12) 1988 Rocky Mountain Hammer

SPECS

Status:  Sold
Made in Canada
​Size: ​​17"/43cm
Frame & Fork: Tange MTB Double Butted
Groupset & Brakeset:  Shimano Deore
Wheelset:  Ukai rims with Shimano Deore hubs and Continental Race King​ 2.0 tires

BEFORE

The Rocky Mountain Hammer was a hot bike back in the 80s with it's lugged Tange double butted frame and beautiful fade paint.  This one was in pretty decent shape and the Shimano Deore groupset would polish up nicely. 

1988 Brochure

AFTER

This was so much fun!  The paint had a lot of nicks but I just couldn't imagine painting it.  I loved the red to yellow fade and decided a deep restoration would be better.  I think the paint turned out pretty good. I carried the frame into the cosmetic department at the local Pharmasave and looked through all their nail polish trying to find the best match.  It wasn't perfect but I think it looks better than the nicks and scratches.  The Deore parts polished up so nicely!  The original pedals were missing so I found a used pair from the era and polished the aluminum, repainted the cage and repacked the bearings.  I think they turned out well.  The Wilderness Bikes saddle was in good shape but I thought it needed one that looked more vintage.  The seatpost had been cut but luckily I found one that fit.  It was deeply scratched but LOTS of sanding and polishing fixed it up.  I replaced the cables and usually replace the housing but instead I polished up the original red housing, cleaned them out and reused them.  I think black housing would have looked good but the red ones were original and really matched the paint well. The Ritchey grips and Continental Race Kings finished it up quite well.  I'm super happy with the way this Rocky Mountain turned out!