Author Topic: Operation Free Agent! Update - mission completed!! (Read 7859 times)

Mikku · « **on:** January 17, 2015, 09:11 AM »

Another year, another build! I’ve been on the look-out for an 80s Free Agent for some time and recently picked this one up from the States. It’s an early frame set (the 8-digit serial - on the non-drive side dropout - is 1284****) so was either built by VDC or the Shoups in Beuna Park, California in Dec 1984. I’m leaning towards the latter as I think VDC were shutting up shop around that time. At first I thought the unusual colour was a spray-bomb job but now I’m not so sure, as I think the decals are era-correct and are also in the condition you’d expect after 30 years. I’m therefore wondering whether this may have been a special paint job for a customer or even a factory team rider. In any case, I like it!

The tt length is 19 1/8” from centre of the headtube tube to the centre of the seat mast so I think that makes it a Pro. There is no chainstay brace.

The bars, which I think are genuine FA pro bars (27 ½” wide with a rise of 8 9/16” to the centre of the stem area), are also green - not quite a matching shade, though not far off.

Anyone got any thoughts on any or all of the above?

Thanks!

nosepickben · « **Reply #1 on:** January 17, 2015, 02:17 PM »

Wow, good score, never seen one that colour. Not sure if yours is a pro length though, my un-braced chainstay pro is 19.75tt.

BADDH · « **Reply #2 on:** January 17, 2015, 02:19 PM »

Nice find mate, patience paid off for you.

Enjoy the build

Mikku · « **Reply #3 on:** January 18, 2015, 12:20 AM »

Thanks for the comments guys!

Quote from: nosepickben on January 17, 2015, 02:17 PM

Not sure if yours is a pro length though, my un-braced chainstay pro is 19.75tt.

What year is yours Ben? From what I've been reading the tt seemed to vary a bit on the earlier Pros. In any case it's longer than my Laserlite!

rodriguez · « **Reply #4 on:** January 18, 2015, 01:24 AM »

Really like that, great patina

Mikku · « **Reply #5 on:** January 18, 2015, 06:43 AM »

Quote from: rodriguez on January 18, 2015, 01:24 AM

Really like that, great patina

Cheers! Yeah, that's what drew my attention to it in the first place. I knew was taking a bit of a gamble with the paintwork but the bars swung it for me, plus I was able to justify the additional shipping costs to Japan by doing a deal on some other parts and getting a few other bits and bobs sent over in the same box!

nosepickben · « **Reply #6 on:** January 18, 2015, 10:03 AM »

Mine's an '88.

OrgasmDonor · « **Reply #7 on:** January 18, 2015, 10:56 AM »

great frames

BMX1973 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 19, 2015, 06:36 PM »

Cool

CustardLips · « **Reply #9 on:** January 20, 2015, 10:26 AM »

Sweet find... nice survivor build coming up i hope.

Mikku · « **Reply #10 on:** January 21, 2015, 03:42 AM »

Quote from: CustardLips on January 20, 2015, 10:26 AM

Sweet find... nice survivor build coming up i hope.

I've got enough silver and black bits lying around to build it up and see what it looks and rides like. Mostly era-correct-ish, with the exception of this DK stem - http://www.radbmx.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,179815.0.html - but that's all I've got at the moment so it'll have to do.

Mikku · « **Reply #11 on:** January 24, 2015, 03:13 AM »

So here's what I've got and am therefore thinking of at the moment:-

the afore-mentioned DK stem;
DK seat post clamp;
Araya 7X with sealed Suzue hubs & Suntour freewheel;
Jaguar seat;
rear Dia-Compe 890, tech 3 lever and cable;
re-pro A'me cams;
Tioga/Sugino opc;
Tioga CD disc;
Victor beartraps (the older ones);
used Izumi chain (on its way from Blighty);
the old, no-name layback that was on my Laserlite (if I didn't chuck it out);
some new Panaracers from Natsukashi (if I can't find something 2ndhand).

nosepickben · « **Reply #12 on:** January 24, 2015, 10:07 AM »

Oh yes. Looking good. Would like to see a 3 piece crank on it though.

Mikku · « **Reply #13 on:** January 25, 2015, 03:57 AM »

Quote from: nosepickben on January 24, 2015, 10:07 AM

Oh yes. Looking good. Would like to see a 3 piece crank on it though.

3-piece cranks are for posers!

