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Technical & Reference Section => Tech and Restoration => Topic started by: dinglem on October 10, 2014, 11:18 AM
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This turned up in the post this morning ;D
It was posted up on the BMXMuseum a few weeks ago and was located over in Michigan; the owner didn't really know what it was so contacted me and asked a few questions. It turned out he was a GT collector and he agreed to swap this frame for a pair of GT logo tyres i had in my stash(!) as long as i covered the postage in both directions.
I'm pretty chuffed!!!
It has a slightly shorter TT length than my 'Intermediate' (Expert) frames, being 17.5inches in length. I've also just noticed that the TT diameter is smaller than the Intermediate as well. It's the same diameter as the seat post tube, but the down tube is the same larger diameter as the Intermediate frame. It's as light as a feather.
Paint is chipped here and there, with no chrome beneath so i am wondering whether it is the original colour....
Frame number is 619. I only know of one other genuine BW Mini at the moment (also with a high 600+ serial number), and that is still owned by the original BW team WHEELS rider who rode it BITD.
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Nice find Mart, it sure is a big looking Mini compered to the Expert. Very much like what a Profile Shelby James is to a Profile Champ Pro :-\
As You/BW like to build them all with skinny's, the main difference looks wise is gonna be the size of the bars and the height of the seat (obviously I can see it has a euro bb).
Look forward to seeing it built and in the line-up :daumenhoch:
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Yes mate, it is quite large for a Mini; it çould easily be built as a 'normal' BMX tbh, albeit with a layback.
I actually collected another Mini today, which I purchased from ex-WHEELS team rider Scott Beaumont (now a very successful mountain biker). It has extra features specifically at his request from BITD, including larger welds (he used to break his race bikes) and extra features on the brake bridge. Serial number 671. It also has some original decals and a drilled/lightened seat post clamp. I also have to measure the tube diameters as they seem slightly smaller than the red one.
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WOW...just WOW!
love the welds on the untreated frames....
and love the rear dropouts, look almost SE Looptail.
I Tweeted Scott leading up to and sharing pics after the 27th Sept return to wheels ride out in B'Ham.
seems like a nice bloke.
somewhere i got a pic of the wheels team BITD and he's at the top as a very young rider!
I know where to come if i need any advice on a Wheels bike in future.....that is if you don't bloody own every one in existence by then.... :LolLolLolLol:
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Yeah I've been pretty lucky so far in that my research has led me to 4 frames altogether so far, with this team bike being the best find to date. It is actually pictured bottom right in the following pic - you can just about make out the same drilled seat post clamp. Pretty cool!! Scott has asked for it back for a day as his mountain bike sponsors want to do a photo shoot detailing his riding history, so that was a part of the deal. I'll be trying to build this one to his old spec where possible.
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Yeah I've been pretty lucky so far in that my research has led me to 4 frames altogether so far, with this team bike being the best find to date. It is actually pictured bottom right in the following pic - you can just about make out the same drilled seat post clamp. Pretty cool!! Scott has asked for it back for a day as his mountain bike sponsors want to do a photo shoot detailing his riding history, so that was a part of the deal. I'll be trying to build this one to his old spec where possible.
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Are you trying to get the whole set of bikes pictured Martin ? :LolLolLolLol:
I see that poor Scwhinn frame has been put to one side again :daumenhoch:
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Haha... sure seems that way at the mo. They just keep falling my way. The Schwinn is actually out ready to go off for paint. Same guys that sprayed the Aystin Seven are doing it for me :coolsmiley:
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Have these Birmingham frames got a nice geometry when riding them ? some bikes i.e burners I can't get on with.
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Yeah, the geometry is lovely - very simple, although I am biased with these being my very fave frames!!
No comparison with Burners whatsoever as these are out and out race bikes. I actually have a factory spec Ultra Burner and the side-by-side comparison says a lot. The difference in head tube angle is massive, as is the length of the seatpost tube. The Burner looks very awkward in comparison, and also weighs a tonne!
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Has a nice steep rake, I'm liking that, whats the top tube length ? is it 18 1/2 inches ?
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Mmmmm. Likin the wheels and that shimano DX seat post! :-p
From iThing Apple Alien Tech on Tapatalk
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Has a nice steep rake, I'm liking that, whats the top tube length ? is it 18 1/2 inches ?
