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RADBMX.CO.UK  |  Technical & Reference Section  |  Tech and Restoration  |  Newbie sympatehtic Resto of a DP Firebird ....
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Author Topic: Newbie sympatehtic Resto of a DP Firebird ....  (Read 11802 times)

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The VW Doc

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Newbie sympatehtic Resto of a DP Firebird ....
« on: April 05, 2011, 10:49 AM »
I have known of this bike since the late 80's as it belonged to a friend of mine at shcool.

Here are a couple of photo's of the bike, back in the day





Well towards the middle of last year I bought the bike, and have now, after a few months riding and enjoying it, started a sympathetic restoration/refurbishment of it.

This is more-or-less what it looked like when I bought it



And here is it with my '73 Bay Camper at the first VW show I took it too



And with Martyn Ashton, at Eastbourne Xtreme towards the end of last year



Well, Saturday afternoon I started stripping the bike, because brakes were virtually non-existant and the whole thing needed a general overhaul to find a few things that need doing.

The forks (not the original ones) have a stripped thread on them, the top nut (not sure what it is called) is also split - looks like it has been overtightened in the past. The 1-piece crank is very rusty as are the (believed to be) repro CW handlebars - hence I have wrapped them in black tape. I am also missing a ball from one of the headset bearings, and these cages seem very stretched (as the balls fall out!)
I will take some more photo's of it if the weather is good this weekend and start the re-assembly

I am after some inspiration of completed bikes so I can see what I am aiming for.

Not sure what to do with the wheels - keep the Star-X mags (I am 6'1 and not the thinest person in the world) ir change them for some spoked wheels.
The Star-X's do feel a little "flexible" under load - but this also could be the very bald & perished tyres!

All coments and suggestions welcome please :)
« Last Edit: April 05, 2011, 02:09 PM by Mattdub »

Offline dordymush

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Re: Newbie sympatehtic Resto of a Redline Series III 600a
« Reply #1 on: April 05, 2011, 12:17 PM »
i liked it in its rusty state lol.
i've not long built a 500a but painted that in white.
have a mooch in the museum section.

dave the bmxing gypo


The VW Doc

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Re: Newbie sympatehtic Resto of a Redline Series III 600a
« Reply #2 on: April 05, 2011, 12:32 PM »
Cheerd dordymush! You have made a lovely job of that bike!
Woudl your forks be the same as mine would have been?
I would like to get some replacements that are right, or as close to as possible

b45t4rd

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Re: Newbie sympatehtic Resto of a Redline Series III 600a
« Reply #3 on: April 05, 2011, 12:53 PM »
The chainstays on your frame look like those on a DP Firebird.  ???

Have a look in the museum at Firebirds one & at his excellent website.  http://www.dpfirebird.co.uk/#/firebird/4531782089

Offline phantom photon

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Re: Newbie sympatehtic Resto of a Redline Series III 600a
« Reply #4 on: April 05, 2011, 01:13 PM »
Agreed, it does look like it's a DP Firebird frame  ???
« Last Edit: April 05, 2011, 01:22 PM by phantom photon »

Offline Redline

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Re: Newbie sympatehtic Resto of a Redline Series III 600a
« Reply #5 on: April 05, 2011, 01:14 PM »
Dude, don't wanna rain on your parade or be the bearer of bad news but that isn't a Redline 600a Frame & Forks ya have there.
Check out the dropouts on the Frame and the forks against Dordy's white one.... waaaaay different  :-\

Have a mooch through the museum buddy and see if ya can find out what ya have man  :daumenhoch:

Offline steve69

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Re: Newbie sympatehtic Resto of a Redline Series III 600a
« Reply #6 on: April 05, 2011, 01:32 PM »
If my eyes aren't playing tricks on me, it has a flat brake bridge on it aswell,

So as said before it's not a Redline
If there's air in the tyres... it's a rider

Offline skki3330

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Re: Newbie sympatehtic Resto of a Redline Series III 600a
« Reply #7 on: April 05, 2011, 01:35 PM »
Thats deffo a bird mate  :daumenhoch:
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The VW Doc

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Re: Newbie sympatehtic Resto of a Redline Series III 600a
« Reply #8 on: April 05, 2011, 01:37 PM »
Cheekythirtysix - thanks for the info - I did notice that the chainstays were different to the 500a but assumed different models, different frames!

