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Old School BMX 1980 - 1988 => Old School Freestyle (frame stands and kickturns galore!) => Topic started by: Rombloke on March 11, 2008, 10:24 PM

Title: A Haro Restoration
Post by: Rombloke on March 11, 2008, 10:24 PM
A  RESTORATION PROJECT

HARO GEN 1 FREESTYLER…Serial No TSS 1235F

Legend has it that  this resto project started its life on eBay  approx 2 yrs ago.
I was outbid on the auction by Dan Harris, who won the bike and left it as a survivor ride, and consequently  got 3rd place in the survivor class at mk06.

Life over the woods wasn’t so bad for the haro in the 80’s being jumped through the bomb holes, and abused, as all good freestylers should be.
Here in some of these pics being thrashed by  Dave Curry.

(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/v255/rombloke/tri3a.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/v255/rombloke/tri2a.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/v255/rombloke/tri1a.jpg)

Heres the original reciept from faze 7...
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/v255/rombloke/haroreciept.jpg)
£179:95.…yeah…I wish

So after Dans initial clean up of the bike it was just left in its survivor state. Like this…

(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/v255/rombloke/bmx15e-3.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/v255/rombloke/bmx12e.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/v255/rombloke/colour059-1.jpg)

I personally kept looking at this bike thinking, that one day I will do it the honour of  cloaking it in some new bling and restoring its parts.

Soon the bike changed hands once  again, not long after the ruler put it through its flatland paces at mk07, the bike was sold on in another auction on rad to raise money for 80’s freestyle legend, stuart ‘pepi’ winder’s funeral.

Rhys ‘lazy chubs’ Maskell was the new owner. But after hearing the pressures of fellow old schoolers not  to restore it he sold it on…..
Heres where my part in the story began.



Straight away, as soon as the bike was in the workshop, she was stripped, all the parts were boxed, awaiting a clean/resto
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/v255/rombloke/DSCF0021-1.jpg)

Then  work on the frame was started….at some point in its life the poor ol’ thing had been bubblegum welded, badly…I had to put this right…


(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/v255/rombloke/DSCF0020.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/v255/rombloke/bubblegum.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/v255/rombloke/bubblegumII.jpg)

So, the files, dremmel, grinder and varios hacking tools came out, I ground most of the birds crap welds away, then made a template from cardboard, using one of my other gen 1’s as  a guide of the head tube gusset.

(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/v255/rombloke/DSCF0024-1.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/v255/rombloke/harogusset.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/v255/rombloke/gus1.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/v255/rombloke/gus2.jpg)

The frame now got sent away to have the  fabrication/welding work done on it… I left the frame in mark fuzzy nods hands, he would be taking it to oxford to a funny car/drag race car manufacturer called Andy Robinson Race Cars….these guys are mustard…the work took a while, but I gave mark the work at their busiest time….but the work is quality…

I initially only wanted the head tube gusset replaced, but andy suggested I had the seat tube gusset replaced also, as a hairline crack was present, a common fault in haros.

(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/v255/rombloke/e022.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/v255/rombloke/e020.jpg)

A  week or so later and the frame was back at HQ…so I went to work with the polishing, preparing for the chrome plate.
So after 4 hrs and a hand from Steve vinoah, it had had the life polished out of it, getting into all the awkward areas.

(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/v255/rombloke/fnfpolished.jpg)

Now the bit I had been waiting for since first seeing the bike on eBay…I took the frame up to Lee pkradmans house, and he took it to his chrome guy for me…well, after 12hrs at the platers shop we got the call….it was done…wtf….

(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/v255/rombloke/018.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/v255/rombloke/0031.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/v255/rombloke/004.jpg)


In between all the comings and goings of tss1235f I had plenty of work on my hands just in general cleaning, replacing, and restoring the parts removed from the bike.

(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/v255/rombloke/tech3s.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/v255/rombloke/restoredpro-1.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/v255/rombloke/pado.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/v255/rombloke/mx1000s.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/v255/rombloke/hitforsale009.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/v255/rombloke/DSCF0002-11.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/v255/rombloke/DSCF0011-5.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/v255/rombloke/DSCF0009-6.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/v255/rombloke/DSCF0008-3.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/v255/rombloke/deco.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/v255/rombloke/clampflex.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/v255/rombloke/bluerounds.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/v255/rombloke/DSCF0005-6.jpg)

Now to today….11/3/08, picked up freshly chromed frame and fork set , and banged all the decals and parts on it….
Not brilliant pictures, I will eventually get some good ones in the sunshine, but these will do for now.

