RADBMX.CO.UK
Technical & Reference Section => Tech and Restoration => Topic started by: Mamba on March 11, 2011, 06:53 PM
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Hi,
I am very new to the site. been checking out so many really top class modified and restored BMX's on here. Been getting loads of ideas but want to get an opinion from you guys.
But first, I got this bike after my Grandad passed on. I was helping cleaning out a garage and there was a Stratton BMX hanging up on the wall. It belonged to my aunt and I remember back in the 80's I think. It has sat there ever since. I have no idea what sort of age it actually is, perhaps someone here can help?
Rather than let her throw it out I thought what the hell i'd take it off her hands and restore it. This is what she's like:
(http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/2292/bmxbefore002.jpg)
By pbi (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/pbi) at 2011-03-11
(http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/3197/bmxbefore001.jpg)
By pbi (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/pbi) at 2011-03-11
(http://img851.imageshack.us/img851/268/bmxbefore004.jpg)
By pbi (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/pbi) at 2011-03-11
(http://img859.imageshack.us/img859/9782/bmxbefore003.jpg)
By pbi (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/pbi) at 2011-03-11
Problem is, having seen all the kit you guys have been putting on yours should I simply restore it to as she would have been or should I "tinker"? What do you guys reckon?
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I would restore it to as near original as you can,it wont cost a fortune and that way will always hold sentimental value for you so you could build it cheaply and just keep it :daumenhoch:
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It's a project i'd like o gt my nephew involved with. He's 12 and into his Mountain bikes, i'd like to get him into proper bikes! : >:D
It's obviously not a valuable piece but it's things like matching the paint, getting the correct decals to get it spot on. I'd like to strip the frame right down, maybe powdercoat it, I just don't know. I'd find it very hard to resist tinkering here and there though.
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make a cool bike when its done :daumenhoch:
its all well and good having bikes that cost hundreds to build but it was bikes like these i remember bitd.
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True, I hadn't thought of it like that. It's easy to forget how old it is and what history it has. I think I will do exactly that. 8)
I'll get some decent pics up, it's been raining for the past few days so I had to take pics in the half dark shed.. When there's a break in the weather i'll get some proper pics and start there.
Cheers guys :daumenhoch:
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I'm a big fan of these lower end builds, Ive done a couple myself and they are just as challenging as a high spec build. My Lew Ways build was a right headache, I had to find copy parts of all the big brands to complete it.
And as Dordy has rightly stated, these are the bikes My friends and I rode as kids as we couldn't afford the top spec stuff. So there is a big hole in the resto scene of the lower end bikes, the bike we all rode bitd, in my opion more of these should be rescued.
Viva La Lower End Builds
(http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/71886_480188106941_668306941_6666350_2593365_n.jpg)
(http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/38324_447537276941_668306941_5891910_4572286_n.jpg)
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Love the matchstick mags... :4_17_5:
Nice find, just give it a good clean up and use as is... :daumenhoch:
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Jaymz, if I could get that ole beast of mine looking half as good as those two i'd be well happy!! :4_17_5:
Now, the difficulty is getting the info and pics etc to see what they would have loked like cos it was over 20yrs ago since I last saw this one! The memory isn't as good as it used to be and do I do excatly as factory or do I do things like have the handle bars and possibly the forks chromed, polish the brakes. My worry is the colour, getting an accurate match or is near enough good enough. I don't want to put all the work in only to find it isn't "right".
Anyhow, here are some proper daylight pics:
(http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/2292/bmxbefore002.jpg)
By pbi (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/pbi) at 2011-03-12
(http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/3197/bmxbefore001.jpg)
By pbi (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/pbi) at 2011-03-12
(http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/9782/bmxbefore003.jpg)
By pbi (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/pbi) at 2011-03-12
(http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/268/bmxbefore004.jpg)
By pbi (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/pbi) at 2011-03-12
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I really like that as it is. Survivor
And as Dordy has rightly stated, these are the bikes My friends and I rode as kids as we couldn't afford the top spec stuff. So there is a big hole in the resto scene of the lower end bikes, the bike we all rode bitd, in my opion more of these should be rescued.
