1991 SM1000 Project

JohnnyD

Well-Known Member
I don’t know if it will help for your vintage of shifters. But I have a pdf bulletin for Suntour and it worked for the series on my 88 Black Lightning.
I don't have any Suntour parts, but I saved it for the "just in case" I might someday need to reference it.
 

black lightning 1987

Moderator
Staff member
Parts arrived and I installed the SRAM chain but cannot get the shifting/indexing right. This is my first dance with Suntour components and I’m questioning my decision to stick with it.im also not loving the grip shifters… at all.

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I'm wondering if someone could have replaced the original shifters with Shimano compatible ones. I don't know if there's a way to ID them. SunTour thumb shifters exist.
 

Trav1s

Active Member
I'm wondering if someone could have replaced the original shifters with Shimano compatible ones. I don't know if there's a way to ID them. SunTour thumb shifters exist.

I have wondered about that. I was going to run them because they were on the bike and y'all know my feelings about the gripshift vibe. This morning I got fed up with it and when these showed up I made an offer that was accepted. I got them for under $30 shipped to my door. Project is on hold until these arrive. A local bike friend familiar with Suntour said I'm good with these.

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Trav1s

Active Member
The shifters arrived today and are really nice but will need a bit of work to them to shift better - no biggie. They are installed along with the original Suntour brake levers and Ergon grips. I tried my regular approach to setting them up and kept running into skipping gears or not shifting at all. I need to review the Suntour info shared by @IdahoBrett and give it try again. I also swapped a shorter stem to add to my comfort. I'm so excited to get this one on the trails.
 

JohnnyD

Well-Known Member
The shifters arrived today and are really nice but will need a bit of work to them to shift better - no biggie. They are installed along with the original Suntour brake levers and Ergon grips. I tried my regular approach to setting them up and kept running into skipping gears or not shifting at all. I need to review the Suntour info shared by @IdahoBrett and give it try again. I also swapped a shorter stem to add to my comfort. I'm so excited to get this one on the trails.
I'm interested in hearing how the first ride goes for you.
 

Trav1s

Active Member
This is not forgotten nor have I disappeared.

I've somewhat unexpectedly been on the job hunt after a RIF. I've been using my new found free time I have to clean up and repair bikes that can be sold. Meanwhile, the SM1000 is waiting patiently off to the side for me to return to the project.
 
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Trav1s

Active Member
After wrenching on the Jamis Renegade build the SM1000 made it back on the stand. I had been suspicious about RD hanger alignment during my last dance with the Suntour XC devil and decided to look closer at the entire drive side mount. I removed the wheel, RD, RD hanger, and looked closely at the frame only to see a slight bend on the bottom side towards the tire. I grabbed a large crescent wrench, closed the jaws around the frame, and then gently adjusted it with my finely calibrated eye. Reversed the process and shifting was improved but still off. I looked at the cable routing on the RD and it was wrong so I corrected my error, grabbed the previously referenced PDF in the thread, and did some more fine tuning. Much improved but still slow to move and hanging up between gears. I opened the shifter on the bar, applied Tri-flow, and shifted through the gears while on the stand. Much better! Don't love the Suntour shifters but they are now working much better and fit the vibe of the bike and will stay.

Time to adjust the saddle, figure out water bottle cages, and ride!

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black lightning 1987

Moderator
Staff member
Good to hear that you're making progress on the shifting. The SunTour thumbshifters have always been good for me. I've had them on several bikes and never had a problem with them.

I need to get the planned changes (tires, etc.) done to my 1992 M1000 and get it out for some photos. It's nearly identical in spec to your bike with the exception of the shifters.
 

Trav1s

Active Member
Good to hear that you're making progress on the shifting. The SunTour thumbshifters have always been good for me. I've had them on several bikes and never had a problem with them.

I need to get the planned changes (tires, etc.) done to my 1992 M1000 and get it out for some photos. It's nearly identical in spec to your bike with the exception of the shifters.
I am hoping the lube and use will improve the shifting and thus my contentment with most of the bike as delivered. The bike is safely hanging in the sauna garage and will remain there until the midwest air fryer heat dome shifts east tomorrow. The thermometer on my Chrysler TnC said 99 degrees when I ran some errands earlier. My watch is showing 95 at the moment. It is definitely steamy here.
 

black lightning 1987

Moderator
Staff member
About the same here in IL the past few days. Temps in the 90s and humidity in the 75% range. Air so thick that you can see haze in any view of any distance. I would have liked to mow some hay but it's not worth the effort in these conditions.
 

Trav1s

Active Member
Adjusted the saddle and took the SM1000 to the Trek store to grab a chain for another project. The guys there love any bike and the SM1000 was no exception. It was called "simple and clean" which is the look I was going for. The silver looks amazing out in the light of day.

Eventually, I will go with a quill stem adapter, upright stem, and different bars to offset the long reach. I also need to tighten up the rear shifter which keeps slipping on the bars.
 

Trav1s

Active Member
Been thinking about the last ride and the reach feels too long to feel comfortable. According to the size charts I'd be one size smaller for shorter reach but since standover works and overall condition is amazing I'll make the work and store the original parts.

Started the quill stem adapter/stem/bar swap over the weekend by borrowing adapter/stem/bars the '88 SM500 (AKA -The Bleuberry). The stem adapter is shorter than I want. If I can gain .75-1" more bar height beyond the additional rise in the VO hot bars the fit should be right where I want it. Now to find a longer silver option.

I'm still mixed on the Suntour components...

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With these and extra XTR 950 brakes hanging on the wall hunt, I’m very tempted to hunt down a 8 spd freewheel and swap components. I think XT M737/739 would look great on the bike with the classic black/silver theme.
 
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JohnnyD

Well-Known Member
Been thinking about the last ride and the reach feels too long to feel comfortable. According to the size charts I'd be one size smaller for shorter reach but since standover works and overall condition is amazing I'll make the work and store the original parts.

Started the quill stem adapter/stem/bar swap over the weekend by borrowing adapter/stem/bars the '88 SM500 (AKA -The Bleuberry). The stem adapter is shorter than I want. If I can gain .75-1" more bar height beyond the additional rise in the VO hot bars the fit should be right where I want it. Now to find a longer silver option.

I'm still mixed on the Suntour components...

View attachment 15954
With these and extra XTR 950 brakes hanging on the wall hunt, I’m very tempted to hunt down a 8 spd freewheel and swap components. I think XT M737/739 would look great on the bike with the classic black/silver theme.
I'd agree with you on the Full XT M737 would look super sweet on it.
 

Trav1s

Active Member
I'd agree with you on the Full XT M737 would look super sweet on it.

I have the XTR 950 vbrakes so I will use them. Theres's also a XT M750 Rapid Rise RD on the wall but the 737/739 has the desired look. Fortunately I already have Shimano cables that I can use for it. This might not cost too much but is a low priority.
 
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