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Technical & Reference Section => Tech and Restoration => Topic started by: dinglem on June 04, 2014, 11:05 PM
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This has been a great BMX week for me!! Following the arrival of my Birmingham WHEELS frame over the weekend I have today taken delivery of this beauty :smitten:
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It's a candy blue 1983 National Pro Long, which is very rare in this particular colour. I have only ever seen pics of two others in candy blue, both of which are the shorter standard size.
I have actually owned this frame for 4 years(!) but it has taken that amount of time to finally make it over from the USA to me. It's a bit of a long story, but i bought it directly from Bill Stonebraker, the ex-National Pro team racer who was part of the team put together by the Scurto family from 1982-84. This was one of his original team frames, and came with a set of prototype forks. I have had quite a bit of discussion with him over the years about this bike and he has confirmed that it was originally candy blue from the factory.
As you can see the colour is awesome (never seen anything like it before) but the decals set is a poor reproduction set and will require replacement. I will be getting in touch with Del about this shortly!
I'm really chuffed with it, and so begins another build project..... :-\
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This is one of the few pics of a candy blue example from BITD i have been able to find online....
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Wow! Looks super fresh!
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Very nice Martin :coolsmiley:
What's the build spec on this one gonna be??
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Lovely, I have one coming soon thanks to a very patient seller.
So whats the deal with the decals? If the paint is original and the frame has come from the original team rider, any idea as to why he put those decals on?
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Very nice Martin :coolsmiley:
What's the build spec on this one gonna be??
Dunno yet mate - I wasn't holding my breath with it ever actually arriving but now it's here I'll give it some thought. Blue Pro Neck parts seem a must though!!
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Lovely, I have one coming soon thanks to a very patient seller.
So whats the deal with the decals? If the paint is original and the frame has come from the original team rider, any idea as to why he put those decals on?
Unsure at the minute; he just said they were a poor repro set (I've never seen a dark blue set like these before) plus they aren't even on straight :-/
He has several other of his original NP race frames on BMXMuseum and the builds aren't exactly what I would call 'to my tastes' either so perhaps he started work on this one then decided to sell. From the info he has given me the end of the NP race team was not a happy or friendly occasion.
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Lovely, I have one coming soon thanks to a very patient seller.
So whats the deal with the decals? If the paint is original and the frame has come from the original team rider, any idea as to why he put those decals on?
Unsure at the minute; he just said they were a poor repro set (I've never seen a dark blue set like these before) plus they aren't even on straight :-/
He has several other of his original NP race frames on BMXMuseum and the builds aren't exactly what I would call 'to my tastes' either so perhaps he started work on this one then decided to sell. From the info he has given me the end of the NP race team was not a happy or friendly occasion.
Strange one, but you still have a beautiful frame set there mate, well worth the wait :)
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All good things come to those who wait! Or at least that's what I keep telling myself with my Laserlite! Great-looking frameset - looking forward to the build!
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wow :smitten:
You have an absolute beaut' there, imho one of the nicest frame sets I've seen for quite some time.
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Nice
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Yeah, it's beautiful in the metal, that's for sure. I didn't know an awful lot about them until this one came up for sale but following a little research I snapped it up and have waited patiently for it ever since. I do know they came in chrome, red, blue, black and even white finishes, but the vast majority were chrome. It took me ages to even find the '83 serial number, which is located on the left rear dropout. It is nice to finally get my hands on it, and it's also great to be in touch with the original owner and to know the history of the frame from new.
Just got to start picturing and planning the build now!
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:smitten: :smitten: :smitten:
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Lovely candy blue :bow:
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Nice one Martin!!! :daumenhoch: :4_17_5:
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Really nice frameset , cool bit of history with it aswell 8) Fancy a Nat Pro myself one day .
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Nice in blue :smitten:
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I really, really like that :smitten:
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Few more pics.
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The serial number is #883238 which indicates a build date of August 1983.
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Have you managed to source any National Pro bars?
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Not yet... have been looking for quite some time but the only set I have seen for sale were cruiser ones.
I do have a NOS National Pro layback seat post ready for it, but that's about it as far as parts go so far. Lots to find (in blue) but that's the fun part :daumenhoch:
...but if anybody on here has any leads to some NP bars then please give me a shout ;)
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wow that's well tastey! is it the original finish on it?