(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/v255/rombloke/newsideon.jpg)

(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/v255/rombloke/x13.jpg)

(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/v255/rombloke/x12.jpg)

Sorry if this has upset any survivor bike lovers, but hey, if you wanted it to stay as a survivor, you should have bought it, I couldn’t see it staying as it was, and  hopefully ive done this old gen 1 justice.

Thanks for reading.

Dave
Title: Re: A Haro Restoration
Post by: Steve P on March 11, 2008, 10:33 PM
Superb ... I loved that bike in its original condition but it was always crying out for a full restoration  :-X

You've done it justice Dave ... nice work mate  :daumenhoch:

Steve
Title: Re: A Haro Restoration
Post by: lazychubs on March 11, 2008, 10:34 PM
looks good done dave but looks just like the other 4 ya got lol
Title: Re: A Haro Restoration
Post by: TwoBobRob on March 11, 2008, 10:36 PM
Rather like Fuzzys Condor resto, the thing I like about this the most is the history and the story   :daumenhoch:

And again like Fuzzys Condor, this is what I call a 'proper' restoration project.  Well done fella   :)

I can't stand those bastard brake cables though......
Title: Re: A Haro Restoration
Post by: Rombloke on March 11, 2008, 10:42 PM
lol...thanks rob...i had blue ones on it initially, i'll set it back up with blues, take a few snaps and post em up...not tonight tho...

Dave
Title: Re: A Haro Restoration
Post by: jimwise68 on March 11, 2008, 10:44 PM
Dave, now that is what you call a fooking resto.

Words escape me, looks the bo-lax.

When you gonna stop restoring Gen 1s?  :coolsmiley:
Title: Re: A Haro Restoration
Post by: PHIPPSIO on March 11, 2008, 10:48 PM
What a great story. I am fairly new to RAD and saw this bike auctioned when i first joined up and considered it a bit too much work for my ability. Great job Dave, it did need a resto as it would have been a sweep up job in a few months ;D Superb :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: A Haro Restoration
Post by: Rombloke on March 11, 2008, 10:50 PM
when they stop appearing jim...i do seem to be a bit of a haro magnet....

ive said this is my last build....

















































well....until the next one

Dave
Dave, now that is what you call a fooking resto.

Words escape me, looks the bo-lax.

When you gonna stop restoring Gen 1s?  :coolsmiley:
Title: Re: A Haro Restoration
Post by: wildwood1971 on March 11, 2008, 10:51 PM
christ you raised the bar for all of us on that one - great story and fantastic results - job well done  :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: A Haro Restoration
Post by: jimwise68 on March 11, 2008, 10:54 PM
Dave it helps if you stop sniffing them out.

Your like a pig in truffle season!!!  ;D
Title: Re: A Haro Restoration
Post by: MartyC on March 11, 2008, 10:58 PM
Fooking lusher than a lush thing from lushville  :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:

As I said on the other post, let me know if you want to sell it  ;).
Title: Re: A Haro Restoration
Post by: lodge on March 11, 2008, 11:03 PM
Very impressive, the manufacture and fitment of the new gusset! wow
Title: Re: A Haro Restoration
Post by: JAY on March 11, 2008, 11:04 PM
About bloody time,lol.Great you have some history to go with the bike Dave,makes a big difference IMO.Some hard work has gone into restoring that bike to how it is now,Very nice mate.You'll be tapping you fingers now though,wondering what to do next ,thats the only thing i hate about finishing a project........well done mate.

My smiley things don't work.....huh.
Title: Re: A Haro Restoration
Post by: Rombloke on March 11, 2008, 11:09 PM
cheers jay, tbh if you say its nice, then as far as im concerned i've peaked....you are the haro 'master'

;)

Dave
Title: Re: A Haro Restoration
Post by: JAY on March 11, 2008, 11:20 PM
Shut up man...... LOL! :LolLolLolLol:



Me smileys are fooked...... :P :-[ :-X :-\ :-* :'( >:D :shocked: :angel: :buck2: :coolsmiley: :crazy2:


:mod edit: worked for me
Title: Re: A Haro Restoration
Post by: Dansharos on March 12, 2008, 01:16 AM
That is just Awsome!
Title: Re: A Haro Restoration
Post by: Bob_Acid on March 12, 2008, 04:21 AM
Great resto Dave.

I'm a little in two minds about if you should have though, that said i do remember looking at it and thinking wouldn't it be great to put it back to it's former glory.
Title: Re: A Haro Restoration
Post by: munners on March 12, 2008, 06:47 AM
Fantastic mate. Really well done. :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: A Haro Restoration
Post by: CD17 on March 12, 2008, 07:09 AM
Thats great work Dave, looks great now  :)

Can we see a line up of them all  ???
Title: Re: A Haro Restoration
Post by: Stodgy on March 12, 2008, 07:52 AM
That's what it needed Dave - nice work mate.

