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Technical & Reference Section => Tech and Restoration => Topic started by: rollin72 on November 23, 2011, 09:42 PM

Title: firebird freestyler restoration
Post by: rollin72 on November 23, 2011, 09:42 PM: Ive had this for a while now, I bought it off Steve(firebird), its a Gen1 frame+fork set in some serious need of a bit of magic.
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/pp287/rollin72/6e76dbc2.jpg)

It had snapped at the headtube and had a gusset welded on :crazy2:
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/pp287/rollin72/1bb6637d.jpg)

(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/pp287/rollin72/ed28d9cc.jpg)

the rear dropouts were chewed and paper thin
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/pp287/rollin72/fcc2cc49.jpg)

the rear chainstay was crushed
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/pp287/rollin72/dca40d23.jpg)

(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/pp287/rollin72/0c94d03b.jpg)

I had the chrome stripped, and after meeting and having a chat with Steve(animal) at MK11 he agreed to have a go at repairing it for me as it was a bit much for me to handle. The repairs are now complete and you will not believe the results, this lad is a fookin legend in my eyes, i'll let him post the pics of his work..over to you Steve..nice1 mate :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: firebird freestyler restoration
Post by: brettypeeps on November 23, 2011, 09:45 PM: Cant wait to see this :4_17_5:
Title: Re: firebird freestyler restoration
Post by: Robbo on November 23, 2011, 09:49 PM: Quote from: brettypeeps on November 23, 2011, 09:45 PM
Cant wait to see this :4_17_5:

+ 1, love threads like this. :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: firebird freestyler restoration
Post by: In2 bmx on November 23, 2011, 09:51 PM: Looking forward to seeing the results . :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: firebird freestyler restoration
Post by: hunterdubber on November 23, 2011, 09:53 PM: He told me he thought fook that and weighed it in at the tip Gaz :-\ ???
Title: Re: firebird freestyler restoration
Post by: Darren KAP on November 23, 2011, 09:53 PM: can't wait to see how its turned out :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: firebird freestyler restoration
Post by: NORTY40 on November 23, 2011, 09:58 PM: Looking forward to this 8)

Steve is a diamond , helped me out a few times :)
Title: Re: firebird freestyler restoration
Post by: animal on November 23, 2011, 10:00 PM: First off thanks 2 Gaz 4 the kind words ;) This bugger has defo got me back into this great hobby after recent events :daumenhoch:

After a quick trip 2 the tatters yard 2 get it back sharpish :LolLolLolLol:

Heres the after fellas ;)

Headstock area

(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/q103/animalmrd/IMG_2664.jpg)

(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/q103/animalmrd/IMG_2667.jpg)

(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/q103/animalmrd/IMG_2665.jpg)

Drop outs

(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/q103/animalmrd/IMG_2670.jpg)

(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/q103/animalmrd/IMG_2669.jpg)

Chainstay

(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/q103/animalmrd/IMG_2668.jpg)

(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/q103/animalmrd/IMG_2671.jpg)
Title: Re: firebird freestyler restoration
Post by: hunterdubber on November 23, 2011, 10:02 PM: :shocked: :shocked: :shocked:

As if by magic :4_17_5:
Title: Re: firebird freestyler restoration
Post by: NORTY40 on November 23, 2011, 10:30 PM: :shocked: Back from the dead , great work Steve :4_17_5:

Can you do anything for Jody Marsh Steve ???

Looking forward to seeing the progress on this now Gaz ................ don't fook all Steves good work up :LolLolLolLol:
Title: Re: firebird freestyler restoration
Post by: rollin72 on November 23, 2011, 10:35 PM: just bought a tin of non-drip gloss from b+q Joff, should go on a treat, im made up with the work Steve's done...those dropouts are mint and what he's done with that gusset :shocked:
...top lad :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: firebird freestyler restoration
Post by: kungfunky on November 23, 2011, 10:37 PM: Bloody splendid work Steve :4_17_5: I've also got some very old tat that could do with a once over ::) ::)
Title: Re: firebird freestyler restoration
Post by: WINI on November 23, 2011, 10:41 PM: :shocked:

Fookin ell! Great work Steve, that will look the dogs with a bit of powder. What colour you going will Gaz? Or re chrome?
Title: Re: firebird freestyler restoration
Post by: brettypeeps on November 23, 2011, 10:49 PM: Fantastic Job. Probably stronger now than when it was built nearly 30 years ago :daumenhoch:

Well done Steve :4_17_5: You got to be happy with that Gaz :smitten: :smitten:
Title: Re: firebird freestyler restoration
Post by: NORTY40 on November 23, 2011, 10:52 PM: Quote from: rollin72 on November 23, 2011, 10:35 PM
just bought a tin of non-drip gloss from b+q Joff, should go on a treat,

:LolLolLolLol: Brush or roller Gaz ???

