I have a gusseted mongoose with single hole brake ridge and 2 holes in the rear dropouts. Serial # starts K1 so I guess this is a regular tri-moly Mongoose with a build date of Nov 1981.

Firstly when did they start with the 2 holes in the rear dropouts? I have a scan of a 1981 catalogue which does not have them, and a scan of a 1983 (still gusseted) catalogue which does. I am guessing with mine being a late 81 that they changed for the 82 model year??

Secondly and probably harder is what is the correct decal style for this F&F. I have read a few threads about this and I am still a bit confused. This is what I have seen in the catalogues for the regular Mongoose's:

1) 1981 - Frame & Fork sets have Head tube, main tube and fork decals showing black writing with gold background, with red stripe seat stays.
Complete bikes generally the same except the blue and yellow bikes which have main tube decal gold writing on a black background!

2) 1983 - Head tube, main tube and fork decals all have gold writing with the black background. However the seat stay stripe seems to vary dependent on the frame colour (Red on the white or chrome frames, and gold on the black or blue frames. I actually want to do my frame red but although it is mentioned as being available there wasn't a picture!)

This all seems very confusing I know,. Can someone clarify the decal style I need for my late 81 that I want to do as a regular goose (not Motomag) in red.

Whats the original finish? Plating or powdercoat? Any sign of original decals?

[ March 12, 2006, 11:54 AM: Message edited by: Randy ]

Original finish appears to have been yellow, but then it has since been sprayed over poorly with blue. There is no sign of any original decals except on the forks

You want the Original Motomag decal set available through Bill here at VBMX. You want the Mongoose frame decal on the bottom, don't use the Motomag decal anywhere.

Thanks!