Author Topic: DP Firebird Basement find Ltd. Ed. - my 1st build FINISHED and RIDDEN! (Read 8061 times)

ED209 · « **on:** December 09, 2009, 08:32 PM »

Limited Edition DP GL Plus Firebird Freestlyer resto…

Given to me by my Brother-in-Law Will Blomfield after 23 years in his basement… first pic I saw was this…

Picked it up with much excitement - Rust had got the better of the frame in quite a few areas so ‘survivor’ status was out

So...

Firstly thanks Will for handing over your old pride and joy… I hope you are feeling how it turned out… I’ll be over to Sheffield for a ride soon

Massive thanks to Firebird Steve who's enthusiasm and knowledge really got me back into this thing…and for the Ltd. Ed. Decals

Steven Costa for the Green DP he built that reawakened the dormant bmx fire in me and for the Tuf Neck chain ring and GT forkstands

SuperBikeDan for his patience with me and skills with the paint… I owe you one Dan!

N2cus for making me do the right thing for the sake of his RL20 and for sorting my pedals for me – cheers dude!

333337lee for the peachy white Tuffs ( on the bike until I find a rear white OGK )

Creamy for the Redline Forklifter bars.

Norty40 for epitomising the RADBMX spirit of sorting each other out.

I swore I wouldn’t but I’m already thinking… ‘whats next?’ ;-)

Spec :

Frame & Forks – DP Firebird Freestyler Limited Edition GL Plus – recoated by SuperBikeDan in Bronze/Pewter ( frame ) & chrome silver ( forks ) – white repro Limited Edition GL Plus decals from Firebird Steve

Wheels –
Rear : Skyway Tuff II sealed bearing with Shimano DX Cro-mo Freewheel - White
Front : Original OGK - white

Chain – NOS Isumi Nickle plated - nickle

Tyres – NOS Tioga Comp ST - Pink

Bars – Redline Forklifter Bars - chrome

Stem – Original Tuf Neck – stripped & polished - alloy

Crank –- Original Kuwahara1pc - chrome

Chain ring – NOS Tuf Neck - De-Adonoised & polished

Pedals – Original Shimano DX – stripped & painted

Seat – Original Kashimax Tioga FS – NOS under seat clamp - white

Seat post – NOS Odessey lay back - Chrome

Seat clamp – Original Dia Compe DX - Silver

Bottom bracket – NOS Tange Sealed

BB Boot – Original Sharp Boot - pink

Headset – NOS Tange Beartrap

Brakes – Original Dia Compe MX1000 copies – stripped, polished & re-decaled

Brake levers – Original Dia Compe – stripped & polished - silver

Brake cables – NOS Dia Compe - 2 x rear - pink

Brake blocks – NOS Dia Compe – white

Grips – NOS A’me Round – white

Front pegs – Refurbished GT Fork Stands – white/silver ( to be fitted )

Rear pegs – Skyway Alloy Pegs

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Couple of outdoor shots... suns out!

daz bmx it! · « **Reply #1 on:** December 09, 2009, 08:35 PM »

Very Nice

get the cable routed thru the frame

and I reckon some outside pic's will really show that off

ED209 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 09, 2009, 08:37 PM »

Cheers dude - outside pics to follow - literally JUST finished it... can't face 'through the frame' cables tonight... just needed it to work as I'm off to the Boardroom indoor park in Leicester tomorrow...

bobafett · « **Reply #3 on:** December 09, 2009, 09:00 PM »

Love it

NORTY40 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 09, 2009, 09:04 PM »

Ed it looks great mate

That frame is stunning mate , top job SBD

Could tell from your PM's that you wanted this built as soon as so that you can get it down to the Boardroom and hit the vert wall

Get some pics up when you get down their

What's Will had to say about it ? Bet he wants it back

Pleased you got it sorted ED , top bike and a top lad

rollin72 · « **Reply #5 on:** December 09, 2009, 09:13 PM »

sorted

looks fookin mint, my first build was firebird freestyler and i thought it would be my only one, im on my fifth now

Bettyswallocks · « **Reply #6 on:** December 09, 2009, 09:19 PM »

Very nice..

