Author Topic: MRD Musings (Read 10671 times)

Mikku · « **on:** July 28, 2016, 05:27 AM »

With a few days off work and some spare time on my hands this week, I listened to Dale Holmes’ 3-hour podcast interview with Tim March. If you haven’t already listened to it, it’s well worth the effort:- http://www.radbmx.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,187764.0.html

One of the many interesting things on there was TM talking about the start of MRD. Ever since they first came out in 1984, I’ve wanted an MRD frame and TM confirming that the inspiration for the frame design was a JMC and an early Patterson, both iconic frames in their own right, only heightened that desire and led to a couple of hours looking at various examples online!

Then, on the way back from the hairdressers yesterday I spotted this:-

It’s a sign I tell you.

So even though I’ve got the Motobecane build on the go and another 3 waiting in the wings, I now find myself really wanting an MRD race frame!! My question is, how often do these come up and are they “reasonably” priced? I suspect the answer to both questions will put this idea quickly to bed but I just want to get a handle on this before I lose the plot.

dinglem · « **Reply #1 on:** July 28, 2016, 08:21 AM »

Steve (animal) is the man to ask as he is Mr.MRD. I am sure he will be along shortly to pass comment on this.

I haven't been able to listen to this myself yet but will do in a few weeks when I return home from work.

I do have some pictures of the early MARCH RACING frame - Birmingham WHEELS supplied Tim with two off-the-shelf Pro frames which were stickered up as the first March prototypes. Both still exist today, but having spoken to Tim about them they are most definitely not up for sale.

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Mikku · « **Reply #2 on:** July 28, 2016, 11:52 AM »

Thanks for sharing that!

Yeah, he mentions that BW made the first few frames, I think 3 of them. I'd be more than happy with one of the actual production frames.

Spen69 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 28, 2016, 09:29 PM »

To be honest they are really nice to ride. I won't go on about Badlander here but I owned a minty fresh chrome Expert I got off Del yonks hack and it was my Radchester steed all blind up with Pro Class and DC niceness. Rode a treat and was way more roomy than the tt length suggested. Sold it to Daz Kapp who seemed to collect most of them so might be worth trying to contact him to see what he still has?

You may find a couple of Experts out there but Steve Animal has all the Pro frames plus a monster big one made for Tim himself. Apparently the Pro frames had an issue with headtube welds failing or something so not many survived.

The bad news is they fetch strong money if they surface i'm afraid so that may help scratch that itch $:-\$

RATTY · « **Reply #4 on:** July 29, 2016, 08:07 PM »

Tims in the process of making some new school frames as well, might be a good alternative.

bigfatolly · « **Reply #5 on:** July 29, 2016, 09:03 PM »

I had the XL Pro that was made for Tim,I found it in the local free ads in the late 90s before the oldschool thing got popular.
I had it built up with a mix of old and new parts ,then traded it with ANIMAL for a Badlander,I actually didn't have a clue it was a team frame,I just thought it was a Pro.
I also scored a complete Pro with MRD Pro bars and seatpost which an old mate from school had,he had it in his shed for years.
I sold that one to Steve as well and he paid big for it.
Lovely bikes but they don't come up all that often.
There was an expert on ebay with the later decals on a couple of weeks back.
I live in Poole where Tim is from and they were very popular around here back then,I had at least 5 mates with MRDs.

Mikku · « **Reply #6 on:** July 29, 2016, 10:24 PM »

Thanks for the replies guys. Yeah, I didn't think these would be easy to pick up now.

Quote from: bigfatolly on July 29, 2016, 09:03 PM

There was an expert on ebay with the later decals on a couple of weeks back.

Out of curiosity, any idea how much it went for?

bigfatolly · « **Reply #7 on:** July 31, 2016, 10:26 AM »

Quote from: Mikku on July 29, 2016, 10:24 PM

Thanks for the replies guys. Yeah, I didn't think these would be easy to pick up now.

Quote from: bigfatolly on July 29, 2016, 09:03 PM
There was an expert on ebay with the later decals on a couple of weeks back.

Out of curiosity, any idea how much it went for?

No idea sorry,for some reason I didn't put it in the watch list,which normally I would for something like that...

Mikku · « **Reply #8 on:** July 31, 2016, 12:42 PM »

Quote from: bigfatolly on July 31, 2016, 10:26 AM

No idea sorry,for some reason I didn't put it in the watch list,which normally I would for something like that...

No worries mate! Thanks for the heads up anyway.

Spen69 · « **Reply #9 on:** July 31, 2016, 02:04 PM »

Quote from: RATTY on July 29, 2016, 08:07 PM

Tims in the process of making some new school frames as well, might be a good alternative.

Blimey i'd forgotten that - he put a thread up on here years ago about that because I remember asking him to build me one

If he takes any longer the people who remember MRD will be too old to ride anymore unfortunately so he'll be chasing a new audience so to speak ...... $:-\$

bigfatolly · « **Reply #10 on:** August 03, 2016, 12:04 AM »

Quote from: Spen69 on July 31, 2016, 02:04 PM

Quote from: RATTY on July 29, 2016, 08:07 PM
Tims in the process of making some new school frames as well, might be a good alternative.