Yeah, the intermediates/experts are 18.5inch TT, the Mini's are 17.5inches.
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Very very nice aar kid :4_17_5:
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8)
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The Burner looks very awkward in comparison, and also weighs a tonne!
No Shite Sherlock :police: :whistle:
I've always found your levels of research and information to be quite high but in this case you have disappointed me. This knowledge is learnt at a very early age and never mentioned again.
:LolLolLolLol: :LolLolLolLol:
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The Burner looks very awkward in comparison, and also weighs a tonne!
No Shite Sherlock :police: :whistle:
I've always found your levels of research and information to be quite high but in this case you have disappointed me. This knowledge is learnt at a very early age and never mentioned again.
:LolLolLolLol: :LolLolLolLol:
Hahaha!!! Well, yes.
I was actually quite surprised somebody mentioned Burners on this thread in the first place, but as I had both out next to one another I thought I'd make the comparison. I was riding a SuperTUFF at the time when I first test rode a BW at the WHEELS track, which is probably why I found them so awesome, and still do.
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Oh master grasshopper.
Which BW model is longest top tube big enough for an old BMX git like me?
Just so I can set the radar.......
From iThing Apple Alien Tech on Tapatalk
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Oh master grasshopper.
Which BW model is longest top tube big enough for an old BMX git like me?
Just so I can set the radar.......
From iThing Apple Alien Tech on Tapatalk
That would be the Pro at 19.5 inch TT length (Cruiser is the same I believe). Join the queue for one of those; 3 known examples and at least 3 people on :radbmxsmilie: are actively hunting for one, including me.
An Expert/Intermediate at 18.5inches is fine though, especially with a lay back....
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Lol. With that competition I'll have to broaden my search.
Thanks for the advice oh master.
(http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/10/21/a350fdfdaddfca7751acb6ecf60900b7.jpg)
From iThing Apple Alien Tech on Tapatalk
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Great thread :daumenhoch:
Loving the BITD pics too
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Cracking thread this Martin, keep up the good work buddy, hopefully all the Radsters will get posting on build threads. ... ::)
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Mmmmm. Nice. On their way.
(http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/10/23/c50388505afcabbe0a1cb61076d5e40e.jpg)
From iThing Apple Alien Tech on Tapatalk
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Well the red frame has gone off to Superbike Dan for a respray in matching Candy red as there were too many chips and scratches in the paint it was wearing for me to cope with...
Meanwhile I had a quick look at the Scott Beaumont team Mini, which came with the original chrome in terrible condition. When I picked it up Scott told me he was sure it required a rechrome, but I am desperate to retain the original head tube decal (never seen an original one before) so I was going to try my first OA bath. Yesterday I had a quick go at cleaning and polishing the TT, and trying various methods produced amazing results! The chrome on the TT is now like new :daumenhoch: Plenty of Mothers Metal Polish and a fair bit of removing surface rust with my thumbnail but I am over-the-moon with the results. The worst affected area of the frame was the seat post tube and I have cleaned that up in the same way this morning. Pretty chuffed!
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...and here's a comparison to the above pics showing the polished seat post tube; quite a difference to the unpolished frame areas.
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Bootifull. You're gonna have to be careful around them stickers tho. Agree they need saving. V special that one Mart.
From iThing Apple Alien Tech on Tapatalk
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Managed to squeeze in a little bit more cleaning and polishing this morning.
BB area:-
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All important (to me) original head tube decal area:-
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Around the seatpost clamp area:-
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Still plenty to do when I next have a few hours to spare, but I am amazed at how much difference a bit of elbow grease has made :daumenhoch:
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Dude. This might speed it up a bit!
Mothers Powerball Metal Drill Polishing Ball **USE CHROME, STAINLESS STEEL, ALUMINIUM ETC** by Mothers http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B009YEL4VM/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_xRktub1EW6C5D
From iThing Apple Alien Tech on Tapatalk
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There's so many mothers polish to choose from. What are you using please?
From iThing Apple Alien Tech on Tapatalk
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There's a cone version which may be more precise Mart.
From iThing Apple Alien Tech on Tapatalk
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To be honest, I'm quite enjoying the hand-polishing side of it. I am spending an hour or so each morning on it at the minute; bit of time in the man cave whilst wifey is still in bed.
