Author Topic: '83 National Pro Long - Candy Blue (Read 15573 times)

dinglem · « **on:** June 04, 2014, 11:05 PM »

This has been a great BMX week for me!! Following the arrival of my Birmingham WHEELS frame over the weekend I have today taken delivery of this beauty

[ Attachment: You are not allowed to view attachments ]

[ Attachment: You are not allowed to view attachments ]

It's a candy blue 1983 National Pro Long, which is very rare in this particular colour. I have only ever seen pics of two others in candy blue, both of which are the shorter standard size.

I have actually owned this frame for 4 years(!) but it has taken that amount of time to finally make it over from the USA to me. It's a bit of a long story, but i bought it directly from Bill Stonebraker, the ex-National Pro team racer who was part of the team put together by the Scurto family from 1982-84. This was one of his original team frames, and came with a set of prototype forks. I have had quite a bit of discussion with him over the years about this bike and he has confirmed that it was originally candy blue from the factory.

As you can see the colour is awesome (never seen anything like it before) but the decals set is a poor reproduction set and will require replacement. I will be getting in touch with Del about this shortly!

I'm really chuffed with it, and so begins another build project..... $:-\$

dinglem · « **Reply #1 on:** June 04, 2014, 11:09 PM »

This is one of the few pics of a candy blue example from BITD i have been able to find online....

[ Attachment: You are not allowed to view attachments ]

dancetothedrummersbeat · « **Reply #2 on:** June 04, 2014, 11:36 PM »

Wow! Looks super fresh!

steve69 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 04, 2014, 11:50 PM »

Very nice Martin

What's the build spec on this one gonna be??

Jaan · « **Reply #4 on:** June 04, 2014, 11:51 PM »

Lovely, I have one coming soon thanks to a very patient seller.

So whats the deal with the decals? If the paint is original and the frame has come from the original team rider, any idea as to why he put those decals on?

dinglem · « **Reply #5 on:** June 04, 2014, 11:54 PM »

Quote from: steve69 on June 04, 2014, 11:50 PM

Very nice Martin

What's the build spec on this one gonna be??

Dunno yet mate - I wasn't holding my breath with it ever actually arriving but now it's here I'll give it some thought. Blue Pro Neck parts seem a must though!!

dinglem · « **Reply #6 on:** June 05, 2014, 12:01 AM »

Quote from: Jaan on June 04, 2014, 11:51 PM

Lovely, I have one coming soon thanks to a very patient seller.

So whats the deal with the decals? If the paint is original and the frame has come from the original team rider, any idea as to why he put those decals on?

Unsure at the minute; he just said they were a poor repro set (I've never seen a dark blue set like these before) plus they aren't even on straight :-/

He has several other of his original NP race frames on BMXMuseum and the builds aren't exactly what I would call 'to my tastes' either so perhaps he started work on this one then decided to sell. From the info he has given me the end of the NP race team was not a happy or friendly occasion.

Jaan · « **Reply #7 on:** June 05, 2014, 12:07 AM »

Quote from: dinglem on June 05, 2014, 12:01 AM

Quote from: Jaan on June 04, 2014, 11:51 PM
Lovely, I have one coming soon thanks to a very patient seller.

So whats the deal with the decals? If the paint is original and the frame has come from the original team rider, any idea as to why he put those decals on?

Unsure at the minute; he just said they were a poor repro set (I've never seen a dark blue set like these before) plus they aren't even on straight :-/

He has several other of his original NP race frames on BMXMuseum and the builds aren't exactly what I would call 'to my tastes' either so perhaps he started work on this one then decided to sell. From the info he has given me the end of the NP race team was not a happy or friendly occasion.

Strange one, but you still have a beautiful frame set there mate, well worth the wait

Mikku · « **Reply #8 on:** June 05, 2014, 12:31 AM »

All good things come to those who wait! Or at least that's what I keep telling myself with my Laserlite! Great-looking frameset - looking forward to the build!

