RADBMX.CO.UK
Technical & Reference Section => Tech and Restoration => Topic started by: BMX20 on December 15, 2010, 09:18 AM
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First off, what a fantastic site! I've barely scratched the surface yet it's clear this is a seriously helpful resource populated by very helpful people - so thank you. Also, a big thank you to Firebird Steve for his help getting me onto here and for answering the myriad of little questions I've had for him so far. Anyway, here are the pics of my Firebird to date:
(http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k515/bmx20/Head.jpg)
(http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k515/bmx20/Frame2.jpg)
(http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k515/bmx20/Frame1.jpg)
(http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k515/bmx20/Forks.jpg)
(http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k515/bmx20/Bits.jpg)
(http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k515/bmx20/BB.jpg)
White Skyways with a coaster on their way - looking at a white/black build I think. Anyone know where I can get DP Ladder bars from? I'll post pics as I build it up, in the meantime I'm off to prep the forks for lacquer. Incidentally, I've ordered some decals from Firebird Steve - does anyone know if you can lacquer over them and, if so, what type of lacquer?
Cheers!
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Lookin' good so far :daumenhoch: , welcome to RAD ;)
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Welcome to Rad. I would be getting my chain as short as possible looking at the back dropouts to stop them from splaying even more :daumenhoch:
I would Laquer before the Decals personally
Nice build in progress there fella :4_17_5:
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Hello mate, welcome aboard. Great first project 8) :daumenhoch:
I'm sure you'll feel right at home in no time.
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Yeah, the frame's near perfect apart from those drop-outs. As it is, the chain that came with the bike is a perfect length and in good nick, so that's saved me some tinkering there. Been reading about various methods of applying the decals - think I'll give the soapy water method a go! Just finished lacquering the forks so the whole thing is ready to start building up once that's done. Just need to find somewhere around Lincoln to ride it then ...
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Loads of great places around Lincoln to ride and three great parks in Peterborough aswell which is about an hour away :daumenhoch:
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Thanks so far guys - more bits ready for assembly!
(http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k515/bmx20/NewBits.jpg)
And nicely polished BD Bars and Stem with 99p ebay Potts Mod!
(http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k515/bmx20/BarsandStem.jpg)
Waiting for rear brake, seat clamp, spider and chainring, and the Skyways from the States (£130 inc postage - gotta love the exchange rate!)
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Good luck mate - looks like it's coming along nicely :daumenhoch:
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Welcome & very nice first build 8)
DP Ladder Bars are about like most things, it will just be a case of keep looking out for them :)
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Nothing better than another DP brought back to life... :smitten:
For DP Ladder bars you'll need to bide your time and they aren't £15 any more... more like £150-£200 :shocked:
I've applied 2 sets of Steve's DP decals and I've always thought its OTT to do the wet route... they were just slapped on in the factory! but if you take your time and press them down from the middle out then you can just wack em straight on.
Are you building this to ride? looks that way... if you need some decent cheap tyres then try these...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/20-x-1-75-BMX-tyres-BLACK-AMBER-wall-OLD-skool-/380281408209?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&var=&hash=item97578c3ff6
they look like this on white mags...
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/i63/209ed/BMX/IMG_0609.jpg)
Best of luck mate :daumenhoch:
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welcome to RAD and good luck with your first (of many) builds :daumenhoch:
what Tuffs did you buy from the states? was it the graphite ones with gold hubs? if not then you can get any coloured new tuffs on UK ebay for about £70 :daumenhoch:
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Hi guys,
With regard to the decals, I think the only ones I'm nervous of are the 2 for the downtube, as it's very easy to see if they don't line up. I might do the remainder dry and try the wet route for the downtube. It looks like there's an extra headtube decal in the set, so I might try experimenting with than on my old MTB. I'll probably experiment with lacquering over it too with acrylic just to see what happens. Has anyone lacquered over their decals?
The Skyways I went for are just stock white Tuff IIs, but with a coaster brake (I couldn't find any in the UK and Skyway said their UK supplier wasn't importing them). It's a tiny bit steep I know, but I really wanted that brake.
