identification of a frame

SUPERSUTT
SUPERSUTT Posts: 292
edited May 2011 in MTB general
hi is there any one who can help me out . a friend at work just moved house and found an old frame and forks in the shed. as he knew i was into mountain biking he gave me the frame. there,s no name on the frame just a frame number AF980 and five other digets the forks are marzocchi bomber Z.5 air alloy ive searched every where to try and identify the frame. i want to try and restore it back if possible cheers :?
falling off doesn't hurt....its the landing that hurts


FS Giant Trance X3 (2013)
FS Specialized Camber 2011 (2011)=(stolen)
HT Merlin Malt one (sold)

Comments

  • Andy B
    Andy B Posts: 8,115
    pics will help

    areas like the drop outs, general frame design & cable routing can help ID a frame
    2385861000_d125abe796_m.jpg
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    as andy says Pics.

    what is on it part wise is totally irelavent as the chances of them being original are low.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • SUPERSUTT
    SUPERSUTT Posts: 292
    its a hardtail the cable rout is along the top of the top tube it has vbrake bosses no disc brakes and the drop outs look the same as on the merlin malt 1 and some old konas flat plates pointing down and forward slightly the down tube is slighty bigger than the top tube and has no support gusset on the the head tube i think it a merlin but what year i dont know ive think its a 98 model but the forks throw me out as what year it really is
    falling off doesn't hurt....its the landing that hurts


    FS Giant Trance X3 (2013)
    FS Specialized Camber 2011 (2011)=(stolen)
    HT Merlin Malt one (sold)
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    and that description cover 100s of frames.

    most likely a catalogue frame.

    but PICS.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • SUPERSUTT
    SUPERSUTT Posts: 292
    i cant seem to upload pics on here
    falling off doesn't hurt....its the landing that hurts


    FS Giant Trance X3 (2013)
    FS Specialized Camber 2011 (2011)=(stolen)
    HT Merlin Malt one (sold)
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    edited January 2010
    read the forum FAQs

    http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12673244
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • delcol
    delcol Posts: 2,848
    pic will help,,, need pics,,

    host them at photo bucket or something simlar, then add them to your post with the img tag on their website,,,
    thats how i do it.
    www.bearbackbiking.com

    http://www.youtube.com/user/MrDelcol#play/uploads
    hd vids
    http://www.youtube.com/user/topasassin#play/uploads
    http://www.vimeo.com/user2514116/videos
  • SUPERSUTT
    SUPERSUTT Posts: 292
    ive added a photo now . and also amde it up with some parts i had collecting dust in the shed

    mybike001.jpg
    falling off doesn't hurt....its the landing that hurts


    FS Giant Trance X3 (2013)
    FS Specialized Camber 2011 (2011)=(stolen)
    HT Merlin Malt one (sold)
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    close up of the drop outs? as they seem to be the only thing that my identify it.

    but it looks like a catalog no name frame from first impressions.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • SUPERSUTT
    SUPERSUTT Posts: 292
    cheers my friend with the parts ive added it weight about 25 pounds cos most of the stuff is bontrager. rims,hubs seat, seat post ,stem, and the v brakes and levers are shimano deor LX , XTR and the shifter and rear mech is LX. the head set is tioga
    falling off doesn't hurt....its the landing that hurts


    FS Giant Trance X3 (2013)
    FS Specialized Camber 2011 (2011)=(stolen)
    HT Merlin Malt one (sold)
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    so no detail pics?

    here is a no name frame i built up/

    pbpic317000.jpg

    as you can see it has so quite identifiable dropouts but it is nothing special.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • SUPERSUTT
    SUPERSUTT Posts: 292
    the only one it comes close to is a merlin malt one will they have a record of frame numbers is it worth giving them a telephone call or send the a e-mail
    falling off doesn't hurt....its the landing that hurts


    FS Giant Trance X3 (2013)
    FS Specialized Camber 2011 (2011)=(stolen)
    HT Merlin Malt one (sold)
  • JamesBrckmn
    JamesBrckmn Posts: 1,360
    looks similar to my old raliegh, but at 25lbs, i doubt it is - my raleigh weighed a tonne
  • fcumok
    fcumok Posts: 283
    I don't think it's a Merlin Malt 1. I have a pre 04 one and the dropout doesn't look like that.
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    like I said lets have some better Photos.

    like the rear drop outs.

    the gusset under the down tube?

    and any other "features".
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • lego
    lego Posts: 769
    Random guess. Giant ATX 850 From around 1990 - 1995? Not with original forks
    though.
    If I win will I get a bucket of sweets or something?
  • xtreem
    xtreem Posts: 2,965
    My guess some Kona 2000 - 2005.
    Btw, nicklouse the dropouts on your frame are the same as mine :o .
    Although the front triangle ain't the same.
    NS Bikes Eccentric Alu custom - 2016
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    like i said cheap generic unbranded frame direct from some factory in Taiwan.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • SUPERSUTT
    SUPERSUTT Posts: 292
    sorry i havent replied till now but im still lost at what frame this is here is a few more photos i hope can finnaly help if not then im lost [img][/img]marksmobilephone025.jpgmarksmobilephone026.jpg [img][/img]marksmobilephone027.jpgmarksmobilephone023.jpg

    theres a stamp on the inside of the forks that says 98 and allso onthe bottomof the frame there seems a code which starts AF98

    CHEER sutty
    falling off doesn't hurt....its the landing that hurts


    FS Giant Trance X3 (2013)
    FS Specialized Camber 2011 (2011)=(stolen)
    HT Merlin Malt one (sold)
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    it is just a cheap generic frame that could have any "brand" as i said before.

    the forks say on the side Z? Z4 or Z5
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Looks like an early Merlin MALT.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • SUPERSUTT
    SUPERSUTT Posts: 292
    the forks say Z5 open bath alloy but there only 80mm travel
    falling off doesn't hurt....its the landing that hurts


    FS Giant Trance X3 (2013)
    FS Specialized Camber 2011 (2011)=(stolen)
    HT Merlin Malt one (sold)
  • benpinnick
    benpinnick Posts: 4,148
    Generic mid 90s Taiwan manufactured alu frame set - Probably never identify what brand it might have sported (if any). They were punted out as the top end bikes for many cheaper brands (Claud Butler/British Eagle etc.), and readily available as framesets only.

    98 May well be the year for the forks, although I would suspect its probably a little older, 93 - 5 for the frame's age.
    A Flock of Birds
    + some other bikes.

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