Blimey i'd forgotten that - he put a thread up on here years ago about that because I remember asking him to build me one

If he takes any longer the people who remember MRD will be too old to ride anymore unfortunately so he'll be chasing a new audience so to speak ...... $:-\$

If you check the MRD Facebook page,the last update was July 14th,and some drawings of the frames are on there,so it's still ongoing !!

dinglem · « **Reply #11 on:** August 03, 2016, 12:08 AM »

Tim has actually posted on Fb today that his two recent prototype frames are up for sale (20 and 24inch) - both having been brazed by Mr. Curtis.

He is also currently working on a frame for me so his venture is still very much ongoing....

dinglem · « **Reply #12 on:** August 03, 2016, 12:10 AM »

From today....

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bigfatolly · « **Reply #13 on:** August 06, 2016, 02:48 PM »

Hmmm the 24 looks tempting....

Mikku · « **Reply #14 on:** December 25, 2016, 11:56 PM »

Quote from: dinglem on August 03, 2016, 12:08 AM

Tim has actually posted on Fb today that his two recent prototype frames are up for sale (20 and 24inch) - both having been brazed by Mr. Curtis.

He is also currently working on a frame for me so his venture is still very much ongoing....

Any update on the new MRD frames?

dancetothedrummersbeat · « **Reply #15 on:** December 26, 2016, 12:15 AM »

Quote from: Mikku on December 25, 2016, 11:56 PM

Quote from: dinglem on August 03, 2016, 12:08 AM
Tim has actually posted on Fb today that his two recent prototype frames are up for sale (20 and 24inch) - both having been brazed by Mr. Curtis.

He is also currently working on a frame for me so his venture is still very much ongoing....

Any update on the new MRD frames?

Might be worth contacting Tim directly. I did so via facebook following the first podcast with Dale Holmes. He replied within minutes. Thanks Tim

Mikku · « **Reply #16 on:** December 26, 2016, 07:30 AM »

I don't do FB but am on eBay, so may send him a message on there in the light of Ant's recent dealings:-

http://www.radbmx.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,189187.0.html

factory pilot · « **Reply #17 on:** December 26, 2016, 09:33 AM »

I got mentioned on the second podcast and I bought a NOS brakeguard guard of him on EBay ( which he confirmed ) .. He never accepted my friend request though ? Guess he knew trouble when he saw it coming!

I loved the podcasts and thought Tim was thoroughly educational, informative and entertaining ..., I like his new school project and the fact he's against repoping his own stuff and cashing in

I'd love a frameset too but it's looking like Hen's teeth for us plebs ... Now if only Steve Animal was to unfortunately fall apon hard times ?......

animal · « **Reply #18 on:** January 03, 2017, 06:36 PM »

Quote from: factory pilot on December 26, 2016, 09:33 AM

I got mentioned on the second podcast and I bought a NOS brakeguard guard of him on EBay ( which he confirmed ) .. He never accepted my friend request though ? Guess he knew trouble when he saw it coming!

I loved the podcasts and thought Tim was thoroughly educational, informative and entertaining ..., I like his new school project and the fact he's against repoping his own stuff and cashing in

I'd love a frameset too but it's looking like Hen's teeth for us plebs ... Now if only Steve Animal was to unfortunately fall apon hard times ?......

Can't see that happening

oldschoolace · « **Reply #19 on:** January 03, 2017, 07:42 PM »

Bang goes my RGD rotor then

Mikku · « **Reply #20 on:** January 04, 2017, 03:16 PM »

Have just seen that there's an expert currently for sale on the bay! If I wasn't looking for a new school racer, I'd be all over it, though I reckon it'll fetch strong money!!

Mikku · « **Reply #21 on:** January 12, 2017, 01:10 PM »

So I see that it finally went for £310, which I didn't feel was too bad for a complete survivor! Did a Radster snag it?

animal · « **Reply #22 on:** January 12, 2017, 06:22 PM »

Quote from: Mikku on January 12, 2017, 01:10 PM

So I see that it finally went for £310, which I didn't feel was too bad for a complete survivor! Did a Radster snag it?

I'll get my coat

factory pilot · « **Reply #23 on:** January 12, 2017, 09:36 PM »

Quote from: animal on January 12, 2017, 06:22 PM

Quote from: Mikku on January 12, 2017, 01:10 PM
So I see that it finally went for £310, which I didn't feel was too bad for a complete survivor! Did a Radster snag it?

I'll get my coat

Mikku · « **Reply #24 on:** January 12, 2017, 10:17 PM »

Quote from: animal on January 12, 2017, 06:22 PM

Quote from: Mikku on January 12, 2017, 01:10 PM
So I see that it finally went for £310, which I didn't feel was too bad for a complete survivor! Did a Radster snag it?

I'll get my coat

Bloodyhell man, not another!! Seriously, glad you got it - couldn't have gone to a better home!