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BMX General => BMX Chat => Topic started by: SaMAlex on May 22, 2007, 01:04 PM

Title: What is a "survivor"?
Post by: SaMAlex on May 22, 2007, 01:04 PM
I have just seen this mentioned on another thread but what does "survivor" mean? When does a "survivor" start being a restoration? I thought that a "survivor" was a bike that is in the exact condition that is had been found it, or had got to (see Harris' Haro freestyler). No cleaning, replacing, no making good, or anything. Just as it was ridden first time round. I have nothing against replacing, or improving or even changing it into the bike you always wish you could have had, but would that still be a "survivor"?
Title: Re: What is a "survivor"?
Post by: kdw712 on May 22, 2007, 01:09 PM
i would have thought just as you said  -  in as found condition

but if you fitted some new tyres and tubes to replace the 20 year old perished ones, it to make ridable or just complete
would it still technically be a survivor

i would think fitting old used parts answer is yes a survivor
fitting new unused parts - no restro has began

though its a bit of a fine line aint it  :D

Title: Re: What is a "survivor"?
Post by: Stodgy on May 22, 2007, 01:11 PM
Yep, just a clean...no parts replacement or resto.

Other than tubes and a chain...
Title: Re: What is a "survivor"?
Post by: Jazzchimp on May 22, 2007, 01:12 PM
I think it's fair to clean it but has to have bits as it was when you found it - obviously the more original the more points in a show n shine
Title: Re: What is a "survivor"?
Post by: Bob_Acid on May 22, 2007, 01:48 PM
Yeah, in my nerd-like mind i've always thought it's ok to change rotten tyres and grips but after that it's starting to be a resto :)
Title: Re: What is a "survivor"?
Post by: SteveG on May 22, 2007, 02:20 PM
Its difficult to put labels on things like this. I suppose a survivor is something dragged out of a shed  (in any condition)  and put on display. If you want to ride it some work will be needed, tyres, tubes chain and probably new grease in the bearings.
My bike is a bit different as I have had it from new, it never been left dirty and the only reason I had to change the forks is because I welded V brake mounts onto the old ones (silly I know). The tyres were cracking and I didn't put the pedals on in case I dropped it and scuffed them up more than they are already.
Perhaps someone could think of a different name for what my bike is.
Be nice though  ;)
Title: Re: What is a "survivor"?
Post by: Stace on May 22, 2007, 02:52 PM
Take ya pick   :daumenhoch: :daumenhoch:



(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/h254/stace2406/survivor.jpg)
Title: Re: What is a "survivor"?
Post by: SteveG on May 22, 2007, 03:03 PM
  ;D
Title: Re: What is a "survivor"?
Post by: oberonspacefruit on May 22, 2007, 03:31 PM
i dont think you should even change the tyres...it looks so much better just left as is.
Title: Re: What is a "survivor"?
Post by: greentoad on May 22, 2007, 07:41 PM
To me a 'Survivor' is a bike that has 'its' same components from back in the day. That's it, nothing more or less. It can be mint and clean or rusty and no moving parts.

EG - Jays NOS complete and boxed Haro that was built up, is a Survivor - an exceptional one and also classed as NOS.

A restoration is totally different in my eyes.

A good Survivor is quite rare, as you should use all the bits on the bike as you found it.

When you start putting on new decals, paint, etc then that is a Resto in my eyes.

I have only had the luck and pleasure of two that I would count as true 'Survivors' in all the time i've been collecting.

There is nothing wrong with a strip, clean, polish, oil, grease the bearings etc that is maintance and is not in anyway changing the bike from how it was and changing its identity.

If a bike can not be used (missing bits, broken etc) it is not of any relevance apart from an object (EG - my Profile when I got it with no wheels or tyres).

It can of course still be a 'Survivor' in bad condition (Welds, Rust, Broken Parts, Seized etc) such as Dan's Haro, but that is why that bike should never be touched as it would be nearly impossible to take it apart and put it back together. Loads of things would break and then it would be a restoration and no longer be a true Survivor.

