Author Topic: 1987 Haro Freestyler build (Read 7080 times)

carmadham · « **on:** July 15, 2015, 06:47 PM »

Hi, i'm new on here, as a kid always wanted a decent BMX now at 40 I might end up with one!

I've just won a 1987 Haro Freestyler frame and forks.

I have also bought the crank, chainwheel and peregrine seat clamp [ Attachment: You are not allowed to view attachments ] [ Attachment: You are not allowed to view attachments ]

Is there a list anywhere of the parts I need to build the bike to a fairly original spec?

what bearing kits do people use on their cranks?

do people use the tange headset kits on ebay at around £65?

What about the gyro?

I'm a total novice with these bikes so any advise or if you have any of the parts I require for sale let me know

Thanks Graham

Jaymz · « **Reply #1 on:** July 15, 2015, 06:53 PM »

I've got an 87 FST in building. But it's an 86 sport frame! Without the wrap round headline gusset

Here's a page full of catalogues. All the info you need is there

http://www.ajkbikes.com/downloads/catalogs/catalogs.htm

factory pilot · « **Reply #2 on:** July 15, 2015, 06:58 PM »

Got to love a haro mate ... Great choice for a first build!
Keep us all updated with the parts you get

Gnarlyscoots · « **Reply #3 on:** July 15, 2015, 07:11 PM »

Good starting build

This may help if you trying for a real spec and not repop.

carmadham · « **Reply #4 on:** July 15, 2015, 07:54 PM »

Thanks jaymz, that is a useful list.

What is a w/potts mod stem?

I googled yst bmx headset but all I can find for sale are chrome plated steel?

as I say this is a learning curve for me and I want to build something nice so all advice is welcomed and sorry about all the questions!

carmadham · « **Reply #5 on:** July 15, 2015, 08:09 PM »

sorry back again! whats the difference between 880 and 883 calipers?

Gnarlyscoots · « **Reply #6 on:** July 15, 2015, 08:23 PM »

Quote from: carmadham on July 15, 2015, 08:09 PM

sorry back again! whats the difference between 880 and 883 calipers?

The Dia Compe 880 calipers are just that buddy. 883's are best known as Nippons. These came on higher spec bikes

You will require a Gen 1 Gyro too, if sticking to spec. I would advice watching some You Tube videos if you have never fitted or set one up

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Are you looking to be era correct too? All the dated parts actually dated 1987?

carmadham · « **Reply #7 on:** July 15, 2015, 09:04 PM »

thanks gnarlyscoots, so the 883's could be considered an improvement then?.

I would like to build the bike with parts from the 80s and keep fairly close to original.

What I definitely don't want to do is chuck a load of brand new Chinese copy rubbish at it

carmadham · « **Reply #8 on:** July 16, 2015, 08:22 PM »

the crank and chain wheel arrived today, can anyone advise me what is the best readily available bearing kit to use and who sells it? [ Attachment: You are not allowed to view attachments ]

carmadham · « **Reply #9 on:** July 18, 2015, 08:32 AM »

I've managed to win the correct NOS seat and gyro, still lots to get. Will genuine Handlebars have the Haro name or logo on them somewhere?

BMX1973 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 19, 2015, 06:09 PM »

Don't see many White/Black frame sets about.

Must be quite rare.

BMX1973 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 19, 2015, 09:33 PM »

Put up a Wanted ad, someone may have something.

Tange would be fine

, but I think these came with an Anlun which could be quite hard to find. $:-\$

Quote from: carmadham on July 16, 2015, 08:22 PM

the crank and chain wheel arrived today, can anyone advise me what is the best readily available bearing kit to use and who sells it? [ Attachment: You are not allowed to view attachments ]

carmadham · « **Reply #12 on:** July 28, 2015, 07:46 PM »

a little update, I've been buying parts some NOS but I did go for 50th anniversary skyways and a modern tange headset as it seemed like a sensible upgrade.

I don't know if any of you have used this headset kit MX125C but the cups won't fit into my frame they are about 0.4mm too big in diameter. The instructions say the head tube must be reamed with a head tube reamer.

