Titanium Fat Chance project started

[Spikes]

It's time to start on my Titanium Fat Chance project. Serial numer is: 274T3ML. I have the original decals, but need some advice on how to apply them. Suggestions welcome!

The frame has light rub marks from cables and bottle cage. Can you remove that from titanium with a Scotchbrite pad or anything?

I need to find a Manitou 3 and some Campagnolo Record OR bits, but most parts have been found. The parts missing are: cantis, chainset, bottom bracket and cassette. I'll keep you guys posted!

 

[I-ROBOT]

Yo Spikes,
Nice TI frame! Glad to see it's still alive. You can use scotch-brite to clean up minor abrasion. 3-2.5 TI is relatively soft on the surface, harder than aluminum but not as hard as steel. It's best properties are corrosion resistance and strength-to-weight ratio. I still think it is the ideal frame material, in spite of the cost.
I also have a '93 medium TI that I rescued from the warranty pile before Somerville closed up in '94. I am planning on reviving it this spring. It has a first-generation XTR group. I would like to replace the brakes and I am thinking about going to the V-brake in place of the standard cantilever. Any thoughts on the performance of those?
I am not sure if I welded your frame completely, but I know that I welded all of the cable guides, bottle bosses, head tube inserts, dropouts, and stay domes since I did all of those.
Dave Blakeney and Sue Kirby also did some main-triangle welding and frame tacking on the frame jig.
I have an article from MBA June 1994 that details our titanium frame building. I scanned it recently and would like to post it on this website but I'm not sure how to do that here. Any suggestions?
Keep me posted on your progress
Scott "I-Robot" Bengtson - Fat City Somerville chief welder 1986 - 1994

 

[Yo Eddy!]

Scott,

For uploading pics you can use http://photobucket.com/ ..., but in this case there isn't much need to do that as this article is already present on web; overhere and on Retrobike

Thanks for the effort you made for the community though ..., but next time 1st check there before start scanning. New stuff is much appreciated.

Spikes,

Considering the other stuff you have I am sure you soon will have another beautifull ride.

 

[Spikes]

Yo Scott: I feel honoured by the compliment from the former chief-welder. It really pleases me to hear. I'll start finding the Scotch-brite (not sure if it's common in the Netherlands). I think I would stick with cantis on a '93 Ti. It just looks better. XTR cantis were pretty good but there are other nice options around. The Campagnolo Record OR cantis were also quite good, but hard to find.

Any thoughts on how to apply the decals to the frame? I tried the "dry" method with my gf's Yo Betty, but damaged one decal doing that. There must be a better and easier way.

 

[Spikes]

Here is a small update from the Fat front. The bike is mostly done, apart from some minor details (cranks, brakes). That will be sorted soon I hope. The frame was brushed with Scotchbrite pads and carefully degreased with all sorts of solvents. Luckily I obtained the original decals and with patience and a small wooden dowel I managed to apply them without any problem. They just look great. I am very curious about it's riding characteristics. All parts are NOS by the way.

 

[fat-tony]

cool.

Looks absolutely great! Wish I had a one.

 

[MikeyNYC]

Hey Spikes,

I just realized something-Did I sell you that frame? I just noticed the serial # and went back to look in my archive of photos and I think that I was the one that sold you that frame, no?

Either way, it looks amazing! Glad to see it's almost ready to ride-Enjoy it!

 

[Spikes]

Nope, I bought it from an Australian guy. But thanks for the compliment!

Hey Spikes,

I just realized something-Did I sell you that frame? I just noticed the serial # and went back to look in my archive of photos and I think that I was the one that sold you that frame, no?

Either way, it looks amazing! Glad to see it's almost ready to ride-Enjoy it!

 

[MikeyNYC]

Nope, I bought it from an Australian guy. But thanks for the compliment!

Wow that Frame's been all over the place! I owned frame #: 274 T 3 ML a few years ago and I think that I sold to someone in Switzerland or Germany but I honestly don't recall the specific details...Here is what it looked like when I sold it:

 

[N10S]

Man, that is one great looking bike Spikes! The Fat Ti is the ultimate ride, and just looking at the dropouts in comparison to my new Ti-lite makes me green with envy!! Pretty cool having Scott the chief welder chime in...thats community and long-term dedication. Well good luck with the project it appears to be tracking well. Btw- were you nervous installing those original decals? Glad they went on well!

 

[Spikes]

Wow that Frame's been all over the place! I owned frame #: 274 T 3 ML a few years ago and I think that I sold to someone in Switzerland or Germany but I honestly don't recall the specific details...Here is what it looked like when I sold it:

Holy crap! That is a coincidence! So it went from the USA to Switserland or Germany and then off to Australia and now to The Netherlands. I never travelled that much! Great for sharing this. I must say it did have some scratches and all, but the trick with the scotch brite makes it look almost like whenyou had it. When did you sell it to this bloke?

 

[MikeyNYC]

Holy crap! That is a coincidence! So it went from the USA to Switserland or Germany and then off to Australia and now to The Netherlands. I never travelled that much! Great for sharing this. I must say it did have some scratches and all, but the trick with the scotch brite makes it look almost like whenyou had it. When did you sell it to this bloke?

Good to see it again and in very good hands no less! It was not very scratched when I had it, but it did have a scratch or 2 on the chaain suck area that was there when I got it...

I think that I sold it to someone in the German Alps almost in the Swiss Alps (am I correct with my geography?) back in 2003 or 2004 for about $1,300 US plus about $250 in shipping because the guy was WAY up in the mountains...I originally bought it from a guy in Colorado for like $900 plus about $40 shipping and although I made some $ on the deal, I should've kept it! At least I still have my other Ti Fat which actually fits me better

Good luck with and DON'T SELL IT

 

[Spikes]

Good to see it again and in very good hands no less! It was not very scratched when I had it, but it did have a scratch or 2 on the chaain suck area that was there when I got it...

I think that I sold it to someone in the German Alps almost in the Swiss Alps (am I correct with my geography?) back in 2003 or 2004 for about $1,300 US plus about $250 in shipping because the guy was WAY up in the mountains...I originally bought it from a guy in Colorado for like $900 plus about $40 shipping and although I made some $ on the deal, I should've kept it! At least I still have my other Ti Fat which actually fits me better

Good luck with and DON'T SELL IT

I'd rather sell a kidney, so don't worry. Nice to hear that bit of history. I wonder if that guy in Colorado was the first owner of the bike. Would be nice to compare pictures of the previous setups throughout history. Cheers

 

[MikeyNYC]

I'd rather sell a kidney, so don't worry. Nice to hear that bit of history. I wonder if that guy in Colorado was the first owner of the bike. Would be nice to compare pictures of the previous setups throughout history. Cheers

I think that the Colorado guy was the original owner, but I'm not certain. I never actually rode that bike, only built it up half-way and then heard of a guy that was looking for one so I sold it...It's actually in quite good condition for such a classic!

Enjoy it!