So yeah, it's definitely a rider; those tyres look just the ticket too, nice one!
Anyone know of a skatepark or ramps where complete novices are welcome to go and make fools of themselves?
Gordy
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ahhhh didn't realise they were coaster ones :daumenhoch:
as for parks? you can go to any as none of them worry if you make a fool of yourself or not..........i do it everytime i go :LolLolLolLol:
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Don't know of a park but if you haven't done it in a while make sure you wear ALL the saftey gear ( don't worry about looking like a tit ) It can very easily go wrong very quickly when the addrenalim is pumping .( My bro Spen 69 face planted at full pelt onto concrete , broke his cheekbone 6 places and knocked his front teeth out )Also take a basic tool kit with you as the bike will probably need a few tweeks as things settle in . Be safe , look a tit ,feel old but have fun .
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Come down to Corby in Jan for the RAD Night at Adrenalin Alley... there will be loads of people making fools of themselves and falling off ( mainly me & Pickle :smitten: )
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:LolLolLolLol: yeah......you gotta fall off now and again :daumenhoch:
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Hi guys,
With regard to the decals, I think the only ones I'm nervous of are the 2 for the downtube, as it's very easy to see if they don't line up. I might do the remainder dry and try the wet route for the downtube. It looks like there's an extra headtube decal in the set, so I might try experimenting with than on my old MTB. I'll probably experiment with lacquering over it too with acrylic just to see what happens. Has anyone lacquered over their decals?
The Skyways I went for are just stock white Tuff IIs, but with a coaster brake (I couldn't find any in the UK and Skyway said their UK supplier wasn't importing them). It's a tiny bit steep I know, but I really wanted that brake.
So yeah, it's definitely a rider; those tyres look just the ticket too, nice one!
Anyone know of a skatepark or ramps where complete novices are welcome to go and make fools of themselves?
Gordy
If you are going to ride parks etc, I would go for a slightly better tyre, there are a few amber walled New Skool Tyres about that look great on an old skool build, have a word with stodgy at the rad shop, he knows everything & will sort you out :coolsmiley:
http://www.radbmxshop.co.uk/shop/article_696.001/FIT-F.A.F-Tyre---SKINWALL.html'shop_param=cid%3D11%26aid%3D696.001%26
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Welcome from another 40-something with a part-built DP..... :daumenhoch:
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Well, both Corby and Peterborough are pretty close, so I guess I have no excuse for not giving it a shot. Are there any beginners days as such, or at least a relatively quiet spot where my constant wipe outs won't upset the locals? To that end, I'll definitely be getting some gear - as a dedicated roadie I know he value of a good helmet!
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Forks nearly ready for decals - one more day of lacquering and I think we're there!
Guys (I presume!), loving the advice - I'm building up to a day at Corby I think. Alert the medical services!
Gordy
P.S. TBP: Piccies of your Firebird?
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P.S. TBP: Piccies of your Firebird?
Well I say part-built.....It's actually a frame & forks in a box and a cupboard full of bits.... ;D
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Forks nearly ready for decals - one more day of lacquering and I think we're there!
Guys (I presume!), loving the advice - I'm building up to a day at Corby I think. Alert the medical services!
Gordy
P.S. TBP: Piccies of your Firebird?
not wanting to p*ss on your fireworks too much, but once you do get the DP built you'll soon realise they're only good enough for rolling around on and cruising about town........if you want to get back into riding in parks and stuff then a new school is the only way forward :daumenhoch:
OS for looking at and cruising
NS for riding like you stole it :daumenhoch:
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If you are planning huge air then mid/ new school is the way but i ride a 1980 team mongoose on wood dirt and concrete and i am not to shy about it and its not broken yet , i believe horses for coarses
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hello an welcome,
looks like a nice build in the making,a firebird owner and fan myself,but dont get ahead of urself in parks just yet
if like me u havnt rode for 20+ year, trying to perfect a simple wheelie for more than a few yards was monster task let alone
a rockwalk or 360 so id say back to basics first and enjoy. :daumenhoch:
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Here's an update of the progress:
(http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k515/bmx20/283.jpg)
Seat Clamp resprayed and lacquered
(http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k515/bmx20/284.jpg)
Now with the decals on, and 2 further coats of lacquer over the whole thing.
