Hello

[anthony]

Hi all,

Anthony from North London here, I used to cruise around with my mates on our Burners back in the early-mid 80s. Yes I know, back then we didn't really know what to ask for when our parents asked which bikes we wanted, BMX to us were the same apart from how it looked (until we saw the other kids' bikes in school).

I got a Night Burner and my sister got a Mongoose, I was instantly jealous and wanted to swap with her but she wasn't having it, apart from not riding it very much.

Anyway fast forward to 2012 and I saw a lovely Kos Kruiser in the local bike shop which I bought but then had to sell as I needed the money. I really regret it now so I'm on the lookout for another (the 2012 repro not an 80s original). I've got a Kuwahara KZ-01 that I'm building and the daily driver is a PK Ripper from about 8 or so years ago, not too sure of the exact model really. I'm also on the lookout for a 2008 PK Ripper in black and gold as to me that is a lovely colourway.

To be honest, when I was young, I never raced and was never really hardcore when it came to BMX. Our local park had a quarterpipe which we jumped and trick ramp which we tried to look cool on,  but we weren't into the scene as it were. Personally I think it was because I saw a lot of broken bones and crashes that I thought, "I'm not having any of that", so yeah I was probably too much of a pansy to get involved.

I'd like a nice collection to display on my office wall really, and cruise around every once in a while on something decent. The little one (5) has his own BMX and enjoys it, so I use that opportunity to go out cycling with him. I don't really know what's good and what's not, just what I like the look of. Price wise, I don't really know the worth of the frames or whole bikes, or the legitimacy of their owners or the build itself, so I'm hoping you guys and girls can chip in with advice. I'm not usually after a bargain, if I want it I'll pay a decent rate, but don't want to pay over the top. I'd love to buy an old school Patterson or Mongoose (something polished, shiny and impressive), but I really am not clued up enough, so hopefully browsing the site will expand my knowledge. I also don't want to be one of those people that just pays out of the nose and drives prices up like a lot of eBay users seem to do.

Anyway enough rambling, I'm glad to be here, and the posts I've read already have been really helpful.

Take it easy

A

[That Swan Guy]

 

sounds like you've made a start

get some pics up

[griff]

Welcome Anthony 

Marky P had a fantastic Patterson up for sale not long back, not cheap but absolutely top drawer

Let me see if I can find it so at least you have an idea

[griff]

There you go http://www.radbmx.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,187201.0.html

[That Swan Guy]

http://www.radbmx.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,189238.0.html

This is a bargain and uber rare

[Andyboy77]

  to  RAD Anthony! 

In order to not pay over the top prices, you are at the right place to inform yourself on the worth of frames, whole bikes and parts. It depends on what item it is you are after and also it's condition, make, date and so on.
But here on  there are experts on anything you can think off. Ask any question you like, and help will come your way. 

Enjoy the journey! 

[anthony]

Thanks for the warm welcome 

I've checked out those two already, especially the Patterson, that is a sweet sweet bike, but the price is really a lot more than I'd be prepared to pay. But that is exactly the look I like. Something like a mongoose californian or something. In all honesty I'm unfamiliar with the less mainstream or "famous" brands for want of a better word and I really need schooling on what the good makes are.

[Avro]

Really good introduction and I know exactly where you are coming from. Was there anything other than Burners and Turbos in the early '80's? Not that I really knew and did not care. It is a bit different now, I love building bikes with lovely parts that gel and flow.

Good luck and hope to hear more...

[anthony]

Hey Avro

I know a lot of this comes across like I have very little idea and I honestly don't, I loved riding my bmx around and would like a few show pieces as well as the odd one to ride around on with the little one. Investments not really on my agenda, just bikes that look nice and shiny, old school and not your run of the mill Halford / toys r us job. Something a lot more specialist and limited but without burning a hole in the pocket.

In our day my mates and I only had Burners. It was the rich kids that brought their diamondbacks and skyways to school or the park where you could see what a much nicer bike really looked like.

I'll get a few photos up, but for the moment I'm looking for recommendations as to where to get my night burner restored. Iirc the dark frame had a dark film which made it black? It's completely original but I'd like it back to mint again as it was my very first bmx. Any suggestions welcome.

Thanks

[griff]

Over the past few years attitudes have changed a lot towards restored vs survivor bikes, obviously it's your bike to do what you want with but there are always going to be people telling you 'it's only original once'
Photos would be great but what kind of condition is the finish in currently? You're right about the finish being a coating and there are people who can help you get it back if it's too far gone. Nothing wrong with a bit of character though 

[anthony]

Hi Griff, I'd look to get it completely restored as it was my first proper bike and first bmx so I want to preserve it's sentimental value. It will only be on display and doesn't bother me if it's restored. I don't think it's in a good survivor state at the moment. It's at my parents house at the moment so haven't seen it in a while.

B

[griff]

Fair dos, would be great to see some pics though (we always like to see pics on here)
If you're going down the resto route you'll want some 'before' pics anyway 

Once you get going there are loads of people on here who can help you, put any questions you have in the tech/resto section or try searching in there and you'll get answers to most things, from advice on polishing to which household cleaning products or kitchen appliances can be used to spruce up your parts 

[anthony]

Fair dos, would be great to see some pics though (we always like to see pics on here)
If you're going down the resto route you'll want some 'before' pics anyway 

Once you get going there are loads of people on here who can help you, put any questions you have in the tech/resto section or try searching in there and you'll get answers to most things, from advice on polishing to which household cleaning products or kitchen appliances can be used to spruce up your parts 

i'll have to register for photobucket first, once I work it out i'll get some photos up.

[griff]

Imgur is supposed to be a good alternative to photobucket, works ok for me but I know some people have issues with it

[BMX1973]

  to 

[anthony]

OK it's taken a while but here are my BMXs:

Hutch Pro XL (bought the beartraps today from Hutch) - need advice on changing the wheels though, I don't like the black rims and spokes.


The 'daily ride', a PK Ripper, not sure of year but maybe around 10 years old? Some sort of race frame?


My pride and joy - a KZ-01 anniversary in my favourite colourway. I brought this over from Japan. I've since taken the bell, chainguard, stand etc off. I just had them on there to get everything from the box onto the bike.


'bitchin black 2008 PK ripper', my favourite PKR colourway.


The Night Burner is at my parents and is in a state. That will be restored sometime in the future.

Any suggestions welcome as to what to do to the Hutch. The others will stay the way they are for the moment, the Kuwahara will stay as it is but the PK Rippers might not have all the parts they originally came with.

Anthony