Fat City Cycles Frame Registry

[sierraben]

This is my 1st post on this forum.
I purchased my Wicked after test riding a Monster Fat. I was hooked.
Did a few component upgrades.
Also did a bike trip, with panniers, hopping islands between British Columbia
and Vancouver Island. That was a blast.
Now the bicycle is in pieces. I strip down the frame to bare metal,
and check for any cracks. Nothing. It's a clean frame.
I was going to off the frame and everything, but decided to keep it instead.
I'm glad I kept it, and glad I found this FAT Forum.

Frame type: Wicked Fat Chance
Frame number: 871366
Year of manufacture: Purchased in 1989
Frame size: 18"
Color: Originally, maroon w/ yellow decals.
Location: California
Owner name: Ben Ramos
Photo: It's an old scanned photo

[galico]

I came across this bike at a yard sale in Salt Lake City, Utah. I am not a mountain biker. I am a roadie, but I needed a bike to ride with my grandson on a nearby trail. So for $20.00 I took a chance.
I decided to look into what I bought and my searches became interesting and lead me to this web site.
So here is what I think I got and if anyone is interested you can tell me if I am wrong.
I have what looks to be a 1983 Fat Chance. The serial number is 83104. I think that it has been repainted with this stippled heavy mess, I believe it was originally black, but fortunately when it was painted they masked off the Fat Chance Logo.
It has a 26” front and 24” rear wheelset. The front wheel has a Ritchy Vantage-Heat treated sticker on it and the spoke nipples look to be an anodized red.
The rear derailleur is Shimono Deore. The headset is a Shimano 600. The seat post is a Suntor. The crank set is a Shimano Deore and the front chain ring is stamped “Vuleta USA“. The seat post clincher is a Campy (wow).


Have a Look at the below URL for detailed pictures of this bike.


http://home.comcast.net/~galico/fatc...fatchance.html

[Doug Carter]

Wow! That's easily one of the coolest finds on this site, maybe ever. You scored one of the infant Fats, and your $20 was VERY well spent. I don't know of many here that are older than that bike. That is seriously one super cool bike.

I'm sure there are some original Fat employees around that could provide a lot more background on that, but that awesome paint looks a lot like something they might have done at the factory. You never know.




Super cool. Welcome to the club. Fats are a mainlined sugar directly to your veins.

[galico]

Originally Posted by Doug Carter

Wow! That's easily one of the coolest finds on this site, maybe ever. You scored one of the infant Fats, and your $20 was VERY well spent. I don't know of many here that are older than that bike. That is seriously one super cool bike.

I'm sure there are some original Fat employees around that could provide a lot more background on that, but that awesome paint looks a lot like something they might have done at the factory. You never know.




Super cool. Welcome to the club. Fats are a mainlined sugar directly to your veins.

Thanks for the reply, I can tell that this stuff is adicting. I spent pretty much the better part of a whole day getting my posting ready. It is fun to ride so I guess I will go to my LBS, who knew plenty about Fats and have him lavish it with some TLC.

[sierraben]

Congrats on your find, galico.

Definitely a find of the century.

Now you're hooked.

[malone]

Yo Eddy!
135Y3M
1993
Medium
Kandy Wild Cherry (thanks Karl!)
Chicago, IL USA
Owner: Bean Malone


My new best friend.
Restoration is addictive.
I haven't seen many '93 Yo's on the web (why?)

[Karl]

Hi Malone, it looks like Kandy Wild Cherry to me.

Karl

[malone]

Can't talk, too busy looking for parts!

[jawakaman]

Frame type (Yo!, Wicked, etc.): Titanium
Frame number: TF M 011
Year of manufacture: 1995 (probably)
Frame size: Medium
Color (original and repainted, if applicable): Bead blasted
Location (city, state, country): Stabekk, Norway - since new
Owner name: Jawakaman
Photo, if possible: Updated!

