My original DP Firebird restored

[phantom photon]

It’s been a long time coming but it’s finally finished. This is my ORIGINAL DP Firebird Freestyler which I got new in 1984. It was one of the first unstamped white framesets produced by the factory. I originally went into the shop (Dales Cycles in Glasgow) to buy a chrome one with black skyways but the guy behind the counter said he had heard they were bringing out a white version shortly. I liked the sound of that instead so chose some white and red components and put down a deposit and waited a few weeks for it to arrive. Once I got it home it was well used and abused for a number of years going through various colours/build specs.

Me in 1984


Then in about 1988/9 I decided to take the wheels off and bolt a pair of skis to the bottom and turn it into a ski bike (we used to have proper snow in winter back then  ). I only used it a couple of times and it was then thrown in my parents shed and forgotten about until about 3½ years ago when my parents gave me a call and said they were clearing out the shed and could I come across and see if there was anything I wanted before they threw it away. I found my old DP lying at the back looking very sorry for itself still with the skis attached (didn’t think to take a picture of it unfortunately). To make the skis fit I had cut off the bottom of the rear dropouts and drilled some holes in the bottom bracket and it was also very rusty from sitting in a damp shed for 20 odd years and I remember thinking, will I skip it or will I keep it and try and fix it up. This was the moment that got me back into old school scene and led me ultimately to discover RAD. I decided that I would try and fix her up again and so went home that night and got onto google looking for parts and information. The first site I came across was RAD of course and it’s been all downhill from there  The frame then sat in my garage for a couple of years as I couldn’t seem to find anyone local who was willing to repair the frame and dropouts, at least at a reasonable price. Then as luck would have it I got in touch with Sawzall (Phil) on this site who I heard could fix anything made of metal. The quality of Phils work is second to non and the repairs were outstanding.















SBD then powder coated the frame and forks along with the Z-hubs and again the finish is just amazing.



Firebird Steve provided the red decals and padsets (I never got any pads originally but thought I treat her in her old age). I have built her up to look as near to how she looked originally  but have changed a few bits with the real items - i.e. genuine CW’s instead of copies, real Kashi Aero instead of copy, etc. The wheels are also standard Z’ds instead of Mike Buffs. The feeling I got when I sat on my bike again for the first time in over 20 years is hard to describe - it brings back so many good memories I nearly had a tear in my eye. Sorry if I’ve been going on a bit but for me this is my ultimate build and has made an old man very, very happy 

Big thanks to Steve (Firebird), Phil (Sawzall), Dan (SBD) and Jai (SE-bmxer) for all their help and advice 
















Spec:
My original unstamped white DP Frame and Forks
White Z-rims with Z-hubs
Kenda whitewall tyres
Dia Compe 890 front and rear brake calipers with Tech 3 levers and Z-pads
CW Pro handlebars
A’me Tri grips
Tioga MX-600 headset
SR stem - red/silver
Kashimax Aero seat
GT layback seatpost
NOS Tuf Neck seat clamp
Suginc 1pc crank
Sugino 44t chain ring
Sugino chrome ppider & bolts
MKS BM-10 Footjaw pedals
Tioga sealed bottom bracket
Shimano 16t Chrome Freewheel
Izumi red/silver chain

[beard1973]

Thats STUNNING!!!! 

[Peter J]

That is beautiful 

[ROX]

That's lovely!

Firebirds are the best! 

[virtualmeuk]

Stunning mate. I did the same with mine but gave in and built it with all new top spec parts. Part of me is still thinkin of going back to how it was BOTD. Its such a great feelin.

Well done anyway mate. Looks Stunning!

[munners]

Bike of the month if not the year for me!

Love the story, the work that has been done, the colours red and white and the upgrading of the parts.

Well done Iain.

[MartyC]

Fantastic 

[crazycraig]

MINT!!!!!! 

[ROX]

Make sure you add it into the museum here: http://www.radbmx.co.uk/forum/index.php'topic=53.msg722715#msg722715

(That's my white and blue Firebird at the top of the above page btw. )

[toys19]

Blimey you almost brought a tear to my eye with that story. Looks fantastic. Have you got a rider as well?? I cant cope with not riding mine so I am building a carpet queen and a rider to almost the same spec..

[series.1.rs.turbo]

Fantastic build, great storey 

[rhino_mac]

Those dropouts are a work of art now - kudos to Phil for a great job.

[poolysheriff]

Thats just quality 

a real labour of love 

[Bob_Acid]

great job 

[Swivel]

Beautiful!  Phil should get an OBE for his work, fooking top stuff  SBD finish is lovely also  stunning mate 

[katie o/s girl]

that looks great,makes me want to clean up my haro 

[sawzall]

that looks stunning iain the colour scheme works so well

[mark 2]

Now if you restored the ski bike Iain that'd be the business.....ski bike of the month winner for sure. Get it done

But if you can't be arsed that dp's still lovely, I think those red decals are my fave's

[subversion]

Saved! Great job to all involved

[LOS1969]

great story great bike wished i still had mine

[QUADROPHENIA]

fookin quality story, phil is a bloomin god, make sure you rub his belly at MK its very lucky 

[trasher]

loving it     and a great story to ,,you just cant beat building a bike like you had back in the good old days  

respect dude ,,,,that early picture of those short leg jeans bring back some dodgy memories  

[ron burgundy]

Great resto job, well done

[animal]

I love seeing peoples bikes from back in the day brought back 2 life  Looks the dogs 

[phantom photon]

Thanks for all the comment guys, makes it all worthwhile 

Now if you restored the ski bike Iain that'd be the business.....ski bike of the month winner for sure. Get it done

Now there's a thought