Author Topic: Holmes rebuild (Read 3581 times)

r1chardh · « **on:** February 03, 2016, 10:51 AM »

I registered here to sell my mid-90s chrome Holmes / Ditch fork, but seeing so many great bikes has made me want to build it back up and ride it! I'm after some advice, if you please - looking for a decent 3 piece crank and BB set, but not sure what is age-appropriate? I always liked the look of the profile cranks and chainring, but not sure if there are others that would suit it better. Also any tips on crank length? I'm just over 6 feet tall.

For dating the frame, it has the capital letters HOLMES decal and is stamped HXL5536 - I think I bought from Backyard in about '96.

Thanks in advance for any tips. I'll be giving it a good clean in the meantime (and paying up to support the site).

Cheers.

skidmark · « **Reply #1 on:** February 03, 2016, 01:58 PM »

Hey welcome to the slippery slope!

I'd say a set of 175 or 180mm profiles would be the most straight forward route. You'll get a rough late set for about £40 or nice early ones for £100+
Prince Alberts I guess are more suited being S&M, but aren't easy to find and will cost £200 plus.
Others might be Redline half wraps, GT or Powerlite stamped Profiles, that's the most obvious ones.

r1chardh · « **Reply #2 on:** February 03, 2016, 06:58 PM »

Thanks!

rodriguez · « **Reply #3 on:** February 05, 2016, 01:32 AM »

Take some pics as you go

monteryroom · « **Reply #4 on:** February 05, 2016, 02:34 AM »

Odyssey Black Widows. (Not Black Widow Euro).

newlovetattoos · « **Reply #5 on:** February 09, 2016, 07:46 AM »

Nah you dont want t build it up really, you want to sell it to me..

...and

by the way bud

nosepickben · « **Reply #6 on:** February 09, 2016, 07:51 PM »

Excellent idea to get it back up and running. Profiles are easily available, loads of people use them. Prince Albert's are thin on the ground and pricey, as are "proper" redline flites. Get what you can afford as long as they're not shitty one-piece.
Are the forks the threaded type?

r1chardh · « **Reply #7 on:** February 11, 2016, 04:40 PM »

The forks are threaded, yes. I'll keep an eye out for some profiles. Always loved their chainrings too. So I've stripped it down. The dk stem polished up really well. The bars not so much, but that's no big deal. The frame is looking good after a bit of a polish in places. There are a few tiny areas where the chrome has pitted (I guess that's the word) slightly, but the main concern to me was the seatclamp which has pinched slightly. I'm attaching a couple of pics - any opinions on if this is ok? Thanks in advance...

Before:
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Clamp:
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newlovetattoos · « **Reply #8 on:** February 11, 2016, 05:36 PM »

Nice! With chrome you can bathe it in citric acid and that will remove the rust reaally effectively. Looks nice man!

r1chardh · « **Reply #9 on:** February 11, 2016, 07:22 PM »

Stripped down and first attempt at a clean and polish (autosol) done... really pleased how it looks. Very few marks that have damaged the chrome at all. Now onto the search for parts! Definitely want new (well, mid) bars, tyres, pedals, chainring and cranks.

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r1chardh · « **Reply #10 on:** February 12, 2016, 05:46 PM »

Quick update: ordered some new profile cranks and bb from Volt (not exactly local, but nearly local) and I'll pick up some new bars while I'm there - thinking Slam Bars but not quite sure. I'll also need some pedals, so will keep an eye on the for sale section. Also grabbed a NOS profile buzz saw chainring from ebay. Should look pretty good!

rodriguez · « **Reply #11 on:** February 12, 2016, 08:34 PM »

Looks great so far

nosepickben · « **Reply #12 on:** February 13, 2016, 07:47 PM »

Excellent stuff. Get them shitty one piece thrown away and consider a top loader stem or your back will be ruined after an hour riding that.

oldscool · « **Reply #13 on:** February 14, 2016, 01:24 AM »

You cant beat an S&M for midschool goodness

I have a Holmes a Dirt Bike and a Heavy as Fook to build.

r1chardh · « **Reply #14 on:** February 14, 2016, 09:03 PM »

Quote from: nosepickben on February 13, 2016, 07:47 PM

Excellent stuff. Get them shitty one piece thrown away and consider a top loader stem or your back will be ruined after an hour riding that.

yep, profile cranks on the way, just have to decide on stem and bars. Any recs? I'm 6'1" so need it to work for a taller bloke! Cheers.

nosepickben · « **Reply #15 on:** February 14, 2016, 09:57 PM »

I'm 6'1" too. I have a Holmes with a 10mm spacer above my headset, a redneck stem and beringer bars. Works for me. No lower than that though.

r1chardh · « **Reply #16 on:** February 14, 2016, 11:23 PM »

Thanks!

CustardLips · « **Reply #17 on:** February 24, 2016, 12:46 PM »

Nice work... looks lovely.

r1chardh · « **Reply #18 on:** February 24, 2016, 04:57 PM »

Thanks very much! It looks even better now... John at Volt BMX fitted the profile cranks properly, so with a bit of luck they won't fall off.

Just needs new tyres and brake blocks. I've been out for a quick spin on it though, and it feels great!!!! So pleased I kept it - thanks for the encouragement.

The wheels are pretty poor, but they'll do for the meantime. The bars are 9" United and I now have a top load stem (thanks deeman) but kept the other one in case.

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nosepickben · « **Reply #19 on:** February 24, 2016, 07:49 PM »

Excellent. A bit more altitude on the seat, particularly the nose, and you've got yer sen a great looking and great riding piece of midschool goodness.