I reckon these two I've done are True Survivors -

http://www.radbmx.co.uk/forum/index.php'topic=10909.0

http://www.radbmx.co.uk/forum/index.php'topic=34447.0

No - money, new components, paint, chrome, decals, etc etc on them.

Just many hours, hard work, love and patience.

J.
Title: Re: What is a "survivor"?
Post by: SaMAlex on May 22, 2007, 07:46 PM
I think you might have hit the ultra purist nail on the head there:

Survivor: no money spent on it, just time!
Title: Re: What is a "survivor"?
Post by: oberonspacefruit on May 23, 2007, 08:29 AM
your a baddun for puttin them chainring bolts in...


that looks sweet. a real labour of love.
Title: Re: What is a "survivor"?
Post by: selfpreservation on May 23, 2007, 08:34 AM
what if you get a survivor frame and forks ie original frame and forks,finish,decals and then you build it with refurbished/nos parts what is that called then
Title: Re: What is a "survivor"?
Post by: harris on May 23, 2007, 08:37 AM
restored .
most bikes need a good restoration but a few need leaving as was found.
Title: Re: What is a "survivor"?
Post by: Stodgy on May 23, 2007, 10:34 AM
Yep, basically a bike which is bought out of the shed after a 20 year stay...with everything the same as it was when it was put in there. i.e. as it was ridden.

I agree you shouldn't change a thing on it, just a clean, grease and nothing more. You're right Greentoad - nothing spent on it, only time.

Here's my GT I got back from the the mate I sold it to 1989, it was just as I left it - a true survivor:

(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/b292/stodgy1/gt_resto_2.jpg)

I then restored it, so no longer a survior.


The only other survivors I've discovered were:

From a loady at work:
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/b292/stodgy1/pic2.jpg)

From Lazychubs (but there were no tyres, so had to put some Wilko's on):
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/b292/stodgy1/5272afde.jpg)



Sorry, subnote to the above...

'Ridden' is the key, a complete NOS find is still NOS...a survior was ridden as it was intended and survived a trip to the tip in the last 25 years!

Title: Re: What is a "survivor"?
Post by: harris on May 23, 2007, 10:52 AM
loving that gt dave   :)
my haro survivor is for sale   ;)  best o.f.f.e.r   gets it
Title: Re: What is a "survivor"?
Post by: Stodgy on May 23, 2007, 11:07 AM
Let's see another pic of it Dan, it's a sweetie...
Title: Re: What is a "survivor"?
Post by: oberonspacefruit on May 23, 2007, 11:14 AM
yeah cmon dan. i agree that a survivor has to have been ridden.


I wouldnt mind that gen 1 myself.
Title: Re: What is a "survivor"?
Post by: harris on May 23, 2007, 11:22 AM
(http://)(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/d87/harris15570/bmx6e-1.jpg)
(http://)(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/d87/harris15570/colour060.jpg)
(http://)(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/d87/harris15570/bmx15e-1.jpg)
(http://)(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/d87/harris15570/07033-1.jpg)
front tuff was put on whilst i re greased z hub.
Title: Re: What is a "survivor"?
Post by: DR VINOAH on May 23, 2007, 11:24 AM
loving that gt dave   :)
my haro survivor is for sale   ;)  best o.f.f.e.r   gets it

dan you must have an idea how much you want for the gen1 survivor

how bout a lifetimes supply of your fav cake

i can sort that out for you no worries ;)
Title: Re: What is a "survivor"?
Post by: oberonspacefruit on May 23, 2007, 11:30 AM
i dont know why, but it looks much better with the zed on it.
Title: Re: What is a "survivor"?
Post by: harris on May 23, 2007, 11:47 AM
it does fruity i no what you mean and it does get ridden alot.
took it for a day out at rom .
(http://)(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/d87/harris15570/romo6005-1.jpg)
Title: Re: What is a "survivor"?
Post by: Stodgy on May 23, 2007, 12:02 PM
Brilliant Dan - gotta love that.
Title: Re: What is a "survivor"?
Post by: oberonspacefruit on May 23, 2007, 12:05 PM
woo hoo, lol...look right at home there....