[lge32]

Frame Type: Fat Chance
Frame No: 10758F
Year: 1998? (based on breakdown from previous posting)
Frame Size: 18
Color: Kandy Wild Cherry
Location: La Jolla, CA, USA
Owner: Lance Ebeling
Pic: Coming soon

[DHSlammer]

Frame type (Yo!, Wicked, etc.): Yo!
Frame number: 737Y3ML
Year of manufacture: 1993
Frame size: Medium / Large
Color (original and repainted, if applicable): Chameleon Metallica
Location (city, state, country): Santa Barbara, CA
Owner name: DH Slammer















Specs:
Headset: Chris King NoThreadSet
Stem: Syncros 150mm Cattlehead
Handlebar: Answer Hyperlite
Barends: onZa Team Ti
Groupset: XTR M900
Shifters/Brakes: XTR M900 RapidFire +
Brakes: XTR M900
Pedals: XT PD-M737
Wheels: XTR M900 Mavic X217 14 DT alloy nips & Tioga Disk Drive
Seatpost: Thomson Elite
Saddle: Flite Ti
Grips: Oury
Tires: onZa Porcupine 26x2.1" folding

[DHSlammer]

Originally Posted by Yo Eddy!

I doubt whether the 10th uses Quad butted tubing. Always assumed 10th was an early development of 2nd gen Yo tubing. 1st gen was Quad, 2nd 3ple TT OX3.

Btw I do not know what informations on quality the # of butts contains Some time ago read a story on what the # of butts denotes. Do not remember how the story was exactly, but I do know there was a lot misinformation and marketing concerned in communication by companies.

The number of the butts refers to how expensive and processed the tubing is, also the relative weight savings of the frame. I believe that the Ritchey and his "Vector Force Analysis" stuff made extensive use of butting and wall thickness specific to application to achieve light weight and maintain performance.


Now Im no metalurgist nor am I any sort of documented tube-ologist but I think this is how butting goes (correct me if I am wrong here)


Tubes, specifically in regards to bike frames, tend to incur the most stress at the ends of the respective tubes due to angular junctions and post weld heat stress. Therefore, butting is a process of changing wall thickness mid-tube (removing material at the middle section of the tube where the tube takes less stress therefore the excess material is not needed and removed) in favor of weight savings.

I believe that the number of butts refers to EACH TIME the wall thickness changes. Generally you hear of even numbered butts on a tube.

(Fanciful illustration attached)

There is all sorts of other info in regards to the length of the actual butted section ie how much tube length does the transition from one wall thickness to the other thickness take, a smoother transition tends to be stronger than a square edged transition but I dont have as much info about this facet of tubing design.


Comments? Corrections?

Enjoy.

[I-ROBOT]

Hi Galico
Welcome to Fat Cogs! You've made quite a find. Obviously, the seller had no clue. It's definitely a Fat Chance. The original decal was removed since it was quite different from the block-letter style logo that is most common. That frame was very likely plasma-welded by Gary Helfrich who left Fat City to start Merlin Metalworks. I don't know how many '83 frames were produced but I believe that was the first year of the welded (not brazed) production frames. I replaced Gary at the end of '86.
The black paint is epoxy powder coat which we had done by an outside vendor whose name escapes me right now. I was more concerned with welding than painting. The powder coat made a good base coat for our custom paint jobs but I can tell you that frame was not re-painted by Fat City. Whoever did it knew what the block-letter logo looked like. I'm not sure how they masked off the letters but it's not that bad overall. Not great and certainly not what Fat City would do, but what do you want for $20!!!
The frame is worth restoring if you care to invest in it.
Best of Luck
Scott "I-Robot" Bengtson
Fat City chief welder 1986 - 1994

[quote=galico;8876]I came across this bike at a yard sale in Salt Lake City, Utah. I am not a mountain biker. I am a roadie, but I needed a bike to ride with my grandson on a nearby trail. So for $20.00 I took a chance.
I decided to look into what I bought and my searches became interesting and lead me to this web site.
So here is what I think I got and if anyone is interested you can tell me if I am wrong.
I have what looks to be a 1983 Fat Chance. The serial number is 83104. I think that it has been repainted with this stippled heavy mess, I believe it was originally black, but fortunately when it was painted they masked off the Fat Chance Logo.
It has a 26

[jawakaman]

Originally Posted by Montana

Frame type: Yo Eddy! Team Fat Chance
Frame number: 434Y18
Year of manufacture: 1991
Frame size: Small
Color Metalic Teal
Location (city, state, country): Alabama, USA
Owner name: Montana
Photo, if possible:


Just recently did an equipment upgrade!!!

Montana, that is one of the prettiest FATs around. Gorgeous!!

