Old School 1980's BMX's

[Candellara]

As per title - anyone got any?

Really surprised at how collectable these are and the prices they fetch.

What did you have in the 80's?

[Candellara]

wormus said:

No. Have you seen a middle aged man ride a BMX?

No, but a lot of middle age guys seem to collect these. I was thinking of building a retro 80's BMX for the children.

It seems that prices range from around £500 to £7000 for the rarer models

[Candellara]

When I was about 12, I remember being terribly jealous of one of my mates who had an original Kuwahara ET edition

I guess it's a bit like classic cycling for youngsters. If you're 12 and riding an expensive retro BMX - it's pretty cool?

Edited by Candellara on Thursday 28th March 19:18

[Candellara]

wildoliver said:

I had an sci scorpion. God I wish I still had it.

Not come across that before but there's plenty of pics on bmxmuseum.com

Top brands of the day were Haro, Skyway, Redline,Diamondback, Kuwahara, Hutch and the infamous Raleigh Burners :-) Restored or original versions cost a bomb now - a bit like Raleigh Choppers

[Candellara]

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?

[Candellara]

Brilliant stories.

My first BMX was a "MudCruncher" (it was crap) for Christmas in 1982. I was really disappointed if I remember correctly because I really wanted a Raleigh that was in Halfords for £129.99. My Mudcruncher was £89.99

I think bikes were really expensive back then.

[Candellara]

So, update to the thread.

I found myself an immaculate 1982 Hutch frame that I intend to build up as a bit of fun.

Not a cheap exercise though - as i'm learning now. Looks like build costs will be around £1000 ouch, so I can see why these nicely restored retro bikes are often a couple of £000

Pics to follow

Edited by Candellara on Friday 7th June 15:54

[Candellara]

ben5575 said:

Haha, glad to see you picked a cheap bike to build up Is it an original or a rerelease?

I think I used the phrase 'highly addictive and expensive' in a previous post, so I did try and warn you...

It's a bit like Lego though, the fun is in the building.

Did you get the forks at the same time?

Early expert racer - 82 frame, USA made pre serial number

I'm going to build it with NOS parts and then swap the parts out as original Hutch parts become available. Could take some time though

I'm not looking to do it to show-bike standards - just a bit of fun.

[Candellara]

ben5575 said:

Lovely

You do know this is going to cost a lot more than £1,000 don't you?

It'll start off with this one bike. You'll have the NOS bits and you'll replace them as you say, but then you'll have the NOS bits left over which you could and should sell of course, but, well, if I've got this far, I might as well build another bike, you know, just because I have the bits to hand?

Then it's should I build it totally era correct or should I adopt the Singer approach and discreetly fit the best new kit?

Slippery slope

I ended up building up mid school BMX (FBM/S&M) for the above reasons and it was a lot cheaper at generally c.£800 a bike. Except for that powder blue FBM bhin' Camaro I posted a picture of, which had a lot of Chris King/Profile gucci bits on it. I never dared tot up what that cost me.

Enjoy it, it's great fun. I look forward to your build photos

Yep. Starting to totally get this slippery slope now :-)

So, got the frame & now in the absence of period correct parts :-) have spent £600 so far with AlansBMX in order to get this bike to a point where it's "rolling".

Plans? Yes you are right - i'll build another old school bike from the "parts bin" that I accumulate from replacing with original Hutch parts. On that front, I've only managed to find a Hutch seat clamp (£100) and some Hutch pedals (£200)

All the parts that are going to be fitted initially are more generic BMX parts (Tuff2 wheels etc)

It'll be a bit of fun but the frame is in nice condition considering the age. Chrome is pretty good

Now understand why some of the old school Kuwahara's are upwards of £5000

Edited by Candellara on Friday 7th June 19:27

[Candellara]

Just need a parts delivery now. Lots of items arriving next week but any genuine Hutch items all seem to be in the US

[Candellara]

More

[Candellara]

Although the chrome isn't perfect, it's polished up well considering it's age

[Candellara]

So, until more original Hutch parts surface, i'm undecided on a few items

Currently im thinking:

White Skyway wheels & Comp 3 tyres
Profile Spider & Chainring
Sealed BB
Hutch bars
Haro 1984 chrome forks (in the absence of any Hutch items)
Silver seatclamp?
Silver MX1000 brakes
Kashimax seat in black
Hutch grips in black
Hutch race plate
Tange MX2 headset
Hutch chrome pads

or should I go for gold brakes / levers / seatclamp as further down the line I think gold anodised spoked wheels would look good

[Candellara]

ben5575 said:

Wibble.

Sorry to add to your mortgage, but you've missed £350 of cranks (Redline Flights?) and £300 of pedals (Hutch Bear Trap?) from your list...

Are you going original alloy hub Tuffs ( have you just bought this set with the comp 3s on ebay?) or the repros?

Alans BMX - so not original alloy hubs. Hutch bear trap pedals will come front the states. With ref to cranks, I've gone for a sealed BB and one piece crank. How would have this been done in 82? Would Redline Flights or similar been available then.

Again, the first thing is to get this thing rolling and then I can look at the finer detail

Steep learning curve :-)

Out of interest (i'm thinking you're the Oracle of 80's BMX :-)) - how would you spec it?

Am I right in thinking that the Expert Racer was only available as a frame purchase only in 82? and people would have built it to preference?

Edited by Candellara on Saturday 8th June 18:57

[Candellara]

Initial inspiration is to get something along the lines of this:

Something not to be too precious about and as said, can add Hutch parts as I find them and swap parts out onto another build.

One thing i'm learning is that original parts are HUGELY expensive

Edited by Candellara on Saturday 8th June 19:11

[Candellara]

ben5575 said:

Well you did pick Hutch which is the hugest of the hugely expensive...!

Just build the bike you want to build/ride/look at the end of the day. It's your bike after all

With the exception being Kuwahara? The Kuwahara frames alone seem to be £700 to £800 for a KZ1 and most of the parts unobtainable

Saw a Redline survivor for sale this week - £7000!!!!

I'm starting to learn what I've got into :-)

[Candellara]

Big delivery from AlansBMX today :-)

Will start some initial assembly this weekend

[Candellara]

Build is slowly coming along

Tange headset & forks in. Seatpost & clamp in

Had to file the rear drop outs very slightly to get the rear wheel / axle in. Shortened front axle with flats for the front wheel arriving tomorrow.

Hopefully get the Tange bottom bracket installed tomorrow.

There's a few marks on the frame but really quite minor for a 37 year old frame.

[Candellara]

jules_s said:

Looking good

Must be re-chromed I guess?

Hutch were absolutely notorious for failing chrome way back then - especially the rear drop outs where filed, headset and bottom bracket bearing sleeves etc

I'm guessing so at some point in it's 37 year life. It's not perfect but it's too good not to have been unless it's been barely used and stored indoors.

The detail of the welds are very visible though and normally with rechroming this fills them up?

[Candellara]

A bit of progress today

Shortened front axle fitted. Sealed Tange bottom bracket & crank installed along with chain.

Cannot decide on colour of the brakes though - Silver or Gold? & pedals? Silver with black cages or gold cages