Fixing Up A 90's Vintage Mountain Bike - 1990 Muddy Fox Courier Comp

[@deniscurtin9510]

Those Couriers were iconic,400LX was dead posh too compared to my Claud Butler with 200GS.XT was pie in the sky and XTR was simply unattainable.Here I am finishing a 96 Zaskar with full XTR.Funny how it never leaves some of us,to build that dream bike we only saw as a poster on our bedroom walls.

[@MonkeyShred]

Apart from the shifters, it’s a pretty solid group! Good luck with the XTR build!

[@ramskrall]

The part when you tried to take the stem out was hilarious 😂 great video 👍👍👍

[@MonkeyShred]

That had to stay in 😂 I was laughing at myself.

[@ramskrall]

I’ve been making up and restoring bikes for 30+ years and I must say your videos are amazing and I love watching them, thank you 😊

[@MC57315]

The brown accents work way better than all the black it had before. It's tough to make a paint that bright look good! Good job!

[@MonkeyShred]

I am impressed how green it’s stayed over the years. Must have been stored nicely indoors!

[@robaast]

Had to laugh at forgetting to release the front brake cable - I just did the same thing trying to remove the stem from an old stumpjumper.

[@MonkeyShred]

WHY. ISNT. THIS. DAMN. STEM. COMING. OH…. the brake cable 😂

[@vihuelamig]

Lovely restoration job, as ever. Those Shwalbe Billy Bonkers tyres have to be the best named tyres on planet earth!

[@Anybloke]

Lovely. Nice to see Torvi back too.

[@MonkeyShred]

If only she strutted a bit slower 😅

[@franciscoflores-nunez6767]

Love these old Muddyfoxs, have a couple in my collection

[@MonkeyShred]

What do you have?

[@01FozzyS]

Back in business! Nice Muddy Fox. I had an '87 Courier with the rollercam brakes here in the States.Loved the pearlish yellow paintjob it had.

[@MonkeyShred]

Not still got it then? You’ll have to find another!

[@01FozzyS]

@@MonkeyShred Sadly had to sell it when I was thinning down my herd. Took advantage of the COVID bike boom. lol Hard to find Muddy Fox here in the States. They didn't sell much back in the day.

[@robbcoolmeadowbrookinnmain6455]

@@01FozzyS I just purchased a Muddy Fox Mega 550 tange steel here in North Carolina...was in the local marketplace. English guy brought here it when he came over in the 90s and he is moving back , he was in late 50s or early 60s, and did not want to take it with him. I had no idea what it was but it ha a nice 7 spd lx groupset , araya wheels and rode real nice. Its black with yellow real scuffed up.....I think Im gonna sand it it clean with new decals and go white with blue splatter for paint.

[@01FozzyS]

@@robbcoolmeadowbrookinnmain6455 Wow what a cool find for you!! Definitely sounds like a good plan!

[@ashpunting]

I watched that video in detail and I think I've learned a thing or two so thank you for that, my friend 👌🙏💯

[@MonkeyShred]

You’re welcome!

[@alessiosgroi4735]

Questo verde neon è fantastico. ottimo lavoro👍.questa muddy Fox è rinata.😊✌

[@MonkeyShred]

Grazie!

[@justindoherty359]

amazing video, the shifter teardown as THOROUGH!!!!

[@procleanaccessltd9806]

Great video ❤ Im in the process of rebuilding a Saracen Tufftrax 88 could you please put me in the right direction where to get grey bracke/gear cables and also brake blocks exage same as the what's on your courier. Cheers Kris

[@MonkeyShred]

Hi Kris - Look for Jagwire outer cable if you want grey outers. The brake blocks were just standard Clarks blocks.

[@DjNikGnashers]

Ah man this brings back memories, my mate speedy had a muddy Fox courier. His was white though, I'm not sure how many colours they came in. I always liked it. I had a 1990 Kona fire mountain.

[@MonkeyShred]

Still can’t believe how much the green pops still after all these years.

[@RichsRidesandRestorations]

Great job! That green really pops after that cleanup. 👍🏻 As an alternative to 3D printing new shifter parts, you could try hand-sculpting them from polymorph like ToastyRides would 😉

[@MonkeyShred]

It didn’t take me long to model a 3D print 😅 they work great. I’ve got to put that in another vid though.

[@classic_driver]

Really enjoyed this - great job and it looked truly fantastic at the end. Well done 👍

[@ricardozanella]

Eita! Essa bicicleta é linda demais, excelente o teu trabalho. Parabéns 👏👏

[@MonkeyShred]

Obrigado!

[@indiopeltier9758]

Wow,nice build

[@MonkeyShred]

Cheers!

[@stevecrump1375]

Another great video. ..Thanks for sharing. ..👍

[@MonkeyShred]

Thanks for watching!

[@dumpkingbikes405]

Love reviving old bike paint with cut. A trick I use on the rust spots is tiny wire brush on a Dremel to remove the bulk of the rust. Then I treat the steal with gun / cold bluing. Dab on some clearcoat for final protection. Keeps the patina without the orange fuzz.

