Technical & Reference Section > Tech and Restoration

Newbie sympatehtic Resto of a DP Firebird ....

(1/10) > >>

The VW Doc:
I have known of this bike since the late 80's as it belonged to a friend of mine at shcool.

Here are a couple of photo's of the bike, back in the day





Well towards the middle of last year I bought the bike, and have now, after a few months riding and enjoying it, started a sympathetic restoration/refurbishment of it.

This is more-or-less what it looked like when I bought it



And here is it with my '73 Bay Camper at the first VW show I took it too



And with Martyn Ashton, at Eastbourne Xtreme towards the end of last year



Well, Saturday afternoon I started stripping the bike, because brakes were virtually non-existant and the whole thing needed a general overhaul to find a few things that need doing.

The forks (not the original ones) have a stripped thread on them, the top nut (not sure what it is called) is also split - looks like it has been overtightened in the past. The 1-piece crank is very rusty as are the (believed to be) repro CW handlebars - hence I have wrapped them in black tape. I am also missing a ball from one of the headset bearings, and these cages seem very stretched (as the balls fall out!)
I will take some more photo's of it if the weather is good this weekend and start the re-assembly

I am after some inspiration of completed bikes so I can see what I am aiming for.

Not sure what to do with the wheels - keep the Star-X mags (I am 6'1 and not the thinest person in the world) ir change them for some spoked wheels.
The Star-X's do feel a little "flexible" under load - but this also could be the very bald & perished tyres!

All coments and suggestions welcome please :)

dordymush:
i liked it in its rusty state lol.
i've not long built a 500a but painted that in white.
have a mooch in the museum section.

The VW Doc:
Cheerd dordymush! You have made a lovely job of that bike!
Woudl your forks be the same as mine would have been?
I would like to get some replacements that are right, or as close to as possible

b45t4rd:
The chainstays on your frame look like those on a DP Firebird.  ???

Have a look in the museum at Firebirds one & at his excellent website.  http://www.dpfirebird.co.uk/#/firebird/4531782089

phantom photon:
Agreed, it does look like it's a DP Firebird frame  ???

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page