My Brand New 27 Year Old Bike

[kbone]

I've been searching for an interesting project bike to use for errands, and I figured while I am at it, might as well get something that would be a bit more capable. I looked at vintage mountain bikes, vintage touring bikes, Soma, Surly, etc., but never found anything that piqued my interest enough to purchase.

The other day I did my weekly scroll through the local Craigslist and stumbled across an interesting find. A brand new, still in the box 1993 Bridgestone XO-4. I reached out to the seller and asked a few questions, agreed upon a price, and finalized the purchase.

While picking up the bike, I learned that the seller's father made tires for Bridgestone. When the bicycle division closed, the company offered bicycles to employees at cost. His father purchased the XO-4 and stored it for the next 27 years. His father recently passed away and he decided to part with the bike. I told him that I was excited about the story behind it and he asked if I knew about Grant Peterson and Rivendell bikes. I told him i did and he told me about how he'd paid his money to be a member and receive the Reader for many years. His big question to me was, "are you going to build it and ride it?" My answer was and emphatic, "yes." I sort of wonder if it was a mistake to unbox and build it, but a bike is a tool and should be used for its intended purpose.

I documented the unboxing and build. I thought I would share. I will split it into multiple posts.

[kbone]

Here is the unboxing...

[kbone]

Other stuff in the box...

[kbone]

Some pics from the build... The only issues I found were some discoloration on one of the tires and rims, a slightly messed up decal, and a slightly scratched up stem....

[kbone]

Build complete...

[oldpotatoe]

Very, VERY cool but after 27 years, I’d overhaul the BB, HS and hubs...lotsa new grease. Think I would true/round/tension and Stress Relieve the wheels. Maybe powder the tubes.

Then ride it!

[colker]

Handlebar is wonderfull. I would raise the stem and angle the bars down forward. Awesome design.

[kbone]

Originally Posted by oldpotatoe

Very, VERY cool but after 27 years, I’d overhaul the BB, HS and hubs...lotsa new grease. Think I would true/round/tension and Stress Relieve the wheels. Maybe powder the tubes.

Then ride it!

I forgot to mention that... did the bottom bracket already. Need to get a headset wrench (on the way) and will do that next. I'm not good with wheels, so I will probably take them into the LBS and have them knock that out.

One cool thing was, there was fresh blue grease in the seat tube and steerer tube.

[Frankwurst]

Your warranty is not valid. But that has to be one of the greatest finds in the world of cycling I've seen in a long time. I would take Old Spuds advice and repack the bearings. Good on you for such a sweet deal.

[Gummee]

Time capsule!

Ride and enjoy

M

[2metalhips]

Very cool!

[merckx]

On many levels, that is super cool!

[zmalwo]

I would not ride it. I'm sure if you contact its headquarter they will offer to buy it for a good amount Funny thing the box says Merida on it.

[Ken Robb]

It looks like the bars would also work reversed for a more upright rider position.

[robt57]

Very cool...