I have the same issue with the cone on the forks.

Surely this is a specialised job and I don't really want to start machining bits off my frame and forks as once its removed it can't be put back!.

I would be interested to know if others have used this and what they did, I would also like to know if there is a different readily available kit that would be acceptable for my build that will fit straight in!

thanks

CustardLips · « **Reply #13 on:** July 28, 2015, 08:15 PM »

Put your headset cups in the freezer till tomorrow night then give it another go. Also run some vaseline around the inside of the headtube before you belt the fookers in with a big hammer.

carmadham · « **Reply #14 on:** July 28, 2015, 08:34 PM »

i tried that with the fork cone, i put the forks in the freezer and the cone in the oven with my dinner

. still nowhere near close enough though

laidback · « **Reply #15 on:** July 28, 2015, 11:18 PM »

I restored my 87 FST back to original Spec a couple of years ago...

Off the top of my head (i've got the catalogue with spec sheet somewhere- will dig it out for you):

AME Tri grips.
Polygon locking brake levers (quite hard to find), OR DC Tech 6
Mine had ACS 860 calipers front and rear OR DC FS 880 calipers
Black YST Headset
Group1 freestyle stem (with potts mod bolt)
Gen 1 Gyro and cables
Suntour 16 t freewheel
Haro Uni Directional chainring, 44t
Anlun Cro-mo OPC
KMC Chain
Victor VP (863?) Plastic pedals
48spoke ukai/suzue rims and hubs (Or gen 1 single wall Peregrine 48s- basically the same thing)
Haro FS 20x 175 tyres
Viscount Dominator Seat
Peregrine seat clamp
Haro fluted layback seatpost (stamped SAE 4130)

Many of these parts i learned were open to interpretation, as i think it largely depended on what was available in the parts bin!, so 880s or 883 (Nippon) are a nice upgrade, as are peregrine 48s, a Peregrine disc, a tioga beartrap headset etc etc.

Things like tyres and the layback wont be the easiest to find and will be pricy if you do find them.

here's mine for some inspiration:

carmadham · « **Reply #16 on:** July 29, 2015, 07:09 AM »

laidback your bikes look superb. I have a gen 1 gyro but not sure if its a copy, should the cables have odyssey written on them?

Jaymz · « **Reply #17 on:** July 29, 2015, 12:22 PM »

Here's mine an 86 with 87 paint and decals

carmadham · « **Reply #18 on:** August 15, 2015, 05:17 PM »

I started to assembling the bike today and I have a question, the mags came with nuts and washers but do the washers go between the wheel and the fork/frame or the fork/frame and the nut?. Theres no room on the forks to have them between the forks and the wheel. Theres too much gap if I don't have them between the wheel and the frame.

I hope all this makes sense, just wondered how they are supposed to be...

bigfatolly · « **Reply #19 on:** August 15, 2015, 11:23 PM »

Put them between the nut and the forks,don't worry about there being a gap between the cone /wheel and forks,that will disappear when you tighten it all up

carmadham · « **Reply #20 on:** September 27, 2015, 08:08 PM »

I got some time on the bike yesterday and this is how it looks now... [ Attachment: You are not allowed to view attachments ] .

Overall i'm happy with how it looks so far although I am disappointed with the new chrome on the footpegs and seat post.

Also whoever put the sticker on the bottom tube positioned it too far forward and one of the fork stickers reads the wrong way.

I have a set of decals on order as I need some for the handle bars.

carmadham · « **Reply #21 on:** September 27, 2015, 08:34 PM »

carmadham · « **Reply #22 on:** September 27, 2015, 08:36 PM »

Gnarlyscoots · « **Reply #23 on:** September 27, 2015, 08:49 PM »

Sorry I never got back to this thread

I assume you got the headset and gyro fitted and the bike looks awesome

Great build for your first bike.

(ps:- the decal on the fork leg is on the wrong side buddy)

Rusty 73 · « **Reply #24 on:** September 28, 2015, 09:50 PM »

love the black n white