7 speeds seem enough.
 

loving the old steel beauty heavy but fun 7 speeds and all.
not sure if mt worthy but a fun bike anyway...good for the winter
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...39fe1136df.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...2ce55cc60c.jpg

With a triple, 7 speeds can be fine. For me they need to be set up to handle different requirements of your rides.

In reality, I’m really running more of a 2-1/2 than a triple as the small chainring is only used for those climbs that I can’t/don’t want to do with my middle ring.

John

i would have to upgrade to full sram 10 speed if i was going to be using the bike for reals , for a bike like that 1x10 , gxp bb , gx shifters :)

im debating the upgrade to suspension first....the 7 speed stuff works well. got new lighter cranks ebay on way...fun comfy bike

That looks like a head tube for a 1” steerer tube. Around the mid-90’s they went to 1-1/8”. And today just about everything is 1-1/2 tapered.

I usually hate using the term impossible, but finding a decent used suspension fork with a 1” steerer is about as close as you can get. Early Rockshox (Mag, Quadra) were made in 1”. Other mfg’s also, but many were not very good.

The only 1” I would consider, that you might run across, is a Marzocchi. There were a few years where Marzocchi made a fork crown with a removable steerer tube. This means you could swap out the steerer. Really tough to find a Marzocchi 1” steerer. Up to 10 years ago, RST made 1” steel steerer that would work, but equally as tough to find these days.

John

Edit added: If you do look for an older Marzocchi fork, stay away from the early XC (500/700) forks. Z series (2, 3) are fine.

Jonny,
it is 11/8..so many options.. saw new old stock zokes. on ebay. $120.

would work but not sure the investment as this is just my FU bike...if i decide i want steel mtb..i will get modern bike. cost benefits i am debating...i enjoy the bike but heavy...