Hi,
I'm new to the forum, but its been a great source of information and pics.
This is the restoration of my BITD Mongoose BMX. The bike I used to rag around on with my mates and do my paper-round on during dark, cold and wet mornings. [shudder] The bike has been in my dads shed and then loft for the past 30-odd years.
As a kid, I sold my original Team Murray BMX and bought this one of another kid, circa 1982-1984. The serial number indicates it was built in 1981, but investigation via
www.VintageMongoose.com showed that although it was built in August 1981, it featured second generation drop-outs and parts (as seen in the '82-'83 catalogue on VintageMongoose). Such as gold full-clamp step, two-piece chain ring / spider, pro-class wheels.
Here are some before and after pics.
The bike has modifications done BITD:
- As a kid I'd sprayed the frame black (covering the original white)
- Seat replaced with an Elina Ultra Light
- Seat clamp replaced with a Tuf Neck "style" clamp
- Red brake cables, possibly Power Glide
- Pedals Shimano DX, again sprayed black
- Bars, possibly early Robinson bars (having looked at the handle bars thread in Tech & Restoration)
Here is the bike in my dads loft:
In my garage:
So here is the finished bike, re-fitted with all its original 80's parts - even the tyres!!
New items are:
- Frame chromed
- Repro decals
- Dia Compe cable clamps
- 4 spokes in front wheels
- Shimano DX pedal caps
- Official reproduction mongoose grips.
- Bearings for headset
Frame: Original, survivor, 1981 Mongoose, 2nd Generation.
Built in August (H), 1981 (1).
Gusset
Closed bottom bracket brace, with hole.
Drop-outs shape mean it’s a 2nd Generation frame.
Brake bridge:
1 hole = motomag 2
Forks: Mongoose. Original chrome. Short neck tube.
Headset: Mongoose.
Stem: Mongoose full clamp, gold and black.
Bars: Not Mongoose. Possibly Robinson. BITD fitted.
Grips: Repro Mongoose (I do have 'Octopus' grips original 80's)
Wheels: Mongoose Pro-Class wheels, with Suzue short flange hubs. Original spokes apart from a few new ones in front wheel and original rim tape.
Freewheel: Suntour 16T
Tyres - Front: Ti Yung 20 x 1.75
Tyres - Rear: Original Tioga Competition III. 20 x 1.75
Crank: Mongoose one-piece.
Sprocket: Unknown T44
Star: Mongoose.
Bottom Bracket: Mongoose.
Chain: Unknown, but was what came on the bike.
Pedals: Shimano DX in anodised blue. Now stripped to silver, with new repro pedal end caps. Original 80's BITD fitted.
Seat and Seat Post: Elina UL. Original 80's BITD fitted.
Seat clamp: Tuf Neck "style" clamp, in anodised red. Original 80's BITD fitted.
Brakes: Dia-Compe 890. Serial: 0282
Brake Levers: Dia-Compe Tech III's.
Brake Cables: Red unknown make, possibly Power Glide. Original 80's BITD fitted.
I'm really pleased with it. Feels great to ride it again!
Cheers
AL