id be cautios tabling the moguls though, i reckon that tuff neck has done its tour of duty!
Title: Re: What is a "survivor"?
Post by: Stodgy on May 23, 2007, 12:19 PM
Been trying to work out what makes that bike so cool. I think it's the stickers on the seat and the mis-match wheels, just kinda works. Shouldn't, but it does. Propoer workhorse.

 :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: What is a "survivor"?
Post by: DR VINOAH on May 23, 2007, 05:07 PM
Been trying to work out what makes that bike so cool. I think it's the stickers on the seat and the mis-match wheels, just kinda works. Shouldn't, but it does. Propoer workhorse.

 :daumenhoch:

i think its down to the fact of

that is exactley the way some of us had our bikes bitd

non matching colours and a mash up of all qual parts available

i freakin love it dans gen1:smitten:
Title: Re: What is a "survivor"?
Post by: stuntmaster on May 23, 2007, 05:19 PM
here another survivor that i`ve kept as it was(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/v607/stuntmaster/leary.jpg)
and i haven`t even cleaned it lol
Title: Re: What is a "survivor"?
Post by: QUADROPHENIA on May 23, 2007, 05:22 PM


dan show em the seatclamp
Title: Re: What is a "survivor"?
Post by: harris on May 23, 2007, 05:47 PM
hear you go  1/2 a stem makes a good seat clamp...
(http://)(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/d87/harris15570/100_0323.jpg)
Title: Re: What is a "survivor"?
Post by: Bigplinky on May 23, 2007, 06:17 PM
At Bournemouth 2005 they had a catagory called "Worthy" which was open to all bikes restored or survivor which had a story to tell. It gave bikes which have been lightly restored a chance to win a prize. My bike is original chrome with repro decals and a mix of old and new parts I would class the frame a survivor as I've had it from new and it ain't been refinished (and if I could have got new decals 20 years ago it would have had them then) but the over all bike is restored / rebulit

All the above is just an excuse to post a pic  :LolLolLolLol:

(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/v637/bigplinky/Museum/MaxforVintage.jpg)

Laters

Andy
Title: Re: What is a "survivor"?
Post by: greentoad on May 23, 2007, 07:25 PM
Tasty Turbo

What seat post is on it?

J.

here another survivor that i`ve kept as it was(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/v607/stuntmaster/leary.jpg)
and i haven`t even cleaned it lol
Title: Re: What is a "survivor"?
Post by: oberonspacefruit on May 23, 2007, 10:06 PM
hear you go  1/2 a stem makes a good seat clamp...
(http://)(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/d87/harris15570/100_0323.jpg)


suntour or sr i wonder...lmfao
Title: Re: What is a "survivor"?
Post by: harris on May 23, 2007, 10:11 PM
the grips are a classic,the extra ring around the grips is an old se mushroom grip cut of.
Title: Re: What is a "survivor"?
Post by: DR VINOAH on May 23, 2007, 10:15 PM
dan

to tell you the truth i always thought the seatclamp was a DC or addicks

but a suntour power stem cut in 2

man thats just off the hook :coolsmiley:
Title: Re: What is a "survivor"?
Post by: stuntmaster on May 23, 2007, 10:33 PM
Tasty Turbo

What seat post is on it?

J.

here another survivor that i`ve kept as it was(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/v607/stuntmaster/leary.jpg)
and i haven`t even cleaned it lol

bloke i got it from made it now that old skool as we all made bits bitd
Title: Re: What is a "survivor"?
Post by: selfpreservation on May 23, 2007, 11:07 PM
but mine is a 100% survivor frame and forks although mega minty i had to buy parts to build it up into a complete bike and only refurbished and nos would do it justice (spanner in works) :LolLolLolLol:
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