BMX bikes from back in the day....

dadofagun
Posts
1810
Joined
3/28/2015
Location
Satan's Hollow, OK US
Edited Date/Time 7/20/2020 5:41am
Putting a new bike together today for a Christmas gift got me to thinking a bit. When I was growing up, at the races you always saw kids on BMX bikes in the pits, and a good amount of them where high end stuff only found at bike shops. Hell, Ponca looked like a BMX National in the pits for the most part...... Anyway, what kind of rides did you guys have as kids? My first bike ever was a 78 Minigoose, chrome with black bars and red grips, followed by a slew of Mongoose rides way before you could find them in Walmart. What were the rides of your childhood?
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12/23/2019 8:31am
I built most of my bikes from a friend's scrap heap he let me raid. I had a 1990-1999 GT HaroGoose with a well broken-in Schwinn front brake.
Stephon
Posts
1840
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
Hollywood, CA US
12/23/2019 8:54am





Hutch Expert Frame, Hutch Fork/Pedals/Cranks. I had a few Mongooses before the Hutch(s) and then onto a GHP.
24
12/23/2019 2:03pm
Sick turn down whips soo 80's bmx style i was into bmx until the mid 90's.

Favorite bike was this hutch judge frame n fork.
Redline 340
Mongoose solution comp 3 (from 96 first aluminum frame bike also the last of the true mongoose's made by service cycle craft before they were bought out by Brunswick who cheapened out the brand to Walmart specials)

Se racing assassin with peregrine hp 48 chrome wheels suezue high flange hubs and profile/gt 3 piece cranks.

The 1986 GT performer - in hot pink and white wheels tires etc.

Diamond back reactor team edition cruiser 1997.

Rode a bunch of others but didn't own
Mongoose's
Redlines
Haro
Pk ripper
Elf
Kuwahara
S&M
Standard
Schwinn
Hoffman bikes - before they got cheap and where low volume.
Fat bald men
Terrible one
1

The Shop

Chance1216
Posts
6287
Joined
4/1/2018
Location
Carson, CA US
12/23/2019 2:20pm
83 Schwinn Predator, 88 GT Dyno, 93 GT Performer, 94 Robinson, 16 Haro, 79 Torker.
I'm actually looking at getting another bike for myself after the New Year. I'm leaning mostly toward a 24" cruiser. Not a beach cruiser either. Figure it's an easy way to work on cardio and be more active.
Falcon
Posts
10849
Joined
11/16/2011
Location
Menifee, CA US
12/23/2019 2:31pm
Some where I have a picture of me jumping my '81 Diamondback. It was a build-up from Wheels N Things - I didn't know it at the time, but the guy who owned that shop was the de-facto Diamondback team manager or something. They ran a BMX team out of that store.

That bike was insane! Chrome frame with gold everything. I had yellow tires on it at some point, Comp 3s I think.
FLmxer
Posts
7133
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
SouthWest, FL US
12/23/2019 2:36pm
I have my Schwinn Predator in my attic from childhood. Rim's have some rust specs because i rode it to the beach daily but otherwise in great condition. I have a Haro pro xl I pieced together while recovering from some broken bones. Got bored and ordered every part I always wanted as a kid. Had a turbo spider and a Titan back in the day too. I plan on building a mini ramp before long to skate a bit again and get back surfing and bmx before I get too old.
3
12/23/2019 6:13pm
Stephon wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2019/12/23/393558/s1200_BMX_Skills.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2019/12/23/393559/s1200_img005.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2019/12/23/393563/s1200_the_lake_jump.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2019/12/23/393564/s1200_App0002.jpg[/img] Hutch Expert Frame, Hutch Fork/Pedals/Cranks. I had a few Mongooses before the Hutch(s) and then onto a GHP.





Hutch Expert Frame, Hutch Fork/Pedals/Cranks. I had a few Mongooses before the Hutch(s) and then onto a GHP.
Hell yeah man! Shreddin!
1
12/23/2019 6:19pm
The 70s and 80s was way before my time some rad style though. I did a little racing but loved dirt jumping. I had a dk general lee. I think the bike weighed 35lbs with alex triple wall 48s and standard landing gear forks. It was a tank but bullet proof. Still have it stuffed in the garage and want to resto it some day.
5
jemcee
Posts
11731
Joined
8/11/2008
Location
AU
12/23/2019 8:29pm
I used to have a chrome Diamond Back that I would ride around my house ENDLESSLY haha jumpin all sorts of home made jumps and shit but nothing on the radness that Stephon just exhibited!
Don't really know anything more about it than that but I got it off a mate and I thought it was the fucken ducks nuts!
Then when I was older I bought a Specialized Y frame thing again didn't know much about it just thought it looked sick haha
Was like this but this one looks a little tricker, mine didn't have the carbon forks

