BicycleSafari

I'm not exactly sure what this post is doing in this thread...but I am really diggin this tune. Thanks for sharing!

bark_eater 

inspired...

BicycleSafari

AH! I get it now.

Korina

That's going to be a great-looking bike. Just FYI, you can't go by where things are printed to identify it; they changed things around seemingly on a whim in those days. About the only way is through the serial #. Do you know what it is? I might be able to help.

bOsscO

Thanks! My original intent was to remove the poorly applied white spraypaint that the previous owner had used on the frame, and leave what remained of the original paint and decals as is (pic below). But once I realized that the front triangle was bonded, or glued-and-screwed as some call it, I decided to remove most of the paint/primer to make sure there was no cracks or other damage in the frame. Once satisfied, I applied new primer, paint (as close to the original sparkling purple I could find), decals, and clear-coat for a finished frame.

munkymack

Thanks! I'm excited about it. Serial number is M7BN0615

Korina

Cool. I'll see what I can find out.

EDIT: munkymack , where was it made? Japan or Taiwan? Should be on a sticker at the bottom of the seat tube.

munkymack

This particular one was made in Taiwan. I'm this case it wasn't a sticker, and it's at the top of the seat tube.

Korina

Looks like a 1987 model, probably built by Merida. Of course, retrobike's catalogues skip that year. Sorry. Hope this helps.

From the Asian Serial Number Database (stickied at the top of the C&V main page):

MERIDA (Taiwan): Insufficient data, but format appears to be MyMxxxx(x) based on limited sample size. Month indicator could turn out to be fortnight indicator. Also reported to use My??xxxx, where ?? is two letters. Somes uses a space or hyphen in front of Mxxxx number string. Easily confused with Miki , use country of origin decal, if present, to identify,

2cam16

I doubt it's an '87. Fonts don't look '87 and I think 87's had chainstay brakes.

munkymack

Yeah, this definitely doesn't have brakes on the chainstay

Korina

This is true, and was confusing. But the serial # says Feb. of a year ending in 7, so either 1977 or 1997? Nah, me either. At the time, Specialized did occasionally mix things up seemingly randomly; maybe they were out of U-brakes that week.

Crankstank 

Dig those brake levers! It's a post apocalypse armageddon cruiser! Just need the Mad Max shotgun holster!

munkymack

Here's my new ride, The Black Prince. Some stuff will likely be swapped out in the future, and there's a possible custom paint job on the horizon, but the bones are in place and it's ready for adventures (as soon as I put a new chain on it tonight). Now it just needs some spit and polish. Thanks to BicycleSafari for some pointers and inspiration.

Specialized Hard Rock - 23.5" (year unknown, likely mid to late '90s)

New Parts:
Emgo Skinny Scrambler Bars
Unbranded BMX stem 22.2mm
Panaracer x Simworks Homage tires
Kool Stop pads

Donated Parts (from friends / family):
Shimano Deer Head front and rear derailleur
Shimano 1st gen Thumb Shifters
Marin Grips / Pedals / Saddle

Bike Co-op Parts Bin:
Shimano Deore cranks
Shimano Biopace rings 48-38-28

Still to come:
Easton Carbon seat post (new addition to my personal parts bin)
Oi Bell
New brake levers
New cables & housing (likely colored)
Upgraded saddle
Custom hand paint job (maybe?)

Smokinapankake

If anything thats 1997 or mid 90's at the earliest. I worked in a Specialized shop until 98 and that font was very common. You could check the date codes on the original components for affirmation of at least the year.... But no way that Specialized is 1987.

2cam16

That's what I thought. Thanks on the confirmation of the fonts. I too thought it wasn't an 80's style.

munkymack

Good to know. Obviously, I'm not worried about keeping it period correct, but any extra bit of info is nice. I took most of the original components off and donated them to the co-op, so I'll have to live in suspense, and of course, Retrobike doesn't have a catalog with images from 1997. But it does definitely look some of the other mid 90s ones in the catalogs. Thanks for the expertise!

bOsscO

Why do I have it in my mind that many/most MTBs from mid-late 90's moved to threadless headsets and forks? Is this incorrect?

Smokinapankake

Most did move to threadless although you could commonly find threaded oversized (1-1/8") headsets on the mid- lower grade stuff.

Korina

Cool, thanks! I didn't think they made rigid fronts that late. Good to know.

munkymack , you gonna edit that intro post? That 1987 bugs me.

munkymack

Updated! Also, just a general report: this bike is super fun to ride. I've been having a blast on it the last few days. It's grin-inducing.

Korina

Yep, that's how I ride mine; with a big stupid grin plastered on my face. I think it's a common reaction, which accounts for their popularity.

36Chambers

bridgestone mb 4

OutnBack

Love that orange!

Crankstank 

Resto-mod of sorts. I had no parts for it, just a frame and fork with half the paint gone.[img]blob:https://www.bikeforums.net/564f96d9-d9cd-48da-a98c-462e3b14f5b3[/img]