Today I picked up a 1994 Bridgestone MB-3 for a great price. It's a beautiful bike.

I plan to do a full overhaul and then ride it 'till kingdom come. The bike is mostly stock except stem/handlebar setup. It came with one of those Selle white road saddles that looked really goofy on the otherwise "foresty" Bridgestone--I've already swapped it for a spare I had in the garage . Also, the handlebar setup looks a little unorthodox (it uses some kind of threaded to threadless adapter system that I haven't thoroughly checked out) but since the frame is on the smaller side, it puts the bike in the sweet spot for me, fit-wise.

Here's a few preliminary pics from the short test-ride this afternoon. It was a gorgeous day!


Whoever tuned it up last must have put a new chain and cassette on there, as they look relatively unworn. The Deore LX rear shifter isn't functioning, but I have an exact replacement waiting in the garage! Funny, the guy who sold it to me said he was riding it as a three-speed, just using the front shifter. Hey--I guess if it gets you around and puts a smile on your face, why not?

I'm a little worried about the rust on it (or more accurately, the rust IN it). It's not severe, but it's there, and it's on some of the components too (derailers, QR skewers, nuts and bolts, etc). The BB is the original sealed cartridge unit and still spinning smoothly, so I'd rather not have to pull it to check things out...anyway, any advice/commentary would be appreciated. I'll post pics of the rusty spots tomorrow, when I have daylight again.

On a separate note, I was reading through the 1994 Bridgestone catalog for kicks. It's amazing how much is packed in there--lots of enlightening articles, information on stuff like how butted tubes are made, etc. I guess it's the Grant Petersen approach...but certain items were really refreshing to read, such as not believing in spec hype, and why riding a bike is only "green" if it makes you use the car less. There was one article about thrift, longevity, and preservation that was a particularly good read, and made the case for bicycles as machines that should be infinitely rebuildable, outlasting their owners if cared for properly. I guess that's part of why I'm into C&V bikes in general--I like the idea of making something old new again, especially when that something is the combination of utilitarian artwork and engineering elegance we call the bicycle.

Anyway. I digress. It's the Petersen influence.

This is a cool bike. I'm a big fan of the early 90s Bridgestones and own 3 of them. I don't own any of the mtbs though. I worked in a shop and still have all the catalogs.

Frankly if it were my bike and I intended to keep it long-term, I'd take it apart. I'd use JP weigle on the inside and get rid of the rust on the paint. I have a thread on this, https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...st-issues.html

You'll want to take it apart to deal with the rust on the parts as well and to overhaul the hubs, pedals, and headset. Plus you'll want to replace the consumables (cables, chain, etc.).

Nice looking frame. Very versatile.

Wow bikemig, 3 of them. Nice! Thanks for the replies and the link to your thread. That's definitely handy. Here are some pics of the offending rust, although it didn't look nearly as bad after a light surface cleaning:


I'm wondering (and one of you probably knows) if that hole in the BB shell is original? Is it intended to let excess water drain out of the frame?

Also, here are a few shots with the new saddle, with and without bar-ends. I'm debating if I like them or not. My hands feel kind of cramped on the grips with them on there.

NOW we're talkin!