4
dsmith
Posts
4405
Joined
3/29/2011
Location
way north, IN US
12/23/2019 8:50pm
Webco replica... Robinson..Gary little john...cw..ect...
GuyB
Posts
35721
Joined
7/10/2006
Location
Aliso Viejo, CA US
12/23/2019 10:32pm
Stingray
Torker
Mongoose
PK Ripper
Pro Neck
3
seth505
Posts
9568
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
SD, CA US
12/23/2019 10:47pm Edited Date/Time 12/23/2019 10:48pm
The 70s and 80s was way before my time some rad style though. I did a little racing but loved dirt jumping. I had a dk...
The 70s and 80s was way before my time some rad style though. I did a little racing but loved dirt jumping. I had a dk general lee. I think the bike weighed 35lbs with alex triple wall 48s and standard landing gear forks. It was a tank but bullet proof. Still have it stuffed in the garage and want to resto it some day.
Dude, nice rippin with you at Statefair mx yesterday! Is this pic in PQ area? I think I still hit that step up on my mtb (has a straight landing as well now if so).

My fav when I was younger was a Dyno Detour. It is still hanging in my parents basement in MA.
1
gklefev
Posts
114
Joined
8/30/2017
Location
Goodyear, AZ US
12/24/2019 8:35am
Miss those days of riding, shoveling dirt and throwing down Super Big Gulps with the boys. Pic is from winter 88 photography class project. Got a C-. Man times have changed I had to roll that film into the cartridge in that dark ass room take the pic and then develop it. Current ride 99 GT Pro Series retro cruiser. Looking to sell as I want to build that Sky Way TA that has always alluded me!!

2
12/24/2019 11:08am
The 70s and 80s was way before my time some rad style though. I did a little racing but loved dirt jumping. I had a dk...
The 70s and 80s was way before my time some rad style though. I did a little racing but loved dirt jumping. I had a dk general lee. I think the bike weighed 35lbs with alex triple wall 48s and standard landing gear forks. It was a tank but bullet proof. Still have it stuffed in the garage and want to resto it some day.
seth505 wrote:
Dude, nice rippin with you at Statefair mx yesterday! Is this pic in PQ area? I think I still hit that step up on my mtb...
Dude, nice rippin with you at Statefair mx yesterday! Is this pic in PQ area? I think I still hit that step up on my mtb (has a straight landing as well now if so).

My fav when I was younger was a Dyno Detour. It is still hanging in my parents basement in MA.
Yo seth, you too man! This jump was at bearcat trails near valhalla high school in ranch san diego. Not sure if they still exist or not. Last time i was there, the locals had everything built up a little more than my compfort level would allow. Ive been meaning to head out there and see if the jumps are still rideable.
1
SX-Andy
Posts
43
Joined
5/9/2019
Location
GB
12/24/2019 12:55pm Edited Date/Time 12/24/2019 12:57pm
jemcee wrote:
I used to have a chrome Diamond Back that I would ride around my house ENDLESSLY haha jumpin all sorts of home made jumps and shit...
I used to have a chrome Diamond Back that I would ride around my house ENDLESSLY haha jumpin all sorts of home made jumps and shit but nothing on the radness that Stephon just exhibited!
Don't really know anything more about it than that but I got it off a mate and I thought it was the fucken ducks nuts!
Then when I was older I bought a Specialized Y frame thing again didn't know much about it just thought it looked sick haha
Was like this but this one looks a little tricker, mine didn't have the carbon forks

Always loved the shape of these, was it the same as the Vegas? Mate had one in a light blue colour.

I was happy to bag a Standard Trail Boss (before they went TRLS 250), and a DK General Lee when they were American made.

Edit: It was the Specialized Hemi, not Vegas
1
Doddy
Posts
773
Joined
12/28/2017
Location
Everett, WA US
12/25/2019 1:08am
The ones I remember...
A few Diamondbacks
A few Schwinns
Torker
We The People

Falcon
Posts
10849
Joined
11/16/2011
Location
Menifee, CA US
12/25/2019 8:18am
Falcon wrote:
Some where I have a picture of me jumping my '81 Diamondback. It was a build-up from Wheels N Things - I didn't know it at...
Some where I have a picture of me jumping my '81 Diamondback. It was a build-up from Wheels N Things - I didn't know it at the time, but the guy who owned that shop was the de-facto Diamondback team manager or something. They ran a BMX team out of that store.

That bike was insane! Chrome frame with gold everything. I had yellow tires on it at some point, Comp 3s I think.
Yeah! Found the pics.



2
ATKpilot99
Posts
10199
Joined
4/13/2010
Location
Lake Geneva, WI US
12/25/2019 2:35pm


Pic is not mine but similar. It was around 1980 and a Ross Snapper. Mine was black and I started out with standard steel spoked rims and later put black nylon wheels on it. After that I moved on to a Mongoose.

1
alphado
Posts
3500
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
Erie, PA US
12/26/2019 5:58am
I thought I was the shit when I got this bike for Christmas.

2
Falcon
Posts
10849
Joined
11/16/2011
Location
Menifee, CA US
12/26/2019 9:40am
ATKpilot99 wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2019/12/25/394129/s1200_bikes_027_copy0_lg.jpg[/img] Pic is not mine but similar. It was around 1980 and a Ross Snapper. Mine was black and I started out with standard steel spoked...


