Author Topic: Newbie sympatehtic Resto of a DP Firebird .... (Read 11823 times)

The VW Doc · « **Reply #25 on:** April 05, 2011, 04:33 PM »

Quote from: sid1972 on April 05, 2011, 04:25 PM

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

Small family business (not my family) so access is pretty unrestricted (as long as no viruses get in then it's all good!) and they dont see what you are looking at

it's even better!!

a HUGE thank you to all those on here that have changed my mind about my BMX and I am now starting on the slipery slope of Resto'ing a DP (not a Redline!)

I still think that I got it at a bargain price! even though I did think I was buying a Redline! I wonder what the guy will say when he finds out it wasnt a Redline after all these years!

dordymush · « **Reply #26 on:** April 05, 2011, 04:47 PM »

lol i looked at the rear stays after and thought that aint no redline

.
proberly less of them dp's about than redlines so still a nice find

The VW Doc · « **Reply #27 on:** April 05, 2011, 07:44 PM »

Right, well I got home, and with soe of the remaining light I managed to get some shots of the frame and most all of the components I have for the bike!

Some of the frame

The handle Bars - which want either replacement or a re-chrome

Brake Levers - which probably will get a W&D smooth out & a polish

The Stem - Which again, will probably ger a W&D smooth out & a polish

Brakes - I don't know what make they are??

Saddle - Again, I can't see a make

Star-X Mag wheels

ANd the rear hub

Last but not least - The Forks, which I don't know wha to do with & hope that you guys can help me out

And here you can see the damaged thread

The VW Doc · « **Reply #28 on:** April 08, 2011, 02:54 PM »

Right - So questions out to all you guys and girls!

What should I keep & what should I change to get this bike back to as it should be? Or are there no rules for this stuff??

Usable parts that I shall be keeping and re-using:
Frame - Obviously!
MX Brake levers
Rear & front brakes - MX (I think)
SR Stem (being polished at the moment)
Star-X Mag wheels (although I may ride it more regularly on spoked wheels)

Parts that I am therefore replacing:
Handlebars
Crank
Front chain wheel
Grips
Front forks

So, that leaves
The saddle
Seat Post

With all this in mind, what sorts of makes/manufacturers should I be looking for for parts?
What would have originally been on this bike from new in the way of forks, bars etc, etc?

?

Excuse the, what to you guys, are probably silly questions, but I am looking for some guidance & pgoto's of what I should be looking for so I can start collecting parts

Cheers everyone

stfc · « **Reply #29 on:** April 08, 2011, 03:56 PM »

This is mine, now with a straight seat post if its any insperation to you!

The VW Doc · « **Reply #30 on:** April 08, 2011, 04:21 PM »

Thats really great stfc

Thanks! You have done a great job there!!

I have a few questions (if I may)

Forks - are they the originals as far as you know? They look very similar to the damaged ones I have
Crank - Yours is one piece. Is the chain wheel 2 piece?
Headset - What did you use? period correct? or does this not matter too much. (i have the one from the bike, but a ball is missing, and the cages seem stretched)
Bars - Again, are these the original ones do you know? I have CW a-likes on there at the moment.

Thanks for the assistance

stfc · « **Reply #31 on:** April 08, 2011, 04:32 PM »

Looking at it yours looks like a mk 2
the one I have posted is a mk1 Firebird ,the forks are Tange which are incorrect
Basically they were sold as a frame and fork set, so put some peroid parts on that YOU want on it.. I have a delta 2 so will post a picture of the correct forks for that model which are the same or similar ...

stfc · « **Reply #32 on:** April 08, 2011, 04:42 PM »

The VW Doc · « **Reply #33 on:** April 08, 2011, 04:49 PM »

Yeah, mine is a Mk2 - The photo's are a really great help! Thanks
Thanks for the ones of the forks too! That will help me out sourcing some similar looking ones

The VW Doc · « **Reply #34 on:** April 09, 2011, 05:35 PM »

Well, the weather was great today so I cracked out the polishing machine, wet & dry, coke, WD40 & tin foil and went over as many components of the bike as I could.

Have a gander at the photo's and let me know what you think so far

it isn't 100% - but it will be a rider!

Rodgy1970 · « **Reply #35 on:** April 09, 2011, 05:40 PM »

Thats come up well.

stfc · « **Reply #36 on:** April 09, 2011, 06:27 PM »

I would put some decent parts on it to do it justice, Thats a rare frame nowadays ...

The VW Doc · « **Reply #37 on:** April 09, 2011, 06:42 PM »

Cheers guys - stfc, what do you suggest?

stfc · « **Reply #38 on:** April 09, 2011, 10:23 PM »

As a rider, leave it chrome or possibly powder coat it white ... add period parts that are good used rather than any new old stock parts, I personally love CW,s so stick with them or similar , I have a pair of genuine Cws powdered white but not mint if your interested , spoked wheels would look better imo , take your time ..

The VW Doc · « **Reply #39 on:** May 02, 2011, 08:20 AM »

Well the re-build is gathering a little momentum

I had a visit to see Firebird (Steve) from here yesterday and bought these little beauties

Yes, probably the last NOS set of forks for the Firebird!

- I am well pleased with them!

Oh, and they came with this

NOS Tange mx2 headset

And now here they are - reunited at last!

This frame hasn't been with a set of these forks since the late 80's/early 90's!!
As you would imagine they fitted perfectly!

I would like to say a HUGE thank you to Steve for the forks, headset & Decals! REally great bloke!! Cheers

MartyC · « **Reply #40 on:** May 02, 2011, 03:11 PM »

I love those rear stays

Looking better and Steve is a nice lad too

The VW Doc · « **Reply #41 on:** May 22, 2011, 08:56 AM »

Well, I have been very busy at work recently, but I had a few hours today to get the re-assembly of the old girls completed (all but tyres which I am waiting for), so here are some photo's of how she looks now.

So, what do you all think?? As my first real restoration of a BMX i am pretty pleased with the results. I know some of the parts arent "top dollar" but brakes, levers & the like have been on the bike since the mid 80's (which is why I have kept them)
I am also pleased with by home made, all stainless steel wheel adjusters that I polished to within an inck of their lives. Very easy to make, and look 10 times better than what I saw in the shops.

Mamba · « **Reply #42 on:** May 22, 2011, 01:50 PM »

That's excellent mate, very little now to finish her off!!

The VW Doc · « **Reply #43 on:** June 10, 2011, 01:45 PM »

Well, tyres are now on. I took it out for a quick whiz around the garden last night.

What do you all think?

brettypeeps · « **Reply #44 on:** June 10, 2011, 02:20 PM »

Love the Bike

I think the seat guts are around the wrong way or the seat post looks strange?? Dont know and cant put my finger on it

All the same a lovely restore

dordymush · « **Reply #45 on:** June 10, 2011, 02:33 PM »

dude fook that seat post off $:-\$ .
ruins ya bike.
it must be stressing your seat tube something mad.
just a normal straight post will look a million times better

.

its come out cracking compared to what you started with.

Mattdub · « **Reply #46 on:** June 10, 2011, 02:36 PM »

Good end result

, gotta agree with dordy though about the seatpost ^^^^ , looks shocking and might crack the frame I reckons

sam hudson · « **Reply #47 on:** June 10, 2011, 02:46 PM »

I thought that was my old DP when I first saw it!. BITD I put the very same Redline decals on my DP until Dave Park pulled me over at Wigan three sisters and asked (very politely) why I had put Redline decals on HIS frame!! I was so embarassed and could'nt say " cos it looks a bit like a Redline and that is cooler". It was a great bike and I rue the day that I got rid of it.

ahhh it takes me back.

The VW Doc · « **Reply #48 on:** June 10, 2011, 03:09 PM »

Quote from: dordymush on June 10, 2011, 02:33 PM

dude fook that seat post off $:-\$ .
ruins ya bike.
it must be stressing your seat tube something mad.
just a normal straight post will look a million times better .

its come out cracking compared to what you started with.

I do kinda like the cranked seatpost - but i can see what you mean about it stressing the frame. I shall see what I can find in the way of a straight post and swap it over. I also liked the feel of riding with that post because it adds a bit more length to the bike (and being 6'1" tall feels better).

I would rather be a little cramped riding that bust the frame though

The VW Doc · « **Reply #49 on:** June 10, 2011, 06:07 PM »

Well, I have found myself an ACE seatpost - It has a short section on the top TIG welded to give it a "laid back" appearance - I guess it is worth cutting this off? or will I de-value something worth a few quid by doing that?