RADBMX.CO.UK
Technical & Reference Section => Tech and Restoration => Topic started by: rhino_mac on March 31, 2009, 09:53 PM
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OK, so this will be my first ever build so be kind ;D
It's just a pile of parts at the moment but I'd appreciate any thoughts on the condition of the chrome and whether to keep the original chrome, or get a rechrome.
Frame
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/vv127/rhino_mac/DSC00569.jpg)
This is what the chrome is like - the flash makes it look worse, but it's not flawless by any stretch of the imagination and feels "rough" to the touch.
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/vv127/rhino_mac/DSC00568.jpg)
Bit of marking round the bottom bracket area
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/vv127/rhino_mac/DSC00535.jpg)
Another look at the chrome
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/vv127/rhino_mac/DSC00557.jpg)
Dropouts in not wonderful condition. One side is straight, just marked, the other side is a little out of shape. Any thoughts on restoration?
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/vv127/rhino_mac/DSC00558.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/vv127/rhino_mac/DSC00559.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/vv127/rhino_mac/DSC00560.jpg)
NOS Tange TRX Forks
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/vv127/rhino_mac/DSC00561.jpg)
NOS Black Suntour Sealed Bearing Hubs, NOS Asahi 194mm Spokes, NOS Black Spoke Nipples, NOS Suntour 16t Freewheel
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/vv127/rhino_mac/DSC00562.jpg)
NOS Dia Compe Pads, NOS Hatta MX2 Headset (Chrome, will have to sort this out!), NOS Ami Grips (not bubblefont, will get OGK's if I can find NOS but these will do for the moment), Suntour Seat Clamp
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/vv127/rhino_mac/DSC00563.jpg)
Mint Laserpost (cheers Bodamus!), NOS Sugino 44t machined chainwheel, NOS Suntour Headlock (Blue - doh!! Looked black in the auction. Very up for swaps on this!!), Mint Sugino chainring bolts
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/vv127/rhino_mac/DSC00564.jpg)
Laserbars - good condition, no crimping. Needs a new decal (which Del has done for me)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/vv127/rhino_mac/DSC00565.jpg)
MX1000 Brake in really nice conditon and Suntour Stem in black, spotless (thanks again Bodamus)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/vv127/rhino_mac/DSC00566.jpg)
Chrome Araya 7X's - Chrome prettty good but hubs, spokes and freewheel knackered
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/vv127/rhino_mac/DSC00570.jpg)
I've also got a full set of new decals from Del including the missing Laserlite top tube ones, the fork decals to replace the Tange ones, a couple of Laserbar/Post decals and some Araya decals from CBRGIL on Ebay for the wheels. And I forgot to upload the picture of the NOS Itzumi black/silver chain.
Finally found a NOS black rear dia compe rear brake cable and JT has just sorted me out with a Tech 3 lever in black (big thanks!!). I also have some mint Suntour XC2's on their way from the states with NOS cages ($200!!!!! Blimey.....). So I'm down to needing a seat, tyres, tubes, crank (yikes......get the cheque book out!) and bottom bracket. Oh yes, and sorting the silver headset out and deciding what to do with the chrome......
Might finish off with a replica padset from Firebird and a NOS Haro plate with my old race number on!
Then I need to find a bike to race on as I'm not sure I can bring myself to race this one!
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try giving that frame the coke and tin foil treatment followed by some autosol , should come up a treat. :daumenhoch:
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try giving that frame the coke and tin foil treatment followed by some autosol , should come up a treat. :daumenhoch:
as he said. takes a bit of work but you will see results. if you still ain't convinced after that, then get it rechromed. :daumenhoch:
pm'd you Rich re grips
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Pedals have arrived today from America - got stung for VAT and handling from Parcel Force though :knuppel2:
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/vv127/rhino_mac/DSC00574.jpg)
NOS cages which is nice - all the dust caps and bolts are there like they should be.