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That's going to look awesome finished , I do love Candy Blue :smitten:
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I'm told by the previous owner (who has had this from new) that it's original, although I'm slightly dubious about that myself as it looks 'too good'! There is the odd scuff on the bottom of the BB and the drop outs do have some subtle marking, plus if I shake the frame and tip it about plenty of dried mud falls out(!) so it's definitely been used.
Either way the colour is lush and matches the other blue ones I have seen so I'll be leaving it as is for the build :daumenhoch:
Here's the NP seat post I mentioned, plus I've just dug out a nicely polished 44T Pro Neck chainring and powerdisc from my stash so that could work also...
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Not yet... have been looking for quite some time but the only set I have seen for sale were cruiser ones.
I do have a NOS National Pro layback seat post ready for it, but that's about it as far as parts go so far. Lots to find (in blue) but that's the fun part :daumenhoch:
...but if anybody on here has any leads to some NP bars then please give me a shout ;)
I have a set :coolsmiley:
But they're going on my National Pro >:D
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Not yet... have been looking for quite some time but the only set I have seen for sale were cruiser ones.
I do have a NOS National Pro layback seat post ready for it, but that's about it as far as parts go so far. Lots to find (in blue) but that's the fun part :daumenhoch:
...but if anybody on here has any leads to some NP bars then please give me a shout ;)
I have a set :coolsmiley:
But they're going on my National Pro >:D
Nice!!!! I have my online eyes peeled...
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Love that colour mate. That's a great build to be getting on with.
Don't think I have seen anyone build one in this colour.
If it's paint they always seem to be red or white.
Blue and the black seem to get overlooked.
Here are the pics of aa pro's nos one from vintage for the thread.
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/10/7ujaseja.jpg)
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/10/ta3yta7e.jpg)
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Love that colour mate. That's a great build to be getting on with.
Don't think I have seen anyone build one in this colour.
If it's paint they always seem to be red or white.
Blue and the black seem to get overlooked.
Here are the pics of aa pro's nos one from vintage for the thread.
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/10/7ujaseja.jpg)
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/06/10/ta3yta7e.jpg)
That's a very similar blue to the one I have on my Procraft, one of my favourite colours :smitten:
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A pair of NOS blue standard length ones surfaced a few years ago; the one pictured and another which belongs to Tone Benz over in the US. I agree - the colour is awesome! I have Del replicating the white on clear sticker set for me. Looking forward to this build!!
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Del to the rescue!! :daumenhoch:
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I've also got the required 'L O N G' decal, not shown as it was pretty much impossible to photograph.
Latest acquisition is a blue Pro Neck bulldog stamped stem for it, plus some fairly funky and unusual blue and white grips, so the parts are slowly coming together already.
I've just got to hope taking the stickers that it came with off goes ok..... i've had the hairdryer trick recommended to me so far. We shall see!!
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I've had a bit of luck sourcing some parts for this build already over the past couple of weeks. I've managed to bag a Tange 300 headset for starters, although i think that might take a bit of restoration to make it look how I'd like, plus i've also talked myself into buying these...
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NOS and in great shape :daumenhoch:
I don't generally like coloured tyres as a rule, and have never even considered buying any previously, but i can kind of picture how these will look on this particular frame and i think they might just work. Tis going to be very blue though so i think the remainder of the parts are going to have to contrast with that a bit. As per the WHEELS build i am going for skinnies again, as the only other picture of a Candy Blue NP i have seen had skinnies (looked awesome) so when these came up in the correct size i had to jump at them. They're the slightly wider 1 3/8'' which was what i was specifically hunting for online, although i was actually looking for black/skinwalls, truth be told. When i saw these i thought, why not? We shall see!!! I've already got a pair of skinny UKAI's for it and am in the process of hunting down/negotiating over some era-correct blue hubs.
Still a few more parts to track down, but my other MAJOR score is that thanks to a great RAD member i have also now managed to get my hands on a super-rare set of National Pro bars :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:
To say I am chuffed is an understatement as these were the vital part of the build that I was the most worried about sourcing. :4_17_5:
I haven't seen any of these bits yet as i don't get home for a few more days, but hopefully postie has been busy!
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:4_17_5: :daumenhoch:
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That's a super cool frame set. Can't go wrong with chrome and blue.