(http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k515/bmx20/286.jpg)
Pretty chuffed at how it's come out, especially as it was all rattle-can paint and lacquer.
Gordy
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whats in the box ....:laugh: ?
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Finished the Dia Compe Bulldog and adapted it for the Potts mod.
(http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k515/bmx20/003.jpg)
And now the GT layback and Diamondback seat fitted
(http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k515/bmx20/004.jpg)
Getting there slowly, which is nice because it'll give the paint time to properly harden.
What tyres and what size are you guys using for ramps and parks?
Gordy
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http://www.radbmxshop.co.uk/shop/article_696.001/FIT-F.A.F-Tyre---SKINWALL.html'shop_param=cid%3D11%26aid%3D696.001%26
Give stodgy a call at the Rad shop 8)
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( mainly me & Pickle )
Please don't think you have the monopoly on this Ed, I will be there aswell!!!
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(http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k515/bmx20/004-1.jpg)
Tech 77s, DB bars and stem fitted.
(http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k515/bmx20/006.jpg)
Stem came up nicely.
(http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k515/bmx20/007.jpg)
Slowly but surely getting there.
Gordy
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WIKMTA, those tyres look good - what width do most people use on ramps, and is there a limit on what'll fit my Firebird?
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Any new school tyres will fit on your tuffs dude... :daumenhoch:
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I was more worried about the frame. Oh, and fashion ...
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Diamondback cranks, Sugino spider and chainring. All came up nice thanks to the Dremmel.
(http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k515/bmx20/001.jpg)
Looking good now but relegated to the garage!
(http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k515/bmx20/006-1.jpg)
Gordy
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Anyone got any pics of their Gyro installation?
Gordy
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Well, the Gyro installation went very smoothly indeed, and the brakes work as well as any brakes I've ever used, so that's really satisfying. A bit of Dremmeling was required on the rear of the bottom cable-stop to fit around the twin toptubes but, other than that, it was snagless. All cables have White Lightning wax teflon lube in them and everything feels really smooth. No bearing flop either.
(http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k515/bmx20/034.jpg)
(http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k515/bmx20/033.jpg)
(http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k515/bmx20/031.jpg)
I must admit to feeling rather smug. Now if my Tuffs would only arrive I could ride the thing ...
Gordy
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Once you're up and rolling, see if you can adjust the upper gyro cables so the adjuster barrels sit flush with the top plate, same as the bottom. Once the cables have stretched in a bit you should have plenty of adjustment available. You've not got much of a gap there, so you could potentially top that gyro out quite easily.
Take any free play out of the lever by adjusting at the lever. Try not to adjust the 2 into 1 barrel at all, that's usually a good cause of cable snaps... All final brake tweaks must be done at the brake.
Job's a good 'un!
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Thanks for that Twobob,
I did have them flush to begin with (as the received wisdom on here would seem to suggest), but I was getting a bit of flop. Having tweaked a bit I've ended up like this, but without flop, so I'm inclined to leave them and see. It seems like there's plenty of travel but, like you say, best to see once the wheels are on - if they ever arrive ...
Thanks again,
Gordy
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Looking good so far... Should be ready for Corby :daumenhoch:
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Brettypeeps,
Corby? Do tell - what date and time? I'm desperate to ride the thing!
Gordy
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Brettypeeps,
Corby? Do tell - what date and time? I'm desperate to ride the thing!
Gordy
Here are all the details mate.
http://www.radbmx.co.uk/forum/index.php'topic=116433.0
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I'm in (if I have wheels)!
Gordy
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Clearly, I now have wheels. And tyres and everything else I was waiting for.
(http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k515/bmx20/002-1.jpg)
Nice and simple black and white, but that suits me as I'm a nice and simple guy (and had nothing at all to do with the fact that the parts were easier to source). That said, everything got resprayed anyway, so I could have gone for any colour scheme I wanted at no extra effort, Lesson learned.
