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RADBMX.CO.UK  |  Technical & Reference Section  |  Tech and Restoration  |  1984 VDC Changa Long
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Author Topic: 1984 VDC Changa Long  (Read 12452 times)

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Offline dancetothedrummersbeat

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1984 VDC Changa Long
« on: June 11, 2015, 12:55 AM »
Many of you will know the story of this one already, but here's the official resto/build thread. I bought the frame, forks & bars from Wildon just over a year ago. When I bought it, I was aware that there was some pitting to the bottom part of the seat tube, just above the bb. The frame had previously been owned by Jono who had it re-chromed. The bars and forks were spot on, but the frame had some dull patches, the dropouts were slightly chewed, and there were areas of pitting on the top/downtubes. There was also some flatspotting to the rear cable guide. I therefore had the chrome stripped, thinking some minor repairs would sort out the issues out and that the frame could be re-chromed to a high standard. Oh dear. Stripping the chrome seemed to make the pitting worse to the seat tube, and also exposed some severe corrosion to the seat stay just above the brake bridge.









It was clear that the seat tube needed attention, as I intended to ride this bike so I wanted it as good as possible. I spoke to Phil Sawzall who agreed to take on the job, but was then out of action for a while following a bike accident. As I like an adventure and a good story, I decided to contact Mr VDC himself, Voris Dixon who agreed to take a look at the frame. Ideally I wanted the whole seat rube replacing, rather than a cut & shut job - again, this bike was always going to be ridden. I also asked Voris to take a look at some areas of pitting to the top/downtube, and also to smooth out the dropouts.



All boxed up, ready to be shipped to Voris in Arizona, USA.



There was part of an old seat post at the bottom of the seat tube that needed removing.



Seat tube removed





Voris did some work to the dropouts and tube pitting, but I wasn't 100% convinced that he understood that I wanted the dropouts to be flawless. I therefore scrapped the original plan of getting the frame repaired, re-chromed and then signed by Voris in the US. I therefore asked for the invoice and got the frame shipped back to me



New seat tube and some areas of corrosion repaired  :D





I found a local welder (Geoff Haslam - based in Warrington), and asked him if he could repair the dropouts. I also asked him to build up and sort out the flatspotted cable guide. His work was excellent - thanks Geoff.



I then wanted the frame to be re-chromed by a top chromer. I usually use Leigh Metal Polishers in Swinton, but they only do the prep and outsource the chroming to various people. Allenchrome came highly recommended, especially by Nick (That Swan Guy). After speaking to Dave there, he understood exactly what I wanted. The turnaround time was good, Dave's communication and service was excellent. They weren't cheap, but you get what you pay for. Thanks Dave!















Taking shape





Discostu was a diamond geezer and gave a massive amount of advice, help and support in getting the cranks sorted. I traded my set of JDB Hutch cranks for a set of his Bullseye ones. Stu kindly got some spacers, washers, and the BB machined up and polished up in accordance with the measurements I gave him (based on his in depth instructions). It turned out that the BB was slightly offset. The non-drive side has more of an offset, as can be seen below









Other parts







All finished













































The original plan was to build this up as a stadium/indoor racer using chrome Araya 7x's laced to chrome Suzue hubs. Unfortunately, the rims didn't make it back from the chromers in time for the London ride, so I used my alloy hubbed tuffs from my Skyway T/A. Now that they're on, I really like them.

