early mtb. No serial?

[rickpaulos]

I sanded off enough of the camo spray and I don't see any trace of a serial number on the stays.

Nothing on the bb.

Just a DD on the left rear dropout.

3 of the stays are split from water freezing in side so the frame will get recycled. could be mostly original parts. Better quality bolt on hubs, no quick releases.

yellow under the camo.

 

[IdahoBrett]

I know next to nothing. But I recall reading something about replacement or warranty frames lacking markings. Maybe that is it?

 

[rickpaulos]

Well, here is another idea. According to the serial number page here, the first 3 years
prefixes are
AA = 1983
BB = 1984
CC = 1985
so maybe DD= 1986, or early 1986 anyhow before they changed to the next number system.

IMO, most of the components look stock so I'll look for date codes on those.

 

[rickpaulos]

The original color might be yellow. I don't see any yellow mtbs in the 1986 catalog but they do appear in the 1987 as "Yellow Squash".

Date codes on parts:

Shimano FC-MT60 Deore crank ML 1988-December
Suntour front derailleur DC 1987-March
Suntour LX? 3000 rear der, too rusty to read the code
Suntour brakes DD 1987-April
Suntour freewheel HG 1991-July
Some other parts:
Dia Compe brake levers
Specialized hubs with bolt on axles
Araya RM-17 black ano rims
SR Laprade seat post
Campagnolo Super Leggeri pedals (surely not stock!)

 

[IdahoBrett]

Could've been built late 86 for the 87 model year. Both my F3 and Prophet are that way.

 

[rickpaulos]

After browsing the 85, 86,87,88 & 89 catalogs I think its a 1987 SM500 with a number of component changes. Some parts match up and it's the only yellow mtb in those years. I did more sanding and found more yellow throughout. No sign of any decals or a serial number. And the stem was blue under the camo. And blue cable housing. Looks like the crank and wheels have been replaced.

 

[JohnnyD]

Playing forensic scientist on bikes is fun.
Sad to hear the frame is cracked , but it does make a good candidate for a frame to practice painting on..

 

[black lightning 1987]

1987 SM500 looks likely to me as well.