(http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k515/bmx20/005-2.jpg)
I've been out on it and it rides well too. It feels weird after riding road bikes but I'm getting used to it. Even managed a rock-walk with a mini roll-back in the middle! I now have a blister on my left hand and sore shoulders - was it always this difficult?
See you at Corby and thanks to the forum for the help,
Gordy
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lookin good dude,the perfect o/s freestyle rider :daumenhoch:
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looks cool does that! feels great to get out on em don't it :daumenhoch:
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Reckon you'll have some fun with that mate - cool lil' rider :daumenhoch:
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Looking good, You just need to finish the plinth on the bottom of those cupboards now ! ;D
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Looking good bet you can't wait to give it a spin. And get some air :4_17_5:
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Gordy,
There used to be a couple of ramps at Langworth. dont know if they're still there or who you'd contact tho..... Was that vague enough for ya??!!!! :laugh:
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Gordy are the coaster tuffs new? if so can i grab a link?
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Coloredtuffs.com or eBay you can get them :daumenhoch:
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nice build mate, love a good firebird me :daumenhoch:
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See...SEE... thats FOOKING WICKED. John said it all "Reckon you'll have some fun with that mate" FUUUUN... DPs are fun bikes... piece of piss to ride too.
Gordy you have just made me realise that I've just been totally sidetracked by the beautiful bikes you see on RAD and have TOTALLY MISSED THE POINT which was that I WANTED TO RIDE A DP like I did BITD.
I've taken on too many opinions and I've now got a show pony DP that I CAN'T RIDE and a Hoffman that I'm trying to ride but ITS SOOOO HEAVY!
I love your bike and you've made me realise I need to get back to the roots of why I got back into it... to build a DP to RIDE NOT LOOK AT.
So I've now got a week to build a hybrid of the Hoffman & DP and BOLLOCKS TO BIKES YOU CAN'T RIDE :LolLolLolLol:
Lets AVE IT. :D
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Turned out really nice mate , sounds like your well pleased with it too which is the important thing :daumenhoch:
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If you are going to ride parks etc, I would go for a slightly better tyre, there are a few amber walled New Skool Tyres about that look great on an old skool build, have a word with stodgy at the rad shop, he knows everything & will sort you out :coolsmiley:
http://www.radbmxshop.co.uk/shop/article_696.001/FIT-F.A.F-Tyre---SKINWALL.html'shop_param=cid%3D11%26aid%3D696.001%26
I got a pair of those FIT tyres from Stodgy before Crimbo and gave them their first outing at the indoor park in Leicester today - they were very nice to ride so you made a good choice that... Mr W.I.K.M.TA was spot on :daumenhoch:
They are staying on for my hybrid DP/Hoffman ( getting excited about it now >:D )
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just get a decent NS bike to ride! i bet mine weighs less than your DP and rides miles better ;) ;D
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Well, thank you one and all for your kind comments, Let's see if I can answer/address them without missing anyone out.
The Tuff IIs are new coasters bought from the States (colouredtuffs.com sometimes known as Planet BMX). With the current exchange rate they came in at £123 including postage, which I thought was pretty fair considering. A word of warning though, I then had to pay £18 VAT and handling this side of the pond before I could get them.
Bikes are definitely for riding, though I can see why people like to build up showroom examples. I've sort of done both: got it looking as pristine as I could, photographed it at every stage (what do you mean you noticed?) and now have a record of how it did look before I go scratch it to bollocks. I also had the great enjoyment of the refurb process too - there's a huge satisfaction to be had in the restoration of anything (I particularly enjoyed painting the F&F and fitting the Gyro2). Now I get the satisfaction of riding it again, if that's what you call the blistered hands and aching back I awoke to this morning. Anyway. You can never cover all the bases at once (i.e. you can't keep it showroom and ride it too, at least I can't ...), but at least I've done them both, albeit one at a time.