[@MonkeyShred]

Nice tip! I keep meaning to buy the Ryobi version of the Dremel so I can use it in the garage for jobs like that.

[@dumpkingbikes405]

@@MonkeyShred I’m a Ryobi man and had Ryobi rotary tool, but the brush assembly came apart and sent sparks everywhere. Dremel been faultless.

[@iainlindsay6231]

Hi great video, I just picked one of these up for£20 . It had sat in a garage for 20 yrs so lots of cleaning. Couple of questions , what size billy bonkers did you put on it ? My bike came with rapid fire shifters , do you know if the comp came with thumbshifters as standard ? Thanks. Iain.

[@MonkeyShred]

Good score! I think they were 2.1”. The rapid fire shifters were standard but I stuck the thumbies on as a bit of an upgrade.

[@dnchgcyclist]

I also have a retro mtb on this 400lx groupset, from the nuances, the rear derailleur is bent, but even so, it works quite well, it’s an old Gitane mountain bike, and I only ride it

[@gerryedwards9738]

Lovely work!!👏👏👏

[@MonkeyShred]

Thanks Gerry!

[@teufel333]

Sweet video! Mate where'd you find 40-559 (26"x1.5) billy bonkers or are they a different size ? I have the exact same bike but don't like the feel of the Panaracer tyres. But I can't find any fitting tyres here in germany.

[@tsktsktimtim]

Beautiful restoration!! I found and bought a same frame here in my country 🇵🇭, i'm using the same wheel thickness of 2.1, do 26x2.3 tires fit? 🙇✨

[@samblenkharn8099]

That's an absolute banger 👌🏻

[@murphyco88]

Love the color and it’s good when you can laugh at your self ala handle bars good to see ya😎

[@MonkeyShred]

Oh geez 😂 I couldn’t believe it when I realised.

[@palavoyz]

Those brakes are cantilevers and was wondering if converting them to v-brakes is ok WITHOUT inserting the wires inside the bike tubes? thanks wonderful video.

[@tecdesigns8183]

I remember in the early 90s looking for my first mtb and went to a bike shop in Harborne in brum and seeing the new range of muddy fox bikes with the wild colours I had a catalogue and lusted after them but couldn't afford one so got a Townsend instead lol

[@MonkeyShred]

Nows the time to get one then 😉

[@tecdesigns8183]

@@MonkeyShred I think I'd get killed for getting one with all my projects lol 2 gt bmx, gt karakoram, gt palomar, and dawes galaxy lol

[@procleanaccessltd9806]

Ah nice one pal much appreciated 😊

[@MonkeyShred]

No problem 👍

[@JM356]

Thanks for sharing. How have you liked the BillyBonkers? Ive been looking for a light, fast rolling 26" tire and this one keeps popping up.

[@stephenstevens6573]

Great job, man!!

[@MonkeyShred]

Cheers Stephen!

[@duringthemeanwhilst]

a good old Sunday build video - just what the doctor ordered!! that fixed cup though!! would it be worth your while getting a re-facing tool given the number of builds you do?

[@MonkeyShred]

I’m not sure I need one just yet. The tap was definitely worth the investment but I’m not sure how often I’d need to face a BB 😅 Maybe though!

[@dianemulholland]

Loved this video! Thanks so much for making it. I had the same brakes to fix on a friend's bike recently, and I couldn't get the cables to hold, ended up bending them back under the edge of the bolt (so, down through the hole, up next to the bolt), but it looks a bit untidy. Any tips?

[@peppermintpig974]

I suspect they botched the threading on the cup at the factory. You probably revealed the defect by pulling already galled metal out of the bb. I don't know many other mechanics who wear gloves. They save me loads of time having to stop what I'm doing and deal with other business or have a quick meal. That said, Lava soap or Dr Bronners liquid soap are nice to have on hand. Great to see you using plastic polish on the frames. It really does wonders for presentation. Here in the US there's a company called Novus that makes a medium and fine grade plastic polish. Typically the fine grade is all that's needed for frames. The stronger stuff can be used for deeper scratches on things like turntable covers. That was hilarious watching you try to remove the stem with the brake installed. Hey Mark, I have a favor to ask if you have the time. Feel free to message me directly.

[@MonkeyShred]

You reckon? I just figured it was a VERY worn cup that decided to split. I’ve only just started wearing gloves recently tbh after I got a bit of eczema. Does save dirty nails though. What’s this favour you speak of?

[@peppermintpig974]

@@MonkeyShred KZbin is terribly censorship heavy when it comes to posting comments, so I can't really reply here.

[@peppermintpig974]

@@MonkeyShred Are you familiar with SpaCycles? There was something I wanted to get for my touring bike build but they don't ship stateside.

[@mauriceortiz1557]

Lovely, high-quality bike ^_^

[@jeffatola4792]

Great video.

[@MonkeyShred]

Cheers Jeff

[@nickdavis9280]

Yet another great video! Interesting bottom bracket shell. Do you think somebody has had the bike apart and failed to tighten the cup properly? Nice bike!

[@MonkeyShred]

I’m not sure. I’m half inclined to think the cup had got so worn that the bearing race disintegrated and then because the cup was so thin it tore somehow. Genuinely no idea though. It’s a first for me.

