Buying my dream bike - 1996 Proflex 856

[justridebikes]

Hey guys, first time posting on here. Finally after 24 years I've bought a bike I always wanted as a teenager, a Proflex 856. Plan to get it up and running and compare to a modern bike.

Wondering if anybody here had one back in the day and has any stories about it?

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LC0MvoKaag&t=416s&ab_channel=DavidArthur-JustRideBikes[/youtube]

 

[mk one]

Yep, i had one, would love another.

Swapped my '96 Kona Kilauea with XTR V's and levers for my mates 856 back in '97, it was beautiful, the red frame against the polished front and rear.

Kept it for years, did replace the forks for some RST Mozo Pro as they had 3.5" travel to match the rear. I bent the girvins on a local bmx track. I rode the Proflex for years as a downhill bike, very strong and never let me down. They had a machine that simulated front impact forces so were able to build their frames light but very strong.

Great bikes

 

[2manyoranges]

Re:

Ah - if anyone fancies another one I have for sake a very low mileage identical red 856 with Girvin forks medium good for someone up 5 foot 9 - all the tiny dedicated parts present, no wear on besrings, out of the shop badically...wonderful bike but I am now on contemporary DH, enduro and hardtails....

 

[Duxuk]

Looking at your elastomer it doesn't look good! My 1996 Proflex Attack LE has replacements from suspensionforkparts.com which, unfortunately are clear, not yellow.

 

[marc two tone]

Re:

Great, have fun with it. My fave full suspension brand also.

The rear shock. I can humbly suggest sticking with elastomer as they are easily tinkered with using automotive bushings, cheaply, to get it right.
Springs.....often 1000lb upwards is required to prevent a bounce, when bounce is unwanted. Can be heavy also.

 

[Scvintage]

Re:

I have a 656 missing all the elastomer suspension mounting tidbits on the rear swing arm. I have a bad idea to use these for a custom setup.

 

[pehogg1]

Re: Proflex 856

Thanks for the original post - I have an 856 that I bought new in 1998 in Sydney Australia. Mine is complete and original (I even have the owners manuals) but about 10 years ago the oil dampeners leaked in both the rear suspension and the Girvin linkage fork. I’m trying to get it back on the road again - would anyone know where to get replacement dampeners - or alternatively, know how to go about converting the spring units back into elastomer shocks?