Combo Challenge and Shogun update

 

We are on the cusp of Coffeeneuring 2020 and the clunker challenge is still in effect until the first week of November so I figured why not do both on the Shogun?

Before I get into what I have been doing to the Shogun to prepare for the Combo Challenge I will update other developments in the fleet;

Univega

Sold last month for $200, I did something I never do which was I delivered the bike.  I felt in late September as summer was waning that the crazy COVID bike market was drying up so I figured delivering it in order to get $200 was a fair trade.  Doubled my investment on this bike.

Giant

The part out route was not my first choice for this bike but I did eventually get $200 out of it and ended up covering my costs and even making a small amount.

Trek 420 (II)

The 420 did end up being too small for my friend and although I toyed with using it as a trainer bike myself I decided instead to just clean it up a bit, make it a functional project and sell it cheap.  I ended up making $10 and the guy buying it seemed pleased with the purchase so it all worked out..

Shogun

Since  I am doing two challenges in one I figured that servicing the bearings was necessary on the Shogun.  In addition the 10 days of horrible  air quality did a number on my lungs to the point where just walking around the block required multiple stops to catch my breath.  Fortunately things are improving but since I wasn't going to be riding this week it made sense to deal with the bearings.

First however I had to deal with a filthy bike, its not exactly clean now but its better and I don't get dirty just looking at it.

There was also splotchy rust one one fork blade so it got the naval jelly, brass wire brush and then nail polish treatment.  

With dirt and rust dealt with I could tackle the headset bearings, I had to do this with the cabling still in place but it was doable, the grease was present but old so it was nice to clean it all up and get fresh grease applied.

Since I had to do the headset with the cabling in place I found yet another use for a toe strap, it held the bull moose bars suspended from the top tube while I dealt with the headset and allowed me to keep all the cables in place.

I also replaced the absent front reflector with one from my stash of parts.

Finally I dealt with front wheel, the bearings were way too tight although the grease wasn't bad but it got cleaned up, new grease, trued up and finally a new Schwable Jet city tire.  I thought about using the original tires but because I am doing two challenges and the new tires still keep me (barely) under the clunker challenge $100 budget and my experience with old knobby 26" tires is they aren't really comfortable.

Once the combo challenge is done I have some toys for the Shogun; VO leather saddle, barely used chain and 6 speed wide range FW, Ergon grips, new cables and housing, sneaker pedals and tires.   Tires?  but Ryan you just bought new tires??!  well I really wanted some gum walls and after searching around I came across these Maxxis DTH 26 x 2.25 tires, not cheap but on bike forums these tires get lots of favorable comments and I have seen them on builds an really like how they look.  My thought on the Schwables I am currently using on the Shogun is that they may go on a bargain MTB I am yet to find for a quick clean up and flip.

Ride. Buy too many tires. Smile. Repeat.

Warehouse sale

 

I figured I would try the warehouse sale this weekend.  When I went in the spring I was far enough back in line that by the time I got to the sale it was picked over.  This time I was fortunate to be there early enough to get in with the first group so I had choices.

At the top of my list was a finding a Specialized Rock Hopper. And I actually found two and a Stump Jumper, unfortunately they were all either too small, had a suspension fork or both.

I had seen a Trek 420 on the way in but was in Rock Hopper mode so I left it, when I realized the MTB wasn't going to happen I want back to where the 420 was, but now it was in the hands of a young lady.   Her friend then found a mountain bike she liked better so she handed off the 420 to me.

The first time I looked at the price I saw $45 for some reason, but I decided $75 was still a decent deal and I am happy to put $$ in the pockets of bike works.  Ironically it's the same price I paid for the 520 I just sold.  

It has a few issues, flat tires, out of level handle bars, a horrible comfort saddle and the worst offender a ding in the top tube.   No deal breakers however and although I haven't done any close looking I am about 90% sure this a 1985 exactly the same size and color of the one I sold last fall.

Not exactly sure what I am going to do with this bike, I have a friend looking for a dedicated trainer bike but I think this is a hair small for him.   I am leaning towards some basic maintenance and clean up and then seeing if I can sell it for a profit and if I get no takers it will be my fall/winter tear down project.

Ride.Smile.Repeat