:daumenhoch:
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I really like that as it is. Survivor
:daumenhoch:
Same here - just needs a clean up and re-grease etc - reckon the whole thing would come up magic without stripping/repowdering, maybe need to see what you can do with the ammerite? on the forks though :daumenhoch:
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No mods then!! That's obviously the concensus of opinion and that is what it will be. ^"^
The paint on the fotrks sem to be a mix of household paint and polyfiller!! There are chips through the paint especially around the rear of the frame and there is sections of the frame that have silver paint on it for some reason too. I might have to strip down and fully repaint but, I think I will strip the parts and see what I can asses it all first. That I will start tomorrow.
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No mods then!! That's obviously the concensus of opinion and that is what it will be. ^"^
The paint on the fotrks sem to be a mix of household paint and polyfiller!! There are chips through the paint especially around the rear of the frame and there is sections of the frame that have silver paint on it for some reason too. I might have to strip down and fully repaint but, I think I will strip the parts and see what I can asses it all first. That I will start tomorrow.
Try and keep the decals intact if the frame paints too far gone - try giving Del a pm to see if he's already got 'em - if not and you're sure you want to repowder the frame, then remove them by pouring boiling water over em till they come off easily, then you've got 'em if you need to put back on/re-pop :)
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No mods then!! That's obviously the concensus of opinion and that is what it will be. ^"^
The paint on the fotrks sem to be a mix of household paint and polyfiller!! There are chips through the paint especially around the rear of the frame and there is sections of the frame that have silver paint on it for some reason too. I might have to strip down and fully repaint but, I think I will strip the parts and see what I can asses it all first. That I will start tomorrow.
Try and keep the decals intact if the frame paints too far gone - try giving Del a pm to see if he's already got 'em - if not and you're sure you want to repowder the frame, then remove them by pouring boiling water over em till they come off easily, then you've got 'em if you need to put back on/re-pop :)
Will do! Sound advice Danny. The "BMX Racer" and BMX graphics don't look like they're original, they're stuck on over the original "made in Italy". I will give Del a PM and be ultra careful with the originals and see if I can touch up the frame. It's getting a paint match that's the hardest part if I do repair rather than have re-powdercoated.
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get some t-cut on that frame paint, some jif on anything plastic, and autosol and fine wet and dry on those brakes and that will look sweet, my black huffy is original paint its just been polished and mopped, with the decals masked off, before you replace always restore, if you cant think how to restore a part, ask on here there are members on here that could seriously make shlt shine, I'm sure a member called bendycat will be around shortly to offer a plethora of advice
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my first bike bitd had those yellow mags,it was called a WMX,all my mates used to call it womans moto cross :LolLolLolLol:
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my first bike bitd had those yellow mags,it was called a WMX,all my mates used to call it womans moto cross :LolLolLolLol:
Mine too it was a Dingo though, I'd love to find a pair to build replica
(http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/67482_482212041941_668306941_6700856_2197428_n.jpg)
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i remember those dreadful and oh so ugly twin top tube looptail Batavus bikes i sneered about around 1984 -- usually orange or green low end stuff from the Netherlands i suppose. Boy did I hate them back then. ::) Today i would very much like to find one of those bikes ---- horror theory I'm tellin ya, horror theory -- oh, and they also had those mags :D ;D
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like that, love the low end stuff, keep it as original as you can :daumenhoch: , there's not many low end completes about as they all got trashed and thrown, or had bits changed on em, should clean up nice
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I will guys absolutely as original as I can. I have no doubt I will be on here a lot asking for advice. Thanks all for the support and guidance. We'll take her apart nice and carefully and see what can be salvaged. I am hopeful all can be, with a bit of elbow grease of course. Jaymz, you said these guys can make sh1t shine! well, you've just given me the project name for it "PaT"......
