mpleister

Can anyone give me more information on this frame. I picked it up cheap for a fixie conversion and wanted to learn more before I cut and repaint it

I was trying to date it, on the dropouts is that the date stamp SF making it a 1994? If not is there another way to date, happy to provide more pictures if needed.

Thanks

amillhench

Early 80s.
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage-bicycles-whats-worth-appraisals/645810-very-early-80-s-specialized-sequoia-3rensho.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/406759-early-1980-s-specialized-sequoia.html

bobbycorno

Yep. First generation "Big S" bikes. You might want to find something less unique to chop.

SP
Bend, OR

KonAaron Snake 

While I suspect this is a failed attempt at humor and annoyance, and an attempt which has been done before, in the unlikely event that this is a sincere post I'm trying to find a smiley icon that involves a crying face attending the funeral of a defenseless kitten. Go butcher a varsity...leave this alone.

Ruffinit

A Sequoia is one of those legendary frames that some folks would kill to own. Before doing any hacking, please contact Tim and get some history on this. It's truely a great frame in it's own right. Here's his contact:

https://www.lighthousecycles.com/contact/

mpleister

No I promise this was a sincere post. I had seen the other two posts that were linked but that was really the only information I found on it. The one had a link to dating with components and the shimano dropouts were all I had to go off of. I am ignorant when it comes to any detailed information on bikes but I am eager to learn. The selling point to me was the horizontal dropouts and I was hesitant to purchase because it has a small dent and the seller was more then happy to drop the price from me. Trust me I'm not looking for a reaction out of people just a curious person. I will definitely hold off on anything drastic, hey that's why I asked first.

Due to paint chipping I can see that the entire back fork (possibly bike) is chrome under the paint, does this narrow down the date or still just early 80's. Any more information would be fabulous.

mpleister

Thank you for the information, I just sent an email off to Tim.

DiegoFrogs

I would just polish the paint and build it up as you see fit. The one thing I don't like on fixed gear bicycles is unsightly shifter braze-ons, but this frame doesn't have them. That'll build up into a really light and comfortable ride, and it's nice to be able to add fenders.

lighthousecycle 

It is an early 1980s frame. A few different builders built those Sequoias. This one does not look like one of Yoshi Konno's. Those early bikes have a big following. I am making new Lighthouse frames that are based on the Sequoia concept as well as the Expedition concept frames. They are as desirable as the originals and a bit lighter using modern Columbus tube sets. I would fight the urge to modify your frame other then re spacing the rear end if necessary. You have a collectors item there that many riders would love to own.
Tim

Ruffinit

Thanks Tim!

illwafer

please do not hack this one.

if you want a fixie, you can sell this frame, give it a good home, and get a new complete bike for just a touch more.

mpleister

I was not intending to be a troll, nor was I looking for a reaction or gloating/taunting. I promise before this thread I didn't know I had anything more then a frame (I mean really I got it off of Craig's List from a young man with a number of bikes and frames, it being more then a frame never crossed my mind, his selling point was the shimano 600 on it and was ready to lower the price due to a small dent, obviously as ignorant as myself), I was just curious about it when I posted here, as I am with most thing. Now knowing it is more then 'just a frame' I have no intention of mistreating it in any way. I have an old road bike that I refuse to 'have fun with' ("hack") because I absolutely love it, ride it everywhere, was told it was an uncommon frame and get compliments on it from every bike shop I've taken it to, this is why I was in search of a 'junker' to play with. I'm going to think long and hard what to do with it now (don't worry 'worst case scenario' I restore it, otherwise I will find a good home for it, I will in no way harm it). This frame is more my size, my other bike is a bit big and I figure riding around on it restored with my daughter attached on her trail-a-bike would leave a better taste in everyone's mouth then cutting it. I do apologize if I offended anyone as it was unintentional I promise. Can anyone shed more light on the reason of its popularity to me (again I'm ignorant) I loved it for it's looks, its weight, and just a general attractiveness. Thank you everyone for your patience and for all the info you have provided.

illwafer

thanks for the consideration.

in the end, it's just a bike...and your bike at that. you can always ride it fixed without doing any chopping. then when you get older (lol) and need gears, you have that option.

DiegoFrogs

Again, I would just polish the paint with some Turtle Wax, or whatever you like, and build it up how you see fit. That would make a fantastic fixed gear bicycle. It probably doesn't need "restoration". Some people will tell you that it's wrong to build that up as a fixed gear bicycle, but they hate fixed gear in itself (and they mostly never tried it for an extended period of time). But I'm not one of them. I'd build that up with drop bars, two brakes, road brake levers and fenders.

KonAaron Snake 

It's not fixed gear that we hate...it's hacking things off of frames. It's your bike, no one here can tell you what to do with your bike, but if properly taken care of that frame can make someone else happy when you're done with it. Hacking off pieces is uneccassary and deprives someone else of enjoying it down the line. A fixed gear can always be built up with the right parts down the road...but destroying pieces of it is a much more difficult fix.

Also...from a logic perspective...why wouldn't you sell this valuable frame to someone who will appreciate it for what it is so that you can get something you like for what it is rather then turning this into something it isn't...and shouldn't be?

cycle_maven

I too think it would make a really swanky fixed-gear. Classic and unique. Go for it. If you want to keep the kitten alive, then just don't cut off any of the braze-ons. As a bare frame it's not being ridden, and I'd rather see a classic older frame like this ridden than hung on a wall.

Ruffinit

There are times when someone comes up with one of those magical products which match the right tubing, angles, finesse and artistry to create a great ride. This is one of those frames. This was built as a true "sport touring" frame in which you can tour comfortably with it and turn around and take it on club rides without being out-classed. One of the all round do everything frames. It's light enough to be a serious contender and heavy enough to be a stable and comfortable steed on long saddle days.

DiegoFrogs

Aaron: It wasn't you that I was talking about. Some of what has happened to really nice frames in the name of fixed gear bothers me a lot, too, despite the fact that I rode them exclusively for a 5 year period until this spring. Now I ride my touring bike about 50% of the time.

Frankly, I'd have a really hard time converting your international. It just wouldn't look right with the parts that I have handy. But that Sequoia... I'm really just projecting my own desires onto the OP, given what components I have available here myself. :-)