I only say that because I always wanted some 401s bitd but could never afford them!

So for the time being, the cheap 'n' cheerful opc it is.

MartyC · « **Reply #14 on:** January 25, 2015, 01:52 PM »

Nice frame and fork, I really like these.

An interesting thread on the history can be found here...

http://www.bmxsociety.com/topic/23945-the-start-of-free-agent/

Gnarlyscoots · « **Reply #15 on:** January 25, 2015, 03:36 PM »

Lovely frame set Mick. I'm also liking the patina and the colour really grows on you

I may have some good used 2nd gen and 3rd gen comp III's that would be era correct for that. I will look and let you know buddy

Mikku · « **Reply #16 on:** January 26, 2015, 01:34 AM »

Thanks for the comments guys, and lmk about those tyres Terry!

That FA thread is really interesting!! I knew the story about Voris Dixon starting it up but what I'm not clear about, and that thread doesn't really help with, is when VDC stopped and Brad Shoup (Brent Shoup's father) started building the frame sets. Since VD sold up in '85 I'm guessing that it was around then but who knows! If you haven't read it before, the full interview with VD is here:- http://bmxmuseum.com/forums/viewtopic.php?id=5838

Also, whilst surfing the Museum last night, I noticed this green Street Beat in the latest batch of submitted bikes:- http://bmxmuseum.com/bikes/skyway/79812

Looking through the other Skyways on there, it seems that green was a stock colour on the '85 Street Beats and since it looks a very similar green to that on the FA, I'm wondering if the og owner saw and liked the look of the Skyway green and ordered the same colour for the FA. That would tie-in date-wise, since the FA was made in Dec '84 and therefore probably sold in '85. All speculation I know, but it makes for a good story!

Mikku · « **Reply #17 on:** February 19, 2016, 10:57 PM »

Well after a year’s hiatus, it’s time to resurrect this build thread! After several near misses with other brands and choices, these tyres finally landed on my doorstep this week:-

They’re NOS Cheng Shin comp 3s, which I think are perfect for the budget racer look I’m aiming for with this bike. In the year since my last post a few of the other parts have changed, including the round-top DK stem for an earlier square-top version, and the repop A’mes for a pair of used Winner Circle grips off an ’84 Mongoose Cali. I also managed to find the crusty, old, layback post that came on my Laserlite! More pics and build updates to follow in due course. I’m hoping to get this baby back on the road in March, though given progress to date, I’m not making any promises!!

CustardLips · « **Reply #18 on:** February 20, 2016, 10:05 AM »

Looking forward to seeing this built up Mick... I've got one i'll putting together soon.

rooski · « **Reply #19 on:** February 20, 2016, 10:23 AM »

That's a nice early combo you have there, love Freeagents me , really sorted geometry, ride lovely

Mikku · « **Reply #20 on:** February 20, 2016, 11:45 AM »

Quote from: CustardLips on February 20, 2016, 10:05 AM

I've got one i'll putting together soon.

Tell me more!

Quote from: rooski on February 20, 2016, 10:23 AM

That's a nice early combo you have there, love Freeagents me , really sorted geometry, ride lovely

Cheers Andy! I'd be after your Renthals for it had I not already got the FA pro bars!

boofy44 · « **Reply #21 on:** February 20, 2016, 12:14 PM »

Freeagents came in a few colours as standard but you could special order any colour you liked from them

CustardLips · « **Reply #22 on:** February 20, 2016, 12:24 PM »

Quote from: Mikku on February 20, 2016, 11:45 AM

Quote from: CustardLips on February 20, 2016, 10:05 AM
I've got one i'll putting together soon.

Tell me more!

All will be revealed young man... but here's a little peek.

Mikku · « **Reply #23 on:** February 20, 2016, 12:27 PM »

That looks tasty!

So going by the block font lettering, that's a newer one than mine - what year is it?

Quote from: boofy44 on February 20, 2016, 12:14 PM

Freeagents came in a few colours as standard but you could special order any colour you liked from them

So having not seen any others, the green could've been a special order paint job then.

CustardLips · « **Reply #24 on:** February 20, 2016, 12:28 PM »

Quote from: boofy44 on February 20, 2016, 12:14 PM

Freeagents came in a few colours as standard but you could special order any colour you liked from them

That's nice to know... any idea what the standard colours were ?

Mine's not og paint but it'll be staying that way for while cos i like it.