RADBMX.CO.UK
Technical & Reference Section => Tech and Restoration => Topic started by: TorkerJones on August 07, 2008, 09:06 PM
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Hi All - new to the site and just thought I would post pictures of my Torker 280X. I've had it from new and its looking very worse for wear. I'm just about to embark on restoring it with a view to getting it back on the track again. As you can see its mainly stock, with exception of the ultra dyno 3 pce crank. I have already removed the diacompe brakes and a few other bits and pieces.
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/u355/TorkerJones/DSCF1923.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/u355/TorkerJones/DSCF1924.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/u355/TorkerJones/DSCF1925.jpg)
First quest is finding someone to remove the rust and rechrome and put some shiney new stuff back on. I would appreciate **kind** comments on the task ahead...
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Cool - always had a soft spot for Torkers :daumenhoch:
Heard good things about this guy for rechroming. Not cheap but you get what you pay for ;)
Doug Taylor Metal Finishing Co
Unit 10
Knightcott Industrial Estate
Banwell
north Somerset
BS29 6JN
01934 820 454
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I had one rechromed and it turned out shite and it ended up being powdercoated .To be honest your frame dont looks to bad it could be saved .I have 3 that i restored .1 black 1 red 1 white
This one was nearly salvagable :-[
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/c73/craigtheman/torker2008.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/c73/craigtheman/DSCF0220.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/c73/craigtheman/30062007083.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/c73/craigtheman/DSCF0692.jpg)
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Try Oxalic acid first to see how bad the rust really is and how much chrome is left (I suspect not much around the BB)
If you do go for the rechrome the big drawbacks I've heard about are that if the chromer machine polishes the frame you can lose the sharp edges off the drop outs and also the bike can be over polished and loses its character (original machining marks and rolling marks on the tubes / plates), with a Torker you also have the problem of the bracket between the top tubes.
Pm people who have had Haro Freestlyers redone and see who they are happy with for chroming.
I've got one frame to rechrome in the near future and I think my plan is to have it dechromed first then get it back hand polish it myself and then take it back to the chromers for chroming.
Andy
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I had this Haro rechromed at Leigh Metal Polishing in Manchester, I was pleased with them.
from this
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/r313/andrewhill_bpool/DSC00614.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/r313/andrewhill_bpool/DSC00611.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/r313/andrewhill_bpool/DSC00612.jpg)
to this
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/r313/andrewhill_bpool/DSC01068.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/r313/andrewhill_bpool/DSC01067.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/r313/andrewhill_bpool/DSC01070.jpg)
:daumenhoch:
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Look forward to seeing this one finished :daumenhoch:
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Alright..i am using this company to do my vector pro bars that had quite a bit of pitting and rust...they do the chrome work for aston martin amongst others and are based central birmingham and coventry.
F & F will cost around £200 and he is charging me £50 for the bars and they will also give you a warranty on the finish.
Company is total finishing solutions ltd Contact is a chap called Westley 0121 523 69 32 i took a few pics before they went so will post before and after pics in a couple of weeks.
Cheers Jason
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bit of an elaborate post for a reply, but my gen 1 rechrome is amongst this lot
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
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Justice served :daumenhoch:
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**********************DO NOT RECHROME MATE*******************************
Oxalic acid it then polish with chrome polish. Its hard work but trust me it will look the business. ;)
You will NEVER be happy with a rechrome.
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Justice served :daumenhoch:
Without question ... top stuff Dave :4_17_5:
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Justice served :daumenhoch:
Without question ... top stuff Dave :4_17_5:
Id say so too
Oh heres my black torker 280x
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/c73/craigtheman/torker280x003.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/c73/craigtheman/torker280x001.jpg)
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Fookin Awsome story Dave :4_17_5: I love a Happy Ending :daumenhoch:
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This will be a great thread, cant wait to see the results
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Just got back from a weekend away and caught up with the thread - the bikes listed are amazing. Thanks for providing the motivation.
At the mo' I'm waiting for a price from the guys at Weston. I might try the place in Manchester too. Money isn't a serious problem, but I don't think I'll get the £250 rechrome 'signed-off' at finishing solutions by the other half - even though it would be the closest I get to an Aston Martin. I'd be happier if the number began with a '1' (and thats for the handlbars too).
While I'm waiting, I'll google Oxalic acid - although I thought it was too far gone for this.
Cheers
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swivel did a frame and forks with tin foil and coke that came up very shiny
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here found it
http://www.radbmx.co.uk/forum/index.php'topic=52096.0
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Thanks Rhys, doing that may come up a treat. Autosol it first and leave overnight, then coke and scrunched up kitchen foil. Be careful, not too hard and keep dipping into coke, will bring it up nice, then Autosol it or use Peek to really get a nice finish. Saves a rechrome in many cases and i've had some good feedback from it ;) :daumenhoch:
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One thing to note, if you feel you are scratching it, then go a bit lighter on the elbow grease and make sure you use lots of coke and one for yourself also with JD in it ;) :D
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Winters here, so I'm back on the bike.