Bike weight is something I'm a bit of a geek for. My road bike is 6.8kg, and my 4 yr old daughter's is 9kg! (you gotta love carbon!). I'm going to weigh the DP in a bit and post its actual weight as I've built it. I'd be really interested to see how modern frames and wire wheels compare.
I'm well happy with the FAF tyres - sadly though it turns out they're from Evans! My bro agreed to get me them as a little pressie and, rather than go to the link I gave him from WIKMTA, he obviously just followed the path of least resistance and went to where he has an account. I did try ...
No plinths going on those cupboard - tiled to the walls!
See you Corby!
Gordy
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Gordy,
If weight is an issue for you, you need to get some 48 spoke alloys ... less flex as well :-)
Bring on the DP Riders Club :D
( Tyres from Evans eh... are you listening Stodgy :knuppel2: )
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That looks really good. How much time/money would you say you spent on it in total? Got a weight on it yet? ;D
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Edna,
Weight isn't really something I'm too bothered about, it's more something I'm interested in to be honest - it's more of a fascination with the technology and engineering than any desire to have a light bike. I'd be really interested to see how the old and modern compare though. I have an ongoing argument with my roadie mates when they buy £1500 carbon wheels in order, they say, to save 250 grams: to my mind, why not just eat fewer pies and take your watch off? Whereas, if they said they wanted them because they were just technologically amazing and a fabulous piece of composite engineering, I'd shake their hand. Money well spent.
Anyway, I haven't weighed it yet as it's pissing down and I'm not going out there in that. Plus, I'll have to weigh myself first, then me holding the bike and subtract the former from the latter, and I'd rather not know the former ... I'll get my wife to do it (and they say romance is dead).
Manticore, I reckon I spent £400 all up, but put in a lot of hours (probably two complete weeks full time, albeit spread over a month). I also have pretty much every tool in the world and was a fairly highly trained technician BITD, so that helped me cut the cost as I could do all of it myself. Let us know if you fancy giving it a go.
Gordy
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Well... my heart was in the right place and I built my DP up to ride last night and had a roll on it today but I'm now in the process of putting the Hoffman and 'show' DP back as they were :buck2:
I pm'd SBD who sprayed my frame - he had to use 2pack not powder to get the colour I wanted and he said that the finish would not last too long if I was riding it. I just know I would be annoyed with myself for fookin it up and hold back with my riding so its not to be. With the Hoffman I can just ride it and not worry if I bail - which is pretty important as falling off is a big part of riding ::)
Having ridden a mid school GT and Hoffman recently the head tube and fork angles seem really mellow on the DP now as well.
If I'd never had anything else I would have never known any different but whats done is done >:D Ride what you've got :smitten:
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Just enjoy it all Ed and ride it. You can always repaint it if you need to. :4_17_5:
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trying NOT to hijack this thread... but heres my effort at making my DP a rider...
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/i63/209ed/BMX/P1010103.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/i63/209ed/BMX/P1010104.jpg)
it was just not working... gonna stick to my Hoff and look out for an unrestored DP :)
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hmm, was just about to ask for some pics :D
build it and wreck it, doesn't matter will still be a dp :smitten:
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Well, in the words of Obi Wan, 'you must do what you think is right, of course'. Ride it or store it as you see fit mate; if you've got the funds/time etc to put together another DP as a rider, then that would obviously be the Rolls Royce solution I think. And don't worry about hijacking the thread - more pics!
Gordy
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Clearly, I now have wheels. And tyres and everything else I was waiting for.
(http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k515/bmx20/002-1.jpg)
Nice and simple black and white, but that suits me as I'm a nice and simple guy (and had nothing at all to do with the fact that the parts were easier to source). That said, everything got resprayed anyway, so I could have gone for any colour scheme I wanted at no extra effort, Lesson learned.
(http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k515/bmx20/005-2.jpg)
I've been out on it and it rides well too. It feels weird after riding road bikes but I'm getting used to it. Even managed a rock-walk with a mini roll-back in the middle! I now have a blister on my left hand and sore shoulders - was it always this difficult?
See you at Corby and thanks to the forum for the help,
Gordy
Looking very nice 8)