This is the polish I am using. Best method I have found is a liberal coat over the rusty areas.... Leave it for about 20mins then polish it off followed by a bit of nail scraping. The polish really softens the rust which then easily falls away. Then another dose of polish and a final buffing.
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Cheers mate. Hopefully take delivery of my GT survivor frame next week so this is all very top of my list at mo. OA bath sounds a lot of work and space required which I don't have. Wish I had a man cave.
From iThing Apple Alien Tech on Tapatalk
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This morning was spent on the down tube, which was pretty rusty as it turned out, and I only managed to complete the front half. What I did uncover, however, was a very clear 'REYNOLDS 501 BUTTED' stamping near to the head tube. I have only ever seen this on my stripped Intermediate and I've never seen it through a chromed frame before.
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Cheers mate. Hopefully take delivery of my GT survivor frame next week so this is all very top of my list at mo. OA bath sounds a lot of work and space required which I don't have. Wish I had a man cave.
From iThing Apple Alien Tech on Tapatalk
Yes mate - I was trying to avoid an OA bath and I am well chuffed with the results from this. The one problem I have - as you can see on the above close-up shots are the rust spots beneath the downtube decal which obviously won't polish out :-\
Not sure even an OA bath (or Coke soak) will penetrate and remove that. Thoughts anyone?
I have heard of people using a cheapo kiddies blow-up paddling pool for an OA bath if that helps?? I must admit I think I have the best man cave area going... 8)
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More polishing progress this morning, plus I added a few of the missing decals.
The early round-shoulder Robinson Junior forks have cleaned up nicely!!
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Wow, these chrome resto threads never cease to amaze me.....top work!
I thought you meant you were using your mother's metal polish, not 'mothers' metal polish lol! never heard of it but looks like it gets results!
:daumenhoch:
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Nice work, looks like good stuff... it's come up sweet as. :daumenhoch:
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Yeah, nobody is more surprised than me I don't think! It looked like it definitely needed a rechrome when I collected it. I've spent another hour on one of the rear loops this morning, and it gives a great before and after comparison with the other side. Almost finished and ready to be built up now though....
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Brake bridge has come up nicely too.
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Cleaning up nicely Mart :daumenhoch:
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Amazed
Bet that brake bridge is fiddly!
What sorta rags are you using with the polish? Ie are you having to chuck a load away after a session?
Careful next time you shake someone's hand, what with all that polishing you'll crush them! 😃
From iThing Apple Alien Tech on Tapatalk
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Zoom in on the first pic I put up today and compare both sides just behind the seatpost tube and ahead of the brake bridge. The rust there was really crusty and thick and I thought it would never polish up, yet the finished side looks minty now :daumenhoch:
Just using rough industrial-style tissue paper to polish with - nothing special really.
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Cheers. I thought you might b using industrial paper with a bit of an abrasiveness to it. Bet your chucking loads away as it gets loaded with old rust n sheat. Gotta find some of that Mothers Milk! 😍
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Not too much waste mate... This is my pile since I started.
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and then........as if by magic...... a schwinn appeared.
From iThing Apple Alien Tech on Tapatalk
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That was thrown in the box when my Nat Pro arrived. Had it sat there since and will probably never build it. I did drop my Stingray off at the paint shop this morning however :daumenhoch:
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That was thrown in the box when my Nat Pro arrived. Had it sat there since and will probably never build it. I did drop my Stingray off at the paint shop this morning however :daumenhoch:
Nice one :daumenhoch:
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Here's some pics just in from Superbike Dan of him working on Mini 619 :daumenhoch:
Stripped prior to paint:-
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Candy Apple Red going back on:-
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Waw that's amazing work pal "wantit"
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Polishing finished ;D
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OOOOFFF....... im gonna have to go change my pants now!
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One pot of magic cream ordered!
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Custom decals just in (and on) from Del. Pics definitely don't do them justice :smitten:
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8)
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Close up.
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That Del's a genius. Yummy
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looking great mart,can't wait to see it finished :daumenhoch:
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Love it!!
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:4_17_5: "wantit"
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Thanks for the comments so far guys. Never built a Mini before (let alone two!) so this is something new for me.