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it boils my piss when you see dropouts like that.didn't the f####r who bought it
know how to look after a bike.bought a 84 GT pro a few years ago,mint except
for the rear dropouts.spoilt bloody kids :tickedoff:
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Does anyone know if these can be restored. Is it possible to straighten and rebraze metal on there, and then regrind it prior to rechroming or something?? Any ideas on who might be able to help?
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someone on here will be able to fella.class bikes those lazerlites.
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speak to Sawzall. Phil's your man for welding and repairing dropouts
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Top man (again). I've just dropped him a PM to see if he can help!! Seems a shame to leave them in that state!
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hello mate
if you want to give me a bell my number is
07903-165595
cheers
phil :daumenhoch:
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Rich, when you finally get that done mate that is gonna look so good. :4_17_5: You'll be glad you started it.
The coke/tin foil treatment works really well mate, then spend a few hours with the Autosol and condition wise it'll be a different frame.
Here's the link mate if you haven't already had a read.....
http://www.radbmx.co.uk/forum/index.php'topic=52096.0
Phil's ( sawzell) is only a few miles down the road from you aswell.
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Update: OK, a couple of small updates, one is a new part, the other is that I've finally decided what to do with the frame in terms of restoration.
My new RH DC Tech 3 has arrived, courtesy of JT and in very lovely spanking NOS condition it is too! Thanks JT, I know how hard these are to come by!
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/vv127/rhino_mac/DSC00582.jpg)
Secondly, I've contacted Sawzall (Phil) today and had a chat about the frame. In my opinion, the chrome isn't in too bad a nick, but I don't like the rear dropouts one little bit. So having spoken to Phil today, he is very kindly going to restore tham by straightening them out, rewelding metal onto them and filing to shape. The only issue is that to reweld, the frame needs to be stripped right back. So it's decision made really, as to get the dropouts fixed, I will need to rechrome.
The plan is to contact Hampshire Electroplating in Hants next week and drop the frame off to them to have it stripped, drop it over to Phils and then once Phil has done his magic, whizz it back over to HEP and get them to chrome it up again. Phil says he's had a number of frames done there and they do a top job. I'm going to have the bars done at the same time I think so everything is brand spanking as I have NOS forks. I've got a fuill set of new decals from Del for the bike so these should look good on the new chrome.
So there it is, it would have been nice to have kept the original chrome, but the dropouts are a real let down so they've gotta be sorted. Means the build will take a little longer but I'm still trying to source parts anyway. I think after all this expense, I'm going to aim for a 100% faithful replica, rather than a 90% one and I'll be on the lookout for a cheaper rider to do some old school racing on - something like a Diamond Back or a Redline (always wanted one of those!)
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cant beat a lovingly restored bmx.
laserlite too 8)
ace
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Hey Richard, man i feel really bad about the problem you got with the rear dropout .. i only had the bike a couple of weeks and never really noticed ... here is a pic i took and it can't really be seen....
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/uu313/wildon1974/DSC01033.jpg)
As for the foil and coke treatment .. i already done that ... as you can see the frame was in a lot worse state when i got it ... never ran the autosol over it though so maybe that'll bring it up a bit better ...
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/uu313/wildon1974/DSC01027.jpg)
I got a set of 401's, half wrap with sealed bb, that i mentioned before in your other thread ... very nice chrome .. i wanted £200 but you can have them for £150 due to the work you gotta do on the frame... if thats what you're looking for. Let me know, cheers
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Hi, thanks for the reply. Looks like you had to do some serious work to it to get it into the state it's in currently. How come you decided not to build the bike in the end?
I've tried the coke and tinfoil on it, but I guess that's just to remove the rust which you have done already. I was going to polish it to within an inch of its life, but that's not going to sort out the rear dropouts and it looks like the chrome had gone through around the bottom bracket.
So I'm just trying to work out whether to use Hampshire Electroplaters or someone else locally that has been recommended and I'll get it dechromed and over to Phil (Sawzall) by the end of the week (with luck) for him to work his magic on.
