Author Topic: Birmingham WHEELS Mini (Read 13838 times)

dinglem · « **on:** October 10, 2014, 11:18 AM »

This turned up in the post this morning

It was posted up on the BMXMuseum a few weeks ago and was located over in Michigan; the owner didn't really know what it was so contacted me and asked a few questions. It turned out he was a GT collector and he agreed to swap this frame for a pair of GT logo tyres i had in my stash(!) as long as i covered the postage in both directions.

I'm pretty chuffed!!!

It has a slightly shorter TT length than my 'Intermediate' (Expert) frames, being 17.5inches in length. I've also just noticed that the TT diameter is smaller than the Intermediate as well. It's the same diameter as the seat post tube, but the down tube is the same larger diameter as the Intermediate frame. It's as light as a feather.

Paint is chipped here and there, with no chrome beneath so i am wondering whether it is the original colour....

Frame number is 619. I only know of one other genuine BW Mini at the moment (also with a high 600+ serial number), and that is still owned by the original BW team WHEELS rider who rode it BITD.

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steve69 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 12, 2014, 06:58 AM »

Nice find Mart, it sure is a big looking Mini compered to the Expert. Very much like what a Profile Shelby James is to a Profile Champ Pro $:-\$

As You/BW like to build them all with skinny's, the main difference looks wise is gonna be the size of the bars and the height of the seat (obviously I can see it has a euro bb).

Look forward to seeing it built and in the line-up

dinglem · « **Reply #2 on:** October 14, 2014, 09:22 PM »

Yes mate, it is quite large for a Mini; it çould easily be built as a 'normal' BMX tbh, albeit with a layback.

I actually collected another Mini today, which I purchased from ex-WHEELS team rider Scott Beaumont (now a very successful mountain biker). It has extra features specifically at his request from BITD, including larger welds (he used to break his race bikes) and extra features on the brake bridge. Serial number 671. It also has some original decals and a drilled/lightened seat post clamp. I also have to measure the tube diameters as they seem slightly smaller than the red one.

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bmxband1t77 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 15, 2014, 11:19 AM »

WOW...just WOW!

love the welds on the untreated frames....
and love the rear dropouts, look almost SE Looptail.

I Tweeted Scott leading up to and sharing pics after the 27th Sept return to wheels ride out in B'Ham.
seems like a nice bloke.

somewhere i got a pic of the wheels team BITD and he's at the top as a very young rider!

I know where to come if i need any advice on a Wheels bike in future.....that is if you don't bloody own every one in existence by then....

dinglem · « **Reply #4 on:** October 15, 2014, 03:09 PM »

Yeah I've been pretty lucky so far in that my research has led me to 4 frames altogether so far, with this team bike being the best find to date. It is actually pictured bottom right in the following pic - you can just about make out the same drilled seat post clamp. Pretty cool!! Scott has asked for it back for a day as his mountain bike sponsors want to do a photo shoot detailing his riding history, so that was a part of the deal. I'll be trying to build this one to his old spec where possible.

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snoopy72 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 15, 2014, 07:41 PM »

Quote from: dinglem on October 15, 2014, 03:09 PM

Yeah I've been pretty lucky so far in that my research has led me to 4 frames altogether so far, with this team bike being the best find to date. It is actually pictured bottom right in the following pic - you can just about make out the same drilled seat post clamp. Pretty cool!! Scott has asked for it back for a day as his mountain bike sponsors want to do a photo shoot detailing his riding history, so that was a part of the deal. I'll be trying to build this one to his old spec where possible.

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Are you trying to get the whole set of bikes pictured Martin ?

I see that poor Scwhinn frame has been put to one side again

dinglem · « **Reply #6 on:** October 15, 2014, 07:53 PM »

Haha... sure seems that way at the mo. They just keep falling my way. The Schwinn is actually out ready to go off for paint. Same guys that sprayed the Aystin Seven are doing it for me

snoopy72 · « **Reply #7 on:** October 16, 2014, 07:03 AM »

Have these Birmingham frames got a nice geometry when riding them ? some bikes i.e burners I can't get on with.

dinglem · « **Reply #8 on:** October 16, 2014, 11:00 AM »

Yeah, the geometry is lovely - very simple, although I am biased with these being my very fave frames!!

No comparison with Burners whatsoever as these are out and out race bikes. I actually have a factory spec Ultra Burner and the side-by-side comparison says a lot. The difference in head tube angle is massive, as is the length of the seatpost tube. The Burner looks very awkward in comparison, and also weighs a tonne!

