Your favorite straight frame lugged dirt bike
07-11-23, 02:23 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Your favorite straight frame lugged dirt bike
I'm building a sweet 650b touring bike off a Panasonic MC 7500 straight top tube dirt bike frame; small enough, crazy long chainstays for size, replaced the tubular fork for a proper road fork, added water cage spots, inner top tube cable channel, inner fork dynamo wiring, yada yada yada. I may want to do another one.
Question: what vintage dirt bike frames (with straight top tube) are worth repurposing? The Panasonic has tange prestige tubeset with chromed wear spots, a very high quality frame with an ideal geometry for loaded touring. I'm wondering what else is out there that is not appreciated.
Question: what vintage dirt bike frames (with straight top tube) are worth repurposing? The Panasonic has tange prestige tubeset with chromed wear spots, a very high quality frame with an ideal geometry for loaded touring. I'm wondering what else is out there that is not appreciated.
07-11-23, 04:35 PM
#2
Full Member
Here in Canada there are copies of the 85 Stumpjumper by Norco, Nishiki and Apollo everywhere that are often overlooked and pretty nice. Not that great, but being underrated means you can see a nice one still 40 years on sometimes.
07-11-23, 05:14 PM
#3
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Prestige and XT FTW.
Univega Alpina Team
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I don't do: disks, tubeless, e-shifting, or bead head nymphs.
I don't do: disks, tubeless, e-shifting, or bead head nymphs.
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07-11-23, 06:00 PM
#4
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07-11-23, 10:11 PM
#5
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That is a sweet fork I would love to get my hands on. It may need a bit more trail...
I ended up hunting down a road fork of the right size for 650B and brazed the canti mounts on it, I could not find a short road fork with canti studs.
I ended up hunting down a road fork of the right size for 650B and brazed the canti mounts on it, I could not find a short road fork with canti studs.
09-12-23, 11:44 AM
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I’m going to bend the rules a little - I would love to get a Gary Littlejohn Fireroad
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09-13-23, 02:36 PM
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I never had a dirt bike in my life and that is probably time to change it.
For now i found couple of cool models and dirt bike accessories online, still didn't decide which one i want to have.
Following this thread and hope in a week or two i will be able to make my final decision and finally order my first dirt bike.
For now i found couple of cool models and dirt bike accessories online, still didn't decide which one i want to have.
Following this thread and hope in a week or two i will be able to make my final decision and finally order my first dirt bike.
Last edited by lex further; 09-20-23 at 01:48 AM.
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09-13-23, 05:31 PM
#9
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Last edited by clubman; 09-13-23 at 05:34 PM.
09-13-23, 05:46 PM
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[QUOTE=abdon;22950253
Question: what vintage dirt bike frames (with straight top tube) are worth repurposing? [/QUOTE]
These early, heavy bikes ride just fine loaded if you can find your fit. I'm inseam-deprived so a longer stem makes these bikes work for me. Still wouldn't tour with one.
In addition to the others mentioned, some early Fishers were higher up the food chain and would make great fodder
Question: what vintage dirt bike frames (with straight top tube) are worth repurposing? [/QUOTE]
These early, heavy bikes ride just fine loaded if you can find your fit. I'm inseam-deprived so a longer stem makes these bikes work for me. Still wouldn't tour with one.
In addition to the others mentioned, some early Fishers were higher up the food chain and would make great fodder
09-14-23, 11:02 AM
#11
Senior Member
Specialized Stumpjumper Sport - Shimano Alfine 8 speed IGH, Brooks saddle & saddle bag, North Roads bars, Schwalbe KOJAK tires, VO fenders, lights for commuting at night.
Last edited by Bad Lag; 09-14-23 at 11:05 AM.
