prairiepedaler

There is a local Nishiki Bushwhacker with Sugino GT triple crank a' la drillium, along with some other good quality parts which I'm considering buying to dress up this old Mountain Sport. The guy is asking c$75. Has anyone seen these particular GT cranks before? Those chainrings might not be factory. From what I gather the GT uses a particularly long spindle, which could put us into PITA alignment territory. The Mountain Sport uses a Suntour 131mm so perhaps they'd be a good mate. I'll arrange to go see it as it isn't too far from home.

T-Mar

Mid-1980s, Canadian market model. Those would appear to be replacement chainrings. The OEM chainrings had large triangular cutouts above the bolts. The triangular cutouts would have reduced weight more than the drillium and were less likely to get filled with dirt. Furthermore, my literature for the sister brand Norco ATBs of this era do not show drillium on the ATB models. Having said that, Norco did spec drillium chainrings on a lot of Norco and Nishiki road models during the subject period but these had drillium and the triangular cutouts.

hujev

The GT cranks were the melt-forged version (or equivalent, looked the same, same bolt circle - 74/110, etc.) of the cold-forged AT, and are fine. Funny it's tig welded, like the first Stumpjumpers (and BMX bikes and nearly all bikes 10 years later) and not lugged. I'd buy it if all else OK and your size. If the derailleurs are rough you can occasionally get NOS ARXs on eb, etc.

AustinFitz

My '84 Centurion Elite GT came with that same GT triple setup. I personally like them a lot! If I were to upgrade though it would probably be to the cold forged AT triple.

Here's a pic of mine with the original chainrings.

EDIT: I just noticed mine were actually the RT model lol. Sorry about that. I'm not exactly sure what the difference is there, but they do look fairly similar.

prairiepedaler

Thanks for responses fellas. It seems that someone else decided the bikes' fate for me. I was looking at it solely from a parts swap perspective (frame is wayyy too small). Spring is just kicking off which means there will be plenty of others to choose from.

prairiepedaler

It seems the reason the owner of the bikes didn't get back to me is that his emails wound up in the spam box somehow. He left his number and I explained why I didn't get back to him. He said he will be posting his sons' old Motobecane soon and I can come by in the next couple of days to see it before he does. He mentioned it's a touring type. 23" might be a little small for me so we'll see if the top tube makes up for it.

prairiepedaler

Went and took a look at it, took some photos for posterity's sake and left it there. Too small for me. Nice stronglight cranks, weinmann sidepulls, alloy rims, vitus 888 for metal, suntour vx for shifting. For $50, not bad at all. An appropriate handlebar and stem on there and you've got a nice bike. It sold instantly after he listed it online.

prairiepedaler

Heres' that Moto I'd mentioned. Sold rapidly. The new hipster owner is probably squealing with girlish glee through his beard.

Marco99

I found a Bushwhacker with the same rings and yes I know this is an 18 month old thread....lol
Site won't let me post picture

T-Mar

No, but it will let me post them for you. It's the same mid-1980s vintage but the original rear derailleur has been replaced with a shorter cage Shimano Light Action model, so you may have issues shifting into the large cog and chain wrap problems with the lower and higher gears. I'd appreciate the serial number for my database. TIA.

The Golden Boy 

Imagine that, a Mountech RD that died...




You guys got lucky, I don't have my old Drill Sergeant picture hosted on Flickr...

Marco99

I replaced the rear derailleur (can't remember why) . I found the bike at a thrift store, fixed it up and sold it to a friend. I'll try and get the serial number.

Marco99

The bike has been used by a student in Toronto for the last few years, hopefully it has survived the Big Smoke

The Golden Boy 

Uh oh... My official DI photo- notice the black eye... I think this pic was fall of 92.

Drill Sergeant Pic by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr


1986 Trek 400 Elance by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr


I need to get some shots of the Stronglight cranks...

Bad Lag

I really like these old, high quality mountain bikes without suspension (the good ones). They represent an excellent design and an excellent value for bike buyers looking for a bicycle with a comfortable, upright riding style.

They came with great frames, great gearing, great brakes,... all around great bicycles. I think they are highly under-rated.

Marco99

Yes, I have become a big fan of these bikes and especially the Suntour power ratchet shifters from that era

Marco99

I finally got the serial number of the Bushwhacker, it survived the Big Smoke and is back in Ottawa.
CD 06789

prairiepedaler

Archived thread, I know. However, this guy showed up very recently parked at a grocery store. The drillium is there too. Hmmm. I recall Suzue hubs on there and Mountech shifting. I'd buy one of these bikes in an XL for the Tange 2 frame. Hopefully it wouldn't break. Too bad the dropouts don't have double eyelets.

Dylansbob 

I've got one on my '85 Norco Magnum ST tourer. Yeah, it takes a long spindle but not as long as a Takagi, in my experience.