Having had a nose at a few Mini examples over on the Museum I had my heart set on a pair of Vector V Mini bars for the red build; not an easy item to source! I love how they look and after much searching I have just taken delivery of a perfect pair from the US. I already have a pair of minty Uni Hand Grenade I's so they will be going on as well, along with a polished MX hinged clamp.
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Trial build is starting to look just as I'd hoped.
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Gorgeous. Them bars R mad!
Jonboy
BMX Pimpin' since '81 on Tapatalk
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Just bagged a NOS Birmingham WHEELS padset for the Scott Beaumont build, sourced from Belgium 8)
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Great thread, very interesting.
They both look brill but the candy red is super nice :smitten:
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Those pads are SOOOO White!
I'm constantly amazed how the nos stuff looks here.
Scott's gonna love it for that photo shoot! Course you do know he'll want to ride it and who could blame him.
Jonboy
Stay RAD Forever
BMX pimpin' since '81
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Great thread, very interesting.
They both look brill but the candy red is super nice :smitten:
Thanks mate. I love the red one too. I'm sticking pretty much to the letter with the Scott Beaumont build to make it as close as possible to his original Team WHEELS bike. In fact he has found out a load of his old parts for it which i'm well chuffed about.
That also means I can mess about with the red build a little and make it look just how i want it :daumenhoch:
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Popped over to visit Scott Beaumont yesterday and collected a load of his original parts for the Mini build. Quite a haul!!
Two parts of 165 TA cranks, one with an egg chainring which he experimented with BITD, and another drilled and lightened one.
Shimano DX seatpost.
His race rims from his Mini, ARAYA skinnies with GT hubs, radially spoked. Any more info on these hubs appreciated - are they early G? Dating?
Several Suntour flip-flop sprocket pairs.
His original aluminium CW Mini bars!
Tuf Neck and DK Mini stems.
SCP Rippers padset (rare!!)
MX1000 in silver.
Pretty chuffed with that lot :slayer:
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Pics
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MASSIVE HAUL MATE!!! Sure gonna help you with the tribute bike that. awesome.
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Rims
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Bits
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Stems
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Hi ding haw you doing, those look sweet looking forward to the pic with all the brum wheels on. The decals on the candy red look real nice are they silver on clear! Great builds you knock out. It s all in the detail. :4_17_5:
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Yes mate, I had a chrome on clear set made up as I pictured them looking good on candy red :coolsmiley:
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All looks good Ding. All those parts eventually find their way onto the mini or candy?
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Most of these parts will be going on to the Scott Beaumont Mini, although there are a few spare bits such as the duplicate TA cranks which can go on to the red Mini build. It was a pretty good haul! I've got pretty much everything I need for both builds now.... Just got to sort the rims/lacing now. I'm kind of split between these and my NP build at the minute.... (As well as decorating the nursery!)
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So my Birmingham WHEELS obsession continues...
I found another Mini last week, and collected it yesterday. It's not in the best of shape, but is another special Team WHEELS frame, having been raced by Rebecca Maiden. It has the same features as the Scott Beaumont frame, with the extra washers brazed to the brake bridge. Same Reynolds Butted stampings too.
It came with a lovely headset, , Tange forks, Campy cranks (score!), but best of all it has a set of genuine brazed WHEELS Mini bars. I spoke to the Lawthers about them and they confirmed they did make a few sets of Mini bars upon request for the team riders.
Well chuffed! Needs a good clean up but that's what I enjoy!
One final feature is the serial number, which appears to be 60, with the letter 'T' below it. This was used to identify the team frames early on, but they dropped this feature when the riders started swapping frames more frequently
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Bars.
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Another nice score for your collection. :daumenhoch:
At least when your nipper arrives he/she won't be short of something to ride. ;)
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The same Team WHEELS member that sold me the last Mini also let me have this today...
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What a result Mart :coolsmiley:
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What a result Mart :coolsmiley:
Yes mate - well chuffed with it! :4_17_5: It's in really great condition too.
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Kewl. With the patches too!!
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Great top mate, keep getting the none bike parts together, pants patches ect and this collection all together will look amazing at a show.
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I admire highly your commitment to this mighty Bradenham buddy :daumenhoch:
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Been working on the red Mini and the Scott Beaumont Mini recently. Both are progressing well. I have opted to use Specialities TA cranks on both of them; two sets having been provided by Scott Beaumont as posted previously. I have also used his Mini CW bars (lightweight aluminium version) but am unsure about the decals. They have one colourful CW decal as shown below, but should they have another decal in the 'usual' bar place, as I have seen this combo before in the past. Any CW experts out there?
