RADBMX.CO.UK
Mid School BMX (>87) 1989 to 2003 (<05) => Mid School ( Keep the faith ) => Topic started by: midschooljon on October 24, 2015, 08:12 PM
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With the clocks going back this weekend I thought it was time to post up one of the bikes Im building this winter. Its a 1st Gen Reynolds Racing fresh 40, and while it needs loads of TLC I think it should clean up quite nicely. I have been on the hunt for one for a few years now, and when Darren posted this on FB earlier this year I nearly bought it but decided to leave it though as it was missing the forks. About 6 months later I was still going back to look at it and decided to see if I could track down some forks before I went back to Darren. Sure enough ofter a google search I stumbled across a set in the USA and the rest is history.
For those who don't know about the background to RR, it was started by Craig Reynolds in 1992, and they started selling bike in 1993. He rode for a few brands prior to starting RR but got tired of always having to ride custom frames due to him needing longer bikes. He eventually decided to start his own company, and the Fresh 40 was his signature frame which had a wheelbase of 40 inches (21.5TT). His first team rider bas Barry Macmanus who's signature frame was the Rap 42 (22TT). The first and 2nd gen bikes were made by Cyclecraft, and you can recognise things like the tube sets, SS and CS bridges that were shared across the two companies.
After doing the deal on the F&F I have slowly been collecting parts but only started the restoration this weekend. There is quite a lot to do to get it back into shape, so for those who are interested I will post updates in this thread. The idea with the thread is to use entirely survivor parts with the exclusion of the F&F as that obviously needs to be restored. Here is where I am so far...
Some pics of the frame as it arrived.
(http://www.sirmerlin.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/1st-gen-reynolds-racing-fresh-40-bmx-frame-92.jpg)
(http://www.sirmerlin.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/1st-gen-reynolds-racing-fresh-40-bmx-bb.jpg)
(http://www.sirmerlin.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/1st-gen-reynolds-racing-fresh-40-bmx-brake-bridge.jpg)
(http://www.sirmerlin.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/1st-gen-reynolds-racing-fresh-40-bmx-dropouts.jpg)
(http://www.sirmerlin.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/1st-gen-reynolds-racing-fresh-40-bmx-top-tube.jpg)
(http://www.sirmerlin.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/1st-gen-reynolds-racing-fresh-40-bmx-seat-stays.jpg)
Its rough as hell but it is all cosmetic. After cleaning it up it will be going off to SBD to get returned to its factory white colour.
(http://www.sirmerlin.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/reynolds-racing-bmx-forks.jpg)
And here we have the forks. These are incredibly hard to find and I was really lucky to stumble across this set. They have been repowdered black but will obviously be painted white to match the frame. You can recognise the Cyclecraft workmanship in these by the dropouts which both companies shared.
I really wanted to build this bike with early Crupi hubs and managed to find a nice wheel set on US ebay. I put in a cheeky bid and to my surprise I won them.
(http://www.sirmerlin.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/1st-gen-crupi-wheels-bmx.jpg)
On arrival they cleaned up nicely however it turned out that the axle in the front hub was a replacement which didn't fit correctly. I did some hunting locally to see if I could find one, but eventually bit the bullet and ordered a NOS set from Crupi in the USA.
(http://www.sirmerlin.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/crupi-hub-axle-set.jpg)
I was really pleased to see they were genuinely New Old Stock and came with all the original hardware, including star washers and US sized axle nuts.
Another part Im really excited about putting on this bike is the crank set. A little while ago I bought a complete Hyper (just for the forks) which I parted out. to my surprise when I opened the box the cranks that looked like cheap POS in the for sale ad were actually Fabwelds. Fabweld was the company that made the Boss and S&M Prince Albert cranks. They are in really nice shape and as almost all my other builds have GT or Profiles Im glad to have something a little different on this bike.
(http://www.sirmerlin.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/fabweld-bmx-cranks.jpg)
(http://www.sirmerlin.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/fabweld-bmx-cranks-pedal-boss.jpg)
(http://www.sirmerlin.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/fabweld-bmx-cranks-180mm.jpg)
Finally I have traced down some Crupi square pedals to compliment the hubs, as well as a Dia Compe Big Dog / MX88 combo for the brakes.
