Author Topic: DP Firebird Freestyler - restoration project (Read 22374 times)

ABMorgan · « **on:** August 11, 2014, 12:22 PM »

Hello all,

New to this forum and returning to the world of BMX after a 24 year hiatus.

Have been threatening for years to pull my old Firebird Freestyler out of the barn and this weekend just gone, I did just that. As you will see from the photo it is in a pretty sorry state but judging by all of the super helpful posts around the web, there is loads that can be done with it.

I am going to start a refurb project in the near future and wanted to seek advice around best practices. I think looking by the frame, it is a MK1 freestyler???, haven’t had chance to look for a number yet to confirm this but can anyone tell from the picture?

Has anyone got any experience around shot blasting the frame? Is this a good idea or better to work on by hand? Assume this is only wise when it can stand up to the battering? I suspect it will need to be powdered (original chrome is gone and suspect it will be in too poor condition to re chrome) and then maybe re chrome the handle bars and seat post?

Just looking for initial comments/advice if possible.

I am originally from the town next to Flint where these bikes were built which makes it even much of a must do project for me.

Cheers.

Retrodan72 · « **Reply #1 on:** August 11, 2014, 12:32 PM »

Hiya mate,

to

which town are you, Bagillt or Quay? I'm in Hawarden myself.

Your bike is a Mk1 (looking at the decals) so there won't be a serial number. you could get this rechromed, but it won't be cheap, around £250 - £300, so powder coat is the cheapest option.

ABMorgan · « **Reply #2 on:** August 11, 2014, 12:35 PM »

Thanks for the welcome and thanks for the info...

Yes, thought powder would be the way to go...

A large amount of my family from Bagillt and I grew up just outside Holywell. Family still there but I am now down country : )

pickle · « **Reply #3 on:** August 11, 2014, 12:44 PM »

to RAD and great old bike! if you're coming to MK this weekend bring her along as you can't beat an old Survivor

ABMorgan · « **Reply #4 on:** August 11, 2014, 01:00 PM »

Would love to attend this event but unfortunately am not able to due to family commitments.

Is this an annual thing?

Great forum this by the way, awsome bikes and awsome people....

pickle · « **Reply #5 on:** August 11, 2014, 01:08 PM »

thanks, yeah it's an annual thing. you will want to be there next year

adenough · « **Reply #6 on:** August 11, 2014, 06:11 PM »

What a great bike! Id go with powder

fischflo · « **Reply #7 on:** August 11, 2014, 06:27 PM »

didn't all firebird freestylers MK2's have the dp cutout in the seat tube plate....?

not sure, but might also be able to tell if it's a MKI by measuring the top tube length
also the forks could be telltale clues

here's some info on differences
http://www.dpfirebird.co.uk/freestyler/4532138385
http://www.dpfirebird.co.uk/freestyler-cont/4532775712

http://www.dpfirebird.co.uk/mk1-freestyler/4559049311 MKI pics
http://www.dpfirebird.co.uk/mk2-freestyler/4543962022 MKII pics

Welcome to Rad, home of the firebird

ED209 · « **Reply #8 on:** August 11, 2014, 06:39 PM »

only the GL Plus had the cut out... I thought?

heres what I did with the survivor I had

to

wish I'd left it as it was tho

pickle · « **Reply #9 on:** August 11, 2014, 06:50 PM »

I thought the MK1 had the angled chain stays like yours in the top picture

ABMorgan · « **Reply #10 on:** August 11, 2014, 07:15 PM »

Thanks for all the info and suggestions, very helpful. Will check the bike out further when I next get near it. A couple of extra photos attached...

Ed, amazing work on yours.... I feel I need to find a fair few hours

phantom photon · « **Reply #11 on:** August 12, 2014, 12:19 PM »

Nice survivor

If it does have a number it will be on the plate above the rear brake caliper. With red decals it's probably an early unstamped one though.

ABMorgan · « **Reply #12 on:** August 14, 2014, 01:47 PM »

No number present on the frame.

Thinking of getting the frame etc powdered then trying to restore the rest as is.

Thanks again everyone for your input.

fischflo · « **Reply #13 on:** August 15, 2014, 09:38 PM »

got any prefernces for it? .......some crazy light blue metallic..?

ABMorgan · « **Reply #14 on:** August 23, 2014, 11:07 AM »

Frame, forks, seat post and handlebars all white I am thinking.

Such a hard decision

Retrodan72 · « **Reply #15 on:** August 23, 2014, 11:35 AM »

Quote from: ABMorgan on August 23, 2014, 11:07 AM

Frame, forks, seat post and handlebars all white I am thinking.

Such a hard decision

You won't go wrong with a white Bird.

There have been many done white, but you can always customise the decals to make yours stand out.

I have a chrome DP, but I used a green on the D in the DP.

chubby · « **Reply #16 on:** August 26, 2014, 11:22 PM »

Poor thing is a bit too far gone to leave a survivor, needs rescuing & sounds like you're on the case fella.
White has been done to death but for some reason I always think a white firebird is a cracking looking bike.
Like Dan says you could go a bit mental with the decals, have a word with Del the decal guru del@del-cals.co.uk
He's always willing to help out & can do them any colour you can imagine

ABMorgan · « **Reply #17 on:** August 29, 2014, 10:00 AM »

Feels like it should be white : )

Still deciding though as a big decision.

Thanks for the details on the decals, really useful and will be in touch with Del when ready.

willgas · « **Reply #18 on:** October 04, 2014, 02:21 AM »

hi, depending on your budget for the bike, I would get it back to original as possible, if chrome is to expensive then go white powder coat, contact Super bike Dan, he's very good, you can get decalls and pad set from steve dobson, http://www.dpfirebird.co.uk/, good luck with your build

deeman · « **Reply #19 on:** October 30, 2014, 05:54 PM »

Fluoro green, be different!

Mat · « **Reply #20 on:** October 30, 2014, 06:02 PM »

Yeah, them fluoro DPs looked ace.

Them ads in Action Bike looked ace, I seem to remember some seat post strengthening shim they did available in fluoro?

Looks ace as a mega ratty survivor though pal

deeman · « **Reply #21 on:** January 08, 2015, 09:06 PM »

Any news on this? Looking back, I am surprised no one suggested maybe try a citric acid bath to remove the rust and polish back up? plenty of threads in tech and resto about it,would save money and keep original finish- you would be surprised at the results!

ABMorgan · « **Reply #22 on:** March 03, 2016, 09:42 AM »

So after a few false starts and promises of this being powdered for me I have now changed tactic and am going to get the whole thing re-chromed.

What I wanted to ask was about the other parts (sprockets etc.). Would you clean them up and have re-anodised or just replace with new? Ideally I would like the bike to be as original as possible.

Hoping the chroming will be done over the next couple of months so will post pics once done.

@Deeman - I don't think the chrome can be saved to be honest so will go for the re-done look.

factory pilot · « **Reply #23 on:** March 03, 2016, 10:37 AM »

Where's Brettypeeps when you need him... He's the man you need for DP advice dude .. Drop him a PM dude!

Any colour is gonna be great dude ... At the end of the day you MUST do what floats your boat ... It's YOUR build

You've got to like it ....
One of these is on my (long) wish list for sure...
I love the hot pink to be fair but white or green will look equally as cool!

oldscool · « **Reply #24 on:** March 03, 2016, 11:40 AM »

Love a Firebird ive got a ratty as fook white one. I feel hard of restoring it as it has the original shop sticker on it. I knew the guy who owned the shop well and he has just died, so I feel hard of pulling it off.