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snoopy72 · « **Reply #9 on:** October 16, 2014, 05:51 PM »

Has a nice steep rake, I'm liking that, whats the top tube length ? is it 18 1/2 inches ?

bmxband1t77 · « **Reply #10 on:** October 16, 2014, 06:42 PM »

Mmmmm. Likin the wheels and that shimano DX seat post! :-p

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dinglem · « **Reply #11 on:** October 16, 2014, 08:13 PM »

Quote from: snoopy72 on October 16, 2014, 05:51 PM

Has a nice steep rake, I'm liking that, whats the top tube length ? is it 18 1/2 inches ?

Yeah, the intermediates/experts are 18.5inch TT, the Mini's are 17.5inches.

animal · « **Reply #12 on:** October 17, 2014, 07:43 AM »

Very very nice aar kid

dinglem · « **Reply #13 on:** October 20, 2014, 09:48 AM »

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steve69 · « **Reply #14 on:** October 20, 2014, 11:03 AM »

Quote from: dinglem on October 16, 2014, 11:00 AM

The Burner looks very awkward in comparison, and also weighs a tonne!

No Shite Sherlock

I've always found your levels of research and information to be quite high but in this case you have disappointed me. This knowledge is learnt at a very early age and never mentioned again.

dinglem · « **Reply #15 on:** October 20, 2014, 11:11 AM »

Quote from: steve69 on October 20, 2014, 11:03 AM

Quote from: dinglem on October 16, 2014, 11:00 AM

The Burner looks very awkward in comparison, and also weighs a tonne!

No Shite Sherlock

I've always found your levels of research and information to be quite high but in this case you have disappointed me. This knowledge is learnt at a very early age and never mentioned again.

Hahaha!!! Well, yes.

I was actually quite surprised somebody mentioned Burners on this thread in the first place, but as I had both out next to one another I thought I'd make the comparison. I was riding a SuperTUFF at the time when I first test rode a BW at the WHEELS track, which is probably why I found them so awesome, and still do.

bmxband1t77 · « **Reply #16 on:** October 20, 2014, 01:29 PM »

Oh master grasshopper.

Which BW model is longest top tube big enough for an old BMX git like me?

Just so I can set the radar.......

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dinglem · « **Reply #17 on:** October 20, 2014, 04:10 PM »

Quote from: bmxband1t77 on October 20, 2014, 01:29 PM

Oh master grasshopper.

Which BW model is longest top tube big enough for an old BMX git like me?

Just so I can set the radar.......

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That would be the Pro at 19.5 inch TT length (Cruiser is the same I believe). Join the queue for one of those; 3 known examples and at least 3 people on

are actively hunting for one, including me.

An Expert/Intermediate at 18.5inches is fine though, especially with a lay back....

bmxband1t77 · « **Reply #18 on:** October 21, 2014, 06:52 PM »

Lol. With that competition I'll have to broaden my search.
Thanks for the advice oh master.

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griff · « **Reply #19 on:** October 21, 2014, 08:41 PM »

Great thread

Loving the BITD pics too

BADDH · « **Reply #20 on:** October 21, 2014, 09:23 PM »

Cracking thread this Martin, keep up the good work buddy, hopefully all the Radsters will get posting on build threads. ...

bmxband1t77 · « **Reply #21 on:** October 23, 2014, 10:51 PM »

Mmmmm. Nice. On their way.

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dinglem · « **Reply #22 on:** October 24, 2014, 10:04 AM »

Well the red frame has gone off to Superbike Dan for a respray in matching Candy red as there were too many chips and scratches in the paint it was wearing for me to cope with...

Meanwhile I had a quick look at the Scott Beaumont team Mini, which came with the original chrome in terrible condition. When I picked it up Scott told me he was sure it required a rechrome, but I am desperate to retain the original head tube decal (never seen an original one before) so I was going to try my first OA bath. Yesterday I had a quick go at cleaning and polishing the TT, and trying various methods produced amazing results! The chrome on the TT is now like new

Plenty of Mothers Metal Polish and a fair bit of removing surface rust with my thumbnail but I am over-the-moon with the results. The worst affected area of the frame was the seat post tube and I have cleaned that up in the same way this morning. Pretty chuffed!

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dinglem · « **Reply #23 on:** October 24, 2014, 11:17 AM »

...and here's a comparison to the above pics showing the polished seat post tube; quite a difference to the unpolished frame areas.

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bmxband1t77 · « **Reply #24 on:** October 24, 2014, 11:19 AM »

Bootifull. You're gonna have to be careful around them stickers tho. Agree they need saving. V special that one Mart.

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Author Topic: Birmingham WHEELS Mini (Read 13838 times)

griff