In terms of the cranks, thanks for the offer - they look great and are a very good price. I'm no expert, but from digging around, I think the half wraps are from late 80's to early 90's and as I am so stupidly over budget now on this build, I might as well really break the bank and hold out for a set of 400's to keep it eracorrect/original. I'm talking to Orangezippy about his at the moment and as soon as he PM's me some piccies, I'll make my mind up if I want to spend the bucks, given the frame rechrome is probably going to cost me now.
I was in a bit of a rush to finish the bike ready for the spring/summer. But as it's more work than I first imagined, I'm not worried about how long it takes now.
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OK, just a little parts update. Just got home and found my rear brake cable has been delivered. Can't believe how difficult it was to track one of these down - maybe I was looking in the wrong place!!
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/vv127/rhino_mac/DSC00583.jpg)
OK, I do have a problem I posted in a previous thread but I've tried to fix it without success. I bought an MX1000 brake in black, but the bolt is wayyy to long for the fitting on the rear of my frame, which is flat on the Laserlite. I thought it was a front brake so bought another spindle from a Rad member but it's identical to the one already fitted to the brake. I've offered it up the fork, and the spindle is too short to poke through, so it's definately a rear brake.
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/vv127/rhino_mac/IMG_0150.jpg)
Does anyone have any pictures of the rear brake fittings on their Laserlite, or another bike with a flat brake fitting? Any ideas on how I can fix it - you can't cut the spindle down too much as only a part of it is threaded.
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Can you add some extra washers Rich to space it off mate so the nut then goes tight on to the thread ??????
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You could.............I was thinking of turning the fat washers with the curved cut outs (for a curved brake bridge) round so the flat parts touched the flat bridge, and then adding washers behind that.
But you would need 10mm+ of washers and it's going to look complete crap behind the bridge. I wondered if there was another option - did Dia Compe do a shorter spindle available for flat brake bridges?
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Yes i spent a few hours scrubbing it up, it was in a really bad way when i got my hands on it.
I thought about building it but i'm a freestyle guy really, started a trickstar build which has turmed into three trickstar builds! I had to let this go to pay for some other bits i needed. Glad it's gone to someone who is gonna make the most of it though :daumenhoch:
I have got a lot of parts to send to get chromed this week or next (f&f, 2x bars, 4xhoops, hubs, posts, stems, clamps etc etc), hopefully i should get a good price with all this together ... if you want to add your f&f with this lot it may be a lot cheaper ... just a thought
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i used a 6mm die with a 1mm thread pitch to put more threads on then cut it shorter.
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I think that may be on the cards - I need to find a self centre device for mine to make it perfect for an original Laserlite so maybe that will help or come with a better suited spindle.
Update on the frame: I dropped it off at Alderney Plating this morning in Poole (01202 744664) and had a chat with Adrian there about what I want.
He's stripping the chrome off the frame so I can drop it over to Sawzall for repairing the drop outs - should be done by the end of next week. He's also rechroming the Laserbars so they match the frame/forks in terms of quality and I've told him to be wary of polishing off the engraving on them so fingers crossed.
I've also given him the MX2 Headset cups, spacers and nuts to "Black Chrome". Hopefully this should be an acceptable finish but if not it'll do until another NOS MX2 headset comes up.
All in, it's going to cost £200 for all the items so touch wood, the frame should be spanking.
I also took the Araya's down to him to look at. He will chrome alloy wheels but he said it was a nightmare to get right so he wanted £120 each rim. Seems a lot of money (£90 for the wheels originally, £70 for hubs and spokes because the old ones were seized, £15 for a freewheel and £240 for chrome = an expensive set of Araya's). That;s without thembeing built.
Not sure what to do with the wheels now.........................I'm worried they'll look odd against the new chrome.
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OK, a few more updates on the Laserlite build. Got some packages in the post recently:
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/vv127/rhino_mac/DSC00616.jpg)
Mucho thanks to Frosty who very kindly swapped my blue one for a black one!
Elina Aero Turbo seat has arrived - thanks to Kuwahero for sacrificing his!