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Found this shot online:-
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Scott also told me he used an unusual SCP Rippers padset a lot BITD; now very rare and expensive (if you can find any!) Luckily he gave me his original frame and stem pads so at least one of those will be used. Incidentally SCP stands for Scott Clark Products, of Redline fame.
I have also found a great shot of Scott in action on this very frame, clearly showing the unusual rake of the early round-shouldered Robinson Mini forks. I have his original wheel set with GT hubs, but now see I need some silver Shimano DX pedals. Not sure how easy sourcing an Ultra Plate in orange is going to be either... :chin:
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Only just seen this Martin....... awesome buddy :daumenhoch:
Now I dont want to let these go but will gladly scan for ya if you want to make or have a replica made. Mike (Grab on Kid) would be the man to ask. :daumenhoch:
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What's the wording under 'Ultra Plate'?
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Boom! Thanks Andy! A scan of yours would be awesome buddy. Thanks!!
There were some regional Ultra Plates, it says West Midlands.
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Read on another post that the regional additions were made by Stephen Hassle's dad???? Will PM you about the plate scan later buddy. Thanks!!
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Another pic added Mart...... speak later bud. :daumenhoch:
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Awesome progress being made with the Beaumont Ultra Mini plate. I just received the preview artwork this evening and it looks spot-on :daumenhoch:
Thanks for the hook up Andy68.
I'll post a pic once the plate is finished and i've got my hands on it.
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I've been chasing a Mirage Mini race plate for a while now, to fit on the red WHEELS build. Del managed to get a good scan of one, and Phil (Sawzall) did an expert job of recreating the actual plate and Velcro fittings.
Just as that arrived, Alan of Alan's BMX messaged me to pass on some Brum Wheels Sponsorship info; he'd found a letter between himself and Team WHEELS detailing plate supplies for the various team riders. All very cool :coolsmiley:
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He also then told me he had stumbled across an original Mirage Mini plate in the depths of his stockroom, and best of all said he would send it to me for free!! :slayer:
Well chuffed. It is a red with blue background version, which I have never seen before.
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That's a nice gesture, knowing that he could've easily sold that, either to you or the highest bidder. And is that a brake guard on the left hand side of the pic? Really like that! :daumenhoch:
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Yes, very good of Alan indeed. I called up to pay for it and he wouldn't take any money, and even paid for the postage!
It is a matching brake guard, plus I slso have another original Mirage brake guard decal (in red and black) which another kind RAD member also sent to me free of charge when they knew I was gathering Mirage stuff for my WHEELS collection. The wife has even bought me a couple of full sized plates, plus I have a third one on my Expert.
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Well the Scott Beaumont build is slowly starting to come together now. I've retained much of his original spec; rare early Robinson round-shoulder Mini forks, his unusual headset rig, his drilled seatpost clamp, his lightweight aluminium CW Mini bars and black Mini Tuf Neck stem, his early GT hubs (laced to new UKAI skinnies), and I have also retained the original WHEELS decals.
Scott used yellow grips BITD to match his BW jersey, so I have reused a set of black Oakley B1-b's that came on my WHEELS Expert and freshened them up with new yellow sleeves. The team was sponsored by Yes BMX so I have had a set of Yes pads made as per those used by Scott in period shots. I still have his original TA cranks to fit, and a new UNI seat in black.
Then it is just the rear brake, pedals and race plate... The plate has been ordered for months but unfortunately I am still waiting....
I absolutely love how this build looks so far!! 8)
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that's going to be a stunner :daumenhoch:
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Thanks Phil. I'm really looking forward to finishing this one. Almost there...
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Bit of polishing on the Rebecca Maiden team Mini frame whilst sat in the work van this avo.... It has come up a treat, much better than I anticipated, with the 'REYNOLDS 501 BUTTED' stamping really standing out.
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And with decals applied. Just waiting on a Reynolds 501 sticker to complete.
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Love ur threads and bikes :4_17_5:
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Amazing work by :radbmxsmilie: member 'Grabonkid' to skillfully recreate the Scott Beaumont Ultra race plate.
Well impressed - should be a great finishing detail for the build 8)
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