(http://www.sirmerlin.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/crupi-square-pedals.jpg)
(http://www.sirmerlin.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/dia-compe-big-dog-mx88.jpg)
I still have a fair few things to find while I tidy up the F&F so will update this thread as I go along. :daumenhoch:
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I absolutely love this bicycle already. They were a rare sight indeed, I only saw a rap42 in the flesh, in the capable hands of Tony Fleming, who rode skateparks as well as tracks on it.
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Looks like another awesome build in the making Jon. :daumenhoch:
Knew I'd be kicking myself for knocking that Hyper back. :tickedoff:
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Lovely stuff look foward to seeing this
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thats the train of happiness I hear ... its a way off yet but its coming ... I can just hear the whistle :)
Oh she's a coming ok :popcorn:
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Cannot wait to see this build take shape. Reynolds are one of my favourite bike brands of all time. I'm sure you'll do this build justice, you always do.
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:coolsmiley: very nice indeed , really love lesser known mid race frames , spec list is shaping up nice too :daumenhoch:
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Cheers for the comments folks. Will hopefully get a bit more done this weekend.
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This is going to be one cool build Jon :coolsmiley:
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Cranks are ace :4_17_5:
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Nice!! Great score there, I've always liked RR's but you just don't see them over here..Looking forward to seeing how this comes out. Loving the Crupi and Fabwelds too.. :daumenhoch:
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Nice find :daumenhoch:
The forks and parts of the frame (dropouts, brake bridge etc..) are very s&m esque
Looks like a lot of early 90's frame builders were making companies frames that were very similar in certain areas
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Those cranks :smitten:
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I have been busy doing a mock build of the bike before I send it off to Phil and SBD. With the frame being so rough I wanted to make sure that things like the BB and Head tube were still round and that the cups went in nice and tight. i also wanted to check that everything was strait and lined up as the tubing is pretty thin, and this bike is really long. The good news is that everythign is spot on. :daumenhoch:
I also fitted the new Crupi axles and hardware so the wheels are now running really nice with no play.
(http://www.sirmerlin.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/1st-gen-crupi-wheels-bmx-new-axles.jpg)
Ed sorted me out with some lovely Jive grips to match the purple hubs, and I also got the brakes all set up. The Big Dog was feeling a bit sluggish so gave it a service and retensioned the spring. They now feel really good. Way better than when I last ran one on my Cyclecraf for some reason.
(http://www.sirmerlin.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/1st-gen-reynolds-racing-fresh-40-bmx-jive-grips.jpg)
(http://www.sirmerlin.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/1st-gen-reynolds-racing-fresh-40-dia-compe-big-dog-brake.jpg)
I now need to strip it down again and get the frame blasted to remove all of the surface rust. After that its off to SBD for a fresh coat of paint. :daumenhoch:
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A few updates while the F&F are away. Had a lovely perforated Turbo seat arrive :smitten: as well as some DK bits to finish it off.
(http://www.sirmerlin.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/turbo-saddle-white-dk-stem1.jpg)
Also received some Jive valve caps for the wheels.
(http://www.sirmerlin.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/jive-grips-valve-caps.jpg)
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Just got an update from SBD. :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:
Almost time to build it back up again.
(http://www.sirmerlin.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/reynolds_fresh_40_paint-1.jpg)
(http://www.sirmerlin.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/reynolds_fresh_40_paint-2.jpg)
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looking good jon,you can't beat a nice bright white :daumenhoch:
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looking good jon,you can't beat a nice bright white :daumenhoch:
Cheers Phil! And thanks for tidying the old thing up for me! Its finally now looking like it should after almost making its way into a skip. Haha.
I have a few more I need to send your way as well. :daumenhoch:
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would have liked to have owned n raced this myself, looking forward to seeing it done :daumenhoch:
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Little update on the build. Its all back together with just pads and plate to arrive from across the pond. Hopefully not too much longer.
(http://www.sirmerlin.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/reynolds-build-progress.jpg)
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You can't beat fresh coat of white, looks the tits
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That looks like a great build from just that picture, Jon.
I eagerly await a fully loaded side on picture :daumenhoch:
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That's ace Dude :smitten:
Love the parts you have on there,loadsa cool bits 8)
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I always loved these frames, great build you have going there!
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Cheers for the comments guys. Its 99.9% done now, just some final tweaks to do. Will try get it outside and take some pics over the weekend.
