ORBO Mount Ross

[horsefarmer]

After being absent from this site for a year... I would like to enter this heap in the build off.
I was gifted a 1980's? Ross diamond frame beach cruiser bike from a friend. It was his uncles bike and looks to be complete.
Shes been setting a while for sure. Ross was one of the first mountain bike manufacturers and built many famous top notch models such as the Mt. Whitney, Mt Hood, Mt, Rainier.
This is none of them - it's a coaster brake cruiser with a Taiwan built frame and a few nicer beach bike touches, such as the fork, stem, bars and old school sprocket.
Doesn't seem to have a model name so I'm calling it "Mount Ross". So now She's got a name.

 

[Captain Awesome]

View attachment 288876View attachment 288877
After being absent from this site for a year... I would like to enter this heap in the build off.
I was gifted a 1980's? Ross diamond frame beach cruiser bike from a friend. It was his uncles bike and looks to be complete.
Shes been setting a while for sure. Ross was one of the first mountain bike manufacturers and built many famous top notch models such as the Mt. Whitney, Mt Hood, Mt, Rainier.
This is none of them - it's a coaster brake cruiser with a Taiwan built frame and a few nicer beach bike touches, such as the fork, stem, bars and old school sprocket.
Doesn't seem to have a model name so I'm calling it "Mount Ross". So now She's got a name.

Welcome back!!!!!!

 

[Pondo]

Looks like fun, should be a cool build!

 

[horsefarmer]

Some details before blowing this apart:
Heavy Steel rims - can't see maker from outside but looks like CMG wheels I saw on other Ross bikes.

Fork, fender and wheel. Crusty!

My classic tire - cant see name just this logo.

Shimano CB-E110

Quality goes in before the sticker goes on!

Stem looks Heavy Duty....

Grips and bars intact.

Toasty seat with awesome suspension.

Another shot of the beefy stem

Pedals intact...

Been sitting around for a few years...

I just hope it comes apart easily! Frame size - 19" crank cl to top of seat post.

 

[BartRidesEternal]

Welcome back! Great start with an awesome bike!

In the Netherlands we call a bicycle a "stalen Ros" or literally translated: Steel Horse.
You have a "Stalen Ross"

 

[horsefarmer]

So far coming apart easy. Seat post came right out! 46t chain ring and 18t cog at coaster brake = 66" gear inches.

 

[horsefarmer]

Stripped down to bare frame...

Stem came free easily, Seat post came out too! No rust looks like a light coating of anti-seize was added at factory.

Unusual locking nut setup on fork bearings, good condition but grease is dried out...

Crank and pedals removed, again nothing seized but grease pretty toasty!

 

[idiotboy]

it looks like that's a 7\8" stem with a 1" bar...

 

[horsefarmer]

it looks like that's a 7\8" stem with a 1" bar...

Stem is O.D. .830" = 53/64" and are marked " 21.1 SAME NESS 90' "
Bars are O.D. .875" = 7/8"

From my inter-web searches this looks like a popular BMX part.

 

[metalchewy]

Stem is O.D. .830" = 53/64" and are marked " 21.1 SAME NESS 90' "
Bars are O.D. .875" = 7/8"

View attachment 289073View attachment 289074


From my inter-web searches this looks like a popular BMX part.

Mx550 is a cool vintage BMX stem.

That stem is usually used on a BMX bar that doesn't have the raised knurled center. They really had to torque that in to keep the bars from moving.

 

[OddJob]

Welcome back HF! Good to see you jumping in.
Have fun with that Ross. I remember one of their mtb's in the '80s was all chrome. Cool as all get out. GOOGLE...

Found it! 1984 Mt Hood. Bullmoose bar and all.

 

[horsefarmer]

Welcome back HF! Good to see you jumping in.
Have fun with that Ross. I remember one of their mtb's in the '80s was all chrome. Cool as all get out. GOOGLE...

Found it! 1984 Mt Hood. Bullmoose bar and all.

View attachment 289090

Thanks! A build off is just what ya need when Winter starts to get you down.. Nice bike! Ross made a few great bikes, and lottsa cheapo's. I have blown a few apart a few of those just for some of the components. The Taiwan built frame on my Ross seems lighter than the ole Huffys. I'm hoping it rides awesome.

 

[metalchewy]

Thanks! A build off is just what ya need when Winter starts to get you down.. Nice bike! Ross made a few great bikes, and lottsa cheapo's. I have blown a few apart a few of those just for some of the components. The Taiwan built frame on my Ross seems lighter than the ole Huffys. I'm hoping it rides awesome.

Lots of good components to start with.

Knowing your skills, I bet it will ride great! Light is good.

 

[horsefarmer]

Got the ugly sticker mess removed from the down tube then sanded the top tube where I saw drippy old repaint.

Looks like name "Diamond Cruiser" underneath the repaint.

and a date of 1-90 on front axle

 

[MattiThundrrr]

https://mamilmusings.com/extremely-long-term-review-1982-ross-diamond-cruiser

Fond review from a long time user

 

[horsefarmer]

https://mamilmusings.com/extremely-long-term-review-1982-ross-diamond-cruiser

Fond review from a long time user

From the article,"for lazy days with a beer in hand, it really is a perfect machine."
Thanks for sharing Matti!
Made me smile - & i need all the inspiration I can get.
Meanwhile scrubbing even more sticky residue from the top tube has made my shoulder ache.

Got a coat of primer on the frame today.

 

[horsefarmer]

Forks!
Diggin around in the stash, found these 3 possible alternate choices.
Left to right, Black = stock Ross, Maroon = Lungi branded cro moly, White = stock Hampton Cruiser and Turquoise = AKISU branded (lightest of the 4)

Black = stock Ross.

Maroon = Lungi branded CRO-MOLY.

White = stock Hampton Cruiser.

Turquoise = AKISU branded (lightest of the 4)

Unsure of single speed or multi-speed, and need for front brakes as of yet. Probably Hampton Cruiser fork looks the part but more ugly stickers to peel!

 

[Captain Awesome]

Hampton!

 

[metalchewy]

Forks!
Diggin around in the stash, found these 3 possible alternate choices.
Left to right, Black = stock Ross, Maroon = Lungi branded cro moly, White = stock Hampton Cruiser and Turquoise = AKISU branded (lightest of the 4)
View attachment 289356
Black = stock Ross.
View attachment 289357
Maroon = Lungi branded CRO-MOLY.
View attachment 289358View attachment 289359
White = stock Hampton Cruiser.
View attachment 289360
Turquoise = AKISU branded (lightest of the 4)
View attachment 289361
Unsure of single speed or multi-speed, and need for front brakes as of yet. Probably Hampton Cruiser fork looks the part but more ugly stickers to peel!

Hampton!

I agree. The Hampton gives you more room to put a wider knobby up front and is forward axle to add an inch of wheel base for stability on the trail.

A quick sand (after sticker removal) and some black engine paint for durability and it will match the build perfectly.

Edit: use a wire wheel on the grinder for sticker removal if you plan to paint it.

 

[Pondo]

Agree on Hampton. You can use a caliper brake on it if you want one. It has the look.