Rockbopper

I picked up a bike last night off local CL 'cause it was cheap ($50), and looked like a doable refurbish for donation to our excellent local bike cooperative (Boise Bicycle Project). I've surfed a bit trying to identify the model and year, without luck. I don't deem it C or V, and I'm not really looking for a value (to me it was worth $50!), so I might be in the wrong forum. But after lurking around for awhile, this group seems the most knowledgeable about identification. Can anyone narrow this down to model & year? Thank you.

Bianchigirll 

Some details about the bike be helpful. What components are on it? That would help narrow down the year. Any information on the tubing type?

Rockbopper

Here are photos of some components. Thank you for looking.

bikemig 

The bike is easily worth more than $50 even in the state you bought it in. It looks like a mid-range model based on the parts. Usu. specialized mtbs have a model name on the frame; it doesn't look like this one does. What is the frame tubing?

jimc101

If it's a Specialized, it looks to be a 1988 Rockhopper.

Would say 'if' as the decals are a sticker job, and look to be from the mid 00's (m4 is Alu as well), it's also missing a purple fade (sticker?) between the white and blue on the top tube & down tube.

For what a 1988 model looks like see here https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-me...-problems.html

bikemig 

I'm a little skeptical as well. The stickers don't look right.

Clang

Good eye. I think the real match is the #9 reply in the thread you linked: a 1989 Rockhopper. Rear cantis on the seat stays, and overall the components match better.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4018/4...62e18549_z.jpg

Rockbopper

Thank you, all. The stickers were what made it difficult to find one like it. It say's 'American Made' in several places, and it is obviously aluminum, and states so in a few places. It's a weird one. Anyway, the shifting is superb (on the stand), the brakes easily adjustable, the wheels fairly true, hubs smooth, and the frame looks solid. The BB has slight play, and the steering is a little tight from over-tightening. So... with new tube, tires, and a tune-up it will be a good donation bike. Thanks again, and I'll see if I can learn more.
Oh ye, the SN is: C(?)Z825831

bikemig 

That bike looks steel to me, not AL, in spite of what the sticker says.

Clang

I agree with bikemig- the only thing those stickers are getting right is that it's a Specialized. It's a steel bike- try holding a fridge magnet to the frame.

Here's a link to the catalog page for future reference 1989 Specialized Catalogue | Retrobike (pg3, your Rockhopper is the Ivory / B.B. Blue and not the gray shown).

It looks like it should spiff up pretty nicely. Whoever ends up with it will have a good rider on their hands.

Rockbopper

Thanks Clang, both useful ideas. Indeed, the 89 catalog fairly describes the components and look. I finally got out to my farm where I stashed the bike (no room at home...) and put a fridge magnet to it. It stuck! You are right about it being steel. I would like to work on it this weekend, but I have a new (to me) old stumpy arriving here today that will distract my attention!

And I have just finished an '85 Rockhopper refurbish that looks nice. All original and in excellent condition. It has been a constant companion for nearly 30 years.

Thanks again. This is my first venture into a forum of any kind. I am impressed with the collective knowledge here, but more important is everyone's' willingness to share that wisdom.

mparker326

Shimano Mountain LX components were only produced for a couple years in the late 80's.

Rockbopper

Here's an update on the "unidentified Specialized". It is definitely an '89 Rockhopper, and all of the components, except the saddle , are original and date code correct. I noticed - excitedly - during the initial clean-up and inspection that all of the components lying under untold oil, dirt and grime were in near-pristine condition. The paint job was horrendous and partially hand-painted in spots to cover up sharpie graffiti that someone had vandalized the paint job with. There was no saving the paint job, so I stripped ("rawed") the frame to bare metal. It's beautiful... After cleaning up everything, repacking the head and bottom, replacing some broken spokes and truing the wheels, I now have a seriously bad-ass example of a late 80s rigid, TIG welded, steel MTB. I like this bike more than my '84 stumpy. It is much beefier and responsive.
This is a shot of it put back together.

Clang

^^^
That's looking really nice! And I'm glad you like riding it.

I always have my eyes open for rigid mtbs, and the Rockhoppers are tempting bikes that are priced more attractively to me than their Stumpjumper brethren. I've found at least 2 on CL that I would have bit on had they been in-state. Oddly enough they've all been purple (one was a '93 Rockhopper Expert)!

Rockbopper

Another update on the 'unidentified Specialized" that was positively identified as an '89 with the help of this group. I stripped the paint job, re-painted it, put on decals, and put it back together. I liked it so much that is now being transformed into my daily rider, around town, grocery getter, that can be turned into a great gravel grinder by removing the fenders. Schwalbe Big Apple tires, Tubus rear rack, Brook B-17, some lights all just added today. I've got a PV dynamo hub that will be laced to the front rim this weekend, and a nice Busch & Muller Luxos U front light. The bike rides like a dream, and replaces the 85 Rockhopper that I've been riding since 1985. I've gone modern...

Clang

The gray paint with the older decal set looks classy. You should ad it to this thread if you get the chance: https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...ain-bikes.html

Rockbopper

Thanks, I will. I've got lots f photos of the rebuild. The paint is Porsche engine compartment gray. A friend was painting on his car and offered to do the frame. For a six pack of good beer!

cs1

very nice build, where did you score the decals?

Rockbopper

From Velocals. I discovered them on ebay.

cs1

Thanks Rockhopper I've only seen their Stumpjumper versions.

JRrestore

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