Author Topic: Help identifying my old BMX (Read 3970 times)

SRC1 · « **on:** July 25, 2016, 02:36 PM »

Hi,

It's my first post here, so go gentle on me!

I've just got this out of storage, cleaned it up and wanted a bit of help identifying it correctly.

I bought it in the early/mid 80s and it's been in storage since around '85.

I think it's a DP Delta 2 frame with Bottema Skatepark (2?) forks, but no stickers on the forks (I bought them 2nd hand) and the frame says Firebird 2 when it looks like a Delta 2 to me, but it's a long time ago I bought these things so my memory is a bit hazy.

Is it worth cleaning up? As I've no idea what it's worth, is eBay a good place to sell something like this?

Many thanks for any help!
Rob

thebigdog · « **Reply #1 on:** July 25, 2016, 02:55 PM »

Its cool as , keep it and clean it up (not that it needs it).

Well worth keeping , would do well on ebay of you deceide to sell, those forks are worth some money on there own!

Its hard to price bikes like this .Some bits are good some bits not so good. But its what people will pay TBH.

CustardLips · « **Reply #2 on:** July 25, 2016, 03:11 PM »

Frame looks like a DP Firebird Delta ll with Bottema forks... your memory serves you well. Nice bike.

SRC1 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 25, 2016, 03:13 PM »

Thanks for the quick reply.

From a quick google around it seemed like the forks were the most interesting item, although I was most proud of the Renthal handlebars at the time. Looking at dpfirebird.co.uk I think it's a Delta 2, but the decals are wrong.

I've already gone for a short ride to bring back the memories, but BMX tricks are much harder than I remember

dinglem · « **Reply #4 on:** July 25, 2016, 03:19 PM »

Drop outs look correct on the forks (M1 skate park version) but I would imagine potential buyers will require more pics of them to confirm them as genuine Bottema items before splashing out. Don't worry about there being no decals on the forks as they can be identified by tubing thickness and various other means. There are copies out there, so people will naturally be cautious.

I paid a ransom for my pair of Bottemas (probably worth a lot more than you realize) so don't go rushing into a sale. It seems a shame to strip or sell your original bike. I would keep it personally, ride it and enjoy it. It looks in fantastic condition.

That said, if you do sell it as a complete, somebody out there will probably buy it just to get their hands on the forks, which would probably sell for more than the rest of the bike combined!

Retrodan72 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 25, 2016, 03:27 PM »

Keep it, ride it, LOVE IT.

dinglem · « **Reply #6 on:** July 25, 2016, 03:46 PM »

Actually looking at the piccies again there are some nice parts on this.

Pedals, bars and front brake all have value in their own right.

I bet those brake cables are date-stamped DC items too

Lovely survivor that.

(I've just sent you a private message regarding the forks with some information - see your inbox at the top of the page).

SRC1 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 25, 2016, 03:55 PM »

Thanks for the info all and the PM.

I think I'm probably set on selling it, just because I can't see myself riding it again.

How would I go about proving the authenticity of the forks, just a few more photos? I definitely don't have a receipt

pickle · « **Reply #8 on:** July 25, 2016, 04:08 PM »

Looks well cool.....the only thing that needs changing or binning is that god awful seat

SRC1 · « **Reply #9 on:** July 25, 2016, 04:15 PM »

Haha, I think I ran out of funds when it came to the saddle!

Obviously I only had the money to buy one decent brake caliper too.

dinglem · « **Reply #10 on:** July 25, 2016, 04:25 PM »

Take pictures of all of the welds, both at the top and also on the drop outs.

Take a picture looking 'up' the head tube as it should be stronger, thicker tubing here (see below).

Several pics of the drop outs themselves from all angles.

I have also read some people can supposedly ID Bottema forks from how the slot in the threaded top end of the head tube has been created (compared to the more recent fakes) but I can't... but worth a piccie anyway.

You could also weigh them as they should compare to other M1's out there... they are thicker and stronger than other forks so this should be reflected in the weight.

Armed with that info people can make up their own minds.

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SRC1 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 25, 2016, 08:27 PM »

I'll take some more photos tomorrow, but the steerer tube in mine isn't thick like the one in the photo. Were they making fake Bottemas circa '84?

Jaymz · « **Reply #12 on:** July 25, 2016, 08:55 PM »

There was fakes of everything in the 80's

dinglem · « **Reply #13 on:** July 25, 2016, 09:05 PM »

'The slot for the headset locking ring is cut using a cutoff wheel or similar. Later copies are milled. It is easily identified when you look at them.'

This should be the next thing you check and photograph.

I know the skatepark M1's had an extra piece of short tubing welding in the bottom of the steerer tube, but I have also seen examples without this.

Got pictures of the welds on the drop outs too?

SRC1 · « **Reply #14 on:** July 27, 2016, 03:49 PM »

More photos to determine if they're originals or fakes. What do you think?

dinglem · « **Reply #15 on:** July 27, 2016, 04:10 PM »

Welds, drop outs and stem tube cut-out slot all look good/as they should to me.

I guess it will be up to the people interested in buying to make up their own minds, but these are the pictures you will need

SRC1 · « **Reply #16 on:** July 27, 2016, 06:34 PM »

Thanks, just now need to decide whether to split the bike up or sell it complete.

You might notice a small shoe in one of the photos, the other option is to keep it for him

Jaymz · « **Reply #17 on:** July 27, 2016, 07:55 PM »

Quote from: SRC1 on July 27, 2016, 06:34 PM

You might notice a small shoe in one of the photos, the other option is to keep it for him

This is the right choice

pickle · « **Reply #18 on:** July 27, 2016, 08:11 PM »

Ask anyone on here if they would like their old bike from BITD and I reckon you'd get 100% yes.....you'll regret it big time if you sell it

brettypeeps · « **Reply #19 on:** July 27, 2016, 09:50 PM »

They are not many Delta 2s about I only know of about 6 of them. I would give it a regrease and ride it

BMX1973 · « **Reply #20 on:** July 28, 2016, 08:55 PM »

Very cool.

Keep it for your kid.

ED209 · « **Reply #21 on:** July 28, 2016, 10:36 PM »

Great thread

If you can keep it keep it ... if you want to sell it then deffo split it ... You will always get more that way.

You should get a good return 👍🏼