Ayyyyy

Hi,

I"m hoping some of the old heads here might be able to help me out in finding where in the world this frame came from. I picked it up today and I've been scratching my head for hours. From what I can narrow down from the serial number and 600 New EX downtube shifters, this is a 1986 model. However, since there doesn't seem to be any catalog scans from that year on the whole Internet, I've unable to verify the exact model. Signature "flag" triple crankset, Deore deer-head half-step FD, Strong seatpost, Gran Compe Royal brakeset makes me lean towards this being a Sequoia, There's some weird paint melt effects going on, likely as a result of 35+ years in LA sunshine - wondering if this is a respray, or if S really did a Rasta paintjob back in the day.

philpeugeot 

Certainly looks like a Sequoia, especially with the recessed rack braze-ons. More pics would definitely help. Maybe it's just me, but it looks like there might be some crash damage, judging from what looks like a ripple on the underside of the downtube and top tube. If possible, I would strip the nasty paint job to see if it really is buckled or if it's just the poorly applied paint.

delbiker1 

From the pictures, IMO, Phil is likely right about some damage. Not sure what is being shown at the IALI of the down tube decal. Is that a bad rust spot above the ZED of the same decal. I have no info on the bike itself.

T-Mar

Yes, based on the limited description that's a good match for a 1986 Sequoia. It was spec'd with Shimano New EX shift levers paired with Deore XT derailleurs (1986 would be the 1st genration, a.k.a. deer's head). The brakeset was Dia-Compe Royal Gran Compe 500 calipers with Dia-Compe Aero Gran Compe 250 levers.

Fun Fact: The images on the 1st generation Deore XT derailleurs depict the Sika deer, indigenous to Japan. The rear derailleur has an image of the male (buck or stag), while the front derailleur has an inage of the female (doe or hind). So when referring to Shimano derailleurs, it appears to be proper to refer to the rear derailler as as "he" and the front derailleur as a "she".

fvernon

Frame details & components are a match for my '86 Sequoia. The paint job looks like it was done in the early-mid 90s though

Ayyyyy

Thanks everybody, I'm now pretty well certain this was a respray. Seller is claiming ignorance of the bike's history.

I think I might turn this into a pet project - hopefully it doesn't track off-center too much with the impact damage. Ordered a replacement 46t ring, Lambda saddle, and the matching Deore RD, now to find a matching rear wheel.

The frame/fork damage doesn't seem *that* bad, and according to St. Brown it may be repairable by re-alignment rather than replacement of tubes...we'll cross that bridge when the time comes.

stardognine

Now that was interesting. 👍 I have a nice pair of early XT 7-speed brifters, with the rubber boots that make it look a bit like a motor-sickle. 😎 I customized a bit, to make it 9-speed instead. I'll have to start a thread, can't really grab pics right now.

merziac

It may very well be a respray of some sort but all the Rasta markings are spot on and I can't imagine just anyone duplicating them. All of them are damn near perfect and the HB is really spot on, especially if its a repop. Any chance the too thick is all or mostly clearcoat?

Something very hinky going on here with this paint "job".

Pet project is exactly what this should be, seems like it had to be a real thing at one time. Even if not, its cool as ef and will be just plain bi***in rebooted.

stardognine

Here's what I meant, SL-M095. At least I think that 2nd letter's an "L", it's upside-down, when I'm trying to read it. 😁
Sorry, not the best pic ever, I'm obviously still touring. Didn't want to completely forget, hence a bad pic is better than none. 😉

Ayyyyy

Hope I'm not bumping too far out of the past...just wanted to give an update.

I started chipping away some of the VERY thick clear coat and the black paint, only to find the yellowed original paint underneath. Luckily, it appears that the damage noted above is only paint deep and the tubes and fork blades are straight.

I found the quill stem was seized, but the nice folks over at the Bike Oven let me use their bench vice and a junk front wheel. That "POP" was pretty satisfying! I was afraid that the steerer might be bent due to the seized stem and how the headset was moving, but it's also fine - I guess 40 year old grease lubes bearings like taffy.

I'm proceeding to Jasco away the thick clear coat and the old paint - stay tuned.

hugotoll

Hi
Did you fully cleared the black and original paint?
Asking because I have same issue.
Thank you!