Torker 280X, Round or oval cut outs?

[madmohican]

Ok, The TORKER 280X has been one of my favourite bikes since the early 80's and i was lucky enough to get one off the bay last year. Since buying mine i've looked at several on bmx museum's and i've seen TORKER 280X's on them with ROUND and OVAL cut outs in the gusset. Does the 280X have ROUND or OVAL cut outs? Mine has the OVAL ones with 280X decals, is it a 280 or 280X? Thanks, Lee

[dj_benice]

earlier ones had the round gussets as did the MX later ones had the oval gusset as far as 280/280x goes I think they where the same frame just diff spec parts, if I am wrong I am sure one of the porker experts will correct me   Nice to meet you last night lee, did you get home safe with the mad ginger one

[Bob_Acid]

CM's difference in the top tube length between them. Think the oval cut out came in in 83

[skids]

I had an 84 spec 280x [1" longer top tube than the 280] it had the oval gusset cutout.
that style ran for a couple of years, I think.
on a foot note.... it was put out as a direct rival to the diamondback silver streak.
most of the parts were SR i.e: stem,cranks,hubs,etc......panaracer tyres[1.75 rear-massive2.25 rear!]
 I hope this helps.........Skids

[FuNMoNsTeR]

I am not too hot on pre 83 Torkers... i think they were called Flytes and Max Flytes.... they had round hole gusset plates and came with a Torker thunderbolt logo on the downtubes and the old Red 'Torker inside a tyre' badge on the headtube
The 280 series started in 83 i believe and had oval gusset plates.... The 280X was available as a frame and fork or complete bike.... It has an 19 inch toptube(centre to centre)
 The Torker 280 was only available as a complete bike and marketed to compete with sales of the Silver Streak initially as the part specs were virtually identical on the stock bikes. The 280 is a rare beastie and has 18 inch toptube centre to centre. 1984 saw the release of the Pro X.... Torker did away with the gusset plate and put a brace under the downtube at the headstock like the Haro Gen 1s(which Torker made). I think the Pro X is 19 inches centre to centre. Thanks to Retrogeezer who initially provided me with some of this info     Hope it helps 

[crazycraig]

God knows but i like um





and restoring at the min

[Gary72]

As a kid I had a Torker Magnum 200 which i belive to be the smaller brother to the 280/280x that had a round hole.
If anyone comes across one with an IG11 postcode stamped in it, I would like it back as it was stolen.

[FuNMoNsTeR]

Be rude not too     Here is my 83 Torker 280...Bastardised to my own sick taste 

[sanderson]

my first flying machine torker 280 with round hole christmas 83 i think
the oval ones came out later

sold it to dylan clayton,he won a few nationals on it i think at about 8 or 9 years old
 

[Bob_Acid]

Fun they deffo did a 280x with the round gusset, my mate had one.

[madmohican]

earlier ones had the round gussets as did the MX later ones had the oval gusset as far as 280/280x goes I think they where the same frame just diff spec parts, if I am wrong I am sure one of the porker experts will correct me   Nice to meet you last night lee, did you get home safe with the mad ginger one
[/quote

Good meeting you too. Got home fine thanks, CRAZYADE had a blast. Thanks for the info on my bik

[meticulous]

according to alan at alans bmx, they changed to oval gusset  because they cracked on the round gusset.

[Gary72]

Have this lot awaiting my frame to come back from a work mate who is painting it for me, had it since May 2007
Funmonsters old Pro X







Took these tonight to send to him as GUESS WHATS MISSING reminder

[Flaz]

they did the 280x with both shaped gussets oval was later it replaced the round gussets as they kept snapping

[Bob_Acid]

Aye that's exactly what happened to my mates one and it was replaced with the oval one 

[FuNMoNsTeR]

Here is the Thrash test of the 280X from 1983.....






An advert from 1982/83 showing the round hole 280




The hardest Torker parts to source are Torker Hubs and the Torker Pro T bars... It took me 2 years to get a set of bars. Here they are with my Candy Blue Torker 280X.