Polish a Turd!! :LolLolLolLol:
Tomorrow, we'll clean it up, see about giving it a good t-cutting and then see what's to do :daumenhoch: More on this tomorrow .......
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I don't suppose anyone has any pics of there's or can get hold of any. I need to see what exactly should be there. I'm going to get in touch with Stratton cycles too to see if they can help with any pics, and sourcing parts, there doesn't seem to be anything on ebay for them right now.
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all i found
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/v521/fischflo/stratton_.jpg)
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Aye, thanks for looking. I've been through over 30 pages on Google Images. That image is of a bike advertised on Gumtree Belfast on the 16th Jan. Research, this is half the battle ain't it? ;)
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no idea, have never restored anything myself :LolLolLolLol: anything else, feel free :)
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After a quick clean up and strip down of parts I found most parts are salvagable, some will need rechroming, others not. The frame, forks and bars are another matter:
(http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/6435/xjsmech011.jpg)
By pbi (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/pbi) at 2011-03-14
Handle bars looklike they've been painted from new, not powdercoated as it is flaking off in places and there is bubbling where rust is obviously happening underneath:
(http://img585.imageshack.us/img585/5451/xjsmech005.jpg)
By pbi (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/pbi) at 2011-03-14
The rear of the frame doesn't look bad after a good wash off with WD 40 but there are other places similarly effected by rust and chips and someones splashing about with silver, black paint and with some heavy white paint. What do you reckon?
(http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/9730/xjsmech010.jpg)
By pbi (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/pbi) at 2011-03-14
(http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/2085/xjsmech009.jpg)
By pbi (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/pbi) at 2011-03-14
(http://img857.imageshack.us/img857/4007/xjsmech007.jpg)
By pbi (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/pbi) at 2011-03-14
(http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/4026/xjsmech006.jpg)
By pbi (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/pbi) at 2011-03-14
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get some polishing compound on it and remove the top layers of unwanted paint, then touch the frame back in with some red paint if you want to retain the old decals, failing that, get the nitro mors out and strip it and respray. Carefully remove the old decals with a hairdryer and stick onto white paper so you can get new ones made up
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Nitromors it is then!! >:D
Then Trustan 23, acid etch primer, primer and then get into the town and get as close a red paint match as I can. Depending on the weather I may get a chance to spray it. It's been the usual Irish spring weather, horizontal rain!! :yahoo_silent:
Or, I could start cleaning up more of the other bits and pieces. ^"^
i've been reading through all sorts on here. I'll clean up all the chrome and Ali in the usual way and then the wheels with the Jif/Cif and the blade to clean off the brake marks. We'll see how she shapes up. 8)
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I reckon Ford Rosso red would look great on it
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Well, it's been a while, unfortunately a whole heap of things had to be done this past while so she was put on the back burner for a while.
However, she had ALOT more rust then I originally thought. As I fixed one bit I came across more! I had to strip the paint so unfortunately she hasn't got the original paint any more :( She had some that was concealed under the goose neck part of the forks which gave me something to match too. This was after the first set of two coats of Volkswagen Mars Red No2:
(http://img857.imageshack.us/img857/7687/various022.jpg)
By pbi (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/pbi) at 2011-05-14
Unfortunately however the good weather stopped as I was applying another coat of paint so it all went cloudy, so, i'm having to key it and re-apply in warm weather (assuming we get any more over here) :tickedoff:
In the meantime though, the wheels had the rubber scraped off as carefully as I could (by hell that was a long slow process!! The wheels, as you can see have not been redyed, they have a 30yr old patena still, they've only been cleaned. Still, thanks to bankruptbikeparts on ebay I got a set of Snakebelly amberwalls which I think look great!
(http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/1424/various027.jpg)
By pbi (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/pbi) at 2011-05-14
Still i've polished up all the aluminium and it is coming up very nicely indeed, especially the brakes. The old brake cables are still in good condition, it's all down now to the chromework. I didn't realise just how much there is until you strip it all off and polish. A fair amount of it is in decent condition given the age however, i'm not sure as to whether I should get all the chrome parts rechromed or only those parts that are very badly pitted or where the plating is coming off.