The AUTOSYL went well, but some of the chrome is very thin and had lifted so I've taken the decision to get it rechromed. I hope to see it back in about 3 weeks.
The help I really need now is in getting some of the parts replaced. I want originality, but I don't want to pass-up the chance of a bit of yellow-cool:
What grips to get - yellow AMEs?
What tyres to get - I don't have a clue here
Who does the best 280X stickers?
The crank was replaced with a 3pc takagi ultra dyno - should I go back to the one-piece offering originally fitted with a yellow chain ring or stick with the upgrade?
Decent chrome spokes - the old ones are dead.
Other stuff seems OK.
Help is greatly appreciated
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I thought this test with the spec might come in handy, but yours is an '83, is that right? It's from '82 this one, don't know if there were any differences other than the gusset between the 2 years. Still....good article, I love 'em. Enjoy ;)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/v213/mikamagic1/Snapshot2008-11-2223-50-30.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/v213/mikamagic1/Snapshot2008-11-2223-50-45.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/v213/mikamagic1/Snapshot2008-11-2223-51-18.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/v213/mikamagic1/Snapshot2008-11-2223-51-35.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/v213/mikamagic1/Snapshot2008-11-2223-51-59.jpg)
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Fantastic article. Do you know whiich issue this came from?
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November '82. There was the Pro X test in I think May '84 too, could be wrong with the month..
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I've always had a soft spot for Torkers too! hopefully one day i'll think a nice one i could buy and do a resto on... :)
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Owned from new and bought at Suntal Cycles in Oldham. Stored in my loft for 20 years, restored April 2007.
So glad I kept hold of her!
Good Luck with the build!
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/k376/torkertony/Torker3.jpg)
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Try Alans mate for most of the stuff you want Inc Decals www.alansbmx.com :daumenhoch:
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Take a look in for sale for decals, Sam (what's your screen name now Sam, Meticus?). £17.50 a set, printed on chrome and they're excellent quality. Alan's ones I believe are printed on clear and the opacity of the ink is thin. And costs more...
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Now that is one nice Torker Tony! :daumenhoch:
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nice torker tony, i had a pro x bitd and must admit i really bloody hated the dam thing within 5 minutes of riding it, was wellpised as i had spend bloody forever looking at the torker ad's and wanting one, and saving all my money and doing extra jobs for 2 million years ;D
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Some good example resto's guys....but jesus Tony that Torker is stunning :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: :shocked:
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Tony, your collection must be massive these days mate, get some pics up of what you have. That Torker is so fooking nice mate, get it in the museum :daumenhoch:
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Cheers Paul... I've a few tasty bits now but I've just moved house and the collection in in storage in the Mother In Law's spare room! When I get straight, I'll take some pics and post 'em in the museum. :daumenhoch:
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Cheers Paul... I've a few tasty bits now but I've just moved house and the collection in in storage in the Mother In Law's spare room! When I get straight, I'll take some pics and post 'em in the museum. :daumenhoch:
mother in law!!!! well you little tinker!! :LolLolLolLol:
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here's another...
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/ii194/quattro2008/IMG_0923.jpg)
these are the decals that are £17.50 posted, frame is painted by me too!!!! :daumenhoch:
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TORKERS ! :smitten:
one of my 3 ;)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/g48/noahnhenrysdad/P1010743.jpg)
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Its been a while coming - but the bike was rechromed at the end of last year. I've been doing the odd half hour since. Heres a few pictures:
I tried my best with the autosyl and foil but it was no use. The chrome seemed thin and had lifted in areas. This is the best I achieved:
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/u355/TorkerJones/DSCF2119036.jpg)
And back from the chromers...
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/u355/TorkerJones/DSCF2174040.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/u355/TorkerJones/DSCF2175041.jpg)
I'm really impressed with the job done and grateful to Simon for the recommendation of ACF Howell in Walsall. 140 for F + F + bars.
At the moment its got the F +F assembled with the bars. Cranks is in situ'. Have respoked the front wheel, just doing the back.
I take some upto-date pictures this week.
I'm coming across loads of little problems, so I'll be asking for help soon.
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Looks good, what's that on the inside of the gusset; has it been chromed?
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well everyone else is showing theres...... :D
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/ii194/quattro2008/bmxpickies017.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/ii194/quattro2008/bmxpickies008.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/ii194/quattro2008/bmxpickies018.jpg)
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Looks good, what's that on the inside of the gusset; has it been chromed?
Ditto , weird reflection or something else ? .
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The gusset area has a kind-of silver looking coating. It looks cool in the flesh.
If my memory serves me, when the bike was new it was an area that went rusty very quickly . I guess it must be difficult to get a good thickness of chrome in this area and the chromer took a decision to go a different way.
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:) gotta say all these Torkers are really taking me on a trip down memory lane,, nice work boys. :daumenhoch:
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Torkers looking awesome Lee :daumenhoch:
Keep us posted with the pics mate :coolsmiley:
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Owned from new and bought at Suntal Cycles in Oldham. Stored in my loft for 20 years, restored April 2007.
So glad I kept hold of her!
Good Luck with the build!
