Bang tidy that. When we were teenagers bashing around on entry-level hardtails specced with RST forks, Rockshox Jetts, V brakes, low to mid level groupsets, etc, I had one mate who must have had rich/generous parents. He had a shit-hot Trek XC bike with hydraulic discs and red rockshox SIDs. Heady stuff for 16 yr olds in 2001! SIDs have always had that top-level appeal.
Thank you. Yeah, I know what you mean. My first proper mountain bike was a raleigh m-trax, which was spec’d with stx-rc. Had manitou x-vert forks and other mid range gear. I loved it and built it at the time when I had money to spend on it. But I always remember a guy with an GT STS, which everyone lusted over. Not SID related, but someone with a bike that was unattainable by most at the time. Now I have 2 STS 🤣
@@retfurb dude living the dream! 😅 I started on my brother's lead-heavy Raleigh activator 18 before progressing to the giddy heights of a GT Arrowhead 😅. Loved that bike.
@@samblenkharn8099 ha, yeah. It’s funny how we try to get all the things from our youth. Legendary activator, I remember seeing the in the catalogues like Argos. Always thought they looked amazing and wanted one. Obviously we knew little back then. I almost bought one recently, to do a video on. If I get one cheap enough, I will do it…..
@@retfurb yeah I've seen one or two on FB marketplace for about £30. I didn't know the 1st thing about cycle maintenance back then so if I had, I could have made it ride a lot better. As it was, I just remember how fearsomely heavy it was to lift over stiles, and that the so-called 'Synchro shock' never moved so much as 1mm! 😅🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️
Another great video! Would you ever think of doing a retro fork homage to the newer model? For example, restoring an older SID but painting it up in the modern colours and adding modern decals?
Thank you, It really does mean a lot. Funnily enough, I was thinking of doing it the other way around. Buying a modern bike and building it to look retro. Maybe the other way around is something to think about....... 🙂
The damper unit has a spring in it, and I think that is for more force pulling the top back down. That spring could be the case that is it difficult to pull the damper out. You could tap it from the top down with an extention socket and a rubber plug. Have you managed to open the damper side?
@@helmutsniper I didn’t do it on these, but I’ve got another set that I have fully stripped. These were tight and I didn’t want to risk damaging them. I’ve seen people snap the aluminium parts on these.
@retfurb fantastic, ill be in touch when I start my SID restoration project. When you paint, do you do it outside or some form of booth, I restored my DHOs in black in the garage and paint dust went everywhere.
@@peteroliphant2552 No problem at all. My email is contact@retfurb.co.uk . Yeah, I paint outside in good weather. I always clean everything a couple times before painting and don’t usually get too much dirt / dust. The occasional fly that I have to pick out mid way, lol. But generally pretty good. I am planning to do a paint video, showing the complete process. I will aim to do them on another set of Judy XL, that I have to do.
Bang tidy that.
When we were teenagers bashing around on entry-level hardtails specced with RST forks, Rockshox Jetts, V brakes, low to mid level groupsets, etc, I had one mate who must have had rich/generous parents. He had a shit-hot Trek XC bike with hydraulic discs and red rockshox SIDs. Heady stuff for 16 yr olds in 2001! SIDs have always had that top-level appeal.
Thank you.
Yeah, I know what you mean.
My first proper mountain bike was a raleigh m-trax, which was spec’d with stx-rc. Had manitou x-vert forks and other mid range gear.
I loved it and built it at the time when I had money to spend on it.
But I always remember a guy with an GT STS, which everyone lusted over.
Not SID related, but someone with a bike that was unattainable by most at the time.
Now I have 2 STS 🤣
@@retfurb dude living the dream! 😅 I started on my brother's lead-heavy Raleigh activator 18 before progressing to the giddy heights of a GT Arrowhead 😅. Loved that bike.
@@samblenkharn8099 ha, yeah. It’s funny how we try to get all the things from our youth.
Legendary activator, I remember seeing the in the catalogues like Argos.
Always thought they looked amazing and wanted one. Obviously we knew little back then.
I almost bought one recently, to do a video on.
If I get one cheap enough, I will do it…..
@@retfurb yeah I've seen one or two on FB marketplace for about £30. I didn't know the 1st thing about cycle maintenance back then so if I had, I could have made it ride a lot better. As it was, I just remember how fearsomely heavy it was to lift over stiles, and that the so-called 'Synchro shock' never moved so much as 1mm! 😅🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️
@@samblenkharn8099 🤣🤣
Definitely all marketing on that bike.
Awesome restoration
Thank you, it’s really appreciated.
Looks great! Some of the best forks out there.
Thank you for the kind comment. They did come out well. They are a great fork.
Another great video!
Would you ever think of doing a retro fork homage to the newer model? For example, restoring an older SID but painting it up in the modern colours and adding modern decals?
Thank you, It really does mean a lot.
Funnily enough, I was thinking of doing it the other way around. Buying a modern bike and building it to look retro.
Maybe the other way around is something to think about....... 🙂
The damper unit has a spring in it, and I think that is for more force pulling the top back down. That spring could be the case that is it difficult to pull the damper out. You could tap it from the top down with an extention socket and a rubber plug. Have you managed to open the damper side?
@@helmutsniper I didn’t do it on these, but I’ve got another set that I have fully stripped.
These were tight and I didn’t want to risk damaging them.
I’ve seen people snap the aluminium parts on these.
@@retfurb could you refill the damper? I read it can't be serviced
@@helmutsniper I am not sure you can to be honest, I think that part is sealed. Once I put these others back together, I will confirm.
I have a set here right in front of me, and will have a look too
Great job, are you planning on selling decals?
Thank you. It is really appreciated.
Yes, I can supply decals. I am gradually compiling a database, of all the ones I have done already.
@retfurb fantastic, ill be in touch when I start my SID restoration project.
When you paint, do you do it outside or some form of booth, I restored my DHOs in black in the garage and paint dust went everywhere.
@@peteroliphant2552 No problem at all. My email is contact@retfurb.co.uk .
Yeah, I paint outside in good weather.
I always clean everything a couple times before painting and don’t usually get too much dirt / dust.
The occasional fly that I have to pick out mid way, lol. But generally pretty good.
I am planning to do a paint video, showing the complete process.
I will aim to do them on another set of Judy XL, that I have to do.
@@retfurb superb, I look forward to that. Many thanks.