I have had a look in the "Museum" and it isnt the same as nosnod's - which says it is a Series 3, 600a



I wonder what it is then?? Any help with identification would be very greatfully recieved :)

It is odd though, because the bike is definately 80's, which I am pleased with, as I have known of it as it is since at least 1987! I guess someone bought the frame & stuck stickers on it?

Now, I would definately likt to try and find out what it is, and get it back to looking as it was - HELP!! :)




The VW Doc

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Re: Newbie sympatehtic Resto of a Redline Series III 600a
« Reply #9 on: April 05, 2011, 01:38 PM »
If my eyes aren't playing tricks on me, it has a flat brake bridge on it aswell

Yeah, the rear brake bridge is flat

Offline phantom photon

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Re: Newbie sympatehtic Resto of a Redline Series III 600a
« Reply #10 on: April 05, 2011, 01:40 PM »


I wonder what it is then?? Any help with identification would be very greatfully recieved :)

It is odd though, because the bike is definately 80's, which I am pleased with, as I have known of it as it is since at least 1987! I guess someone bought the frame & stuck stickers on it?

Now, I would definately likt to try and find out what it is, and get it back to looking as it was - HELP!! :)


I'm 99.99% sure it's a DP Firebird  :daumenhoch:

Offline Mattdub

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Re: Newbie sympatehtic Resto of a Redline Series III 600a
« Reply #11 on: April 05, 2011, 01:41 PM »
Looks to be a DP Firebird as mentioned above ^^ , shown here ... http://www.radbmx.co.uk/forum/index.php'topic=53.0


Not the Freestyler .

Del or Steve ( username Firebird ) might be able to help with the gold decals  ;)
« Last Edit: April 05, 2011, 01:45 PM by Mattdub »

The VW Doc

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Re: Newbie sympatehtic Resto of a Redline Series III 600a
« Reply #12 on: April 05, 2011, 01:45 PM »
I have to agree - It does look to be a DP Firebird, but there are an aweful lot of bikes with the twin top-tube?

Is it a bad thing (he says , knowing nothing about these things) that it's a DP Firebird? albeit masquerading for all these years as a Redline?

Offline Mattdub

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Re: Newbie sympatehtic Resto of a Redline Series III 600a
« Reply #13 on: April 05, 2011, 01:46 PM »
I have to agree - It does look to be a DP Firebird, but there are an aweful lot of bikes with the twin top-tube?

Is it a bad thing (he says , knowing nothing about these things) that it's a DP Firebird? albeit masquerading for all these years as a Redline?

Twin toptube is the freestyler  ;)

The VW Doc

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Re: Newbie sympatehtic Resto of a Redline Series III 600a
« Reply #14 on: April 05, 2011, 01:49 PM »
I have just found this site:
http://www.dpfirebird.co.uk/#/dp-frames/4531639557

So I shall have a look over tonight (with the frame in front of me) and see if I can find out!

