears to be all original except for the tires. Do I leave it as is or repaint it? the same color or a different color? Are there vintage Fisher decals available? What I want to do is modernize it with all new components and this is would be the inspiration. https://www.blackmtncycles.com/2011/0...-stand_19.html But, I don't want to decrease it's value if there is any in it's current state in the event that I don't end up keeping it. The serial number is 19T62.

Bianchigirll 

Unless they are something like a first year Stumpjumper or have some other provenance most older MTBs don't have a lot of value as anything other than riders.

That looks like a pre '89 (that's when the 1 1/4 HS started right?) but seems to have BioPace and index so must be like a '87 or '88.

Personally I wouldn't do much more than touch up the paint, since it look OK overall and good Pro job can be well over $400. This bike seems to have very slackish angles I would select the type of tire you want on the finish bike and ride it for awhile and be sure you like the ride before putting a lot of money.

simpleton.

Jeff from First Flight thought it was Circa '84. See the touch up paint to the left of the fisher logo? It's all over the frame... My impression after the first couple rides is that it's twitchy at slow speeds and it definitely wasn't made for climbing. However, I think this thing would really shine on some long twisty decents. I feel like I could get down and dirty with this bike but, that isn't really the type of riding I do. I mainly ride gravel roads...

blilrat

Did Jeff see the pictures? Jeff knows his stuff, but I think the roller cam rear brake puts it no earlier than '85. Is there a TET or TT on the bottom bracket along with the serial number you gave?

It's not a Ritchey priced bike, but it is still a fillet brazed Mt Tam and if it is a Teesdale built bike, it is valuable. I would put some skinwalls on it and ride it as is.

simpleton.

Yeah, I sent the pics over to Jeff. He said it's "possibly" a Teasdale. Unfortunately there is no TET or TT on the BB shell.

simpleton.

What skin walls do you recommend? Also, Thank you both for your insight!

Bianchigirll 

Yes I did see the touchup and the scratch or whatever it is on the other side. I think the touchup could be nicer and the paint doesn't look that bad when you consider the options. 1 A crappy to OK home job with chemical stripping (or even having it blasted) and lots of quality time with sandpaper, primer and paint. 2 $100 to whatever for a powdercoat, 3 $400 plus to send it to professional refinisher.

Unless you are actually going to spend a lot of money to trick it out like that bike in the link (Paul brakes, White Ind hubs, Brooks grips etc) a professional repaint may not make a lot of sense.

Pasela Tour Guards get my vote for slicks, great tires.

I think these x 1.25 are the skinniest they make. Most members here like the fatter x 1.75s but my rims are pretty thin so I got the x 1.25s.

simpleton.

Thanks for the tire suggestion... I'd likly go with the fatter rubber. I've tried stripping/ repainting frames before and ended up taking it to a bump shop... I'm not much of a painter.. I'm thinking I'll probably just leave it how it is. As it stands my bike fund is dwindeling and I'd have to sell a bike to get this one to where I want it to be and I dont know if I'm ready to do that.

decisions decisions

FastJake

Definitely don't paint if you plan to resell. You'll spend a lot in the process and the bike may be worth less in the end.

Angles do look really slack. I'm going to guess '85 or '86 (Biopace chainwheels were available as early as '83.) I think by the later 80s Gary Fisher had changed the geometry significantly towards what would become the modern MTB.

As far as value I doubt it will go anywhere over $300. My guess is about $200-225 in a decent market.

simpleton.

Thanks for your help!

lowgear45

Jeff Archer will thank you if you repaint and "upgrade" because the bike will have very little value as time goes by, enhancing his wonderful collection of old bikes as they were made, in original paint & components. One more classic bike hits the dust. Why in the world you would do this to a 30 year old bike, when you could have a modern bike better suited to your riding? This bike frame could have been made by Scott Paisley as well as Teesdale, in either case, a quite neat piece of cycling history. The smart move would be to arefully, yes even artfully touch up the paint, replace any missing or new components, and put on some nice fat gum walls (what are available nowadays?) Do this and this bike WILL be valued more highly as time goes by. And still fun to ride as appropriate.... My 2 cents.