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/vv127/rhino_mac/DSC00617.jpg)
It's not NOS but in lovely condition. The gold Elina writing on the sides is a little worn - does anyone know if Del or Cbrgill etc do replacement rub on's or equivalent?
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/vv127/rhino_mac/DSC00621.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/vv127/rhino_mac/DSC00622.jpg)
OGK Cobras - in lovely condition and will be mint after 10 minutes with some soapy water, cotton buds and a bit of Armorall. Thanks again to Kuwahero for these!
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/vv127/rhino_mac/DSC00629.jpg)
Lovely, blingy NOS (before lacing to these hubs) Araya 7X in Chrome to replace the ones earlier in the thread. The chrome on those wasn't really up to much and would have let the rest of the bike down. They are currently laced to Hutch hubs which are mint and will be up for sale if anyone is interested. PM me if you are - will put in the for sale section once the rims are laced onto the Suntour hubs.
Piccies of hubs which will be up for grabs:
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/vv127/rhino_mac/DSC00623.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/vv127/rhino_mac/DSC00624.jpg)
So, all I need know if a crank and I can start putting it all together. If anyone knows of a nice Redline 400 crank and bottom bracket, let me know. Need to get some funds back (would happily trade in the Hutch Hubs!) so probably looking at end of next month!
This means the bike will be completely standard with the exception of the IRC tyres, which I would also be interested in if anyone has a set "kicking around!!"
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Dc did do a shorter rear brake calliper spindle. Many were used on the mk2 top end of the burner range. Models like the ultra and the supertuff. You may have some luck trying a guy on burnerworld called buttsbikeshop alternatively put up an add in the burnerworld wanted section. :daumenhoch:
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as Boofy said,run an M6 die down the spindle,done it MANY times,works a treat.
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Right, update time again - rather more progress than I imagined to be honest which is never a bad thing.
I went to pick up the frame today as it should have been dechromed ready to take to Sawzall at the weekend to repair the dropouts. One call to the chromers later and I was a little concerned..............they said the frame had been repaired, chromed and was ready to collect. Panic ensued as I hadn't asked them to repair it and I wondered what the hell they had done to it.
Bugger me, but they've only gone and done the dropouts for me, and made a pretty nice job of them too:
Before:
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/vv127/rhino_mac/DSC00558.jpg)
After:
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/vv127/rhino_mac/DSC00634.jpg)
So I'm well chuffed - they didn't charge me extra either. The black chrome on the headset is superb..................you'd never know it wasn't stock. The Laserbars have been rechromed and as I asked, they haven't polished out the engraving although it's not quite as sharp as it was (only if you look closely). I dropped the Arayas with Hutch hubs into the local BMX shop for the hubs to be swapped over - I didn't think it would be worth doing this for weeks yet. I pick them up next week.
So I've built the bike up a bit - sorry for the heavy pictures but I'm well cuffed this evening!
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/vv127/rhino_mac/DSC00631.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/vv127/rhino_mac/DSC00632.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/vv127/rhino_mac/DSC00635.jpg)
Ignore the mucky finger prints on the bottom of the bar - forgot to wipe them off!
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/vv127/rhino_mac/DSC00636.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/vv127/rhino_mac/DSC00637.jpg)
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/vv127/rhino_mac/DSC00638.jpg)
Can't wait to get the wheels back - then it's just a crank, tyres, number plate and pad set to go!
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Superb job on the dropouts!! thechrome is stunning very quick turn around on it to most places take well over a month.
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Wow Rich that is looking lovely mate great chrome job :daumenhoch:
bodamus :)
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Wow Rich
The chrome looks great, who did you get to do it and how much (if you don't mind me asking).
You now won't be disappointed in waiting for the oem parts - it is looking the bollocks :daumenhoch:
Paul
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Hi Paul,
The bike is everything I wanted it to be now - I wasn't happy with the dropouts and if I'm honest, I hoped the chrome would come up better than I managed. It seemed crazy to build it up with NOS parts in the state it was in.
