TXSLEDS

TXSLEDS

TXSLEDS

lesterp66

My new favorite bike (first road bike, sad I waited so long):

MB1 Kenobi

I have a bunch of miles on this build since it was completed. The seat is a good inch higher in the pics and the stem is super high reach for welded chromoly, higher than on the Dirt Drop on my stock 87 MB1. It is even or maybe a half inch drop now, nice low laid out position (I'm 6'4") for me. That said it is a commuter and rarely sees more than 20 miles at a stretch. The frame is a 19 and my other MB1's are all 20.5 or bigger so the build is pushing the size, the seat is way back, but it rocks for city curb hopping with its light weight and snappy handling. The fenders are pretty light but rattle a little no matter what you do, but in the rain they earn their keep.

sircaptaincook

Here's my 1985 MB-2. I scored this from the original owner last year for next to nothing. I rode it totally original for a while (tires included) before fixing her up. Still riding it with many of the original parts. This photo was taken on an overnighter last month.

sircaptaincook

That bike is pure eye candy. Thank you for sharing.

romperrr 

Excellent, thoughtful build. Attaching the rack to the seat bolt? I've never seen anything like that. Any reason you prefer that to mounting to the brake bridge?

romperrr 

Ah, that make sense. What brand of mustache bars are those? I've ridden on cheap nashbar mustaches and it actually rode great. Sold those on a recent build so I'm considering other models.

lesterp66

The rack bracket was funky and not cooperating so I tried the seat bolt and it works, a bit funny looking tho.

mountaindave 

I had been eyeing a friend's MB-1 for months. I found it buried in his garage back in January. He actually inherited it from a friend of his. It wasn't original - some swapped parts, notably a rock shock in the front.

He finally decided to sell it to me yesterday, so I brought cash today and picked it up. I didn't ask questions, I just bought it. We pulled three bikes off it to get to it. Even with the Rock Shox and rack, it's a remarkably light bike.



Something caught my eye when I loaded it, some chipped paint around the head tube lugs. Something didn't seem quite right. Then I looked closer to the head tube:



I also ran my finger along the top and down tube near the lugs and my fingers confirmed my suspicion. The PO didn't replace the front fork because he really wanted Rock Shox, he ran into something and totalled the fork. The tubes are slightly bent and the chipping is likely from stressing the lugs in the impact.

So... what I thought was a super-sweet, diamond-in-the-rough find is just a mediocre find. I still want to replace the suspension with a rigid fork, but now I'm not so worried about trying to find a vintage Ritchey fork to fit the bill. I think I'll ride it because it doesn't seem to be a complete loss, I just imagine it will never steer quite like it used to.

TXSLEDS

Nicely chosen Lester. Here's a link you will enjoy, sir. Bridgestone Bicycle Catalogue 1985 Bridgestone 500

TXSLEDS

Of course it counts, that is an excellent bicycle! Bridgestones were marketed to the USA with KABUKI badges and decals. Thank you for sharing such a great example.

TXSLEDS

The serial number on the underside of the bottom bracket will date your lovely bike. The first number is the year the frame was built (in this example 6=1986). The following letter designates the month of the year (A/Jan B/Feb etc.). The next number represents the calendar week of the month, then the day of the week (1=Sun). The remaining numbers represent the frames' production sequence of that model.

TXSLEDS

Mountain Dave, the frame is steel, can be mounted to a jig and realigned. Should you desire to locate a Ritchey Logic fork, please message me. It is unquestionably worth the effort and expense to repair.

mountaindave 

I have asked around locally and not found anyone with such a jig (I live in BFE). I may try other cities around. Also, unless you upgrade, you won't be able to PM until 50 posts. I've seen vintage forks go for as much as I paid for the bike.

Muf

Hey! New to the forum. I am trying to deign what I've got and if I should hold on to it or move it. It's a lugged mb2. I am not well versed in bike terminology so I'm hoping someone can give me a hand.

Thanks!

dwellman

I will have to get a pic from the "proper" side at some point.

mountaindave 

Welcome, @Muf! Pics would really help, but date codes are better (if everything is stock). Google "Bridgestone bicycle catalog" and you should find some great scans to help narrow it down. But I would start with the serial code on the underside of the bottom bracket. The MB2 was second from the top for many years - it's a great bike worthy of keeping and restoring if you like it and it fits well.r

Muf

Great! I tried to upload from my phone but it wasn't havin it. When I get home I'll post what I find.

Thank-you

Muf

x920574

Pemetic2006

Nice MB 2. It's a 1990
Bridgestone Bicycle Catalogue 1990-06

mstateglfr 

I just fixed up an ’84 Bridgestone 500 and absolutely love it. Its solid, gives good feedback, and shifts are smooth.
When it arrived, there were 3 types of tape on the bars- black electrical, white electrical, and some cotton athletic tape. Just disgusting. Multiple dead spiders in the brake levers and cobwebs in the components and frame.


It took a lot of elbow grease…well actually it took a lot of soap and degreaser…but the finished product is fantastic. Everything was stripped from the frame, cleaned and rebuilt, then reattached. New cables and housing was a must.

It’s too small for me. That’s both fortunate and unfortunate. Id love to add it to the rotation, but its best that I move it on to someone who will use it more than I.

FrenchFit 

Another Submariner-12.

Muf

Thanks! So, what do you think I should do with the old lady? Is there value? Is there a good place to post bikes like this to sell?

I really appreciate it.