Take a look and tell me what you guys think. I know it's very hard to tell with pics, chrome doesn't photograph well on a happysnapper digital camera:
These are the parts that definitely need done:
(http://img837.imageshack.us/img837/8609/various025.jpg)
By pbi (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/pbi) at 2011-05-14
These are all the parts together. I'm torn between maintaining as much of the original finish as I can since I had to loose the original paint due to the abundance of tinworm and making it look asgood as I could.
I must say the quality of the paint and bike was abismal. There was no primer at all on the handlebars, there was welding spatter and even small bits of mig wire still attached to the frame. I left these on for the originality, it was VERY tempting to grind them off :-[ But I left it as it was. The new paint looks fairly decent but in truth it is a slight shade more orangey than the original paint when t-cutted. The paint on the cap was almost a direct match but is a bit further out than i hoped. I'll be back out tomorrow to have a look for a better match.
I had a disaster when disassembling the rat trap pedals to clean them up for possible replating. If you have a careful look you will see a missing section. I've still got the piece, i'll basically have to mig weld a sort of plug and shape it to look like it's the lug folded over before replating.
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Dave is so correct ;) its all we could afford bitd , everybody had such bikes with a right miss match of parts & colours :LolLolLolLol: beg borrow and cadge was our moto bitd :2funny: I absolutely killed a Raleigh Extra burner , it was made up in the end of all sorts :2funny: had diamond back forks but broke them and my mates dad welded them in his shed with an arc welder . they were a right soddin mess but did me 4 a few more months and much lighter than the originals :daumenhoch: Frame got welded so many times I forget . but she snapped in half in the end :'(
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I know, I thought this machine the absolute biz bitd. I was only 7 at the time, the bike was too big for me. Whilst stripping the handlebars I came across a ding on the right hand bar just on the curve before the grip. I suddenly remembered how it got there. I went arse over tit trying to show offand managed to go over the handlebars and get smacked in the teeth with them!! :LolLolLolLol: i made that dent in '82 for crying out loud!! :LolLolLolLol:
Apparently these bikes changed in parts etc every year so no one can say exactly what was what so it's kinda difficult to "get it right" as it were. But, i'll give it my best shot anyway.
Problem is i'm starting to get keen on doing the next one, not a renovation this time though, my own particular brand of custom bmx, something a little different from the norm not big bucks big brands but something a little different. I can't help looking at all those pics of your BMX's on here and be inspired 8)
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this is looking great so far, cant wait to see it done. Keep up the good work fella
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Thanks mate :daumenhoch: Given the care and attention to detail of you guys with your machines, that really is a comment that is much appreciated 8)
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Thanks mate :daumenhoch: Given the care and attention to detail of you guys with your machines, that really is a comment that is much appreciated 8)
very little care and attention in my builds aas i ride all my bikes, no point getting them mint as i use them all
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No offence intended mate. :-[ I assumed yours is as good as others here, but you're right of course riding them is what they're designed for after all.
I'll definitey be having a bash on mine - the difference is i'll probably be balling like a schoolgirl when i get stone chips :'( ;D ;D
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No offence intended mate. :-[ I assumed yours is as good as others here, but you're right of course riding them is what they're designed for after all.
I'll definitey be having a bash on mine - the difference is i'll probably be balling like a schoolgirl when i get stone chips :'( ;D ;D
gotta add that when my daughter fell off the stinger aero and ripped the edges out of the NOS MKS BM10 pedals i was gutted, but then if i wanted it to be mint i wouldnt have let her ride it
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True. ;)
My nephew is dropping "subtle" ::) hints about getting a go on it after it's all done but in all honesty I still don't know whether i will let him or not I am ashamed to say :-[ :-[ ;D :LolLolLolLol:
We'll see. ???
