I just scored a Performer in pretty beat condition. I mean, it's structurally sound, but suffering from a multi-colored ghetto rattle can paint job. I can't figure out what year it is, and I need some help. I'd post photos, but my camera seems to have take a dump.

Here's the details:

Serial #: S70568875

Color (under the crap): that sort of deep, sky blue GT used in the 80's.

The sticker kit is the one with the pink and blue with the "ripped" motif.

The frame style is that of the original performer--original platform, only one bend in the downtube. There are four holes in the dropouts on both the forks and the frame, and the platform seems to have an inordinate amount of vent holes, though they are clearly from the factory. It has a coster brake tab, which is separate from the dropout but welded together with it. The top tube pierces the seat tube and is bologna cut with a GT stamp (the stamp itself has a small imperfection in the "T").

The brakes were mounted on a tube between the chainstays, and there's a guide on the downtube as well as an adjuster mount on the BB shell. The support tube between the seatstays is also drilled.

I had a first year Performer F&F, and the quality seemed better than this one. I got it as a complete, but most of the parts were switched out. However, it did have one piece cranks w/that "vented" GT chainwheel they put on freestyle completes. My guess is it's an overseas Performer complete of some sort, though I don't know the year and can't seem to make out a date code from the serial.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Duncan

What you are describing is a 1987 Taiwanese Tri moly Performer.

[ June 14, 2007, 09:40 AM: Message edited by: Pauly ]

Thanks, Pauly. That, indeed, is the bike. I purchased it on a whim from a, shall we say, crack-impaired homeless guy for $50. Which would've been totally worth it if it were in the condition of the above bike. Seeing as it's gonna take some work, and only has the frame, fork, and bars of the original bike (and cranks, sprocket, and plastic pedals), I'm thinking maybe I should've offered $25.

It's weird...I didn't think they made that frame style as late as '87. I guess they relegated it to the low-end model.

Yep -- the Performer stuck with the single bend downtube for a little while.

Lee

87 is the year the double bend downtube came out for the Pro Performer and Pro Freestyle Tour. They moved production to Taiwan for the Performer and made it trimoly, but kept the old look I assume as insurance case the design of the new frame flopped.
Keep in mind the bike in the picture above sold for $350, believe it or not...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...em=120130852667