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#82 ·
U-brake

Hi,

I have just got a old steel gt frame (for free!). I have figure out that I need to use a U-brake in the rear. My question is can I use the lever from my V-brakes that I initially planned to use? I plan to put a V-brake in the front and it would look kind of odd to have different levers and difficult to get used to. I am not sure which model it is. Heavier than my kona kilauea for sure but judging from the previous owner it shouldn't be a low-end model. Is there any easy way of telling the models apart (it was bare steel when I got it and now I have had it powder coated so that might rule out some identification options).
 
#83 ·
Bob Sacamano said:
Hi,

I have just got a old steel gt frame (for free!). I have figure out that I need to use a U-brake in the rear. My question is can I use the lever from my V-brakes that I initially planned to use? I plan to put a V-brake in the front and it would look kind of odd to have different levers and difficult to get used to. I am not sure which model it is. Heavier than my kona kilauea for sure but judging from the previous owner it shouldn't be a low-end model. Is there any easy way of telling the models apart (it was bare steel when I got it and now I have had it powder coated so that might rule out some identification options).
Click to expand...
Is the serial number still legible? If so, what is the first digit should be a letter "H", "S", or other? If it's an H, GT had it built at Taiwan-Hodaka and they made mopst of the GT's from the Karakoram up in the line. If it's an S or maybe SF it was probably built by SanFa. Most of the 400 dollar and under models Timberline, Talera, Outpost and Outpost Trail were built there.
 
#84 ·
gm1230126 said:
Is the serial number still legible? If so, what is the first digit should be a letter "H", "S", or other? If it's an H, GT had it built at Taiwan-Hodaka and they made mopst of the GT's from the Karakoram up in the line. If it's an S or maybe SF it was probably built by SanFa. Most of the 400 dollar and under models Timberline, Talera, Outpost and Outpost Trail were built there.
Click to expand...
Well I finally manage to get to the store where I keep the frame and checked the serial number: T 90016923

Not quite sure how to interpret this. Does it mean that the frame was built in taiwan-hodaka in january, 1990?
 
#85 ·
Bob Sacamano said:
Well I finally manage to get to the store where I keep the frame and checked the serial number: T 90016923

Not quite sure how to interpret this. Does it mean that the frame was built in taiwan-hodaka in january, 1990?
Click to expand...
Wow that's an oldie. That one was built by Taioku, hence the "T" at the beginning.
 
#86 ·
I don't see nearly enough GT's at our shop but when I do I am always impressed at how well they're made and how well they hold up after years and years of use.

They're on the list of things I'd like to find when I go on bike hunting safaris.
 
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#88 ·
my old old LTS and my new old LTS

Here are my 2 pride and joys.

Thsi one i have owned one since new,

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this one i have finished building 2-3 weeks ago.

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looking to build a hardtail in the not to distant future , probably a Zaskar or Xizang.

will see how the finances go!
 
#89 ·
Bob Sacamano said:
any idea of age and possible model? The end-cap of the top tube, where the logo is, is flat if that helps. I'll try to get some pics as well. Cable routing for the rear brake is inside the top-tube.
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Yes Sacamano, a pic would help. If your rear brake cable is internally routed it's definitely a higher end model. Perhaps a Cyclone, a Psyclone or Bravado LE. I think those were the only steel frames GT produced with internally routed rear brake cables. The Xizang Ti frame also had internal routing in 90 and 91. Is it actually internally routed through the top tube or is it the "Groove Tube" top tube design that GT used for a few years with and indented bottom of the top tube?
 
#90 ·
gm1230126 said:
Yes Sacamano, a pic would help. If your rear brake cable is internally routed it's definitely a higher end model. Perhaps a Cyclone, a Psyclone or Bravado LE. I think those were the only steel frames GT produced with internally routed rear brake cables. The Xizang Ti frame also had internal routing in 90 and 91. Is it actually internally routed through the top tube or is it the "Groove Tube" top tube design that GT used for a few years with and indented bottom of the top tube?
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my 1990 karakoram had internal cable routing. beautifull bike. heavy as a brickwall.
 
#91 ·
This is the bike that I walked in for a 10 speed for and walked out with a lifestyle...1990ish Tequesta. Still have the frameset sititng in the spare bike room. I'll ride it again someday.

This was probably 1999.
 

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#92 ·
'91 Zaskar LE

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All XT groupo- came with a mag20. I rigged it up for commute with slicks, rack and a 50t chainring. changed out the seatpost for a dean Ti. aside from that it's all stock.
Still running! My wife loves it.
 
#93 ·
GT_guy said:
I've been watching ebay for years looking for one of those red Karakorams like Go Kart's. Actually, I've been looking prety much since I sold mine in 92. Dumb move...
I'd buy a 16" if I found one.
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If you were interested in a purple haze 16" Karakoram I have one that has very few miles on it.

When I bought it from the used sports store, it still had nubs on the rotten tires and a rock hard gel saddle. I think someone bought it for their wife and it was a garage bike. I still have the stock build for it, I just changed a few parts on it to make it a beginner trials bike. I think I've ridden it less than 10 times in the 3 or 4 years I've had it.
 
#97 ·
CraigH said:
If you were interested in a purple haze 16" Karakoram I have one that has very few miles on it.
Click to expand...
Wow, it's been over a year since I posted that!

Back in November I scored this 92 Outpost that has a similar paint job to the 91 Karakoram.

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I planned on making it a singlespeed since it has semi-horizontal dropouts.

Then a couple weeks later a 91 Karakoram came up, so I had to grab it. I bought a 2003 Giant locally to steal parts off of and recently finished my resto-mod.
Maybe the only 9-speed '91 Karakoram around. It'll be my Rail-Trail bike this summer.

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#100 ·
singleminded1 said:
Here's a pic of me in an exhibition mtb race in 1985 in Atlanta. I'm on my first real mtb bike, a GT. I dont remember what the model was (maybe a Timberline?)

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Click to expand...
Obviously from a time when one size fit all.

Also looks like maybe a sideshow at something like a supercross race?

Cool vintage pics.

Regards,
Jeff
 
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