Old School 1980's BMX's
Discussion
wormus said:
Fair play. When I was about 12 I went down a railway embankment on my mate’s Raleigh (burner?) over an improvised jump. Crashed spectacularly onto tarmac, ripping the arm out of my Harrington. Didn’t break anything but hit my head and have never been right since.
I also have similar tales about Grifters and later, Motor X bikes.
Wouldn’t do it now, old guys don’t bounce.
I have had many a concussion over the years so can empathise...certainly harder to get up after crashing too these days.I also have similar tales about Grifters and later, Motor X bikes.
Wouldn’t do it now, old guys don’t bounce.
Full suspension MB mostly now, means at least I can walk the day after riding
Candellara said:
Brilliant and hats off to splodge
So, if I want to build a Kuwahara ET or Skyway TA, where do I start? I guess getting hold of a suitable frame is a bit of a challenge although I notice there are a couple of KZ1 frames available in the US for about $500
Is it quite a challenge to find original parts?
It is highly addictive and expensive. Skyway did a frame release must be 10 years ago now. I daren't look if they still sell them, it's like crack! I still have a 24" Skyway Cruiser for the pub, but I've now sold the collection except for one of the first ever FBM frames, NOS and in bubble wrap in the loft (cold dead hands and all that!). So, if I want to build a Kuwahara ET or Skyway TA, where do I start? I guess getting hold of a suitable frame is a bit of a challenge although I notice there are a couple of KZ1 frames available in the US for about $500
Is it quite a challenge to find original parts?
https://bmxmuseum.com/ US site but I've bought stuff from collectors over there without issue.
https://www.radbmx.co.uk/ is the UK site to use but you need to register (there may also be a small admin fee) and it opens up all for sale sub forums.
A couple of my favs
'89 Elf Double Cross running 48's
Not Old School, but just because it's a beautiful bike and it flew so well
I had a white skyway ta, z rims, gt pro performer bars, mks graphite pedals. redline stem, hutch donut seat clamp, some 1 piece seat/seatpost I forgot the name of. It cost me around £400 new in 1985.
I foolishly gave it to a work mate in the early 90's. I regret that to this very day.
I foolishly gave it to a work mate in the early 90's. I regret that to this very day.
Hi, 47 here and still ride now and then. I have a Mag Burner, after this picture I got the boy a BMX too as he wanted the same wheels
I am probably twice the weight that I was when I was 14 but the brakes really are terrible. Does anyone have any tips on how to make them actually do something
I am probably twice the weight that I was when I was 14 but the brakes really are terrible. Does anyone have any tips on how to make them actually do something
Built a ¼ pipe up the front of a friend's house - must have been 1982. That's me on my Skyway back then.
Built ramps to play with in our road. I'm on the bike. Dad lined up for the photo during my practice jump but when it came to the real thing, I think I "went for it" and he cut my head off the photo.
Built this recently (7 years ago - ish). Didn't really like riding it because I'm fat (terrible image), inflexible (the seat to pedal distance didn't suit my then 43yo joints), and I lack any reasonable leg power. In regard to the bike, the brakes were shockingly poor, and steel frames feel heavier than they did in the early 1980s (see all reasons about being old, above).
Still, it was fun collecting the parts and building it. Actually made a small profit on the sale with which I bought a "sensible" MTB, which I still use today (infrequently).
Built ramps to play with in our road. I'm on the bike. Dad lined up for the photo during my practice jump but when it came to the real thing, I think I "went for it" and he cut my head off the photo.
Built this recently (7 years ago - ish). Didn't really like riding it because I'm fat (terrible image), inflexible (the seat to pedal distance didn't suit my then 43yo joints), and I lack any reasonable leg power. In regard to the bike, the brakes were shockingly poor, and steel frames feel heavier than they did in the early 1980s (see all reasons about being old, above).
Still, it was fun collecting the parts and building it. Actually made a small profit on the sale with which I bought a "sensible" MTB, which I still use today (infrequently).
I still get excited at seeing a PK Ripper, mongoose, Raleigh Burner etc.
But I can also still feel the disappointment of getting a 2nd hand BMX Stratton for my birthday.
Strattons were considered by all the 'gang' to be crap. I did everything I could to disguise it by removing the stickers, changed the seat, grips, bar and frame pads etc. It actually looked pretty cool by the time I'd done. But when other kids asked me what make it was, I'd lie and say it was one I'd had professionally built from all different parts!!!! Just wish I'd kept it, but it eventually got sold so I could have a racer!
I loved BMX'ing and at the time I got mine the local council had dumped tonnes of soil in the local park for us all to build our own BMX track. I remember getting involved and loved it. Berns, tabletops etc...
ET and BMX Bandits were the cool films to watch for BMXers back in the 80's. Me and my mates would spend every evening and weekend playing on them. Happy memories.But kids nowadays just don't play on bikes like we did back then.
But I can also still feel the disappointment of getting a 2nd hand BMX Stratton for my birthday.
Strattons were considered by all the 'gang' to be crap. I did everything I could to disguise it by removing the stickers, changed the seat, grips, bar and frame pads etc. It actually looked pretty cool by the time I'd done. But when other kids asked me what make it was, I'd lie and say it was one I'd had professionally built from all different parts!!!! Just wish I'd kept it, but it eventually got sold so I could have a racer!
I loved BMX'ing and at the time I got mine the local council had dumped tonnes of soil in the local park for us all to build our own BMX track. I remember getting involved and loved it. Berns, tabletops etc...
ET and BMX Bandits were the cool films to watch for BMXers back in the 80's. Me and my mates would spend every evening and weekend playing on them. Happy memories.But kids nowadays just don't play on bikes like we did back then.
Edited by LeadFarmer on Wednesday 3rd April 20:00
Kept the original Skyway until I was 20 when I sold it for £50 to my brother's friend who promptly lost it to a thief.
Although my subsequent build from 7 years ago was better (Redline flight crank, Graphites, Skyway bars), I sometimes wish I'd kept my original one. But then, if I had kept every cool thing I've owned, I'd struggle to house two Caterhams and a Cerbera...
Anyway, probably the last photo of my original one. I was around 18yo at the time and likely half my current body weight, although I'm pleased to say that even at 50yo now, my hair is just as thick as then with perhaps a little more forehead on display.
Although my subsequent build from 7 years ago was better (Redline flight crank, Graphites, Skyway bars), I sometimes wish I'd kept my original one. But then, if I had kept every cool thing I've owned, I'd struggle to house two Caterhams and a Cerbera...
Anyway, probably the last photo of my original one. I was around 18yo at the time and likely half my current body weight, although I'm pleased to say that even at 50yo now, my hair is just as thick as then with perhaps a little more forehead on display.
Edited by Watchman on Thursday 4th April 10:05
First 'BMX' was the usual mail order no name jobbie... Soon got into the sport properly and convinced my parents it was a good idea to help me buy a Redline PL-20 that I raced locally. Unfortunately the bike is long gone but still have a few of my number plates pinned up in the parents loft.
LeadFarmer said:
Beartrap pedals comes to mind when reminiscing over BMX bikes. Did they exist? Or did I dream it?
They sure did exist and like myself, many people will still have the scars on the shins where you missed the pedal and the damn thing came round and embedded itself in the shin bone. Evil things, but grippy as hell.keith2.2 said:
in keeping with the theme - Anyone remember BMX Beat?
Loved BMX Beat! Just been watching some on Youtube - feeling proper nostalgic now, great dayshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMr2UN87LR0
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