Any more assistance would be appreciated, and also your thoughts on what to do with it would also be appreciated :)

Cheers guys for all your help so far

Offline phantom photon

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Re: Newbie sympatehtic Resto of a Redline Series III 600a
« Reply #15 on: April 05, 2011, 01:51 PM »

The VW Doc

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Re: Newbie sympatehtic Resto of a *Revised* DP Firebird
« Reply #16 on: April 05, 2011, 01:56 PM »
Agreed - It certainly does look like a DP Firebird

ADMINS **Can we get the subject title change please??**

The VW Doc

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Re: Newbie sympatehtic Resto of a Redline Series III 600a
« Reply #17 on: April 05, 2011, 02:07 PM »
Glad my Boss can't see my PC!! LOL

Looking over the DP Firebird site it looks like it is a DP Firebird Mk2 (frame drop outs, brake bar's etc) - A HUGE thanks to all you guys that have pointed it out!
So, the forks are wrong - any ideas on where to get some of these? (there is a set on e-bay that arent as the ones on the DPF site)
It looks like I can get a sticker set for it (from the DPFirebird site)

Offline rick1970

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Re: Newbie sympatehtic Resto of a Redline Series III 600a
« Reply #18 on: April 05, 2011, 02:10 PM »
yep deffo DP mate, and i wouldnt be too dissapointed its not a redline you still have a top draw british built race frame there bud,get some decals of firebird steve job done  :daumenhoch:

Offline Mattdub

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Re: Newbie sympatehtic Resto of a Redline Series III 600a
« Reply #19 on: April 05, 2011, 02:11 PM »
Glad my Boss can't see my PC!! LOL

Looking over the DP Firebird site it looks like it is a DP Firebird Mk2 (frame drop outs, brake bar's etc) - A HUGE thanks to all you guys that have pointed it out!
So, the forks are wrong - any ideas on where to get some of these? (there is a set on e-bay that arent as the ones on the DPF site)
It looks like I can get a sticker set for it (from the DPFirebird site)

The DP website is run by Steve ( I mentioned earlier ) whose username on here is Firebird  ;) , a good lad .

The VW Doc

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Re: Newbie sympatehtic Resto of a DP Firebird ....
« Reply #20 on: April 05, 2011, 02:13 PM »
Cheers all - I shall get in touch with Steve (AKA Firebird) and see what we can get sorted

At least I can take off those worn out Redline stickers without worry now :D

Offline rick1970

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Re: Newbie sympatehtic Resto of a DP Firebird ....
« Reply #21 on: April 05, 2011, 02:24 PM »
the forks dont look out of place on that it may be possible to get the thread re'worked at an engineers for peanuts,dp forks i like hens teeth to get hold of without paying silly money  :daumenhoch:

The VW Doc

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Re: Newbie sympatehtic Resto of a DP Firebird ....
« Reply #22 on: April 05, 2011, 02:28 PM »
the forks dont look out of place on that it may be possible to get the thread re'worked at an engineers for peanuts,dp forks i like hens teeth to get hold of without paying silly money  :daumenhoch:

Thanks Rick - I have just PM'd Steve to see how he can assist too - and look at what else may be right or wrong with it. I know all the parts must be of similar age because of how long i have know about the bike.

The problem with the firks is that there is no thread left for a band about 3mm wide around the middle of the threaded section. Bar, welding a ring round the forks then re-cuting the thread I don't think much can be done. I need to mock the frame back up again to see if I can space up the headset to miss the damaged thread
« Last Edit: April 05, 2011, 03:30 PM by The VW Doc »

The VW Doc

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Re: Newbie sympatehtic Resto of a Redline Series III 600a
« Reply #23 on: April 05, 2011, 03:31 PM »
yep deffo DP mate, and i wouldnt be too dissapointed its not a redline you still have a top draw british built race frame there bud,get some decals of firebird steve job done  :daumenhoch:

Chers buddy - I didn't notice this reply 'till just now - I am glad it is well worth saving!  :D

sid1972

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Re: Newbie sympatehtic Resto of a DP Firebird ....
« Reply #24 on: April 05, 2011, 04:25 PM »
nice poject mate - DP it is...  :smitten:

as for the pc, be careful IT SUPPORT is always watching - Unless you are the IT SUPPORT then crack on.  :2funny:

RADBMX.CO.UK  |  Technical & Reference Section  |  Tech and Restoration  |  Newbie sympatehtic Resto of a DP Firebird ....
 

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