Garage sale find - how to establish the facts
06-18-23, 08:32 PM
#1
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Garage sale find - how to establish the facts
So I stumbled on an old Specialized Hardrock that was headed to the trash pile if it didn't sell in the carport sale. Two flat tires. Rusted at a few places. The chain was off. Seat torn, You get the idea.
I took it home and cleaned it up. Lubed the chain and other components, and aired the tires. They held air long enough for a test ride around the block, but the tubes and tires are overdue for replacement. I haven't had time to look closely at what else might be truly worn out, but I figure a tune up and some regular riding will cause those issues to show up fairly quickly.
All that aside, I'm curious to know the year and related specs about the bike.
Where can I browse to find that type of information? Help with that will be appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
I took it home and cleaned it up. Lubed the chain and other components, and aired the tires. They held air long enough for a test ride around the block, but the tubes and tires are overdue for replacement. I haven't had time to look closely at what else might be truly worn out, but I figure a tune up and some regular riding will cause those issues to show up fairly quickly.
All that aside, I'm curious to know the year and related specs about the bike.
Where can I browse to find that type of information? Help with that will be appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
__________________
Current bikes: Unknown year Specialized (rigid F & R) Hardrock, '80's era Cannondale police bike; '03 Schwinn mongrel MTB; '03 Specialized Hard Rock (the wife's)
Gone away: '97 Diamondback Topanga SE, '97 Giant ATX 840 project bike; '01 Giant TCR1 SL; and a truckload of miscellaneous bikes used up by the kids and grand-kids
Status quo is the mental bastion of the intellectually lethargic...
Current bikes: Unknown year Specialized (rigid F & R) Hardrock, '80's era Cannondale police bike; '03 Schwinn mongrel MTB; '03 Specialized Hard Rock (the wife's)
Gone away: '97 Diamondback Topanga SE, '97 Giant ATX 840 project bike; '01 Giant TCR1 SL; and a truckload of miscellaneous bikes used up by the kids and grand-kids
Status quo is the mental bastion of the intellectually lethargic...
Last edited by BookFinder; 06-19-23 at 06:05 AM. Reason: dang ... I keep spotting speelin' & gremmer errors
06-19-23, 08:23 AM
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Shimano date codes on the cranks
If the bike has Shimano cranks, you can get a date within a few months of the production. There is a two letter date code inside a small circle embossed on the inside of the cranks. Then go to the website where they list the Shimano date codes Shimano date codes Most major bike manufacturers don't stock parts far in advance so this should be a good guide as to date of manufacture.
06-20-23, 12:29 AM
#3
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You can look through online catalogs to narrow down the year as well. Most 1980's and 1990's Specialized catalogs are online. It takes some time, but you should be able to narrow it down to either an exact year or within a year or two just from catalogs. The components can provide hints too. Indexed shifting? Probably made after 1985. Threadless headset? Probably a mid 1990's bike. Lugged steel frame? Probably 1980's. Welded steel frame? Probably early 1990's. That gets you in the rough ballpark from which you can refine by looking at catalogs.
Also, Google. One Google search yielded this page: https://www.retrobike.co.uk/gallery2...ve/Catalogues/
I had to resist the urge to throw a LMGTFY link at you, but that would have just been snarky.
Also, Google. One Google search yielded this page: https://www.retrobike.co.uk/gallery2...ve/Catalogues/
I had to resist the urge to throw a LMGTFY link at you, but that would have just been snarky.
Likes For williamskg6:
06-20-23, 05:40 AM
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Thanks to you both. It has Shimano components so I'll start there. Then I'll go to the catalogues and see if I can spot the exact bike. Also, photos a bit later.
Thanks again,
Rick
Thanks again,
Rick
__________________
Current bikes: Unknown year Specialized (rigid F & R) Hardrock, '80's era Cannondale police bike; '03 Schwinn mongrel MTB; '03 Specialized Hard Rock (the wife's)
Gone away: '97 Diamondback Topanga SE, '97 Giant ATX 840 project bike; '01 Giant TCR1 SL; and a truckload of miscellaneous bikes used up by the kids and grand-kids
Status quo is the mental bastion of the intellectually lethargic...
Current bikes: Unknown year Specialized (rigid F & R) Hardrock, '80's era Cannondale police bike; '03 Schwinn mongrel MTB; '03 Specialized Hard Rock (the wife's)
Gone away: '97 Diamondback Topanga SE, '97 Giant ATX 840 project bike; '01 Giant TCR1 SL; and a truckload of miscellaneous bikes used up by the kids and grand-kids
Status quo is the mental bastion of the intellectually lethargic...
06-20-23, 08:03 PM
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Under the Classic and Vintage heading
Right here in Bike Forums are a large cache of catalogs. Look under Classic and Vintage. In the sticky entries are the manufacturer catalogs. Specialized is under USA. Figure out some date codes so you know what years to look in.