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/k376/torkertony/Torker3.jpg)
that torka is fooking sweet Tony
:smitten: :smitten:
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And heres a couple of the problems that I have (that I hope you can give me some guidance on)...
>I have reassembled the headset, after replacing the bearings, and it doesn't sound too good when I spin the bars now. I kept the old cage and race, just popped in new bearings. I've used finish line grease. Simon mentioned it could be to do with slightly different size bearings - they seemed the same 'by eye' - any ideas?
>It was upgraded in about '87 to an ultra dyno three piece crank. The crank is fine but the pedals have had-it (they were custom-M pedals). I wanted to get some MK BM10 pedals in gold to do the chrome / gold thing, but they're 1/2". I think the thread on my three piece is slightly bigger - am I right? (is it M14? - if so what old school pedals wil do the job?)
>I need thin-plate spanners to tighten up the lock nuts on the crank and wheel hubs - where do you get these from?
PS the gusset thing does look a bit wierd in the above picture - I think its probably the way the flash has caused it to overexpose. I also can't believe how it picks up the grubby finger prints. Natural light for the next shots!
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Nice looking bike, for the sake of a few quid try new bearings. One piece cranks normally have 1/2 inch pedals and 3 piece normally have 9/16 pedals. Thin spanners should be able to get from Halfords or Decathlon. I have had to modify spanners in the past on the grinder at work to make them thinner :daumenhoch:
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Where do I get Torker 280X stickers from????
AlansBMX have just clear / white left and I wanted silver backed :'(
Update on things:
Crank is back in with NOS, gold MKS BM7 pedals. Nice...
Front and rear wheels now respoked. Forgotten how many scratches the front has on the sides of the rim. Darn the lack of front brake!
Put too much grease on front wheel bearings, so will have to sort that out.
Managed to get some very old bike spanners which seem to do the job for the crank and wheel bearings.
Small chance that the bike could be ready after the upcoming BH weekend...
Cheers All
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Plenty of Torker decals on ebay
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lookin good, I have a six bolt stem for it if you need one ;)
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Nice chrome job !!!!!!
I want a chrome torker :(
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Where do I get Torker 280X stickers from????
em! ee! ME! ME! ME!
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/ii194/quattro2008/IMG_0416_2.jpg)
how many more times.... :LolLolLolLol:
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Nice chrome job !!!!!!
I want a chrome torker :(
I have some torker 1983 forks if that helps? ;D
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Just an update of the bike, following the bank holiday build. Here it is:
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/u355/TorkerJones/pb4.jpg)
Oh boy, oh boy. And from another angle:
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/u355/TorkerJones/PB1.jpg)
It rides good too. Needs the tyres cleaning and some of the grubby finger marks polishing out, but looks sweet.
I have some decals whizzing their way through to me (thanks meticus). The tech III brake lever has cracked, so replacement needed. Still on the lookout for some Tange black grips too. The old ones are... old.
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biagio has them grips.... ;)
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Looking fanfookingtastic but if I may be bold, lower the stem and raise the angle of the seat up until it looks horizontal, it's point too far down at the moment :daumenhoch:
I love Torkers :smitten:
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All comments welcome. The set-up needs a a fair amount of tweeking, but I would have definitely missed the stem height - cheers.
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foooooooooooooooooooooooooooking sweet!my mate had a torker 280 b.i.t.d.we used to do swapsys all the time for my robbo pro,i used to hate giving him the torker back!i want a torker now ive seen how lush yours is! :4_17_5:
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All comments welcome. The set-up needs a a fair amount of tweeking, but I would have definitely missed the stem height - cheers.
missed the stem height!!!! fookin NASA wouldnt of missed that stem height.... :2funny: :2funny:
now get you decals on..... :D
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60 minutes of measurements and markings and the stickers are on. They really make a differenence - cheers meticus.
I'll take some piccies at the weekend in sunlight... (and make sure I've lowered the stem too :laugh:)
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I guess this last reply should read 'the end of my torker restoration', but there are loads of little jobs to do. Heres a picture of the bike before I took it to a track in Cookley, Kidderminster. Luckily didn't fall off :D
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/u355/TorkerJones/0021.jpg)
Thanks for all the advice and support :daumenhoch:
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that is a beautiful torker fella,just needs a set of pads now.reminds me so much of the one my mate had b.i.t.d :smitten:
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:4_17_5:
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lower the stem.... :coolsmiley:
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Even lower ?
BTW - parents threw the pads away during a house move about 12months ago :'(
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Even lower ?
BTW - parents threw the pads away during a house move about 12months ago :'(
get firebird to knock you up a repop set,fire him a pm :daumenhoch:
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Even lower ?
BTW - parents threw the pads away during a house move about 12months ago :'(
right to the bottom!!! :daumenhoch: so theres no more than quarter inch gap.... ;)
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Looks sweet mate, top job, well done! :smitten: Firebird had some yellow Torker pads for sale earlier this week in the 'for sale' section or PM him to make you up some black ones. Dib dobs if you decide to sell! ;D ;D :LolLolLolLol:
:4_17_5:
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you cannot have every torker in existance tony.... 8)