RADBMX.CO.UK
Old School BMX 1980 - 1988 => Old School Race (riders ready, pedals ready... GO!!) => Topic started by: dinglem on August 26, 2014, 06:57 PM
-
Ok, as per a few other marques in this section I am trying to start a register for the remaining known Birmingham WHEELS frames/bikes. :Great_Britain:
I have been looking into this for some time and have looked into all of the frames I know, requested serial numbers and details and have listed them all.
I have actually discovered that 3 of the Pro frames I thought I knew of were actually the same frame but sold on and repainted by the respective owners.
I have also managed to track down a fair number of the original WHEELS team riders we well as the P.v.HOOF dealer over in Holland who assisted the Dutch arm of the Birmingham WHEELS team. (Many thanks to 'Spartacus' for his help with this...)
Speaking to many in the know I have discovered that there were two gold-chrome frames made (one raced by Anthony But), a couple of titanium Birmingham WHEELS frames (determined too complicated and the idea was dropped) and Trevor Robinson even had the one and only Birmingham WHEELS prototype freestyle frame, which was thrown out by his mother some years later(!)
I am in the process of setting up a Birmingham WHEELS Fb page which I will open up Spenly for those over on there, which might hopefully attract other owners to come forwards. For now though, here's the <very Spen> list.
Serial Number List (so far):-
Mini (17.5inch top tube)
607 or 60'T' - team frame belonging to Rebecca Maiden. Original chrome. Reynolds 501 Butted stampings and brazed washer on brake bridge. Original Birmingham WHEELS Mini bars. UK.
619 - painted candy red (unknown if original colour). UK.
671 - original chrome. Purchased from an ex-WHEELS team member. Robinson Junior forks. UK.
XXX - painted lime green. Posted on :radbmxsmilie:
XXX - Mirage prototype made by Birmingham WHEELS for Alan's BMX. UK.
Intermediate (18.5inch top tube)
069 - original chrome. UK.
072 - original chrome. UK.
106 - was chrome, now blue paint (member of BW to confirm no). UK.
514 - original chrome. UK.
515 - stripped bare finish (was chrome). Sourced from Belgium.
517 - original chrome. UK.
539 - original chrome. Holland.
XXX - original chrome (BMXMuseum). ??
XXX - original chrome. Ex-Dutch Team BW. Jan van den Dungen. Holland.
XXX - prototype Titanium frame developed by WHEELS. Euro BB. Purchased from an ex-WHEELS team member.
Pro (18.5 inch top tube, joining seat post tube much lower)
091 - original candy white paint. UK
131 - original green paint. Netherlands.
137 - original pink paint. Germany.
146 - (once clear, on BMXMuseum) Now red. UK.
361 - original chrome. UK. (Actually an extra long 'Expert').
XXX - two prototypes made for Tim March.
Cruiser
125 - Found in chrome but now painted black. UK.
126 - In original Chrome/survivor build. Purchased from Pat Robinson(!) UK.
127 - In original chrome. Raced by the current owner BITD. Tange TRX forks. UK.
132 - In original chrome. Belonged to an ex-WHEELS Team member. UK.
If anybody else has a frame or knows of one, then please shout up and feel free to add a post and I can update the register. I'll add some pics of mine Spenly and hopefully the other owners will do the same. Could be quite a Spen thread though :'(
-
Frame 072 for starters....
[attachment=1]
[attachment=2]
-
This is 515 (purchased from another RAD member recently - thanks mate... his pics too btw!) This one has been stripped of chrome which i am told was a bit ropey and polished up to show the lovely brazed welds and even the REYNOLDS BUTTED stamping on some of the tubes :smitten:
[attachment=2]
[attachment=3]
[attachment=1]
[attachment=4]
-
Scored a beauty tonight.
Just returned home with it.
It's been pulled out of a parents loft tonight for the first time in nearly 30 years.
BEAUTIFUL.
I'll gather measurements and numbers tomorrow.
Only pic I've taken.
[attachment=1]
-
I've got Serial Number 069
Its got a 18.5 inch Top Tube
I thought every part had been rattled silver when I first set eyes on it, but... the lads old man sprayed it in wax before storing it in the loft!!
I'm hoping to find a minty bike underneath.
I was going to restore this bike and give it to my mate brummie, but griff is so much more handsome and deserving so he can have it instead
he is a top bloke and i love him
Im also going to buy him lots of beer :-*
anyways
More pictures to follow.
[attachment=1]
-
Fab that. It's an Expert, and I'd say it is 069 as all the 600 serial numbers I've seen are Mini's. Also, my Expert is 072 so very close. What is the padset? Can you find any subtle Reynolds stamping on any tubes?
Should have Tange or Tioga forks.
Lovely rare find, and welcome to the club!
-
The Pad Set is Meteor-Lite not OG unfortunately.
-
been to see Wilsey's BW today and what a fooking beauty it is 8)
-
Cool stuff. 8)
-
Few updates now added to the register.
-
Extremely rare Birmingham WHEELS bars:-
[attachment=1]
[attachment=2]
WHEELS Mini bars were also made for the team riders upon request:-
[attachment=3]
[attachment=4]
-
Ex-Simon Lawther team Cruiser. Serial 132.
[attachment=1]
-
Scott Beaumont team Mini, serial 671. Additional strengthening washers brazed to the brake bridge. Early round-shoulder Robinson forks.
[attachment=1]
-
Minis 619 and 671 together.
[attachment=1]
-
WHEELS Cruiser serial number 127 now added to the list.
[attachment=1]
[attachment=2]