Had the same problem with my Kona Kikapu. Driveside chainstay cracked, had it welded by a professional, cracked again just 2 cm next to the weld about 3 months later. Parting it out next week, real shame as it was a lot of fun to ride and I love the look, too
Thanks! Had a few offers of a 98 arm come in but they're a little different bearing wise. Maybe... maybe a weld job because they seem to be pretty rare - like hens teeth - probably because they all crack!
I've 3 of that era, all swing arms are good - they've all had some heavy use over the years. Bought a 2000 model and lo and behold... Still ride it, although not much, still okay. 🤞
Picked up one a few years ago. Little pogish on up hill, but an absolute blastnon flat and descents. Small jumps as well. I like all the colors and decals...gives it that Nascar look
I'm sure all full sus of that time were a little bouncy on the climbs. Fortunately I had a lockout on the rear shock on the S Works I had but others I've ridden with a coil have always been springy.
That was my dream bike back in the day but couldn't afford it. Ended up with a Stumpy Comp and that bike is still going strong as a commuter now, basically the exact same setup as this FSR down to the cranks/shifters, etc. Too bad about the crack 😔
@@MonkeyShred Yeah, serial number puts it at 99, came with a Manitou Mars fork, XT derailleurs, LX shifter, stong arm crank, etc. I think the only original parts on it are the headset with new bearings and seatpost/clamp. The Specialized body geometry saddle is in a parts bin somewhere as it's horrible and I switched to a Flight Ti from the start. Frame hasn't cracked LOL.
I have a spare swingarm from a 98 small fsr which i could let you have for a modest fee and postage... i will be able to check if it fits ur medium frame first by comparing it to a medium framed fsr i also have (i have one small fsr complete.. one small frame as spares and one medium framed complete) the 99s were identical frames to the 98s they just had different stickers.... so if they kept the same chainstay length for both the medium and small frames you could be in luck..... but it would be a shame to see such a rare version of my fav old bike get sidelined.... let me know if u r interested
@@MonkeyShred cool let me know (im talking like 10-15 quid plus whatever it needs to be posted) id put a ad on retrobike uk website and you could message me thru that if needs be and could see my profile etc... i was building them bikes out of the boxes brandnew in 98/99 ended up buying my managers mango 98 one off him, runs really well with a 125mm fork btw when u come to rebuild .... happy trails
@@MonkeyShred sweet....Tell the truth its been a while.... so prob have to reset my password and brush the dust off my acct... il inspect the swingarm tomorrow and get some pics for ya bud .....
Just a head's up to everybody that the chainstays (and seatstays for that matter) were all the same on all sizes - it was just the front triangle that had different sizes. I had a 1998 & just picked up a 1999, and the chainstays were changed in 1999. The 1998 models had bushings at the main pivot, and had a straight non-drive side chainstay & a driveside chainstay (asymmetrical) that dipped down the clear the front derailleur. It did not have the hole through the cross-member, which is where the cracks usually showed up on the 1999's. In 1999, they went to the cartridge bearing main pivot (much smoother & simpler setup), but both sides of the chainstay dipped down (symmetrical), and had the hollowed out crossmember.
Yeah - I'm looking at options right now. I might have found a (pretty much) free arm to replace it with but others have said to try welding. It's not even a big crack tbh!
Oh bummer, she’s in rough shape. Hope someone has a decent swinger available. Spec made innovative bikes in those days, bet it would be a fantasticride.
I've had a few offers of 98's - But they are ever so slightly different. Bearing wise. I'm trying to pick one up this weekend to see if it works. If not - it seems to be a 99 specific thing, maybe 2000 too.
Had the same problem with my Kona Kikapu. Driveside chainstay cracked, had it welded by a professional, cracked again just 2 cm next to the weld about 3 months later.
Parting it out next week, real shame as it was a lot of fun to ride and I love the look, too
Too bad about that swingarm. What a gem though. Do keep us up to date on this project,Mark!
Thanks! Had a few offers of a 98 arm come in but they're a little different bearing wise. Maybe... maybe a weld job because they seem to be pretty rare - like hens teeth - probably because they all crack!
I've 3 of that era, all swing arms are good - they've all had some heavy use over the years. Bought a 2000 model and lo and behold... Still ride it, although not much, still okay. 🤞
Picked up one a few years ago. Little pogish on up hill, but an absolute blastnon flat and descents. Small jumps as well. I like all the colors and decals...gives it that Nascar look
I'm sure all full sus of that time were a little bouncy on the climbs. Fortunately I had a lockout on the rear shock on the S Works I had but others I've ridden with a coil have always been springy.
