Bikedued

Looks like a nice one! Too bad about the misfortune.,,,,BD

inkandsilver

Hey, that looks great. I love mine -- same year, finish, and size. Just a heads up about those cartridge bearings you mention. I decided to swap mine out because one of them was trashed. I went ahead and bought all 4, and a cheapo bearing puller. Couldn't get the old ones out -- there's very little difference between the inside diameter of the hub shell and that of that of the bearing -- so there's very little for a puller (or screwdriver or whatever) to get a purchase on. Took it to the LBS. They were able to get the rears out (slightly more room in there) but couldn't get the front ones out, even with much scratching and scuffing of the hub shell interior. Took the front wheel to LBS #2. Their bearing puller wouldn't do it, two techs couldn't to it, finally the owner broke a screwdriver but got one of them out (the only of the 4 that was really bad, finally). Long story just to say -- hope you have better luck with them than I did.

coolkat

Wow, that turned out amazing. Great colors, and the front hub is sweet. There was one yesterday at Goodwill for $30. Man, it was cool, but way too big for me, and the paint was super rough. I think it was older, as it had Cantilevers.

jmeb

Damn that looks rad. I think this was really the peak of the High Sierra. Why they ditched the roller cams and Shimano XT the next (final?) year I don't understand.

WMcCready

I started out with two Mesa Runners, sold one and, loaned out another. When I caught the Drop Bar Conversion bug here on BF, started looking out for High Sierra, and the ultimate Cimmaron, Bought a 23" ( Cimm.) frame from a BF member and, while waiting for delivery on it saw a posting on Chgo. CL for a High Sierra, 20 '' frame, mosty all original., how could I pass that one up.

Bikedued

I had that same kind of issue on a BMX hub a few months ago. We just happened to have a butane powered handheld torch, and the bearing finally let go once the aluminum expanded. Hopefully I will have the same luck with these. Thanks for the heads up though, I really do appreciate it.,,,,BD

After a little more thought on it. Is the hub shell a similar diameter of the outer bearing, or the inner(axle)size?

Bikedued

Also, I have a 88 with roller cams(beige/brown), and the head tube joint is tig welded. Maybe 89 saw the demise of the roller cam brakes?,,,,BD

jmeb

Huh. My '89 (need to verify with serial number perhaps) has a tig welded fork, but the head tube is still filet brazed.

Wanderer

A motorcycle trick for pulling bearings. Use a bolt the same size as the bearing hole. Cut a slot about an inch long from the threaded end. Insert the bolt from the back side, and drive a hammer handle wedge into the slot, expanding the bolt inside the bearing. Blast the bolt head with a hammer, and out it comes.

inkandsilver

The interior diameter of the hub shell is barely larger than the interior diameter of the cartridge bearing, where the axle slides through. And there's not much of a gap between them, either. But Wanderer's trick ^ sounds like a good one to try.

Bikedued

Running into a SERIOUS issue here. I think the day they built mine, they got a bad batch of brake mounting posts. I had noticed a couple of the brake arms were a little on the tight side, but I am now noticing they're deforming when the mounting bolts are tightened down. As in tightening them just enough to hold the spring tension, is making the mounting posts out of round? This could render this frame useless, in a hurry. The right front brake cannot even be removed from the brake post, with the bolt removed. I am extremely disappointed right now. First time I have EVER run into this issue on any bike, ever.,,,,BD

Bikedued

Upon closer inspection I am finding the ends are flaring out, just from the adjusting nut (holds the spring tension) being tightened against the ends of the posts. Sooo, using emery cloth to remove the deformation, removing some of the bushing material from the brake arms to clear the deformed area, (Which will deform again, not about to believe it won't) It should be good once reinstalled. Gotta find a work around, yah know?,,,,BD

Bikedued

Can't get the right rear off, so it may require a little dremel work to start. It is locked on there! I might actually round the ends of the posts, so if they do flare out again, they won't swell enough to cause restriction. Got my fingers crossed.,,,,BD

frantik

wow never heard of deformed canti posts before.. hope you get it sorted

The Golden Boy 

My 87 High Sierra came with Deore (just plain "Deore" MT-60) components.

As far as not keeping on with the Roller Cams... it is kind of a funky design- the pads strike higher as they wear- then into the tires. Besides that, they're a bit of a pain to set up. But they sure do look boss.

Bikedued

Bit of a pain to set up, is an understatement. The WORST part is setting the tension evenly between sides. But yes, they function nicely, and look cool as hell.,,,,BD

leftthread

Yes, my '87 has a plain silver Deore rear d, not the black "XT" labeled one on BD's.

It also came with a bent rear axle and needed a new headset.
It took a while to locate a replacement axle.
For anyone looking, Niagara sells one that's pretty close.
It's short like a mm on one of the sides where the flange for the cartridge bearing sits compared to the original.

Mombat has a tech document on roller cam set ups.
It specifies the distance for the brake shoe depth based on the canti post distance.
Page 1. Fig. 3.
https://mombat.org/85XCSport4.jpg
https://mombat.org/85XCSport5.jpg

cyclotoine

I've seen it many times on bike where the mountain bolt has been over-tightened and the post has bulged and yeah I used emery cloth to take it back down. Sucks I know.

The Golden Boy 

I should probably go through that documentation a little better.

It seems the rear axel/hub/wheel on these seems to have been a weak spot. I recall reading about someone else having a problem. I know I had problems with my wheel- the LBS said they couldn't repair it- I got a generic wheel to replace it, but I think the Joytech High Flange Hubs are pretty sweet looking.

As if it's not evident enough from this thread- the High Sierra is a really cool bike on so many different levels. Black Chrome, 4002 braze ons, triple butted cro-mo, fillet brazed, smart, well functioning component choice...

jmeb

Exactly this. I was shocked at how light the frame and fork were when stripped down. Yet it has all the braze-ons for loaded tours. Although strangely my mid-fork mounts aren't the standard m4 bolts...I think they most be m5's? This struck me as strange given my Trek 900 from the year has m4 mid-fork braze-ons.

Bikedued

It wasn't over tightened when I did it though? I sanded the posts down and the brakes slipped right on. Once I held the spring tension and tightened the allen bolt "just enough" to hold the spring in place. The post deformed and not only would the arm not move, but could no longer be removed either. These posts are way softer than any I have ever seen. I've set up dozens upon dozens of V brakes, canti's, and U brakes. This is a first for me.,,,,BD

DVC45

That really is a sweet looking bike. There's one on Chicago CL, but it is too tall for me.
' hope I find one, my size someday.

https://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/bik/3842417111.html

bennie222

Nice bike! I always have my eyes open for one of these, or a cimarron...

dveneman

Oh my that HS in Chicago looks really nice! Wish it was in my neighborhood.

Bikedued

It may not be "to the year" correct, but I would LOVE to find one of those QR adjustable seatposts for this thing. THAT, would be amazing.,,,,BD

Side note, as of later this afternoon or evening, I am no longer a Lake Charles resident. Back in Houston....