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Well, I kinda disappeared off the grid for a while but i've finally started to put this bike back together at long last!!
Still need to get another set of decals and a yellow frame pad with press fit studs for it but in all honesty, i've got tired of it sitting in bits in the shed. My nephew and I started to put it together yesterday and it's turning out pretty well. Just need a couple of minor things to finish.
I'll get some pics up soon. My PC died a death so i've borrowed my Sis' Laptop for a wee while.
The one piece crank gave the most bother, some of the threads were mangled but with a bit of careful work with a hacksaw blade, some needle files and some brute force and ignorance she went together.
There has been one hic up though. I seem to have lost the wedge for the stem.I have the bolt and stem but I can't find the wedge anywhere!!
Looking on line for one now to see if I can get a correct one of course.
Pics will be up shortly.
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Here she is ...... (Nearly there)
It's a bit dull oustide and the paintwork needs a clean, lots of greasy fingers all over it.
(http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/3361/strattonbmx.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/688/strattonbmx.jpg/)
Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)
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:daumenhoch: :daumenhoch: looking cracking
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Cheer mate,
This is my first build, learning quite a lot from it. Ready for the next one, maybe a customised old school frame, a loop-tail ideally.
Was considering re-dying the wheels, I remember them being a lot more yellow but that was a very long time ago so I may be wrong. Can the seat be re-dyed too? It has lost it's sheen.
Most of the bike is original although a few things left to do would be:
Replace handlebar pad with correct straight item as she isn't a V-bar.
I need to repaint the press studs on the stem pad as they are rusty. The pad is original so i'd rather not replace if I don't have to.
Need a frame pad with press stud fastners, that went missing a very long time ago. It was plain, no markings at all as I remember.
The seat clamp again is original and in dire need of re-chroming.
I still have the old rat trap pedals but I couldn't fix one of them as the tab that secured it broke, just couldn't get a neat weld to take right. So, I bought the NOS pedals fitted. I hope they are of the correct period. I never did like the original pedals, always ended up digging into my shins!! :) If I can get a correct replacement for the same rat traps that were original, i'll get them chromed and fitted.
She's shaping up alright I reckon. She's not high dollar or a great BMX but she has family history. I was over here in Northern Ireland when my Dad was down in the Falklands back in 1982. My Mum, Sister and I stayed over with my Grandparents in N.I. whilst he was sown there. We actually lived in the East Coast of Scotland then. I remember playing on it then, it was my Aunts in fact at the time. It was in his garage since then, until Christmas 2010 when my Grandad passed away. Now, my nephew is helping me rebuild it.
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Great thread, Great story and a cracking build..... :daumenhoch:
Will look awesome with decals on.
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Cheers,
It's the decals that are proving to be the most difficult to get tbh. The originals I took off as carefully as I could but most literally crumbled. Will get them sorted somehow though. Perserverance, that's the key!! ;)
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Don't think you need to do anything with the wheels or the seat. They look Sweet. :daumenhoch:
Excellent Restoration Work. :daumenhoch:
ps. Turn your seat clamp round ! :crazy2:
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:D ;D ;D DOH!!
Didn't notice that!! :LolLolLolLol:
Will do!!
Cheers, it's my first attempt but i've got to admit i'm really enjoying this, already planning the next one. 8)
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Great story and build! :daumenhoch:
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Just seen your thread and I'm loving this bike!! :smitten:
Like Jaymz, I can't get enough of these cheap end bikes and it makes it even better that you've had it in the family from new and it's still complete and being faithfully restored. :daumenhoch:
Have a word with Del about the graphics as the man can work wonders with nothing! I gave him scraps from my Falcon Pro and he replicated the original graphics perfectly! :4_17_5:
Giles ;D
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Cheers guys, that's very much appreciated.
Aye, I will contact Del, just read the his sticky. He obviously does some fine stuff indeed. 8)
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Cheers guys, that's very much appreciated.
