Mad Honk 

Today I got this mutt from a friend who owns a hair salon.


It has a fairly faint ID on the BB, and near as I can tell it is 550 LW L88311. But the decals indicate something more like a 1986 model. pics and help please,Smiles, MH

TugaDude

This should help.

Self-Describing Serial Numbers

Waterford started out using this system from the company’s founding in 1993 through early 1995. It consisted of six components:

• Size Code: The size code represented the center to top seatmast measurement, rounded to the nearest 5mm. For example, a 55cm frame had a serial number starting with 550. Mountain bikes required rounding since they were built in one or two inch size increments. Occasionally, custom frames might not have the same size as indicated by the serial number.
• Product Code: Waterford used “A” just about all the time, it being a remnant of the older Paramount system.
• Company Code: “L” indicated a Waterford branded frame.
• Factory Code: A W followed to indicate a bike coming from the Waterford factory.
• Month Code: This one letter code corresponds to the month with A=January, B=Febuary and so on. Because I is not used, September=J and December=M.
• Year Code: This two digit code is the last two digits of the year – 96 is 1996.
• Sequence Number: This three digit number represents the nth frame and/or fork scheduled during the month.

Example: 540ALWE94042 was a 54cm Waterford. It was the 42nd frame built in May of 1994. When you register your bike, we provide other information about your frame – size/model and, many times, color.
Based on your example it is a Waterford branded frame coming from the Waterford factory. It was made in December of 1988 and was the 311th frame and/or fork made that month. 550 would indicate 55cm.

Mad Honk 

TugaDude,
Would the L not indicate a November build? It is going out for a new powder coat due to excessive scraping and some rust starting to appear. The guys who do my work will glass bead blast it to remove the rust and get it back to a nice ride-able bike, with a fresh paint cover. Thanks for the help! Smiles, MH

TugaDude

Yes, L is November, I miscounted.

Mad Honk 

I have dis-assembled the frame and used the ATF/Acetone mix to free the seat post. I found some damage in the binder area of the seat clamp so it went to the weld shop this AM for a quick repair and then cleaned up here in the shop. It has been delivered to Pro Kote Indy who is my coating specialist. They are going to hot tank clean it, and then bead blast the frame to remove any rust and then give it a coat of powder. I am using a baby blue metal flake powder, with a light speckle in the clear cover. They are real good at cleaning the chrome and not covering any surfaces like bearing bosses. and they will clean the area of the serial number and clear coat that to make it easily identify-able. I am pretty stoked that it will be a beauty when it gets back.
An interesting thing about this frame is the Shimano drop outs. Not what I expected but they work so away we go. All parts not needed for the rebuild process have been re-distributed to BF members so more folks will benefit from my good fortune. Thanks for the help and keep watching for updates. Smiles, MH

TugaDude

Yes, please do keep us updated. We all love to watch restorations in progress, whether they are original restorations, resto-mods or whatever.

Estaweno

May look bad now but Paramount was always a good bike! I wish you the best with the hours and hours of work ahead!

Mad Honk 

The mutt is ready to come back according to a message from Pro Kote Indy this morning. I went to the post office to send hubs to EOM and then on to Indy to pick it up.
It looks like the visit to the Vet made a difference, de-wormed, trimmed and groomed for presentation. Now that it has had it's shots it should be good to go. And the war Department approves of the color, a big plus! Smiles, MH

new color with some glitter that shows well in sunlight

these guys do a wonderful job of the serial number

the rust on the stay is gone!

the way they treat the chrome parts