They are still out there... (time capsule Californian)

[midschooljon]

So most of you know I am very much a mid school guy, but what most of you probably dont know is that my first bike was actually an 83 Californian, followed by a CW Pistol Pete, and then a Prolight, before finally buying the bike of my dreams which was a 94 Holmes....

Anyway, I have a real soft spot for MK3 Californians as a result, and have been keeping an eye out for a nice one over the years. All the ones that have come along have always been over restored, or silly money, so I have passed them up.

In October however I was over in the USA for work, and came across a guy who heard I was into BMX. He casually mentioned he has a Mongoose that he had owned from new. I didn't get too excited, as the number of early 2000 POS mongoose bikes floating around is staggering. However, he then went on to say he bought it brand new in 1983, rode it around town for about a year, and that it has since been sitting in his parents garage unused. At that point I got excited! 

Anyway, a few days later he sent me a message saying he had gone and found the bike, and that it was in terrible shape after rotting in the garage for the last 30 years. He apologized for getting my hopes up, and said it probably wasn't worth selling any more. I wasn't going to give up that easily though, and after requesting pictures a deal was done.

While the bike had a lot of surface rust, and was a bit battered from its life in storage, it was 100% original. I know a lot of people say bikes are 100% original when they actually aren't, but this thing was genuinely all original. It had the same tyres, grips, brake pads, and even brake cables as it did when it came off the shop floor. It even had the original pad set on it that looks almost new. Sadly the tyres were rotted right off the rims, and the cables have seized inside the housings, but it was all there and original.

I unfortunately had to leave the USA before he could get it to me, but I was back over there last week and managed to pick it up. Its now back in the UK and Im going to tidy it up over Christmas. I threw some chen shin comp III's on it to take some pics, but as you see it below is as I found it.

I need to track down some replacement cables, and I might put some pro class bars on it, but other than that its staying as it was found. 

I will update with progress as I get on.















If anyone knows where I can track down some replacement clear DC brake cables please let me know. 

[ED209]

soak the cables in citric acid and see what happens ... gotta be worth a try to keep them orig
 

bloody lovely score 

I got one like that in 92 but I fully destroyed it and sprayed it yellow 

[CustardLips]

oldschooljon. 

Very nice mate... looking forward to seeing the finished article. 

[In2bmx]

LOL Nick . Oldschooljon 

Great find . 

[Gra_goose]

Very nice Jon.
Not sure if he still has them but I used to get the cables from bignaturechan on eBay. They was a bit of a pain to find, but was only about £25-£30 a pair delivered.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[donnydresser]

  sweet that pal

[Retrodan72]

That is a beauty Jon, great score.

[BMX1973]

Such a cool bike 

[midschooljon]

Cheers for the comments folks. Its already had an oxy bath today and has come out lovely. Even the rusty spokes are shining again. 

I also managed to find some front and rear 80's DC cables in Poland for a tenner posted the pair. 

Cant wait to bolt it all back together when they arrive.

[ED209]

Oldschooljon 

'Dylan goes electric' or what!

[Mikku]

Great find!! Knowing the standard of your mid-school bikes, this is going to look the dog’s danglies!

Out of curiosity, how did you get it back from the States? Don’t worry, I don’t work for or have any connection with the thieving bar stewards at HM Customs & Excise!

[midschooljon]

Great find!! Knowing the standard of your mid-school bikes, this is going to look the dog’s danglies!

Out of curiosity, how did you get it back from the States? Don’t worry, I don’t work for or have any connection with the thieving bar stewards at HM Customs & Excise!

I travel to the USA every month for work meetings, so just brought it back in my bag. 

[griff]

ace - nice find Jon 

[thebigdog]

I love it!  will it be getting a little buff up? I wouldn't be able to help myself!

[midschooljon]

I love it!  will it be getting a little buff up? I wouldn't be able to help myself!

It has been stripped, bathed, had a light buff, Pro Class bars fitted, and is just waiting on the new cables. The whole thing came up amazingly well considering how rough it was. There is still loads of pitting in the chrome, and the decals etc are rough, but Im really pleased with its overall finish.





The only disappointment is that when cleaning the chain I discovered all of the outer plates are full of hairline cracks. I have put it back on the bike for now, but before I ride it I will have to fit one that wont kill me. Other than that and the cables that needed replacing its all ready for another 35 years of life.

[Mikku]

 

[That Swan Guy]

 

[thebigdog]

Love it mate , really cool!

[BMX1973]

Great result 

[bobafett]

Awesome stuff 

[OllyHall]

My 1st bike as well Jon  in 94ish! It was old school even then and I hated it lol

[factory pilot]

Great find and looking gorgeous mate

[login_user]

Great find. Love the old gooses.

[ED209]

Flog it and buy something mid 90s 

[Funkyworm]

One bike I've never owned is a goose ...

Nearly bought one pre christmas but  something else came up & this one is Lush ! Just what id have wanted ... Great buy & fantastic result all round !