I'll try not to turn this into an oscar winning acceptance speech, but there are some people i'd like to thank for their help and support with this build. First up, Terry (Wildon) for selling the frame, forks and bars to me. A big thanks to Lenny (Badbaldie) for his very generous offer of help right at the start. Ant (factory pilot) for his support and encouragement. Steve69, rads own VDC guru has been a massive help in all matters related to the build, in particular with decals and headset selection, as has Phil (Sawzall). Thanks to Derek (stunt nuts) for answering my wanted ad for a seat, and Joff (Norty40) for tidying it up and re-dyeing it. He also tidied up the stem, which has come out better than I could have imagined. Joff also buffed up my brakes to a mirror like shine - they look mint. I'll be riding this bike, so for rides it'll have JBD Hutch beartraps fitted, but Jaan (Chris) sorted me out with some NOS OG beartraps for show purposes. Thanks Chris, they look amazing. Decals as usual are from Del, and Paul (antiquebmx) and Stef (stef232) sorted me out with the pads. A massive thank you to Voris Dixon for agreeing to replace the seat tube, Geoff Haslam for doing some further repairs and sorting the dropouts. Dave and all the team at Allenchrome did an amazing job in re-chroming the frame, and their service and communication was second to none. To everybody else who offered advice or support - thank you  :daumenhoch:


Parts list:

March 1984 VDC Changa Long frame & forks - repaired & re-chromed
VDC Monkey bars
Alloy hubbed Skyway Tuff II's (freewheel)
NOS Mitsuboshi Comp ST's - blue/green/white labels
Skyway Tuff pads
New Willinois VDC valve caps
Dia Compe MX1000's both dated May 84
Dia Compe Tech 3 levers dated July 84
Dia Compe brake cables & outers, dated May & June 84
Oakley B2 grips
Shot Gun II seat
Hutch seatpost (stickered up as a Pro Neck)
Hutch seat clamp (JDB)
Kashimax seat guts
Campagnolo road bike headset
Pro Neck stem
NOS pro Neck 42T chainring
NOS Campagnolo chainring bolts
Bullseye Gen 2 crank
Bullseye powerdisc
NOS OG Hutch Beartrap pedals
New Izumi chain
Decals from Del
Pads by Steve firebird (I think)


« Last Edit: June 28, 2015, 08:16 AM by dancetothedrummersbeat »

Offline glenboy

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Re: 1984 VDC Changa Long
« Reply #1 on: June 11, 2015, 01:31 AM »
What a tatty looking bike


Haha seriously great thread I'd seen before what you had done your commitment to getting this sorted has been epic and the finish is well   Perfect love all the parts as well on it utter class I like the brushed. Chain ring which just breaks up the bling of the chrome top quality build and parts the best well done 👍

Offline Monk_Wally_Honk

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Re: 1984 VDC Changa Long
« Reply #2 on: June 11, 2015, 06:00 AM »
That's a beauty. Top Work there.
Gertcha!

Offline Retrodan72

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Re: 1984 VDC Changa Long
« Reply #3 on: June 11, 2015, 06:07 AM »
Absolutely first class Andy, a total credit to your commitment and attention to detail.  :coolsmiley:


GO FORWARD TO THE PAST, WITH NRP'S

Offline McQUEEN

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Re: 1984 VDC Changa Long
« Reply #4 on: June 11, 2015, 06:29 AM »
Great work.
When I was born, the world was a far simpler place.
It was all just cops and robbers.
And BMX.

Offline CustardLips

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Re: 1984 VDC Changa Long
« Reply #5 on: June 11, 2015, 06:57 AM »
You've got some lovely stuff on there Andy... it looks the bees knees mate.  :daumenhoch:
"Every year is getting shorter, never seem to find the time"

"WWG1WGA"

Offline pickle

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Re: 1984 VDC Changa Long
« Reply #6 on: June 11, 2015, 07:38 AM »
superb Andy, saw it at the weekend and it is a thing of beauty!  :smitten:   :4_17_5:

Offline NORTY40

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Re: 1984 VDC Changa Long
« Reply #7 on: June 11, 2015, 09:24 AM »
Thought you might struggle to top your Hutch build Andy ........ but you have  :4_17_5:

Stunning build  :coolsmiley:
WANTED : Old school BMX patches/sew on badges ......  please  :)

Offline factory pilot

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Re: 1984 VDC Changa Long
« Reply #8 on: June 11, 2015, 10:41 AM »
It's okay I guess ....   :LolLolLolLol:

I've loved it since day one mate .. "wantit"
An amazing story of epic proportions that has led to one hell of a final build !
Congratulations mate .. It has been worth all the blood sweat tears and green queens!
It's taking builds to another level and has certainly raised my bar ...

