I bought a few items off of ebay and didn't pay full retail on much of anything but it was around $2,400.

Well I tore the bike down and sent the frame to my buddy that does some of the best powdercoating in the business because I didn't care much for the grey at all....

I'll be adding some XTR stuff and other goodies to the rebuild and will post up some pics when complete..

before...



after....

I picked up this model about a month back for about 800 $ off retail (they were on sale) and I'm loving it. I got the stock model (spec below) - at this stage I'm really happy but I guess in about a years time I'd like to convert to some fox forks and maybe an RP23.. and maybe a lighter wheelset - anybody with any other upgrade suggestions??

Frame AL 6061 w/4-bar Horst bearing linkage, 4.2" Travel w/Rear Shock: Manitou Radium R
Fork Manitou Slat Super/E2Air,alloy stem, 100mm
Headset Tioga ZST2 Threadless, Zero Stack
Rims Sun CR18 Double wall
Hubs Front: Alloy, Rear: Shimano disc, QR
Tires John Tomac Nevegal 26x2.1, 120TPI, Kevlar bead
Spokes 14G Black 32°
Front Derailleur Shimano Deore
Rear Derailleur SRAM X.9
Shifters SRAM X.7 Trigger
Chain KMC Z9000
Crankset Truvativ Firex Giga X Pipe, 44/32/22
Bottom Bracket Truvativ GXP outboard cartridge bearing
Cassette SRAM PG950 11-34, 9 Speed
Pedals VP-M31 clipless
Seatpost Q2 Comp light alloy, 2 bolt
Saddle WTB Silverado
Handlebar Truvativ XR Riser, 31.8, Triple Butted
Stem Truvativ XR 3D, 31.8
Grips WTB WeirWolf, dual compound
Brake Levers Avid Juicy 3
Brakes Avid Juicy 3, Hydraulic 6" rotors

That finely done fresh white powdered coated frame painted jobby looks slickered than greased moose poop.

The build has begun........

Black and white is the new black.

So did you give all the pivots a healthy dose of WD40?

They got Amsoil synthetic grease.....

WD is only for the chain....

Gettin close. Rebuilt fork with new oil and seals, XTR rear Der., new chain rings, pedals, cassette, brake and shifter cables. Picking up barends and chain this week from the LBS. Waiting on some a-hole on ebay to ship out an XTR front derailluer, been almost 2 weeks..Grrrrrr I'll be filing a fraud case against him on Monday to Ebay and paypal.

I love the looks of old XTR.

That's looking good!