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after id just had my natty powdered white I saw that one over on the museum and wished id done mine that colour too :'(
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I'd always wanted a chrome National Pro, and this one was the first one that i'd seen come up for sale for a looooong time. Luckily 4 years ago - when i bought it - prices weren't quaite as crazy as they are now :shocked:
I got this with the intention of stripping it and getting it chromed, but having researched it a bit it will definitely be remaining blue. I've trawled through pics of lots of candy blue bikes to get a feel for how it might look when built up; as kungfunky says the chrome and blue combo does work really well, plus the decals will add a splash if white into the mix also.
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Correct decals applied :)
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:smitten: Very nice :daumenhoch:
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:smitten: Very nice :daumenhoch:
NP bars went off to the chromers yesterday too mate :daumenhoch:
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:smitten: Very nice :daumenhoch:
NP bars went off to the chromers yesterday too mate :daumenhoch:
They also went to a good home Mart ;)
Can't wait to see this built up , it's going to be a stunner 8)
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Yes, I'm looking forward to building this one too. Never done a blue build before and I've always lusted after a NP :smitten:
Will be interesting to post up some before and after pics of the bars, that's for sure. I took plenty of pics of the decal shadow so I can get the new sticker in exactly the right spot.
Collecting parts for the build already....
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Looks stunning :daumenhoch:
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Looks a bit like modern geometry too! Fairly long toptube. Love the candy colour. I agree to put chrome/ silver/ polished parts on it tho blue and gold go well too. I can visualise a nice shiny silver set of dia compe brakes on this. Would bullseye hubs be age appropriate? Love them hubs always. What crankset you going for? How about silver beartraps? Tuff neck stem? I'd give the blue comp III a try. What you think won't work sometimes comes out as the best feature. Can see you going for black tho LOL. Another sexy build on its way!!!
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Probably still really short by modern standards, but it is a LONG which is what i had been looking for :smitten:
I'm going to need a fair amount of chrome to offset all of that blue I think - i will stick with the blue tyres even though I don't really like them (in my mind at least). We'll see what it's like all built up.
I've got a set of original chrome Profile early Gen III 177mm cranks for it already. Not a big fan of Hutch Bear Traps personally, and I already have a set of somewhat unusual polished pedals waiting to go on. I have managed to source a Bulldog stamped Pro Neck stem in blue so once that has been tidied up that will be going on (couldn't be anything else really!) National Pro bars and layback seat post already sorted, Tange 300 head set, and I have my eye on a nice blue saddle just at the minute too... Polished Tuf Neck seat post clamp also ready, plus a cool pair of blue and white grips. Not much left outstanding really :daumenhoch:
Undecided on the hubs at this stage though ::)
I'd also really like an OG blue padset rather than repops too.... :(
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it's the one bike i really miss owning. :(
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it's the one bike i really miss owning. :(
Yeah, i'd always hankered after one. Particularly in chrome - some of the examples i have seen over in the US are stunning and they seem to have a much greater following over there than back in the UK. Quite looking forward to building this up now :daumenhoch:
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The new decals make a hell of a difference Ding, spot on :daumenhoch:
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Some one posted this today on Facebook bmx society page(http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/09/28/a7ba39322fac5a11bddd2849de98c47e.jpg)
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Nice! I knew there were two NOS Candy Blue Standard length NP frames about. One belongs to Tone Benz so I guess this is the other one. I'll be interested to see if he gets a Nomura for it!
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Post #40 Dinglem
What's that rusty frame on its side on top of the carpet? Looks interesting.
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Post #40 Dinglem
What's that rusty frame on its side on top of the carpet? Looks interesting.
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Schwinn Stingray
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Another project? My
My you're busy!
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Finally managed to collect my NP bars yesterday :slayer:
Parts are slowly starting to come together now.
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Did you consider building it to the original owners spec?
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Bars look great Mart :daumenhoch:
It's going to be a stunner 8)
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Did you consider building it to the original owners spec?
No I didn't. Having seen his other builds they were a bit too much of a colour explosion for my tastes. Plus he only ever raced with Gallindo bars, which I don't really like either...
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Going to be a stunning build in blue using all pro neck parts
:4_17_5: :4_17_5: :4_17_5: :4_17_5: :4_17_5: :4_17_5:
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Finally a little more progress with the NP build. Headset is now fitted, bulldog stamped blue stem (with blue Haro flex fighter), bars and grips all on and looking just how I'd pictured them. I also picked up the seat post clamp from the polishers yesterday too.