You'll be wanting a new schooler after riding it in a skatepark...

neiljonarcus · « **Reply #7 on:** December 09, 2009, 09:23 PM »

ed you came to rad not that long ago , i remember a couple of your comments about my bikes . ITS MY TURN NOW . stand in front of that old school freestyle bmx and give your self a massive pat on the back its looks amazing mate truely well done i love it mate . and SBD yet again you have pulled a stunning bit of paint art work and layed it on a lovely frame well done mate

NOW GET SOME OUTSIDE PICCY,S and lets see her in the light

trasher · « **Reply #8 on:** December 09, 2009, 09:25 PM »

liking that ,,,,,that finish on the frame is awesome ,,,,,,,nice one for bringing it back to life ,,,,,got to love a custom build

ED209 · « **Reply #9 on:** December 09, 2009, 09:41 PM »

Quote from: n2cus on December 09, 2009, 09:23 PM

ed you came to rad not that long ago , i remember a couple of your comments about my bikes . ITS MY TURN NOW . stand in front of that old school freestyle bmx and give your self a massive pat on the back its looks amazing mate truely well done i love it mate . and SBD yet again you have pulled a stunning bit of paint art work and layed it on a lovely frame well done mate

NOW GET SOME OUTSIDE PICCY,S and lets see her in the light

oh Neil.... I'm so happy I could

thanks for your words dude - I love it on here... proper nice people... shame it had to have odd wheels though you git

ED209 · « **Reply #10 on:** December 09, 2009, 09:43 PM »

Quote from: Betty on December 09, 2009, 09:19 PM

Very nice..

You'll be wanting a new schooler after riding it in a skatepark...

I was anti new school till I saw that DoubleTopTube Sub Rosa... MY WIFE WILL KILL ME!

superbikedan · « **Reply #11 on:** December 09, 2009, 09:59 PM »

Ed, that is honestley one of the best raw looking restos i've seen,

stunning mate, your first build

love it

ps... i say raw as not to factory spec but to your old spec

fischflo · « **Reply #12 on:** December 09, 2009, 10:16 PM »

cool! love me my firebirds, nice mag-mix.

is that a very large helmet peeping from behind the ogk?

wblomfield · « **Reply #13 on:** December 09, 2009, 10:17 PM »

As the previous owner of this historical artefact, what can I say...a Pheonix/Firebird rises from the ashes/rust!!!

Well done Ed. I must admit when I handed over the bike I had some lingering doubts that you would see if through to such a worthy conclusion. But fair play, you've done the old bird proud (this "original" finish is definitely so much better than the Candy Apple Red you considered!). I feel a twinge of sadness at parting with a large piece of my BMX heritage but happiness that she's gone to a good home, where she'll be looked after... and ridden!

Now, let's fix a date to show her Meersbrook Park bowl

firebird · « **Reply #14 on:** December 09, 2009, 10:20 PM »

well done Ed,

It really does look good, i like to contrast of the chrome forks against the bronze frame.

as soon as you have some outside pics i'll add it to the site

steve

magna13 · « **Reply #15 on:** December 09, 2009, 10:22 PM »

fischflo · « **Reply #16 on:** December 09, 2009, 10:31 PM »

.......................... suddenly it all makes sense..............

NORTY40 · « **Reply #17 on:** December 09, 2009, 10:42 PM »

Quote from: wblomfield on December 09, 2009, 10:17 PM

As the previous owner of this historical artefact, what can I say...a Pheonix/Firebird rises from the ashes/rust!!!

Well done Ed. I must admit when I handed over the bike I had some lingering doubts that you would see if through to such a worthy conclusion. But fair play, you've done the old bird proud (this "original" finish is definitely so much better than the Candy Apple Red you considered!). I feel a twinge of sadness at parting with a large piece of my BMX heritage but happiness that she's gone to a good home, where she'll be looked after... and ridden!

Now, let's fix a date to show her Meersbrook Park bowl

Hi Will , welcome to RAD mate

I reckon Ed's done the old girl proud , for his first resto he has done a great job

It was a very kind gesture by yourself in the first place to make this all possible too , well done Will