(http://www.sirmerlin.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/reynolds_fresh_40_bmx.jpg)
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Saucy
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That's awesome MSJ. One of the frames I've always been looking out for. Nice work.
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Cheers for all the comments folks. :daumenhoch: Tried to get out this past weekend to take some pics but no sooner had I got the bike out and taken a few snaps and a blizzard came through. Here are the handful of shots I got. Will take some more this weekend and get a full spec list up.
(http://www.sirmerlin.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/93-reynolds-racing-fresh-40-bmx-side.jpg)
(http://www.sirmerlin.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/93-reynolds-racing-fresh-40-bmx-front.jpg)
(http://www.sirmerlin.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/93-reynolds-racing-fresh-40-bmx-back.jpg)
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rad as fook yoot fistblump fistblump fistblump fistblump
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Love it Mick :daumenhoch:
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Sharp
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Finally got the time to finish all of the pics. Thanks to SBD and Sawzall for bringing the F&F back to life, and thanks to all the Rad members who helped me track down parts. :daumenhoch:
Full spec as follows:
Frame: 93 Reynolds Racing Fresh 40 (21.5tt)
Forks: 93 Reynolds Racing
Stem: DK double thick XXL
Headset: Tioga Beartrap II (with DK head lock)
Bars: S&M Slam bars (Dancing Man)
Grips: Jive Tentacles with Nuts
Lever: DC MX88
Brakes: DC Big Dog
Seat: Selle Italia Turbo
Seat Post: GT strait post 22.2
Seat clamp: DK
Cranks: Fabweld 180mm
Pedals: Crupi Squares
Sprocket: Profile Ripsaw 44t
Chain: KMC
Tyres: Tioga Competition 3 Rainbow Label
Rims: Araya RB17
Hubs: Crupi high flange first gen
Padset: UGP American Pride
Plate: UPG Tribal
Other: Jive valve caps
(http://www.sirmerlin.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/93-reynolds-racing-fresh-40-bmx-museum.jpg)
(http://www.sirmerlin.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/93-reynolds-racing-fresh-40-bmx-left-side.jpg)
(http://www.sirmerlin.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/93-reynolds-racing-fresh-40-bmx-front-quarter.jpg)
(http://www.sirmerlin.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/93-reynolds-racing-fresh-40-bmx-rear-quarter.jpg)
(http://www.sirmerlin.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/93-reynolds-racing-fresh-40-bmx-ugp-pad-set.jpg)
(http://www.sirmerlin.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/93-reynolds-racing-fresh-40-bmx-ugp-tribal-plate.jpg)
(http://www.sirmerlin.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/93-reynolds-racing-fresh-40-bmx-jive-grips-mx88-lever.jpg)
(http://www.sirmerlin.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/93-reynolds-racing-fresh-40-bmx-dia-compe-big-dog.jpg)
(http://www.sirmerlin.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/93-reynolds-racing-fresh-40-bmx-dia-compe-big-dog-2.jpg)
(http://www.sirmerlin.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/93-reynolds-racing-fresh-40-bmx-selle-italia-turbo.jpg)
(http://www.sirmerlin.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/93-reynolds-racing-fresh-40-bmx-front-detail-2.jpg)
(http://www.sirmerlin.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/93-reynolds-racing-fresh-40-bmx-fabweld-crabks-profile-sprocket.jpg)
(http://www.sirmerlin.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/93-reynolds-racing-fresh-40-bmx-crupi-back-wheel.jpg)
(http://www.sirmerlin.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/93-reynolds-racing-fresh-40-bmx-crupi-front-wheel.jpg)
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Love it Jon... another top notch build mate. :daumenhoch:
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Fantastic Jon, love it :4_17_5:
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Lovely :daumenhoch:
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Lovely build, it's a long fooker! Jive donuts are class :daumenhoch:
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Awesome, nice part choice too, love the gourmet crank choice :daumenhoch:
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Jon, you're hands down the best midschool bike builder in the world. You're bikes are always outstanding with the highest attention to detail. Very inspiring.
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Thanks for the kind words Gordon. I have to say I am far off the best as there are plenty guys on here who have bikes I really envy. In a perfect world I'd like to build nice original examples, but can only ever afford bikes that are on the verge of death that need complete restoration. :LolLolLolLol: It makes building slightly cheaper, but I am proper jealous of the guys out there of have the true survivors in their collections.
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Just superb Jon