Project 'Swamp Donkey'
mattbarnes
Posts: 295
After acquiring a rather tired looking Marin frame from the Classified's, I set about resurrecting it to use when taking the wife and kids out into the hills. Lets face it, no-one wants to take their favourite expensive, lightweight, much-loved steed out with a child seat on the back (well, that was my excuse).
After forking out a whopping £20 for the beaten up frame...
...I got her shotblasted and powdercoated in an eyeball-assaulting green.
Then, after scouring the usual haunts for inexpensive bits and pieces, I've got her complete.
She's a real behemoth and far from a lightweight racing-snake by any stretch of the imagination but for the amount of cash I've spent on her, I couldn't be happier.
I'm looking forward to taking her out, beasting it and then throwing it back in the shed with only minimal care and attention (not too disimilar to how I treat my wife!). And if anything breaks, it'll only cost a few quid to repair and not the usual wallet-emptying fee that my KONA demands if anything goes wrong.
Happy times.
After forking out a whopping £20 for the beaten up frame...
...I got her shotblasted and powdercoated in an eyeball-assaulting green.
Then, after scouring the usual haunts for inexpensive bits and pieces, I've got her complete.
She's a real behemoth and far from a lightweight racing-snake by any stretch of the imagination but for the amount of cash I've spent on her, I couldn't be happier.
I'm looking forward to taking her out, beasting it and then throwing it back in the shed with only minimal care and attention (not too disimilar to how I treat my wife!). And if anything breaks, it'll only cost a few quid to repair and not the usual wallet-emptying fee that my KONA demands if anything goes wrong.
Happy times.
Society is like a stew. You have to stir things up now and again otherwise the scum will rise to the top.
0
Comments
-
I think it looks ace - nice work.
May I enquire on your expenditure?0 -
lovely paint job on it, it looks lovely.0
-
i think its rather tasty !
0 -
Really nice that cost if you will reveal? Trek 930 singletrack 06-08
Pinnacle Peak 2.0 08-10
Carrera Vengeance Ultimate 11-0 -
It does look nice - also interested to know how much it owes you?Specialized FSR XC Expert 20100
-
Thanks for the compliments, folks.
I did have a few of the components lying around in the shed but, all in, I've spent around £250. Thats mainly gone on the larger stuff such as wheels, forks, chainset etc. I'm sure I could have got something secong-hand for not a great deal more but I've found its been a great way of using up some of the odds-and-ends lying around in the shed for months!Society is like a stew. You have to stir things up now and again otherwise the scum will rise to the top.0 -
looks great fella! well done!!Timmo.
After all, I am Cornish!
http://cornwallmtb.kk5.org/
Cotic Soul, The bike of Legends!
Yes, I Am a bike tart!
http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... 1#162974810 -
Great work on the colour scheme, that looks sweet!Carbon 456 http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... t=12754782
Kona Kula Primo http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... t=127549140 -
Society is like a stew. You have to stir things up now and again otherwise the scum will rise to the top.0
-
-
I am a massive fan of these restoration type projects that involve taking tired looking crap and making it looks good. Especially the ones done for not much money.
Excellent work, well done!0 -
I am a massive fan of these restoration type projects that involve taking tired looking crap and making it looks good. Especially the ones done for not much money.
Excellent work, well done!
Me too. I've done a couple of these now and for a fraction of the price of a new frame, it feels as if I've got a brand new bike. Its the way forward in this disasterous financial climate!Society is like a stew. You have to stir things up now and again otherwise the scum will rise to the top.0 -
Great effort on the bike and the pennies mate. I've always fancied doing something similar but I just know I'll get sucked in to spending a fortune as i got carried away. My Cove was meant to be a cheaper winter / messing about bike made up of bits I had lying around the garage. In the end I think I only used the cranks I had the rest was new. Cost me a fortune :?
Maybe I'll use you as inspiration for a proper garage build.Cove Stiffee
Speccy Stumpjumper FSR Elite (2004)
Kinesis Racelight T
HED R1C (http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... t=12755249)0 -
-
Very nice build. Like that a lot and as the others ahve said, the kawasaki green is a very nice colour for it. Decals look just right as well.
I'd invest another £2 on these though to smarten it once and for all: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... delID=62330 -
I'd be well chuffed with that for £250 (and a smaller parts pile in the shed
) 0 -
quality restoration of the frame - looks like a belter. I saw a marin like that last year in a LBS in the same shade - can't recall which model though. But for the money you have a top quality unique piece of bike!
Good work 0
