Author Topic: Newbie sympatehtic Resto of a DP Firebird .... (Read 11804 times)

The VW Doc · « **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

dordymush · « **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.

The VW Doc · « **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 · « **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

phantom photon · « **Reply #4 on:** April 05, 2011, 01:13 PM »

Agreed, it does look like it's a DP Firebird frame

Redline · « **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

steve69 · « **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

skki3330 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 05, 2011, 01:35 PM »

Thats deffo a bird mate

The VW Doc · « **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 · « **Reply #9 on:** April 05, 2011, 01:38 PM »

Quote from: steve69 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

Yeah, the rear brake bridge is flat

phantom photon · « **Reply #10 on:** April 05, 2011, 01:40 PM »

Quote from: The VW Doc on April 05, 2011, 01:37 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

Mattdub · « **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

The VW Doc · « **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?

Mattdub · « **Reply #13 on:** April 05, 2011, 01:46 PM »

Quote from: The VW Doc 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?

Twin toptube is the freestyler

The VW Doc · « **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

phantom photon · « **Reply #15 on:** April 05, 2011, 01:51 PM »

If you look under here: http://www.dpfirebird.co.uk/#/firebird/4543954486

The VW Doc · « **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 · « **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)

rick1970 · « **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

Mattdub · « **Reply #19 on:** April 05, 2011, 02:11 PM »

Quote from: The VW Doc 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)

The DP website is run by Steve ( I mentioned earlier ) whose username on here is Firebird

, a good lad .

The VW Doc · « **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

rick1970 · « **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

The VW Doc · « **Reply #22 on:** April 05, 2011, 02:28 PM »

Quote from: rick1970 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

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

The VW Doc · « **Reply #23 on:** April 05, 2011, 03:31 PM »

Quote from: rick1970 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

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