Author Topic: What is the definition of a 'survivor' bike? (Read 3112 times)

ED209 · « **on:** June 03, 2014, 10:53 AM »

So what is a survivor?

obviously a 'found complete' bike that has been cleaned rather than 'restored' for starters.

But what about bikes built with 'survivor' frames and a mix of new / survivor parts? is that still a survivor?

Can a survivor have any NOS parts?

Whats the thinking on this?

kungfunky · « **Reply #1 on:** June 03, 2014, 10:57 AM »

I see them as either a complete as found or built with used parts, nothing nos on a survivor for me.

steve69 · « **Reply #2 on:** June 03, 2014, 11:09 AM »

A Survivor to me would have a used original finish

(i.e. no new parts and definitely NO rechromed/polished/reanno/repaint

)

Kaner · « **Reply #3 on:** June 03, 2014, 11:57 AM »

I would say a true survivor is a complete and original uncleaned bike.

A 'survivor build' should be an original used condition Frame and Forks with your choice of used era correct parts in a similar condition to that of the FF.

Gnarlyscoots · « **Reply #4 on:** June 03, 2014, 12:11 PM »

I totally agree with Steve and Ben. Perfect description's of a 'survivor' build

Every part was used prior to me getting it to build this.

griff · « **Reply #5 on:** June 03, 2014, 12:33 PM »

What about a bike built entirely from NOS parts, but when you ride it you sing 'Eye of the Tiger' at the top of your voice?

NORTY40 · « **Reply #6 on:** June 03, 2014, 12:47 PM »

Quote from: griff on June 03, 2014, 12:33 PM

What about a bike built entirely from NOS parts, but when you ride it you sing 'Eye of the Tiger' at the top of your voice?

I'd say that's half survivor half NOS build $:-\$

Kaner · « **Reply #7 on:** June 03, 2014, 12:47 PM »

Woooo I like that!

pickle · « **Reply #8 on:** June 03, 2014, 01:12 PM »

Quote from: griff on June 03, 2014, 12:33 PM

What about a bike built entirely from NOS parts, but when you ride it you sing 'Eye of the Tiger' at the top of your voice?

but surely once you've used the parts to build the bike and then ridden it it's no longer NOS?

kungfunky · « **Reply #9 on:** June 03, 2014, 01:15 PM »

They're only nos once they've been over polished, put on a show bike or powdered Rob.

pickle · « **Reply #10 on:** June 03, 2014, 01:29 PM »

fook i've got it all wrong then $:-\$

thanks for the clarification though Ash

NORTY40 · « **Reply #11 on:** June 03, 2014, 02:06 PM »

Quote from: pickle on June 03, 2014, 01:12 PM

Quote from: griff on June 03, 2014, 12:33 PM
What about a bike built entirely from NOS parts, but when you ride it you sing 'Eye of the Tiger' at the top of your voice?

but surely once you've used the parts to build the bike and then ridden it it's no longer NOS?

It then becomes NOS prior to being unpacked , fitted , ridden around various city's/BMX tracks sold to 3 or 4 different owners , polished or re anno'd and fitted again !!

Matt Swivel is the guy to speak to regarding NOS .... 'New Old School' wasn't it

What's happened to Matt by the way $:-\$

pickle · « **Reply #12 on:** June 03, 2014, 02:35 PM »

Matt's still about as far as i know Joff, just very busy with work i think

Spen69 · « **Reply #13 on:** June 03, 2014, 03:36 PM »

It doesn't matter Ed, even a NOS bike would be suvivor after you threw it half way around a skatepark like you do every time we ride

Survivor = as original as possible. I would still class something as suvivor if it had aftermarket parts on it if they were from the era and the owner BITD had changed them. Let's face it, how many of us created bald patches on our Compe3's doing skids on a buckled rim

I bought a US made Haro Master last year with a proper multicolour swapshop of green, red, blue and white parts but they were what the guy had put on it between 84 and 86 when he rode it. Fast forward 28yrs and there it was in the back of his dad's shed..... suvivor

Nuff siad. Stop worrying Ed, just bang it together and ride it bud

ED209 · « **Reply #14 on:** June 03, 2014, 04:08 PM »

thanks for your input Frodo

I was just wondering what people see as 'survivor'.

My Auburn and WAL are both original 'survivor' frames with battle scars and dints ... which I have built up with survivor parts and some NOS bits... on the WAL I had the forks rechromed as the originals were snapped and replaced. Things like cables and grips are NOS... but NOT as they are now on a bike thats being ridden.

I don't have regrets really ... but one of them may be not leaving this EXACTLY as I found it ... its just so much more interesting as a 'survivor' straight out the cellar

BMX1973 · « **Reply #15 on:** June 03, 2014, 06:12 PM »

As already said a survivor bike or survivor build is something with all used parts. No refinished parts. It can be taken apart, cleaned, greased, put back together and its still a survivor.

pickle · « **Reply #16 on:** June 03, 2014, 08:12 PM »

Does this count? A complete survivor......pick it up on Saturday

That Swan Guy · « **Reply #17 on:** June 03, 2014, 08:22 PM »

Like this?

pickle · « **Reply #18 on:** June 03, 2014, 08:47 PM »

Lovely nick

BMX1973 · « **Reply #19 on:** June 04, 2014, 08:39 AM »

Both of the above.

stuntmaster · « **Reply #20 on:** June 04, 2014, 10:23 AM »

survivor to me is original paint and age era parts . no polish parts , no new parts and no repainting of bits
i love survivors and would love to find more as love my original trickstar`s in original paint but for some reason everyone repaint`s the bloody things

pickle that a beauty and tidy that garage up

that gt is awesome as well , love the rust on the headset

pickle · « **Reply #21 on:** June 04, 2014, 11:17 AM »

cheers mate, that's not my garage

that's where it's currently sitting waiting to be dropped off at mine on Saturday afternoon

Kaner · « **Reply #22 on:** June 04, 2014, 08:02 PM »

Here is a Haro Sport survivor I picked up from Dom:

pickle · « **Reply #23 on:** June 04, 2014, 08:18 PM »

Classic Ben

Mikku · « **Reply #24 on:** June 05, 2014, 02:50 PM »

Interesting post (and some great-looking "survivors")! A survivor for me is a bike that's in the same condition now, that it was bitd. My Trident is therefore a legitimate example, as I've not replaced anything on it for at least 20 years! I would also consider my Laserlite frameset a survivor but as it's going to be my rider, I'm going to run it with NOS brake pads, repro Knarler Knobbies and a repro (and slightly thicker than og) Nitto seatpost. I therefore guess it's going to lose its "survivor" tag, though hopefully it'll be a bit safer to ride!