Pic is not mine but similar. It was around 1980 and a Ross Snapper. Mine was black and I started out with standard steel spoked rims and later put black nylon wheels on it. After that I moved on to a Mongoose.

I don't know if I'd jump a BMX bike called a "Snapper!" Laughing Laughing Laughing
1
Moto Norcal
Posts
177
Joined
12/6/2019
Location
Grass Valley, CA US
12/26/2019 11:23am
Summer of '83 me and my buddy discovered the local BMX track. Took my $175 of lawn mowing money and bought a Schwinn Predator- my buddy got one too. We spent that summer blasting around in an old Buick, with the bikes in the back seat and trunk, riding and hitting the mall to play video games, get a pizza slice and try to talk to girls. What memories. I didn't know how easy and fun life was back then.




3
ATKpilot99
Posts
10199
Joined
4/13/2010
Location
Lake Geneva, WI US
12/26/2019 11:30am
ATKpilot99 wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2019/12/25/394129/s1200_bikes_027_copy0_lg.jpg[/img] Pic is not mine but similar. It was around 1980 and a Ross Snapper. Mine was black and I started out with standard steel spoked...


Pic is not mine but similar. It was around 1980 and a Ross Snapper. Mine was black and I started out with standard steel spoked rims and later put black nylon wheels on it. After that I moved on to a Mongoose.

Falcon wrote:
I don't know if I'd jump a BMX bike called a "Snapper!" Laughing Laughing Laughing
Lol yeah. Honestly it wasn't a great bike . It was my first one and I just used it for riding around the neighborhood and taking it out into the forest trails . It was heavier than most of the competition models of the time and had coaster brakes haha. The Mongoose I got later was a much better bike obviously. Way before Mongoose became a department store bike.
dadofagun
Posts
1810
Joined
3/28/2015
Location
Satan's Hollow, OK US
12/26/2019 12:17pm
Summer of '83 me and my buddy discovered the local BMX track. Took my $175 of lawn mowing money and bought a Schwinn Predator- my buddy...
Summer of '83 me and my buddy discovered the local BMX track. Took my $175 of lawn mowing money and bought a Schwinn Predator- my buddy got one too. We spent that summer blasting around in an old Buick, with the bikes in the back seat and trunk, riding and hitting the mall to play video games, get a pizza slice and try to talk to girls. What memories. I didn't know how easy and fun life was back then.




You need to go to Amazon and get the retro Predator 24" Cruiser for guys our age. Dirt cheap compared to what we can spend on a Moto hobby.....
Chance1216
Posts
6287
Joined
4/1/2018
Location
Carson, CA US
12/26/2019 12:49pm
Summer of '83 me and my buddy discovered the local BMX track. Took my $175 of lawn mowing money and bought a Schwinn Predator- my buddy...
Summer of '83 me and my buddy discovered the local BMX track. Took my $175 of lawn mowing money and bought a Schwinn Predator- my buddy got one too. We spent that summer blasting around in an old Buick, with the bikes in the back seat and trunk, riding and hitting the mall to play video games, get a pizza slice and try to talk to girls. What memories. I didn't know how easy and fun life was back then.




dadofagun wrote:
You need to go to Amazon and get the retro Predator 24" Cruiser for guys our age. Dirt cheap compared to what we can spend on...
You need to go to Amazon and get the retro Predator 24" Cruiser for guys our age. Dirt cheap compared to what we can spend on a Moto hobby.....
That's actually the exact bike I was looking at. I had an 83 model. The new one is made in China but it's had a fair share of decent reviews. The welds aren't bad either from what I've read on some BMX forums.
Falcon
Posts
10849
Joined
11/16/2011
Location
Menifee, CA US
12/26/2019 1:11pm
ATKpilot99 wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2019/12/25/394129/s1200_bikes_027_copy0_lg.jpg[/img] Pic is not mine but similar. It was around 1980 and a Ross Snapper. Mine was black and I started out with standard steel spoked...


Pic is not mine but similar. It was around 1980 and a Ross Snapper. Mine was black and I started out with standard steel spoked rims and later put black nylon wheels on it. After that I moved on to a Mongoose.

Falcon wrote:
I don't know if I'd jump a BMX bike called a "Snapper!" Laughing Laughing Laughing
ATKpilot99 wrote:
Lol yeah. Honestly it wasn't a great bike . It was my first one and I just used it for riding around the neighborhood and taking...
Lol yeah. Honestly it wasn't a great bike . It was my first one and I just used it for riding around the neighborhood and taking it out into the forest trails . It was heavier than most of the competition models of the time and had coaster brakes haha. The Mongoose I got later was a much better bike obviously. Way before Mongoose became a department store bike.
Oh yeah, I remember the good Mongoose bikes.



There are several BMX bikes I drooled over but never was able to get. I always wanted a PK ripper with the Landing Gear forks... those were sweet. A friend of mine got a Hutch after he cracked his DG. Redline had some great bikes too.
1

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