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My wheel set also arrived through the post last week (thanks for building them up for me Steve69!) Again they have turned out just as I'd hoped . They're 1 3/8inch skinnies with a radially laced front :smitten:
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...and the final piece of the puzzle has also now slotted nicely into place. After around 12months of pestering the original Team NP owner of the frame has finally sold me his own OG blue Natty Pro padset. I was desperate not to have to buy a repro set so I'm over the moon to have bagged the actual set he used to race with ;D They haven't arrived from the US yet, but were posted last week.
Only question mark I have is the rear brake option which I need to check for reach issues etc... once it is built up.
It's going to be very blue!! :D
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Perfect timing - OG padset arrived today 8)
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So the Natty P is starting to come together nicely now :)
I have tidied up my pair of Ultimate PV-1 pedals and fitted them along with some Profiles and a Profile 'Hop-Up' kit, which has worked out really well. Just waiting to fit the chain, tensioners and a rear brake set-up. I've got everything i need, just got to find a bit of time to finish her off.
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Looking good :daumenhoch: . Like those pedals , very different :daumenhoch:
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Tis a great shade of blue that ride. Always fancied a set of those pedals :daumenhoch:
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The pedals are pretty large, but very light weight at the same time. Dare to be different and all that. Pads are OG, the grips are rare Akron BMX, and the stem is an original and unmolested Bulldog stamped Pro Neck in blue.
Here's a quick preview, along with the only shot of a built up blue version I have been able to find from BITD.
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Lovely NP, and love the colour.
Layback works much nicer than the straight post on the bird one imho.
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Lovely NP, and love the colour.
Layback works much nicer than the straight post on the bird one imho.
Thanks a lot mate - i agree... i prefer the layback also, mainly because it means I can fit on it comfortably. I wanted to use as many Pro Neck parts as i could; bars, seat post, clamp, stem and chainring.
Even the missus likes this one so it must be ok ;D
Profile decals on the crank arms seems to match too, although my fave part is the grips tbh ;)
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Ultimate PV-1 Pedals after a bit of a tidy up. They're amazingly light.
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OG blue Bulldog-stamped Pro Neck stem (thanks Shaun Hankins) has been left in as-found survivor condition as i couldn't bring myself to mess it about too much, plus as with most of these the bulldog stamping is fairly light.
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I do love a nice pair...... of grips!
You won't find many of these around. I have been actively hunting for a second pair for around 2 years now after finding the blue set and putting them aside for this build. I had to put them through the washing machine (in a mesh bag) several times to get them this spangly. They're lovely and soft and are a two-part design, with the blue part being laid over the raised white pattern.
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After much hunting i discovered that they also came in red and white, pink and white and black and white.... and i eventually also scored this set which will be going on to my next build.
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I swapped a set of those Akron grips for some mushies bitd, put them on and went out in the rain...those grips were slippery little buggers, traded them back for the mushies the same day :LolLolLolLol:
Bikes looking cool :daumenhoch:
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I can imagine that actually, as they're pretty smooth apart from the raised white bits. I just love the look and feel of them, and the fact that you never ever see them on other builds.
Pleased to hear you like the bike. Will be finished shortly! ;D
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Even the missus likes this one so it must be ok ;D
Profile decals on the crank arms seems to match too, although my fave part is the grips tbh ;)
I'm loving it all bud. Got one of my builds down from the loft for some sunshine photos today. Walked past the good lady and she just chuckled - got to love a supporting missus.
Looking fwd to seeing this one finished :daumenhoch:
:popcorn:
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I love this bike. Good work!
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love that its very nice
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Well the blue beast is finished. Love how she has turned out, just as I had pictured. Full spec is listed on Bike Of The Month.
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:smitten: :smitten: :smitten: love this bike 8)
Top job Mart :coolsmiley: :4_17_5:
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Good job fella. :daumenhoch:
There's something about those pedals that doesn't work for me. They're counterintuitive on a build that is otherwise super lightweight... Unless your Shaquille O'Neal, in which case those pedals would be like cleats... :D
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Yes I guess they are a bit Marmite, but I absolutely love them. Also apart from my Kingsbury plastic jobbies they're actually the lightest pedals I own - much lighter that the DX's on my WHEELS.
They would probably sit better on a Cruiser build perhaps? Eithe way, they help to offset the swathes of blue on the NP :daumenhoch: