Author Topic: Dirt Bros Skyway Ta (Read 3017 times)

FuNMoNsTeR · « **on:** October 22, 2006, 02:24 PM »

I would like some opinions on this frame please. I know Dirt Bros bought up Skyway frame and fork sets in the early 90s and rebadged them... The frame number is T4A2327.

billstup · « **Reply #1 on:** October 22, 2006, 02:33 PM »

Well it differs slightly from a normal T/A, the rear dropouts are missing the cutout, and the brake bridge is straight instead of curved, which is the sign of an early T/A . The serial number on a Skyway T/A doesn`t have any letters in it either, apart from that it looks fine

CD17 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 22, 2006, 02:43 PM »

I think those little holes in the chainstays are closer to the dropouts as well

But that looks a fine frame

FuNMoNsTeR · « **Reply #3 on:** October 22, 2006, 02:46 PM »

Thanks Billy...

The tubing and weld quality looks identical to a early/mid 80s Ta... I know Skyway had probs with the straight brake stays with crushing so they changed to the curved design. The brake stay on this frame is very slightly crushed.
I wondered if Skyway sold their frame tube stock to Dirt Bros and then Dirt Bros had them welded up by Tange? Just a theory

I had the Dirt Bros thrash test in an old ride or BMX Now magazine(1990 or 91) but i cant for the life of me find it.

phantom photon · « **Reply #4 on:** October 22, 2006, 05:32 PM »

I was watching this on ebay and was very tempted to go for it.

FuNMoNsTeR · « **Reply #5 on:** October 22, 2006, 05:47 PM »

I thought it was a steal at the price m8....

The magazine the Dirt Bros test is in is Ride Issue 9 Feb/Mar 1984... i have part of the mag but the test section is missing

Does anyone have the complete magazine? Here is a shot of the cover:

Bob_Acid · « **Reply #6 on:** October 22, 2006, 06:45 PM »

You've got it the wrong way round, the curved bridge came first.

I have to say though that frame is a bit of an enigma. It has the vent holes down the rear stays like the japanese model but has a straight bridge. Skyway have said they made the odd change over time for different riders for strength testing this could be something like that. It's one of a kind though. Can you do a decent picture of the s/n on the bottom bracket FUN?

Bob_Acid · « **Reply #7 on:** October 22, 2006, 06:49 PM »

There's somebody riding one in Agroman or ride on if anyone has that and somebody on VBMX did one a few years back in dark green. I'm not sure if Dirt bros went with the TA forks either but i don't think they did.

billstup · « **Reply #8 on:** October 22, 2006, 06:51 PM »

I thought they were straight first, then when they realised that there was a problem with the brake bridge crushing it was changed to the curved type. Why would they have changed from a curved brake bridge which was ok to a straight one that was faulty, it makes more sence the other way round

billstup · « **Reply #9 on:** October 22, 2006, 06:53 PM »

Just looked at the Skyway serial numbers thread and you`re right Bob

Bob_Acid · « **Reply #10 on:** October 22, 2006, 06:53 PM »

Either money or the fact that the welded washer made it more difficult to set up brakes with those concave washers. TBH i expect it was more to do with cost though. I think we've just established though that they did go back to the curved bridge sometime in 85/6.

FuNMoNsTeR · « **Reply #11 on:** October 22, 2006, 07:21 PM »

Thanks for the info guys

The serial is on the BB shell and is not too clear through the powdercoat....

Bob_Acid · « **Reply #12 on:** October 22, 2006, 07:29 PM »

Real enigma Fun. does it have the knurling and skyway stamped into the drop-outs?

phantom photon · « **Reply #13 on:** October 22, 2006, 07:34 PM »

Quote from: Bob_Acid on October 22, 2006, 06:53 PM

Either money or the fact that the welded washer made it more difficult to set up brakes with those concave washers. TBH i expect it was more to do with cost though. I think we've just established though that they did go back to the curved bridge sometime in 85/6.

Yup, your right. I've got an 86 with a curved bridge

FuNMoNsTeR · « **Reply #14 on:** October 22, 2006, 07:40 PM »

I cant see any knurling on the dropouts without sanding some of the powdercoat off. They look smooth. The toptube is approx 18 3/4 inches centre to centre and the frame weighs approx 4 1/2 Lbs. Top tube is teardropped and downtube is oval... seat tube is teardropped too.

region11 · « **Reply #15 on:** October 22, 2006, 07:45 PM »

Didn't Dirt Bros put Redline forks on their TA's?

billstup · « **Reply #16 on:** October 22, 2006, 07:52 PM »

That serial number is completly different from a Skyway one, a Skyway one goes from front to back of the bb instead of across like that one Andy, I`ve tryed to take some pics of mine to show you, but the powder coating is too thick and it wont show up. but I`ve took some pics of the rear drop out that shows the difference between mine and yours :

You can see where the holes and cutout on the dropouts differ from yours.

FuNMoNsTeR · « **Reply #17 on:** October 22, 2006, 08:01 PM »

Kool m8 thanks

I had a Ta and remember the serial layout... mine had skyway engraved on the BB shell too BITD
Maybe the movement of the holes and the solid stays ties up with Bobs info on Skyway strength testing ?
I am off to track down a copy of that magazine... Biaggio must have a copy of it

Bling Crosby · « **Reply #18 on:** October 22, 2006, 08:02 PM »

Here you go FuNMoNsTeR -

Bling.

billstup · « **Reply #19 on:** October 22, 2006, 08:15 PM »

Even the one in that artical has the teardrop cut outs in the dropouts. There were some T/A forks that never had the cut outs in the dropouts either, I think Jazzchimp has a set

FuNMoNsTeR · « **Reply #20 on:** October 22, 2006, 08:35 PM »

Cheers for the pics Bling...you are a star

There are forks with solid dropouts too

I will have to contact him and see if he has a piccy

Thanks again all

showtime · « **Reply #21 on:** October 22, 2006, 09:06 PM »

thats a nice Frame & forks

i'd be more than happy to have that in with my Kuwies

Bob_Acid · « **Reply #22 on:** October 22, 2006, 09:22 PM »

the early K serial number TA's are stamped laterally across the BB also as opposed to the usual dated ones that are around the circumference

Bob_Acid · « **Reply #23 on:** October 22, 2006, 09:28 PM »

The fact that is doesn't have the flash cut-out is not what is perplexing me, we've seen loads of that. it's the T serial and the early vent holes with the straight bridge. The proverbial spanner in the works for me, i've been looking into this stuff a good four years now and this is a new one to me.

billstup · « **Reply #24 on:** October 22, 2006, 09:34 PM »

Perhaps Dirt Bothers got the frames without a serial number on and added their own

Author Topic: Dirt Bros Skyway Ta (Read 3017 times)

FuNMoNsTeR

FuNMoNsTeR

FuNMoNsTeR

FuNMoNsTeR

FuNMoNsTeR

FuNMoNsTeR

Bling Crosby

FuNMoNsTeR