Picklez · « **Reply #9 on:** June 05, 2014, 02:09 AM »

wow

You have an absolute beaut' there, imho one of the nicest frame sets I've seen for quite some time.

MartyC · « **Reply #10 on:** June 05, 2014, 06:53 AM »

dinglem · « **Reply #11 on:** June 05, 2014, 07:41 AM »

Yeah, it's beautiful in the metal, that's for sure. I didn't know an awful lot about them until this one came up for sale but following a little research I snapped it up and have waited patiently for it ever since. I do know they came in chrome, red, blue, black and even white finishes, but the vast majority were chrome. It took me ages to even find the '83 serial number, which is located on the left rear dropout. It is nice to finally get my hands on it, and it's also great to be in touch with the original owner and to know the history of the frame from new.

Just got to start picturing and planning the build now!

Church · « **Reply #12 on:** June 05, 2014, 08:49 PM »

BMX1973 · « **Reply #13 on:** June 05, 2014, 09:49 PM »

Lovely candy blue

Andy68 · « **Reply #14 on:** June 05, 2014, 09:56 PM »

Nice one Martin!!!

NORTY40 · « **Reply #15 on:** June 05, 2014, 09:59 PM »

Really nice frameset , cool bit of history with it aswell

Fancy a Nat Pro myself one day .

senzo milano · « **Reply #16 on:** June 05, 2014, 10:05 PM »

Nice in blue

griff · « **Reply #17 on:** June 05, 2014, 10:20 PM »

I really, really like that

dinglem · « **Reply #18 on:** June 09, 2014, 08:40 AM »

Few more pics.

[ Attachment: You are not allowed to view attachments ]

[ Attachment: You are not allowed to view attachments ]

[ Attachment: You are not allowed to view attachments ]

The serial number is #883238 which indicates a build date of August 1983.

Jaan · « **Reply #19 on:** June 09, 2014, 10:30 AM »

Have you managed to source any National Pro bars?

dinglem · « **Reply #20 on:** June 09, 2014, 10:47 AM »

Not yet... have been looking for quite some time but the only set I have seen for sale were cruiser ones.

I do have a NOS National Pro layback seat post ready for it, but that's about it as far as parts go so far. Lots to find (in blue) but that's the fun part

...but if anybody on here has any leads to some NP bars then please give me a shout

pickle · « **Reply #21 on:** June 09, 2014, 11:41 AM »

wow that's well tastey! is it the original finish on it?

In2bmx · « **Reply #22 on:** June 09, 2014, 11:44 AM »

That's going to look awesome finished , I do love Candy Blue

dinglem · « **Reply #23 on:** June 09, 2014, 12:06 PM »

I'm told by the previous owner (who has had this from new) that it's original, although I'm slightly dubious about that myself as it looks 'too good'! There is the odd scuff on the bottom of the BB and the drop outs do have some subtle marking, plus if I shake the frame and tip it about plenty of dried mud falls out(!) so it's definitely been used.

Either way the colour is lush and matches the other blue ones I have seen so I'll be leaving it as is for the build

Here's the NP seat post I mentioned, plus I've just dug out a nicely polished 44T Pro Neck chainring and powerdisc from my stash so that could work also...

[ Attachment: You are not allowed to view attachments ]

[ Attachment: You are not allowed to view attachments ]

[ Attachment: You are not allowed to view attachments ]

Jaan · « **Reply #24 on:** June 09, 2014, 12:15 PM »

Quote from: dinglem on June 09, 2014, 10:47 AM

Not yet... have been looking for quite some time but the only set I have seen for sale were cruiser ones.

I do have a NOS National Pro layback seat post ready for it, but that's about it as far as parts go so far. Lots to find (in blue) but that's the fun part

...but if anybody on here has any leads to some NP bars then please give me a shout

I have a set

But they're going on my National Pro

Author Topic: '83 National Pro Long - Candy Blue (Read 15573 times)

griff

In2bmx