DMC707

Confession : I love Kleins largely because of the wild paint schemes they had in the early 90's -- So when this local ad popped up, i responded

Perfect Klein color, with the ubiquitous flat pedals installed and some kind of minimalist seat -- but if it is as clean as the ad described - i'm in



Then when i picked it up ----- The seat was slammed below the point of the aero area of the post, and this stem speaks for itself . Obviously someone even shorter than me was trying to make this work - didnt exactly look like the ad , but was clean enough that i took it home . I attempted to use the missing stem and pedals as bargaining points, but the seller was female and wouldnt budge -- sigh. Subsequent looks at ebay tells me i may have paid a bit much, but no sense crying about it now since its in my garage




I wanted to ride this critter today, so i rectified the obvious trouble spots --- namely that stem and the saddle -- plus i had a set of nearly NOS condition purple pedals that were perfect for this --- (and for nothing else - which is why they were still like new) . The stem is the only 1" removable faceplate stem i had, so i used it to keep from having to unwrap the bars , remove the brake lever- etc

Actually looks ok on there -- but i will source a black Turbo saddle for it as soon as i can



Needs a different set of tires , they look a little loud for my tastes , but i can use them on something else . Funny i complain about the busy looking tires, when i like paint schemes like this

Wheels are a little out of true (not bad) and needs a little bit of attention on the repair stand to index properly, but should be an easy project --- i dont need any more of those, but this one being almost in ready to ride shape , plus a bike i coveted 30 years ago, won me over

jamesdak 

Nice find, enjoy it! I got my first Klein this year and was surprised by how nicely it road. More comfortable than I expected and very fast. That pushed me into trying a Cannondale. Very fast but nowhere near as comfortable as the Klein.

That paint is sweet and everything looks in pretty good nick!

DMC707

The fit of the hoods is pretty poor , making me think they are replacements -- drivetrain is filthy (by my standards) and the rims have some signs of use , but the crankset , while not perfect should polish up okay --- looks like one of the press fit bottom brackets from the early years





Since its full D-A 7400 series , there is really nothing to "upgrade" on the bike, but its 8 speed so id like to add brifters . But therein lies a question --- I thought that dual pivot brakes and 8 speed were introduced at the same time --- 1990.

additional question -
I have several sets of 600 tri color series Brifters -- will these index with D-A ? Ive seen some talk on here alluding to the fact that D-A does not play nice with some of the other groups, but i didnt know if that was just related to freehub design or if there were actual spacing or derailleur pull ratio differences too

Im guessing a serviceable , and relatively scratch free set of 25-30 year old Dura Ace brifters is not going to be cheap. so i hoped i could use a set i already have as a placeholder until i run across a proper pair

qcpmsame 

That is one nice looking Klein you have there, nice find. I’ve always liked their appearance. Enjoy the hours and miles.

Bill

jamesdak 

Check this link for compatibility:

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/dura-ace.html

wrk101

Yes, you need to find 7400 STI levers, which are pretty expensive. And hoods are unobtainium. So get a set with nice hoods.

zukahn1 

Great bike myself I would be inclined to keep the white seat and change the bar wrap to a nicer white or maybe purple.

morri869 

Wow, I have never seen a quantum in that paint scheme! I had a Rascal MTB in that same pink/purple fade and thought the paint job was really sweet. Nice find!

KCT1986

Yes, this is a good read for DA 7400 RD info.

Cliff note: The RD-740x series needs a ST-7400 or a Shimano 9 speed brifter to shift 8 speed. Use the limit screws to lock out the lowest shift position.

The FD could also need to cabled correctly with brifters. There are three version of the fo DA 74xx FD. FD-7400 was the older pre-brifter issue. FD-7403 was during the transition to brifters and it is recommended that the cable be routed on the outside of the bolt and the spring tension adjusted. FD-7410 was the final, brifter dedicated version. See the Shimano web site for tech docs for proper setup.

There is also different versions of the chainring. The later rings added some of the early shift aids that helps in shifting to the large ring.

BTW, nice frame in good looking condition.

spudly

I second this and also would probably put on a silver stem as IMO the Salsa detracts from the gorgeous frame.

Kleins with bright paint schemes - especially in good condition like yours - are desirable and often expensive. With full Dura Ace, I think the price you paid was very reasonable.

BMC_Kid 

Great example! Ride it in good health!

DMC707

spending the morning chilling out and watching YouTube videos as I'm trying to fight off a cold -- I DID NOT need to see this one

​​​​​one this gent is sicker than I am! Not yet at jjhabbs level, but still very impressive for old mountain bike eye candy

DMC707

Thanks Bill ! Dont know if i already asked you, but did you get that white Bottecchia built up? Love to see pics of your artistic interpretation with it if so

DMC707

Yes - looks like $150 or so is the basement price for a presentable looking set on ebay and nice "better quality" sets are in the $200 range

At least its not Campy ! The pic below shows a long cage Record 10 speed carbon derailleur - it doesnt play nice with a 12-30 cassette, so i am using a 12-26 . I deduced that i definitely do not need a long cage to run a 12-26 so figured i'd get a gently used 10 speed shorty in maybe the $100 price range, tops -- Wrong ! -- maybe triple that - LOL I was shocked at prices for 15-20 year old Campy 10 speed stuff still

DMC707

Thanks - i would have passed it up if it were a solid color paint scheme - even with the D-A buildout. I have been foolishly looking at available mountain bikes on E-Bay and elsewhere now too - The dream rig would be an Attitude in that white/green/pink fade paint scheme with the Mission Control bars . Probably well out of my price range until Christmas is in the rearview mirror and/or i can liquidate some of the other rolling stock -- but a matching Rascal would make for a nice addition to the collection too !

qcpmsame 

Not yet, it has been thoroughly cleaned and will be media blasted then painted. It is going to be my wife’s ride, planning on an 8 speed indexed, triple plateau crankset. She wants it to be reasonably light, with brifter shifting.

Had some health issues that put any building on hold, but those are managed now.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Bill

tkamd73 

Stick with the 7402 levers though, the 7401s have no return spring, big difference. Not sure if the hoods are interchangeable. Good luck finding new hoods, but I have seen them pop up on eBay every once in a while.
Tim