Author Topic: What is a "survivor"? (Read 2631 times)

SaMAlex · « **on:** May 22, 2007, 01:04 PM »

I have just seen this mentioned on another thread but what does "survivor" mean? When does a "survivor" start being a restoration? I thought that a "survivor" was a bike that is in the exact condition that is had been found it, or had got to (see Harris' Haro freestyler). No cleaning, replacing, no making good, or anything. Just as it was ridden first time round. I have nothing against replacing, or improving or even changing it into the bike you always wish you could have had, but would that still be a "survivor"?

kdw712 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 22, 2007, 01:09 PM »

i would have thought just as you said - in as found condition

but if you fitted some new tyres and tubes to replace the 20 year old perished ones, it to make ridable or just complete
would it still technically be a survivor

i would think fitting old used parts answer is yes a survivor
fitting new unused parts - no restro has began

though its a bit of a fine line aint it

Stodgy · « **Reply #2 on:** May 22, 2007, 01:11 PM »

Yep, just a clean...no parts replacement or resto.

Other than tubes and a chain...

Jazzchimp · « **Reply #3 on:** May 22, 2007, 01:12 PM »

I think it's fair to clean it but has to have bits as it was when you found it - obviously the more original the more points in a show n shine

Bob_Acid · « **Reply #4 on:** May 22, 2007, 01:48 PM »

Yeah, in my nerd-like mind i've always thought it's ok to change rotten tyres and grips but after that it's starting to be a resto

SteveG · « **Reply #5 on:** May 22, 2007, 02:20 PM »

Its difficult to put labels on things like this. I suppose a survivor is something dragged out of a shed (in any condition) and put on display. If you want to ride it some work will be needed, tyres, tubes chain and probably new grease in the bearings.
My bike is a bit different as I have had it from new, it never been left dirty and the only reason I had to change the forks is because I welded V brake mounts onto the old ones (silly I know). The tyres were cracking and I didn't put the pedals on in case I dropped it and scuffed them up more than they are already.
Perhaps someone could think of a different name for what my bike is.
Be nice though

Stace · « **Reply #6 on:** May 22, 2007, 02:52 PM »

Take ya pick

SteveG · « **Reply #7 on:** May 22, 2007, 03:03 PM »

oberonspacefruit · « **Reply #8 on:** May 22, 2007, 03:31 PM »

i dont think you should even change the tyres...it looks so much better just left as is.

greentoad · « **Reply #9 on:** May 22, 2007, 07:41 PM »

To me a 'Survivor' is a bike that has 'its' same components from back in the day. That's it, nothing more or less. It can be mint and clean or rusty and no moving parts.

EG - Jays NOS complete and boxed Haro that was built up, is a Survivor - an exceptional one and also classed as NOS.

A restoration is totally different in my eyes.

A good Survivor is quite rare, as you should use all the bits on the bike as you found it.

When you start putting on new decals, paint, etc then that is a Resto in my eyes.

I have only had the luck and pleasure of two that I would count as true 'Survivors' in all the time i've been collecting.

There is nothing wrong with a strip, clean, polish, oil, grease the bearings etc that is maintance and is not in anyway changing the bike from how it was and changing its identity.

If a bike can not be used (missing bits, broken etc) it is not of any relevance apart from an object (EG - my Profile when I got it with no wheels or tyres).

It can of course still be a 'Survivor' in bad condition (Welds, Rust, Broken Parts, Seized etc) such as Dan's Haro, but that is why that bike should never be touched as it would be nearly impossible to take it apart and put it back together. Loads of things would break and then it would be a restoration and no longer be a true Survivor.

I reckon these two I've done are True Survivors -

http://www.radbmx.co.uk/forum/index.php'topic=10909.0

http://www.radbmx.co.uk/forum/index.php'topic=34447.0

No - money, new components, paint, chrome, decals, etc etc on them.

Just many hours, hard work, love and patience.

J.

SaMAlex · « **Reply #10 on:** May 22, 2007, 07:46 PM »

I think you might have hit the ultra purist nail on the head there:

Survivor: no money spent on it, just time!

oberonspacefruit · « **Reply #11 on:** May 23, 2007, 08:29 AM »

your a baddun for puttin them chainring bolts in...

that looks sweet. a real labour of love.

selfpreservation · « **Reply #12 on:** May 23, 2007, 08:34 AM »

what if you get a survivor frame and forks ie original frame and forks,finish,decals and then you build it with refurbished/nos parts what is that called then

harris · « **Reply #13 on:** May 23, 2007, 08:37 AM »

restored .
most bikes need a good restoration but a few need leaving as was found.

Stodgy · « **Reply #14 on:** May 23, 2007, 10:34 AM »

Yep, basically a bike which is bought out of the shed after a 20 year stay...with everything the same as it was when it was put in there. i.e. as it was ridden.

I agree you shouldn't change a thing on it, just a clean, grease and nothing more. You're right Greentoad - nothing spent on it, only time.

Here's my GT I got back from the the mate I sold it to 1989, it was just as I left it - a true survivor:

I then restored it, so no longer a survior.

The only other survivors I've discovered were:

From a loady at work:

From Lazychubs (but there were no tyres, so had to put some Wilko's on):

Sorry, subnote to the above...

'Ridden' is the key, a complete NOS find is still NOS...a survior was ridden as it was intended and survived a trip to the tip in the last 25 years!

harris · « **Reply #15 on:** May 23, 2007, 10:52 AM »

loving that gt dave

my haro survivor is for sale

best o.f.f.e.r gets it

Stodgy · « **Reply #16 on:** May 23, 2007, 11:07 AM »

Let's see another pic of it Dan, it's a sweetie...

oberonspacefruit · « **Reply #17 on:** May 23, 2007, 11:14 AM »

yeah cmon dan. i agree that a survivor has to have been ridden.

I wouldnt mind that gen 1 myself.

harris · « **Reply #18 on:** May 23, 2007, 11:22 AM »

front tuff was put on whilst i re greased z hub.

DR VINOAH · « **Reply #19 on:** May 23, 2007, 11:24 AM »

Quote from: harris on May 23, 2007, 10:52 AM

loving that gt dave
my haro survivor is for sale best o.f.f.e.r gets it

dan you must have an idea how much you want for the gen1 survivor

how bout a lifetimes supply of your fav cake

i can sort that out for you no worries

oberonspacefruit · « **Reply #20 on:** May 23, 2007, 11:30 AM »

i dont know why, but it looks much better with the zed on it.

harris · « **Reply #21 on:** May 23, 2007, 11:47 AM »

it does fruity i no what you mean and it does get ridden alot.
took it for a day out at rom .

Stodgy · « **Reply #22 on:** May 23, 2007, 12:02 PM »

Brilliant Dan - gotta love that.

oberonspacefruit · « **Reply #23 on:** May 23, 2007, 12:05 PM »

woo hoo, lol...look right at home there....

id be cautios tabling the moguls though, i reckon that tuff neck has done its tour of duty!

Stodgy · « **Reply #24 on:** May 23, 2007, 12:19 PM »

Been trying to work out what makes that bike so cool. I think it's the stickers on the seat and the mis-match wheels, just kinda works. Shouldn't, but it does. Propoer workhorse.

Author Topic: What is a "survivor"? (Read 2631 times)

SaMAlex

Jazzchimp

greentoad

SaMAlex

selfpreservation

DR VINOAH