Epic awesomeness Andy!  :slayer: 8) :4_17_5: :daumenhoch: :smitten:
"Knowledge is the acceptance of ones own ignorance." Socrates 399BC

Offline Taipan

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Re: 1984 VDC Changa Long
« Reply #9 on: June 11, 2015, 11:02 AM »
That has to be one of the best bikes I have ever seen!  "wantit" great story and dedication as mentioned  :4_17_5:  :daumenhoch:

Offline denzil

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Re: 1984 VDC Changa Long
« Reply #10 on: June 11, 2015, 11:26 AM »
Fooking lovely that Andy, top work mate. :4_17_5:

Offline wildon

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Re: 1984 VDC Changa Long
« Reply #11 on: June 11, 2015, 11:47 AM »
That came out amazing ... top work by all involved  :coolsmiley:  :4_17_5:  :4_17_5:

But ... why the freestyle tyres?  Are you riding those tyres too?  seems an awful shame to ruin them  :'(

Offline Jamroll

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Re: 1984 VDC Changa Long
« Reply #12 on: June 11, 2015, 12:00 PM »
Lovely whip Anday and looks even better in the flesh  :smitten:
Top work mate  :daumenhoch:

Offline Andy68

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Re: 1984 VDC Changa Long
« Reply #13 on: June 11, 2015, 01:47 PM »
Great story!!!  :4_17_5:   :daumenhoch:

Offline Steve P

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Re: 1984 VDC Changa Long
« Reply #14 on: June 11, 2015, 03:54 PM »
Great story and definitely worth all the time and effort ... top stuff  :4_17_5:

Offline Jaymz

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Re: 1984 VDC Changa Long
« Reply #15 on: June 11, 2015, 05:36 PM »
Awesome

Offline BMX1973

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Re: 1984 VDC Changa Long
« Reply #16 on: June 11, 2015, 06:08 PM »

Wow that really is something.  "wantit" What more can I say?  :4_17_5:

Offline Jt

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Re: 1984 VDC Changa Long
« Reply #17 on: June 11, 2015, 06:26 PM »
beautiful that.

a real credit to you.

Offline bodamus

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Re: 1984 VDC Changa Long
« Reply #18 on: June 11, 2015, 07:06 PM »
Wow :shocked:

Offline steve69

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Re: 1984 VDC Changa Long
« Reply #19 on: June 11, 2015, 10:33 PM »
An amazing story of dedication and commitment with a super clean outcome  :smitten:

I think it's fair to say... This Changa got it's lucky break when it fell into your hands  :coolsmiley:
If there's air in the tyres... it's a rider

Offline PHIL9HUF

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Re: 1984 VDC Changa Long
« Reply #20 on: June 11, 2015, 11:44 PM »
Awesome Andy  :4_17_5:

Offline bobafett

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Re: 1984 VDC Changa Long
« Reply #21 on: June 12, 2015, 03:44 PM »

That my friend is fooking brilliant  :daumenhoch:

Total dedication, what a restoration story - love it  :coolsmiley:

mongoositis - an expensive disease......

In2bmx

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Re: 1984 VDC Changa Long
« Reply #22 on: June 12, 2015, 05:58 PM »
STUNNING ....  :smitten:

Awesome work Andy  :4_17_5:

Offline kalex

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Re: 1984 VDC Changa Long
« Reply #23 on: June 12, 2015, 10:56 PM »
fair play this is one stunning bike, love it.

Offline nitrohopper

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Re: 1984 VDC Changa Long
« Reply #24 on: June 13, 2015, 10:25 AM »
well done lovley bike mate 
build what u want if u like it then thats all that matters

RADBMX.CO.UK  |  Technical & Reference Section  |  Tech and Restoration  |  1984 VDC Changa Long
 

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