Rotten Orange build - Gary Fisher Aquila shifter buildup!

I don't think it was hot. The guy had his whole family out there and a lot of other bicycle gear. Don't think it was his, think it might have been his son's or something.

He wanted $95. Not knowing anything about the bike I offerred $75 and he took it.

When I checked it out on the internet I was floored. I have never owed a bike over $400 before this.

ric

Good for you! That's a heck of a score.

But, $200 was a great deal for this bike.. It's a mid/late 90's bike that was in perfect condition other than needing a new tube in the front tire. It also had a lot of upgrades the previous owner did to it. Its all about locality as well. I couldnt find a Gary Fisher MTB less than $300 before I found this one. Its a nicer bike than anything else I've ever owned, so I'm happy with it. I dropped my vintage RS Judy DH 96 fork on this Fisher and its like it was made for the bike..

The drive will run through the front crank sprocket & freewheel that will be installed there. So, the final drive will be through the original bicycle chain back through the derailleur and 9 speed cassette, enabling a bike engine with a shifter setup for different gears.

This shifter setup completely gets rid of the iffy original drive sprocket on the left of the rear wheel.

I think I'll install a left side drive before I do the shift kit just so I can say I did it. Now that I have a number of options I may as well use them. I do think the shift kit will be a real boon to extending travel. I was mapping a ride to Bisbee to see Spooky Tooths operation today. I think Hayden goes south to Benson as a dirt road. Benson is close to Bisbee so I may have a new adventure being cooked up. Anybody in Arizona know that road? Well anyhow the sick Bike Parts shift kit makes that trip pretty do-able.

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Lenny, I'll be up for that once my bike is done and well tested. That'll be a fun ride!!! I think it could be done in a very long day. On a dirt road (depending on condition of course), we could really open up the bikes and cruise faster than on the streets.

update on my build today... I was so worn out from putting the mounts together yesterday that I took the day off. I'll see if I can get the new fuel tank built tommorrow, but I'm going to scan in some sketches of what I have planned and will get those posted up tonight.

Here is my design for a classic behind-the-seat fuel tank, as I really dont like the supplied HT tanks. This tank can be built for around $40 the way i have done it. I have enough materials to build two of them. These can be built in ANY diameter and any length. I'll be welding one of them up tommorrow evening:

i'd really like something like the tank you've drawn. keep us posted on the building of it.

datz, you have all the cool toys, I'm so jealous. I'd love to be able to take on a project like this. I don't even have a welder right now Seriously though, you have a plasma cutter. How cool

This project is turning out pretty nice. I like the mounts you made, though I'm wondering if they even HAVE to be welded, for those out there that might want to make them but don't have access to a welder....

I like the gas tank design, can't wait to see it put together. Keep up the good work.

So the engine replaces the cranks? Do you plan to just put pegs on it?

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I believe he is using the shifter kit from Welcome to Sick Bike Parts

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