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RADBMX.CO.UK  |  Technical & Reference Section  |  Tech and Restoration  |  They are still out there... (time capsule Californian)
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Author Topic: They are still out there... (time capsule Californian)  (Read 2950 times)

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Offline midschooljon

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They are still out there... (time capsule Californian)
« on: December 19, 2017, 08:20 AM »
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!  :LolLolLolLol:

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.  :daumenhoch:

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.  :daumenhoch:

***Wanted - Cash waiting***
RAMP ROOM HOFFMAN FLASH
ELF Double Cross XL.
UGP plates and pad sets
Mid School Race Kit

Offline ED209

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Re: They are still out there... (time capsule Californian)
« Reply #1 on: December 19, 2017, 08:38 AM »
soak the cables in citric acid and see what happens ... gotta be worth a try to keep them orig
 :daumenhoch:

bloody lovely score  :)

I got one like that in 92 but I fully destroyed it and sprayed it yellow  :daumenhoch:
"Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light."

Dylan Thomas

WANTED : Victor DX 9/16 spindle or pedal

Offline CustardLips

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Re: They are still out there... (time capsule Californian)
« Reply #2 on: December 19, 2017, 09:24 AM »
oldschooljon.  :LolLolLolLol:

Very nice mate... looking forward to seeing the finished article.  :daumenhoch:
"Every year is getting shorter, never seem to find the time"

"WWG1WGA"

In2bmx

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Re: They are still out there... (time capsule Californian)
« Reply #3 on: December 19, 2017, 09:25 AM »
LOL Nick . Oldschooljon  ;D

Great find .  fistblump

Offline Gra_goose

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Re: They are still out there... (time capsule Californian)
« Reply #4 on: December 19, 2017, 11:15 AM »
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.


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Offline donnydresser

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Re: They are still out there... (time capsule Californian)
« Reply #5 on: December 19, 2017, 11:50 AM »
 explosion sweet that pal

Offline Retrodan72

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Re: They are still out there... (time capsule Californian)
« Reply #6 on: December 19, 2017, 01:23 PM »
That is a beauty Jon, great score.



GO FORWARD TO THE PAST, WITH NRP'S

Offline BMX1973

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Re: They are still out there... (time capsule Californian)
« Reply #7 on: December 19, 2017, 04:33 PM »
Such a cool bike  :smitten:

Offline midschooljon

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Re: They are still out there... (time capsule Californian)
« Reply #8 on: December 19, 2017, 08:11 PM »
Cheers for the comments folks. Its already had an oxy bath today and has come out lovely. Even the rusty spokes are shining again.  :smitten:

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

Cant wait to bolt it all back together when they arrive.
***Wanted - Cash waiting***
RAMP ROOM HOFFMAN FLASH
ELF Double Cross XL.
UGP plates and pad sets
Mid School Race Kit

Offline ED209

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Re: They are still out there... (time capsule Californian)
« Reply #9 on: December 19, 2017, 08:49 PM »
Oldschooljon  :-\

'Dylan goes electric' or what!
"Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light."

Dylan Thomas

WANTED : Victor DX 9/16 spindle or pedal

Offline Mikku

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Re: They are still out there... (time capsule Californian)
« Reply #10 on: December 20, 2017, 04:24 AM »
Great find!! Knowing the standard of your mid-school bikes, this is going to look the dog’s danglies! :daumenhoch:

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! :2gunsfiring_v1:
From Dorset to Japan:- http://www.radbmx.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,182215.0.html
Ok riders, random start. Riders ready, watch the gate old gaijin make a fool of himself! :D

Offline midschooljon

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Re: They are still out there... (time capsule Californian)
« Reply #11 on: December 20, 2017, 07:23 AM »
Great find!! Knowing the standard of your mid-school bikes, this is going to look the dog’s danglies! :daumenhoch:

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! :2gunsfiring_v1:

I travel to the USA every month for work meetings, so just brought it back in my bag.  :daumenhoch:
***Wanted - Cash waiting***
RAMP ROOM HOFFMAN FLASH
ELF Double Cross XL.
UGP plates and pad sets
Mid School Race Kit

griff

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Re: They are still out there... (time capsule Californian)
« Reply #12 on: December 20, 2017, 09:55 AM »
ace - nice find Jon  :daumenhoch:

Offline thebigdog

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Re: They are still out there... (time capsule Californian)
« Reply #13 on: December 20, 2017, 10:56 AM »
I love it!  will it be getting a little buff up? I wouldn't be able to help myself! :LolLolLolLol:

Offline midschooljon

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Re: They are still out there... (time capsule Californian)
« Reply #14 on: December 20, 2017, 02:52 PM »
I love it!  will it be getting a little buff up? I wouldn't be able to help myself! :LolLolLolLol:

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.
***Wanted - Cash waiting***
RAMP ROOM HOFFMAN FLASH
ELF Double Cross XL.
UGP plates and pad sets
Mid School Race Kit

Offline Mikku

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Re: They are still out there... (time capsule Californian)
« Reply #15 on: December 20, 2017, 10:06 PM »
 :4_17_5:
From Dorset to Japan:- http://www.radbmx.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,182215.0.html
Ok riders, random start. Riders ready, watch the gate old gaijin make a fool of himself! :D

Offline That Swan Guy

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Re: They are still out there... (time capsule Californian)
« Reply #16 on: December 20, 2017, 10:12 PM »
 explosion
Who wants to ride with Eddie Fiola?

Offline thebigdog

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Re: They are still out there... (time capsule Californian)
« Reply #17 on: December 21, 2017, 06:55 AM »
Love it mate , really cool! 8)

Offline BMX1973

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Re: They are still out there... (time capsule Californian)
« Reply #18 on: December 21, 2017, 09:34 AM »
Great result  :4_17_5:

Offline bobafett

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Re: They are still out there... (time capsule Californian)
« Reply #19 on: December 21, 2017, 10:30 AM »
Awesome stuff  :daumenhoch:
mongoositis - an expensive disease......

Offline OllyHall

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Re: They are still out there... (time capsule Californian)
« Reply #20 on: December 21, 2017, 08:40 PM »
My 1st bike as well Jon  :daumenhoch: in 94ish! It was old school even then and I hated it lol
Mid school baby!!

Offline factory pilot

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Re: They are still out there... (time capsule Californian)
« Reply #21 on: December 22, 2017, 02:12 PM »
Great find and looking gorgeous mate fistblump explosion
"Knowledge is the acceptance of ones own ignorance." Socrates 399BC

Offline login_user

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Re: They are still out there... (time capsule Californian)
« Reply #22 on: December 28, 2017, 12:49 PM »
Great find. Love the old gooses.

Offline ED209

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Re: They are still out there... (time capsule Californian)
« Reply #23 on: December 28, 2017, 10:55 PM »
Flog it and buy something mid 90s  ;D
"Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light."

Dylan Thomas

WANTED : Victor DX 9/16 spindle or pedal

Offline Funkyworm

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Re: They are still out there... (time capsule Californian)
« Reply #24 on: December 30, 2017, 12:14 PM »
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 !

RADBMX.CO.UK  |  Technical & Reference Section  |  Tech and Restoration  |  They are still out there... (time capsule Californian)
 

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