 :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: A Haro Restoration
Post by: Del on March 12, 2008, 08:23 AM
i love threads like this.... fantastic resto job there Dave.. very impressive! :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: A Haro Restoration
Post by: OrgasmDonor on March 12, 2008, 09:41 AM
coolio, proper oldshool lookin with the bottema forks :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: A Haro Restoration
Post by: oberonspacefruit on March 12, 2008, 09:54 AM
gotta admit that i liked it as it was, I can completely see where you were coming from, and youve done a top job there matey. bet you got a lot of enjoyment from that. good lad.
Title: Re: A Haro Restoration
Post by: Blue70 on March 12, 2008, 12:05 PM
All I can say is WOW!!!
Great job on repairing the frame  :daumenhoch:

Looks AWESOME!!  :4_17_5:
Title: Re: A Haro Restoration
Post by: woody allen bars on March 12, 2008, 12:19 PM
Very nice work  8)

You've done a great job of documenting the whole life and resto of the bike too, that makes it even more special.

Craig
Title: Re: A Haro Restoration
Post by: subversion on March 12, 2008, 02:49 PM
Great resto & great historical writeup! :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: A Haro Restoration
Post by: QUADROPHENIA on March 12, 2008, 05:01 PM


cool dave, lovin the seat clamp
Title: Re: A Haro Restoration
Post by: Rombloke on March 12, 2008, 05:24 PM
Can we see a line up of them all  ???

of course you can chris....i had to foof about for ages getting these out, the light is fading and i aint impressed with the pics...but here they are

(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/v255/rombloke/linedup004-1.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/v255/rombloke/linedup002.jpg)

ok?

Dave
Title: Re: A Haro Restoration
Post by: DR VINOAH on March 12, 2008, 05:25 PM
A-C-E :coolsmiley:

now its had the steve austin treatment
get it to rOm
for a sound thrashing
Title: Re: A Haro Restoration
Post by: Rombloke on March 12, 2008, 06:22 PM
i must add that without these following people that this build wouldnt have happened.

dan harris
rhys maskell
mark fuzzytwat
jay ely(47?)
andy the hotrod man.
steve vinoah
lee cox
and last but by no means least


fat head pete....he is truly the best gimp i have.

Dave
Title: Re: A Haro Restoration
Post by: stuntmaster on March 12, 2008, 06:39 PM
very sweet there dave and great story and your as bad as me now as i am for trickstar`s .
top job  :4_17_5: 
Title: Re: A Haro Restoration
Post by: dordymush on March 12, 2008, 07:04 PM
you should have scrapped it and got a proper bike lol.

mint our dave.
Title: Re: A Haro Restoration
Post by: harris on March 12, 2008, 07:18 PM
you have done it full justice imo
i was worried if it went to the wrong person when i auctioned it of
but i kinda new when rhys won it ,it was over half way to you.
looking at what you have done , effort and money i am chuffed you left it some dignity
and its had a full face lift
it has great history from original and helping with pepi.
props from me      dan
Title: Re: A Haro Restoration
Post by: lazychubs on March 12, 2008, 07:22 PM
i was bullied out of it dan  :'(  :P
and i sold it cheaper than i payed  for it
Title: Re: A Haro Restoration
Post by: harris on March 12, 2008, 07:23 PM
 :LolLolLolLol:  i expect you was rhys ..that dave a   ;)
Title: Re: A Haro Restoration
Post by: Rombloke on March 12, 2008, 07:38 PM
just incase anyone is interested, it still has its original stem, rear wheel, bar pad, cranks, pedals, power disc and seat clamp....as well as obviously the f and f.

Dave
Title: Re: A Haro Restoration
Post by: welsh denny on March 12, 2008, 08:24 PM
excellent work. you put the time and effort into that beauty so it must be rewarding to see it restored in all its glory.  :4_17_5:

Title: Re: A Haro Restoration
Post by: Flatcap on March 14, 2008, 09:37 AM
AWESOME!

Love it Dave......love those Bottema forks but the whole job is  :4_17_5: class!

Daz.  :daumenhoch:
Title: Re: A Haro Restoration
Post by: street on March 14, 2008, 07:02 PM
Incredible work, really enjoyed reading that  :)
Title: Re: A Haro Restoration
Post by: Glynnyboy on March 15, 2008, 02:31 PM
Great story mind blowing resto. I think it makes this that little bit more special. Is it your favourite gen 1? :4_17_5:
Title: Re: A Haro Restoration
Post by: FAZE3 on March 16, 2008, 09:10 PM
If I was wearing a hat ??? I'd doff it now my friend ;)

 :4_17_5: Take this prize and rejoice ;)
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