Aye, I will contact Del, just read the his sticky. He obviously does some fine stuff indeed. 8)
Del's a top guy too...... :daumenhoch:
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Cheers, i've just PM'd him so really hope he can help me out with this one. From looking at his decals he's infinitely more than capable!! Awesome work!
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top resto :daumenhoch:.
come out mint that has. really like it 8).
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Nice work ;)
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Cheers guys, much appreciated. 8)
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OMG only just seen this thread,and what a fantastic read and great pics and results,i also am a fan of the low end bikes,had my first in1984 :LolLolLolLol:,anyways a couple of years ago,for a starting bid of £1 i won a stratton the same as yours,except with spoke wheels,and yes i would say yours is original apart from formentioned decals,i will get round to fully restoring it soon,your resto has inspired me,will put some pics up of mine when i can,looking forward toseing your decals :)
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Who said you cant polish a turd...?!!!!! :D
Great work mate, what a transformation! :) :daumenhoch:
Will you be able to get the decals from Del...?
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nice work it is cool to see some low end bmxs restored . :daumenhoch: :daumenhoch: :daumenhoch:
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here is the pics of my survivor,which i want to restore ,please let me know how you get on with decals :)
http://i637.photobucket.com/albums/uu96/retrostation-2007/2012-05-01163219.jpg
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just seen this,fantastic thread and top work!the wheels/tyres look ace! :daumenhoch:
I have a generic stem wedge kicking about if you still need one,pm me your addy and its yours!
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Cheers guys, much appreciated. 8)
Sorry i've not been able to respond 'til now, my PC died so i've had to borrow my Sisters Laptop every now and again.
DeuceCoupe:
I'm very glad to see one in much better condition than mine, luv the idea you're going to properly restore it with it's original paint job too. Looking forward to seeing the pics of how you get on.
Deeman:
Thanks mate, I would definitely take you up on that kind offer, will PM you my addy and see you right for the cost.
Now ...... about the decals .......... ;)
Del was recommended to me in a previous post to sort me out with decals for my rebuild. Now, I was told that Del was very good ... NOW, this is not the case at all, Del is not very good he is a consumate Artist. A digital age Michaelangelo!! Calling him "very good" is a definite slight to his abilities; the attention to detail and sheer craftsmanship this man is capable of is unbelievable!! Now, my BMX is a low budget build and in all honesty Del had very little to work with. He had splinters and fragments of the lower tube decals and very poor other decals and yet he was able to make a perfect set with so very little to work with.
Words can't express how much of a task he had to achieve. I will get some pics up to show you what he had to deal with, he stuck a collection of shards down to a piece of card and still came up with the goods!! They are perfect! What really put the lid on was he did a set of his own small advertising decal for Dels Decals in the same color as my Fork and lower tube "Stratton" decals. That too will be going on for sure.
To say i'm even over the moon is a VAST understatement.
At the risk of sounding a little emotional, this BMX was one I remember riding as a very small child. With my Grandfather's passing away last year I found it in his garage. It was in a sorry condition, but with a little advice and encouragement on here and with Del's help with the decals it is very very near being complete and a good reminder of my childhood and good memories too.
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Good to hear, look forward to seeing it...
When did you last have contact with Del...?! ???
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yesterday
Oh and I'll send you the fiver in the post Tony ;) Thanks for those kind words :daumenhoch:
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???
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Great looking resto work here fella :daumenhoch:
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Cheers mate! 8)
I'm very happy with her, especially now it has it's decals on! The decals are perfect, they really look the part. The lower frame tube I haven't put on exactly as it was (I swear it was done on purpose!! :LolLolLolLol: I've moved it up towards the neck an inch or so as I think it just looks better that way. The down side is I haven't a Camera that works to show the pics!! >:( Sods law up and running. Will have to get something borrowed as I REALLY want to get the pics up on here to show how good a job Del has done in particular!!
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What happened to this bike then..??
The world needs at least one stratton doesn't it. ???