[galico]

Originally Posted by I-ROBOT

Hi Galico
Welcome to Fat Cogs! You've made quite a find. Obviously, the seller had no clue. It's definitely a Fat Chance. The original decal was removed since it was quite different from the block-letter style logo that is most common. That frame was very likely plasma-welded by Gary Helfrich who left Fat City to start Merlin Metalworks. I don't know how many '83 frames were produced but I believe that was the first year of the welded (not brazed) production frames. I replaced Gary at the end of '86.
The black paint is epoxy powder coat which we had done by an outside vendor whose name escapes me right now. I was more concerned with welding than painting. The powder coat made a good base coat for our custom paint jobs but I can tell you that frame was not re-painted by Fat City. Whoever did it knew what the block-letter logo looked like. I'm not sure how they masked off the letters but it's not that bad overall. Not great and certainly not what Fat City would do, but what do you want for $20!!!
The frame is worth restoring if you care to invest in it.
Best of Luck
Scott "I-Robot" Bengtson
Fat City chief welder 1986 - 1994

Thanks Scott for the information.
I may be interested in a restoration project. I realize that several things would have to be done such as find an original front fork, stem and bars, strip, repaint and re decal.
Who would I go to, to begin the process. I would imagine stripping and custom painting could be done where I live in northern Utah. I read on this web site that decals were at one time available. Any advise or direction would be appreciated.

My pal who lead me to this bike, a yard sale junkie, was also a welding instructor and metal sculpture. He died about 6 months ago and he would be totally stoked by the results of the find. So I am motivated to do this project perhaps just to get a smile from heaven and be able to show the pic's of before and after.
Any advice would be appreciated.
I may even take it to Moab.
Thanks
Galico

[bruce t]

Hey, that's a great bike, and a great find. I have a 1989 Fat Chance fork, threaded. from a 1989 19.5" frame. Sub two pounds. If you're interested, let me know. Cheers, bt

[jawakaman]

Originally Posted by fatf**knchance

Frame type: Yo Eddy


Frame number: 115Y4M


Year of manufacture: 1994


Frame size: M


Color: Aquamarine fade with opposing color stars (Vicious Cycles)


Location: Westminster, Maryland, USA


Owner name: Vaughn

MORE PICS IN READERS RIDES !

VERY COOL! Paint job and custom decals by Fat?

[kc67jc69]

1996 Buck Saver
Serial # BS L 19
Color= Black (original)
frame size=19"
Location= Fitchburg, Massachusetts
owner=John Caban

[Butcher]

I just got my Yo Eddy fever back! I've had this frame since 1995 when I purchased it from my "at the time" Brother in Law. I shelved it due to chain suck damage shortly after I got it and always planned to do something with it. I guess it took me a LONG time - but in the mean time it turned into a Cult bike. Damaged repaired it's now my "new" single speed racer. Here are the details

Type: Yo Eddy
#: 375YO9
Year 1990
Size 19"
Color: Lime green to dark blue fad (original paint)
Location: Fort Collins Colorado
Owner Brian Johnson

It's set up as a single speed racer - 32-17 gearing and the wheel just drops in so no tensioner The Yo and I will be doing the Laramie enduro Ultra July 26th. I have a set of White Industry eccentric hubs on the way.

This winter I'm going to have a Tubeectomy done to it as the seat tube has a rust issue, so a repaint and all is in the future. Any one have any idea what type of tubes were used on these early Yo Eddy's?

One more cool thing...The bike had a Mag 21 when I got it that I sold in a garage sale years ago. I looked up my former brother in law and asked him what he did with the original fork and he said he still had it and would like to see it reunited with the frame too and would trade me a bottle of wine for it.

Later

[misterdangerpants]

wow, so many nice bikes in here! thought I'd put my newest acquisition in here, too, to make it official:

Frame type: Fat Chance Yo Eddy
Frame number: 533Y2MS
Year of manufacture: 1992
Frame size: S/M
Color: Black
Location: Just a hop, skip and a jump from Fat City

so, I already posted in the Reader's Rides Gallery so I won't go into too much detail. I recently purchased this from the original owner, who rarely rode it. it was like a museum piece. it only saw pavement, and was taken out for a dozen short rides or so. it's all original, too, right down to the tires, which is the only thing I upgraded when I got it home.

[d3f3nd3r]

My pride and joy, even though I take a lot of crap for it.

Frame type: Yo

Frame size: M

Color: Hot Pink, team violet, hot green... it was the early 90's!

Ser #: 819Y1M

Chicago, IL

Matt Sheldon

[fat-tony]

Originally Posted by d3f3nd3r

My pride and joy, even though I take a lot of crap for it.

Frame type: Yo

Frame size: M

Color: Hot Pink, team violet, hot green... it was the early 90's!

Ser #: 819Y1M

Chicago, IL

Matt Sheldon

I have always liked that paint scheme...... so nice!

[YoKris]

Originally Posted by fat-tony

I have always liked that paint scheme...... so nice!

It's the Team paint scheme. Very cool!

[d3f3nd3r]

Thanks, I picked up the frame in 1992 when i worked there for a summer after high school helping out in the back office. Fell in love with the bike and company so basically dumped all my summer earnings into a frame they had hanging around. I've never regretted it. I just wish I hadn't lost my Yo frisbee over the years. Anyone?....

[Thomas]

Mod: Team Fat Chance Yo Eddy
Size: Large
Color: Chameleon Green
Extras: Black Rigid Fork (still in box)
Serial: Yo L 2443
Year: ? Saratoga County Newyork decal, shipped from Stowe, VT

Tom

[bettieblock]

Frame type: Team Fat Chance
Frame number:036C0
Year of manufacture: 1989
Frame size:16.5"
Color (original and repainted, if applicable): Wild Candy Cherry Red
Location (city, state, country): Salt Lake City, UT
Owner name: Beth Lockhart

Built up in Waitsfield, Vermont

http://gallery.me.com/bethlockhart#100016

[perand]

Frame type: Shock-a-Billy
Frame number: 004P4ML
Year of manufacture: 1994 (?)
Frame size:M/L
Color (original and repainted, if applicable): green (top) fading to blue (bottom) , original
Location (city, state, country): Uppsala, Sweden
Owner name: Per Andersson

The frame came with a matching Manitou fork and it is the only one in Sweden (as far as I know). I think
it is from -94 but I am not 100% sure. The bushings are still tight after 14 years of more or less regular
use and the bag with spare bushings is still waiting in the tool box. The tag says that Scott did the welding.

/Per

[dftuttle]

Frame type: Monster (Wicked Frame)
Frame number:13268M
Year of manufacture: 1988
Frame size:19"
Color (original and repainted, if applicable): Black & Neon Green original. House of Kolor Kandy Grape w/Neon Pink splatter 15 year old repaint.
Location (city, state, country): Simi Valley, Ca.
Owner name: Dan Tuttle

XT 7s with thumb shifters. Old XT canti's. Mavic 531 road hubs w/shimano hyperglide fre wheel. About 25 lbs without any ti & wire bead tires.
Might upgrade to 9 speed if I can find a set of White Ind. hubs.
Traded a Klein Pinnicle frame for it. Was to large for my buddy, so it worked out for both of us. This bike is an attention getter whenever I ride it. I vowed a long time ago to never part with it. This bike has never let me down mechanically or emotionally!

[alasdair]

Frame type (Yo!, Wicked, etc.): YO!
Frame number: 867Y1
Year of manufacture: ???
Frame size:M
Color (original and repainted, if applicable):Original Grello
Location (city, state, country):Seattle, wa
Owner name: Me I have had since new and still have the origninal Fat Tag from the bike with price.
Photo, if possible:

Can anyone give me a little more info about this bike. Year it was built at least?

[YoKris]

Originally Posted by alasdair

Frame number: 867Y1

867Y1

The 1 indicates that your Yo was built in 1991. But there should also be a M at the end of the serial, which indicates the size.

[Butcher]

Type: Monster Fat
Frame # 0320M1L
Year 1991
Size Large
Color Black w/ Green Splatter (Original NOS Frame)
Location Fort Collins CO
Name Brian Johnson

[Lowrider]

Frame type: Yo Eddy
Frame number: 666Y2M
Year of manufacture: 1992
Frame size: M
Color: creme white
Location: Basle/Switzerland
Owner name:Jacques

[Butcher]

Originally Posted by Lowrider

Frame number: 666Y2M

Nice ride and great Serial number. Don't see many white yo's either, do you know if that's the original color?

[Defiant]

Frame type: Yo Eddy
Frame number: 251Y2M
Year of manufacture: 1992
Frame size: M
Color: Aquafade
Location: Amsterdam/The Netherlands
Owner name: Bas



the parts on there are there just for the picture, not the final build items.

[Butcher]

Originally Posted by Defiant

Frame type: Yo Eddy
Frame number: 251Y2M
Year of manufacture: 1992
Frame size: M
Color: Aquafade
Location: Amsterdam/The Netherlands
Owner name: Bas

the parts on there are there just for the picture, not the final build items.

You better post your final build in readers rides, you set a high standard on your Black and Red bike I see back there so I'm going to want to see it. Nice looking frame set.

[wesintl]

93 built yo bought in 1994

050Y3L

Large

[pkbinder]

Frame type (Yo!, Wicked, etc.):Monster Fat
Frame number:13378 w
Year of manufacture:'91 or '93 maybe
Frame size:20 (or medium?)
Color (original and repainted, if applicable):Black with green decals Says FAT on head tube, no Frankenstein s monster)
Location (city, state, country):Oak Park Ill
Owner name:Paul Binder
Photo, if possible:later

Can anyone help me with some additional info about this bike? Just bought it a few days ago with the intention of restoring it. It was used a lot in the winter and road salt has corroded the frame and many of the parts. Does the w mean medium? I saw a grid about FC bikes and they made Monsters a few different years. With the Deore package and color of this one, I think it may be a 93. And how hard is it to find an original (or close) fork for this bike. And BTW, it rides, shifts and brakes perfectly.

[whitey_fat]

Frame type: Yo
Frame number: YOM0012
Year of manufacture:Not sure 92?
Frame size:M
Color (original and repainted, if applicable):Harlequin
Location (city, state, country):NY
Owner name:Michael White
Photo, if possible:

Frame type : Ti Fat
Frame number:TFM1157
Year of manufacture: 2000?
Frame size: M
Color (original and repainted, if applicable):Natural beaded Red decals
Location (city, state, country):NY
Owner name:Michael White
Photo, if possible:

[rick]

Frame type (Yo!, Wicked, etc.):Monster Fat
Frame number:13378 w
Year of manufacture:'91 or '93 maybe
Frame size:20 (or medium?)
Color (original and repainted, if applicable):Black with green decals Says FAT on head tube, no Frankenstein s monster)
Location (city, state, country):Oak Park Ill
Owner name:Paul Binder
Photo, if possible:later

Can anyone help me with some additional info about this bike? Just bought it a few days ago with the intention of restoring it. It was used a lot in the winter and road salt has corroded the frame and many of the parts. Does the w mean medium? I saw a grid about FC bikes and they made Monsters a few different years. With the Deore package and color of this one, I think it may be a 93. And how hard is it to find an original (or close) fork for this bike. And BTW, it rides, shifts and brakes perfectly.

Paul,

Your serial number seems to indicate a Wicked rather than a Monster. The earliest Monsters were Wickeds with differing paint jobs and components (complete with Wicked serial number). Assuming that your paint job is original, I would guess that this is what you have.
May I assume that your bike does not have a mono-stay rear end? Not all Monsters had the "monster" decal on the headtube, only the 2nd generation bikes.
If your bike is truely a first gen Monster it would be from the late 80s, not the 90s. It also would have come with a standard Wicked unicrown fork. the later Monsters had differing forks as well.
Hope that this helps a bit.

rick

[ameybrook]

Originally Posted by rick

Frame type (Yo!, Wicked, etc.):Monster Fat
Frame number:13378 w
Year of manufacture:'91 or '93 maybe
Frame size:20 (or medium?)
Color (original and repainted, if applicable):Black with green decals Says FAT on head tube, no Frankenstein s monster)
Location (city, state, country):Oak Park Ill
Owner name:Paul Binder
Photo, if possible:later

Can anyone help me with some additional info about this bike? Just bought it a few days ago with the intention of restoring it. It was used a lot in the winter and road salt has corroded the frame and many of the parts. Does the w mean medium? I saw a grid about FC bikes and they made Monsters a few different years. With the Deore package and color of this one, I think it may be a 93. And how hard is it to find an original (or close) fork for this bike. And BTW, it rides, shifts and brakes perfectly.

Older Monster, 88, re-badged Wicked:



Newer, with wishbone mono-stay the coolest Fat paintjob ever: