Advice on an 80s' build (before I start)

[MikeH]

I have just finished my first build (a mid-school T1 Barcode) and i'm already thinking about what to do next.

I would really like to do an eighties build, either something I once had or something I always wanted but never owned.
My mid school build came in at more than expected so no doubt an eighties isn't going to be cheap, but can anyone give
me advice on likely build costs and availability/difficulty finding the following.

PK Ripper (never owned, always wanted)
Skyway TA (had the dirt bros version)
85-86 GT Performer (had a couple back in the day, loved them),
87 GT Pro Freestyle Tour.

I'm not going to even ask about Trickstar's and Master's until my numbers come up on the lottery.

So, any advice on the above or any suggestions would be much appreciated.

[ED209]

TA frame & forks for sale in the for sale section ... £600 

[MikeH]

TA frame & forks for sale in the for sale section ... £600 

GULP! Think i'd better start going to a few boot fairs and hope I get lucky.

[kungfunky]

You'll get a Loopy PK frame set for less than that but expect it to have some damage to the drops and pos seat clamp area. But you may also get lucky and find a minter.

[Spen69]

Tbh you need about a grand to £1500 to do one right and more if you want NOS gear on it

The frame and fork sets on your list will all set you back £350 - 600 at least and then there's £150 - 250 for decent wheels and the same for brakes. God help you looking for decent bars and saddles, but the killer is tyres

Why not just enjoy your T1 and if you take to it get a complete newschool off the bay for a ton and then you've got two bikes to enjoy. The old school market is a crazy place to dip into if you are feeling a bit nostalgic as you're going to apend waaaaaay more than you thought.

Maybe try for a non-gusset Goose or a GT Pro as these both build nice, ride great and can be had for half the cost of the framesets on your list They also look great with one piece cranks and 890's or 1020's which will keep the final build cost down.

[Andy68]

Go for the 'survivor' build Mike if you want to keep costs down, forget the carpet queens, scuffed, scratched, faded parts are so much cheaper and in my opinion look the real deal. You can fall off it too without any worries.

As Spen said, the GT Pro frameset is a good shout!! 

Might also be worth asking on here for someone to verify a frameset when/if you find one, lots of stickered up fakies out there.

[MikeH]

Thanks for the advice fellas, I like all GT's so a pro sounds good, i'll start keeping an eye out!

Also have a hunch that an uncle of mine might still have my cousins Supergoose hidden away in a shed, may have
to pay him a visit.

[Dannywhac]

I've got five Burners in me cellar doing nowt Mike - if you fancy one of em I'll do one cheap pour vous. Mainly to get rid of the stigma 

[Jaan]

I have to agree that a GT Pro is a good option, they're beautiful frame sets which oddly command relatively few dollars.

However, if you're not going to be building lots of bikes* why not wait and pick one from your list?  Write out a parts list and slowly tick them off as you acquire them. You'll still be getting a sense of satisfaction / excitement as the parts come in and you'll be biding your time for the right priced frame set...


*Wanting to build a bike you once owned and/or a bike you wanted are all the signs of a potential addict 

[Devilock]

I've got five Burners in me cellar doing nowt Mike - if you fancy one of em I'll do one cheap pour vous. Mainly to get rid of the stigma 

Got any pics woodland man?

[MikeH]

I've got five Burners in me cellar doing nowt Mike - if you fancy one of em I'll do one cheap pour vous. Mainly to get rid of the stigma 

Cheers Dan
My first BMX was a Mk1 blue Burner, I used to ride it with a brown paper bag on my head.

[Spen69]

*Wanting to build a bike you once owned and/or a bike you wanted are all the signs of a potential addict

 

Chris, as ever mate, you're bang on

But Mike, please be aware you will think of a number yhat is too much and before you know it, a mintly set of Flights will appear and "oh, it's only another £50 for NOS" will start entering your head for every part and then before you know it you've doubled your budget

[Jaan]

Best thing to do, assuming you're married, is to start rehearsing best BMX practice...

To do this I suggest go grabbing something you know was £100 (start small) say some trainers..
Next, stand in front of the mirror imagining your reflection is your partner
Now, repeat "these were only £30"
When you can do that without looking away, your left eye twitching and sweating profusely go grab something that was £200!!!!

Good luck my BMX brother. 

[Dannywhac]

Got any pics woodland man?

We prefer 'woodland folk' 

Cheers Dan
My first BMX was a Mk1 blue Burner, I used to ride it with a brown paper bag on my head.

Ta da!

[MikeH]

Got any pics woodland man?

We prefer 'woodland folk' 

Cheers Dan
My first BMX was a Mk1 blue Burner, I used to ride it with a brown paper bag on my head.

Ta da!

Whoa! That last pic takes me back, the only old school BMX that I owned that I'm still glad I sold

Think you need to fix a couple of those up to take down to the skatepark when it opens

[GTnumber1]

pro freestyle tour team between £1,500 and 2k

[denzil]

Just go mad and buy the lot it's only money . 

[MikeH]

Just go mad and buy the lot it's only money . 

True, but I may have to find somewhere else to live if I did 

[MikeH]

pro freestyle tour team between £1,500 and 2k

Between £1,500 and 2K 

It breaks my heart to think of the bikes I let go (Trickstar, Pro Performer, TA, DP Firebird etc)

[dancetothedrummersbeat]

Best thing to do, assuming you're married, is to start rehearsing best BMX practice...

To do this I suggest go grabbing something you know was £100 (start small) say some trainers..
Next, stand in front of the mirror imagining your reflection is your partner
Now, repeat "these were only £30"
When you can do that without looking away, your left eye twitching and sweating profusely go grab something that was £200!!!!

Good luck my BMX brother. 

  Love it!!

[Mikku]

+1 

I'd echo everything said above. I'm in the middle of a Laserlite survivor build and I've already started buying parts I hadn't originally planned on getting, parts which are invariably more expensive than I'd wanted to spend but it's so damn easy to do!! Don't get me wrong, I'm still loving the build and have no doubt it'll turn out better than originally planned, it's just going to cost me more! 

Have fun!!