[@matthewmarion8893]

Awesome!

[@MonkeyShred]

Thanks!

[@angusross7922]

Lovely. It is 135mm or 130mm rear dropout? and a 73mm BB?

[@MonkeyShred]

Pretty sure it’s a 68mm BB and a 135mm rear end but I don’t have the bike still to check.

[@angusross7922]

@@MonkeyShred Ok thanks. After reading some stuff on LFGSS, I think its 68mm BB, 130mm rear and a JIS headset...

[@choppercam01]

Another great video. The only reason, I can think of, for that cup would be that badly de-threaded is if someone had tightened it up incorrectly ie at an angle and then knocked it back in place.

[@peppermintpig974]

A framebuilder might be able to deposit/braze new metal, then you could face and rethread it. Probably not worth it for this bike but the option exists.

[@MonkeyShred]

It shall remain a mystery of the ages! I was thinking it had just got so worn it split when I tried to remove it or something like that.

[@Tarmaccyclocross]

The colour is bang up to date it’s a very popular colour on gravel bikes what goes around comes around great video 👍

[@MonkeyShred]

Is it? We're back on fluro colours now? Sweet!

[@stacybuchkowsky6376]

Nice bike

[@DavidPulsipher]

great video!

[@arneltao1883]

Very nice video 👍👍👍👍

[@MonkeyShred]

Thank you very much!

[@peterhicks9681]

Great video, what length bottom bracket did you use, I am rebuilding a MF pathfinder.

[@MonkeyShred]

No idea tbh Peter. This was too long ago for me to remember if it’s not detailed in the description. Usual lengths of that period are around 122mm though.

[@michael61985]

I've been in thats same spot trying to get the handlebars off and release the brake cable is holding me up i wonder why they dont use that idea anymore

[@vinceventura2393]

Good Job! Maybe next time searching for a DX/XT bike.. Gives You a more solid base

[@MonkeyShred]

Maybe next time try searching my many other bikes for all the XTR and XT 😂

[@vinceventura2393]

@@MonkeyShred ok 👍🏼 I will

[@Primifluous]

Highly recommend using cutting fluid in the future.

[@MonkeyShred]

For which part? It’s been a while since I did this bike.

[@illustrioustexts5060]

just in time for easter

[@MonkeyShred]

This was published in August last year but hey, hope you had a good Easter watch.

[@possibly8180]

I ride a 1991 muddy fox (the steel models for that year literally all look the same so I don't know what it is atm). It's beat to crap and is rusty as hell but I'll be damned if it never gives up lmao

[@MonkeyShred]

Glad to hear it’s holding on for dear life 😅

[@kossmanneault683]

How do you fancy the charge saddles?

[@ToddNZMTB]

I've got 2 here, they seem to be just fine, definitely cheap too at about $30nzd from memory

[@MonkeyShred]

Love them. I have them on most of my bikes!

[@kentjoosten8149]

What was the magic goo you used to clean up the frame?

[@toby9055]

T-Cut or similar car paint colour restorer/compound

[@MonkeyShred]

Yeah I used T Cut with some fine wire wool and then Autoglym deep shine to finish it all off

[@dianemulholland]

Is that what you used on the rims etc as well? Or something else?

[@danimulyana5564]

In 1990 i have this bike,. ...1 am Indonesian,..but in 2018 that bike sold brother to Kalimantan from west java

[@MonkeyShred]

Hope you enjoyed it!

[@cosmicwav]

24:51 how much torque do you apply?

[@MonkeyShred]

For crank bolts? Usually around 40 Nm

[@cosmicwav]

@@MonkeyShred Thanks!

[@michael61985]

Probably factory cross threaded they can be something else

[@bigwheelsturning]

It might help if you cut/removed the front brake cable.

[@MonkeyShred]

Stranger things have happened.

[@garysprojects]

why is your favourite food raisins 🤔

[@MonkeyShred]

HOW VERY DARE YOU

[@garysprojects]

@@MonkeyShred 😂😂😂

[@deaf1030]

this quill stem looks so agressive - gigerian =) 90's mtb designers were free minded about paint schemes

[@MonkeyShred]

Low and long 😎

[@babich78]

Гарна робота

[@MonkeyShred]

Спасибі

[@jp93309]

I’d buy it if you were local to me in California.

[@MonkeyShred]

It’s sold now! Had to put all the black gear back on but the new owner seems happy with it 😌

[@HikingFeral]

I wanted a Muddyfox so bad as a kid - now they are utter dohsh1t. Much better off getting an Apollo from Halfords and that's saying something.

[@MonkeyShred]

Just got to find a nice old one then! :)

[@mekstro6290]

Isn't that bike very green, or is it just me?

[@MonkeyShred]

It’s SO GREEN.

[@matthewward5892]

Looks sweat

[@MonkeyShred]

Cheers!

[@piratepete1475]

you stil got the bike for sale

[@43cleaner]

remember my muddy fox gold special edition got stollen but such brilliant bike.

[@MonkeyShred]

Oh damn. I hear a lot of bikes getting stolen. I’d be devastated