1986 DiamondBack Arrival 100% Original Rare Vintage Mountain Bike 26 lbs For Sale -

This is a rare and poorly documented early Diamond Back. This is in part due lack of literature but also to low production numbers of early aluminum frames, this was one of the earliest and only 26 pounds one of the lightest of the pioneers. In 1986 WSI’s Centurion made the first aluminum road bike, the Facet (top cat pic). Must likely, they commissioned the same manufactures of that frame for the production of their first mountain bike on that material for their Diamond Back Division, based on the manufacturer code “Y” on the serial. Both came in bright yellow with a black fork, except for this last being steel on the mountain bike which was named the Arrival. This wasn’t for yellow since Arrivals also came in Laguna blue. Most frames you’ll find of this bike are 1987 model year (bottom cat pic), which is most easily identified by the lack of seat tube black line-accented “lug” and the different font on the top tube. 1986 was the last year of good old friction shifting and this bike came with the top of the line mountain group offered that year, the Suntour XC, but in the optional black anodized finish. This bike is 100% original including its most wear prone parts the grips, seat, tubes, pads, and cables; it has scratches but it’s very good for its vintage (now 31 years). The aeronautical quality alloy (7000) frame was made in January of 1986 and components code to dates of March to May of that year, with the exception of its extremely rare black anodized Mountech FD that dates to 1983. The earliest advertisement I am aware of is from May of 1986, some advertisement show the “lugged” frame with new the new font and Shimano gear on early 87s but the frame was revised to add rear rack bosses and lost the “lug” in the process, see MOMBAT example. The bike could use a tune/check up if planning on riding it regularly, but is clean with brakes adjusted and wheels trued. The original front tube needs a patch or replacement and sidewalls of the Panaracer tires are dry but are good for show except from some fading and dirt. The Suzue sealed bearing hubs (by Peregrine) are smooth so don’t touch these. Vintage grease has dried a bit you can feel that on the untouched cult XC pedals. Asking price reflects the rarity, originality, brand following of the bike frame, the rarity and following of the components, and overall condition.

Shipped insured and with buyers signature required