Exactly. Honestly dont notice it 5 minutes into the ride.
That was my dream bike back in the day but couldn't afford it. Ended up with a Stumpy Comp and that bike is still going strong as a commuter now, basically the exact same setup as this FSR down to the cranks/shifters, etc. Too bad about the crack 😔
You've had it since new? Awesome!
@@MonkeyShred Yeah, serial number puts it at 99, came with a Manitou Mars fork, XT derailleurs, LX shifter, stong arm crank, etc. I think the only original parts on it are the headset with new bearings and seatpost/clamp. The Specialized body geometry saddle is in a parts bin somewhere as it's horrible and I switched to a Flight Ti from the start. Frame hasn't cracked LOL.
hope you can find a replacement / can repair the swing-arm and get it back on the road / trails 🙂
Me too!
I have a spare swingarm from a 98 small fsr which i could let you have for a modest fee and postage... i will be able to check if it fits ur medium frame first by comparing it to a medium framed fsr i also have (i have one small fsr complete.. one small frame as spares and one medium framed complete) the 99s were identical frames to the 98s they just had different stickers.... so if they kept the same chainstay length for both the medium and small frames you could be in luck..... but it would be a shame to see such a rare version of my fav old bike get sidelined.... let me know if u r interested
Could definitely be interested! I'm talking with someone else who has a spare at the moment but if that doesn't work... yeah!
@@MonkeyShred cool let me know (im talking like 10-15 quid plus whatever it needs to be posted) id put a ad on retrobike uk website and you could message me thru that if needs be and could see my profile etc... i was building them bikes out of the boxes brandnew in 98/99 ended up buying my managers mango 98 one off him, runs really well with a 125mm fork btw when u come to rebuild .... happy trails
@ yeah I’m on RB bud! Put a thread up in the post 98 section yesterday about the swing arm so just message me from there. MSYT is my username
@@MonkeyShred sweet....Tell the truth its been a while.... so prob have to reset my password and brush the dust off my acct... il inspect the swingarm tomorrow and get some pics for ya bud .....
Just a head's up to everybody that the chainstays (and seatstays for that matter) were all the same on all sizes - it was just the front triangle that had different sizes. I had a 1998 & just picked up a 1999, and the chainstays were changed in 1999. The 1998 models had bushings at the main pivot, and had a straight non-drive side chainstay & a driveside chainstay (asymmetrical) that dipped down the clear the front derailleur. It did not have the hole through the cross-member, which is where the cracks usually showed up on the 1999's. In 1999, they went to the cartridge bearing main pivot (much smoother & simpler setup), but both sides of the chainstay dipped down (symmetrical), and had the hollowed out crossmember.
Nice find... Too bad it has a cracked swing arm...😢 Maybe it can be tig-welded?
Yeah - I'm looking at options right now. I might have found a (pretty much) free arm to replace it with but others have said to try welding. It's not even a big crack tbh!
Oh bummer, she’s in rough shape. Hope someone has a decent swinger available. Spec made innovative bikes in those days, bet it would be a fantasticride.
I hope so! A direct replacement arm isn't looking likely at the moment though
A beautiful moment nonetheless. Life slows down in your vidéos and I love it. Thanks
Glad you like them!
I see same bike in Ukraine for $150. Is it good price?
As long as the swingarm isn't cracked! I only paid 50 for this.
Thats a shame mate...but Im sure one of your subs will have a spare swingarm tucked away in a shed somewhere!
I've had a few offers of 98's - But they are ever so slightly different. Bearing wise. I'm trying to pick one up this weekend to see if it works. If not - it seems to be a 99 specific thing, maybe 2000 too.
@MonkeyShred Will let you know if anything turns up here at Shedquarters!
Someone must be able to weld or fill the crack.
Yeah I think that could be an option. It's not as if the aluminium is super thin there and the crack isn't that bad.
It will be heat treated though and I think reheating (the welding heat) will make the Alu lose its strength around that area?
@@Speedscholars From my own experience, I have to say you're right. I wish everyone else better luck than I had
Das war ein Demo Bike für Specialized Händler die genug Umsatz machten.
Good to know! Vielen Danke!