If it turns out as good as the first white one you did , you won't be far off ;)
Title: Re: firebird freestyler restoration
Post by: Badbaldie on November 23, 2011, 10:53 PM: :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: wow Steve those repairs are pure magic... Gaz cant wait to see this finnished :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: firebird freestyler restoration
Post by: mattbloke on November 23, 2011, 11:21 PM: Don't know what you guys are on about, he has fooked the Chrome right up! ;) outstanding work :4_17_5:
Title: Re: firebird freestyler restoration
Post by: BENDYCAT ELEVENTEEN on November 24, 2011, 12:26 AM: sweet work :daumenhoch:

chrome or paint ???
Title: Re: firebird freestyler restoration
Post by: lk_97 on November 24, 2011, 06:58 AM: Looking forward to this, and that repair looks amazing! :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: firebird freestyler restoration
Post by: rollin72 on November 24, 2011, 12:50 PM: its getting painted, ideally I want to do it myself as about 80% of this build is getting restored, but it might be the wrong time of year for spraying it in my shed so we'll see
Title: Re: firebird freestyler restoration
Post by: NORTY40 on November 24, 2011, 01:10 PM: Quote from: rollin72 on November 24, 2011, 12:50 PM
its getting painted, ideally I want to do it myself as about 80% of this build is getting restored, but it might be the wrong time of year for spraying it in my shed so we'll see

I could 'rattle' this for you Gaz if you want , got a heater in my makeshift spray booth :D
Title: Re: firebird freestyler restoration
Post by: theRuler on November 24, 2011, 01:15 PM: Quote from: rollin72 on November 24, 2011, 12:50 PM
its getting painted, ideally I want to do it myself as about 80% of this build is getting restored, but it might be the wrong time of year for spraying it in my shed so we'll see

Too cold for painting in the shed, unless you can put it in the house after each coat.

See if you can set up an incubator - a big box with one open end against a radiator would do.

Make a jig (or stand) for the frame so you can transport it easily.

Cook it after each light coat. Also get your rattle cans warm - keep them in the airing cupboard / boiler cupboard or whatever, for a few hours prior to spraying. That gets the pressure up in the cans.

Heat is the key for spraying.

Also hose down the area around where you are spraying - the water will trap the paint dust (and other contaminates)
Title: Re: firebird freestyler restoration
Post by: Retrodan72 on November 24, 2011, 01:32 PM: Good thread Gaz, look forward to seeing how this ends up, top work too Steve. :4_17_5:

Pity it got so badly abused in the first place. :(
Title: Re: firebird freestyler restoration
Post by: rad_pitt on November 24, 2011, 01:57 PM: :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: Steve is a magician :4_17_5:
Title: Re: firebird freestyler restoration
Post by: Spen69 on November 24, 2011, 02:03 PM: Ha ha, just wait till you see the DP Firebird my bro has got lined up for some of Steve's Blue Peter magic - any of you at MK with us over in the fix-it tent may remember "TA shopper-bike" Tim's old yellow painted frame with Haro decals on it........ :shocked:

Awesome work as ever Steve - did you replace the downtube or re-braize / weld it and clean it back up as it looks fantastic :coolsmiley:

Gaz, you must be made up bud :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: firebird freestyler restoration
Post by: mattbloke on November 24, 2011, 02:16 PM: after that sort of sterling repair job, seems a shame to rattle can it...
Title: Re: firebird freestyler restoration
Post by: ultrasham241 on November 24, 2011, 02:19 PM: looking good, some sweet repairs!! Got a gen1 dp comming soon myself !!! ;)
Title: Re: firebird freestyler restoration
Post by: animal on November 24, 2011, 05:26 PM: Lots of clever rewelding Spen ;)
Title: Re: firebird freestyler restoration
Post by: rollin72 on November 24, 2011, 05:40 PM: Quote from: ANIMAL on November 24, 2011, 05:26 PM
Lots of empty bog roll tubes and double sided sticky tape Spen ;)
:LolLolLolLol:
Title: Re: firebird freestyler restoration
Post by: sweetbeats on November 24, 2011, 05:45 PM: Can't wait to see this......top work Steve :4_17_5:
Title: Re: firebird freestyler restoration
Post by: In2 bmx on November 24, 2011, 05:51 PM: fookin outstanding work Steve . :4_17_5:

Looking forward to seeing this finished and brought back to life . :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: firebird freestyler restoration
Post by: firebird on December 13, 2011, 11:50 PM: Can I have it back now ? ???
Title: Re: firebird freestyler restoration
Post by: BENDYCAT ELEVENTEEN on December 14, 2011, 01:13 AM: think that might be a big NO ;D
Title: Re: firebird freestyler restoration
Post by: QUADROPHENIA on December 14, 2011, 07:03 AM: Good work Steve, it amazes me what you can do with them chubby fingers, as for that yellow sh1t thing at MK .... Whats the point
Title: Re: firebird freestyler restoration
Post by: HARODAVE on December 17, 2011, 10:45 AM: :4_17_5: fookin hewll Gaz , bet you`re maade up with that ....save it till you can afford to have it chromed , such a top resto job deserves a blinging finish i.m.h.o ... :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: firebird freestyler restoration
Post by: markyp on December 17, 2011, 12:03 PM: steves work is unreal,he repaired two sets of buggered star bars for me,legend,great work on the dp :4_17_5:
Title: Re: firebird freestyler restoration
Post by: rooski on December 17, 2011, 12:26 PM: Done well there Steve,reet good job :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: firebird freestyler restoration
Post by: deeman on December 21, 2011, 06:40 PM: Its good to know such atrocities can be made good again!top skills! :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: firebird freestyler restoration
Post by: Macmania on December 22, 2011, 11:29 AM: Great resto work :4_17_5:

Looking forward to seeing it finished Gaz :coolsmiley:
Title: Re: firebird freestyler restoration
Post by: GTnumber1 on December 22, 2011, 09:38 PM: great work there steve, what colour you doing it Gaz?
Title: Re: firebird freestyler restoration
Post by: rollin72 on December 22, 2011, 10:11 PM: its going white Steve, if I ever get the fooker back ???
Title: Re: firebird freestyler restoration
Post by: CustardLips on December 23, 2011, 01:15 AM: 8) 'Supreme' 8)
Didn't know shit like this was possible !