These early brutes are heavy but roll very nice. Best if they are kept quite original and leave the drop bar choices for the latter years.

I agree, I havent been to the local co-op, that might be a good place to check first. Plus I definitely have some stuff I could donate that's cluttering the garage. But I am starting to like the idea of getting it powder coated and re- sticker-ing it. That and some polishing, this baby could be pretty nice again...


GoldenBoy: yeah those RDs look way better, and of the 3... I think "because I deserve it" would be my realistic choice... well I guess see what's at the co-op first. Thanks for saying something, I think I was so focused on trying to take it out for a quick little jam on the trail for the first time that i wasnt really thinking about what I wanted the bike to look like in the end. I REALLY wanted to get to ride it before or, at the very least, by the weekend. Oh well, perhaps the Raleigh needs some attention this weekend...

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4597/...c554bcd1_b.jpgDSC01848_zps257c2435 by Luan Pham, on Flickr

The Stumpjumper Sport was the "low end" model at the time... There were only two models! Check the date codes on the cranks and derailleurs to help narrow down the year it was made. Sure looks a lot like my '83 Stumpy (see sig below for links to pics).

I replaced my solid axles with QR and was glad I did - I had a flat on a S24O last year. -

I completely disassembled my original Mountech RD, cleaned, regreased and reinstalled it. It runs flawlessly. I don't plan on getting it in a bunch of dirt, so that should minimize it's self-destructing tendancies.

I think the Sugino AT cranks are original, mine came with a set of 175's. I replaced them with a Pro Vis copy with ultra-compact gearing. I could use a bit smaller chainring on the low end, but it is doable with 10% grades or less.

It makes a great touring rig if you are into that.

Congrats on the sweet find! I hope it fits you well enough to keep - it's definitely a unique bike in the history of MTBs!

I'd stick with vintage rd. These "modern" rd's just look too cheap with all their black plastic and all.
Paint doesn't look too bad. Surface rust on some spots? I'd try working on the frame first before a repaint.

Nicely done! What did you start with?

Yep, actually original equipment on my '85 Stumpy Sport.
Attachment 595105

I'm not entirely certain. The teal powder coat was already there when I got the bike, so I'm not sure which model/color/whatever it was. Serial number indicates it was made in March of 1984.

Many original components had been replaced, including the handlebars, so I didn't have much opportunity to keep it original. :)

there's one on Ebay now! perhaps I should place a bid.... oh who am I kidding of course I should!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-SUN...UAAOSwk1haPfGp

Are you sure you want to run the short-cage version of that derailleur on a Stumpy?

:love: Hot dang that looks like a prized ride! Now you guys have me rethinking my setup on my '85 Stumpy!

Nope! haha ya I totally didnt notice that. I think I am just getting giddy with excitement trying to get this project going.:love:

Ok since I've had a couple days to really think, and let the initial excitement of scoring this bike die off a little, I think I have a plan. Since riding it up and down the street a few times, I am feeling that it probably is a bit small. But I would still like to take it for a few good rides, so I just may go the Altus RD route for now. Not sure if I want to invest in nice period correct parts just yet on a bike I may not keep. I'm going to go through it tonight to get it ready for my first official true test ride tomorrow morning! I'll try to get a pic of me on the bike so I can get some opinions about size.

+1

So I got the altus on there for a test ride and see how I liked the frame size. I also threw on some old pedals, the ones that were on there were very worn.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4710/...060a0035_k.jpg20180113_121606 by Luan Pham, on Flickr

Bike was a blast but it definitely feels small. Here I am next to it:

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4657/...d2937e21_k.jpgreceived_10211714500884183 by Luan Pham, on Flickr

Feels like higher on the bars and it would be much more comfortable, but its probably too much to ask of this frame while keeping the bullmoose bar/ stem. I'll give it a few more chances, and see before it goes back up for sale.

Oh and I noticed this too:

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4650/...7dea11d3_k.jpg20180112_185045 by Luan Pham, on Flickr

Front wheel needs a little love.

Nice shot, all geared up. You do look a little tall for it.

Be careful with the seat post insertion. Back then, seat posts were not very long, since the frames were sized to have a "fist full" of post showing. Older mountain bikes with horizontal top tubes and high bottom brackets don't have much margin for adjustment. On my Schwinn Sierra, I can just straddle the top tube, but the original seat post is within 1/2 inch of the Min. Insertion line. There should be a Min. Insertion line engraved about 3 inches from the end of the post.

But it looks like ****.

A few things. First, If the Mountech makes you nervous and you want to keep it era, a Shimano Deerhead would be proper as some batches of the 83 Stumpy Sport came with them. The Araya 7X are proper for 83. Single wall construction, if you are into era correct for 83, you are looking at these or Ukai's. You took off the original pedals. If you are interested in purging them, I am interested in buying (or trading, I have lots of era correct including deerhead ders).

Agreed... a bit like plastic hub caps on a GTO. But they do work well. ;)

Nice High Sierra. It looks to be Smoky Pearl, same as mine. Are hose SKS cromo-plastic fenders?

Thanks! The fenders are aluminum dipped somethings. They came off a cruiser. Magnet does not stick but little rust shows on scratches. Very light.

When I saw your HS I decided to rebuild mine and give it a second chance. Once I got a set of bull moose bars, it became the perfect city bike.

You have a very nice HS as well.

Thanks, your paint looks better than mine. I think that your fenders are aluminized steel.

A while back I bought a really crappy bike that had those fenders. I repaired and donated the bike, but kept the fenders. If I had any experience in auto body work, I would try to pound them into shape - but that is not going to happen.

I put 2.125 tires on mine and ride it around town and on trails, but I'm not sure about the saddle. It is original, but there is just something about it that bothers me.

Too small if you have any idea of commuting or distance. I have a smaller one built up similar to a BMX for more aggressive type rides but I wouldn't do that to a lugged SJ.


The pedals you took off are probably MKS BMX-7, they are good old school pedals, they still make them but they are only stamped MKS BM-7.

Here's a couple shots of the pedals

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4715/...81fa2fbb_k.jpg20180112_181004 by Luan Pham, on Flickr

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4724/...522522b6_k.jpg20180112_180914 by Luan Pham, on Flickr


This is a tough one, I really like the bike, and like the way it rides... but I cant see myself really being comfy without changing the stock setup. Which I know isnt the worst thing ever, but many feel (and I agree) some bikes should just be left alone and enjoyed as classics. Even looking through the "Vintage MTB dropbar conversion" thread people often express how they like picking frames a couple sizes down, so the idea does tempt me! Plus i think its "OK" to modify one's heart away as long as i keep all the original parts in a box to swap back when i've had my fun... right? haha Plus who's to say I resist all that to just sell it to the next guy that parts the whole thing out after taking what he wants... that also has its temptations too! People have asked about pretty much every component on the bike except the wheels and RD!