I got it chromed at Alderney Plating, Thrush Road, Poole. Web site is http://www.alderneyplating.co.uk/
I paid £200 cash to dechrome/ rechrome the frame, the bars and black chrome four parts of the Hatta headset (both cups, the top spacer ring and the top nut). He repaired the dropouts in house free for some reason - I didn't ask him to but he did me a favour so I was well happy.
He quoted me £300 for the whole job, but I offered him £200 cash. He warned me I would get what I paid for but to be honest the chrome is superb. The only small area not perfect (a little dull) is on the back of the bottom bracket between the rails where they can't get the mop). But it's only a 10mm patch tops and he had to point it out to me.
Honestly, I think all the chromers are really struggling at the moment but he turned it around pretty quickly (a couple of weeks). But I'm very happy and he seemed keen to do more business on frames like this - they specialise in one off jobs. He said to give them a bell to confirm prices but you can use my job as a guide - ask for Adrian.
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Looking very very nice Rich. :4_17_5:
You sorted cranks yet mate ?????????
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No mate, I'm gonna have to ride it like Fred Flintstone...........................................Still on the lookout though if anyone has a set they want to swap for beer tokens
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That chrome looks like its wet! Nice and bling. I like a Kuwi.
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Just read through this thread, nice resto :daumenhoch: A real labour of love, i've done a couple like this with rechromes and the cost is massive but it's worth it in the end to get it just how you want it (you will never get your money back though lol)
Did you sort out the self centering thing for the brake ? I might have a nos one of them. LMK
Andy. :)
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Right, small update. I'm waiting on parts but have finally located a suitable crank. Should arrive from my contact in the states next week hopefully. There are advantages in doing business out there honestly!!
Haro82 has kindly provided a self centering device which means I could fit the rear brake. Sorted the flat brake bridge issue as well
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/vv127/rhino_mac/DSC00644.jpg)
I ordered a Kuwie padset from Firebird last week and it arrived in the post today. These are pukka pads and well worth the money.
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/vv127/rhino_mac/DSC00646.jpg)
I get the wheels back saturday now, crank back middle of next week pending clearance and tyres back end of next week if I can ever confirm my new card on Paypal to pay for them (should have registered the new card weeks ago really but I'm organised as ever :LolLolLolLol:)
The brake cable is a little long - maybe a couple of inches. Is it OK to snip it at the back with wire cutters (the ones like pliers) or will they squash the cable. Or would it be better with a small hacksaw?
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Is that it :LolLolLolLol:
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what a fooking good read i have totaly enjoed reading this well done on your build .....dying to see the wheels on her :daumenhoch: :daumenhoch:
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Great build Rich, I'm well impressed :smitten: , thanks for all the info so far, looking forward to seeing that crank!
I'm going to get some of them pads, just need a headset to put them on . . . and everything else . . . I feel an expensive month coming on!
Looking forward to seeing the finished product. Keep going mate . . .
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Thanks mate - I've followed a couple of your builds since I joined the site a few weeks ago! If mine comes out half as nice as those I'll be chuffed!
Andy - you're so not funny :LolLolLolLol:
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Hi Kaner,
I bought a Hatta MX2 which is the original headset but it was chrome so I had it dechromed, and black chromed which is much more resiliant to knocks and won't chip like paint. It looks as if it was the original finsh but it's an expensive process (I now have the worlds most expensive head set but I couldn't find a black MX2 anywhere).
Nikyo (i think that's how you spell it) do a matt black MX2 type headset and they go on Ebay for about a tenner new. Other than that, Tioga and Tange MX2's are idential to the Hatta ones.
The good thing about the Hatta is it has the correct spacers so that you can put a Headlock on - Suntour original although Tange ones are cheaper and more available. Otherwise you can just put the lock bolt from the headset set if you see what I mean......... :uglystupid2:
Mine was a box of bits until I got a headset and all of a sudden I could start putting it back together
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Looking good mate, don't forget to bring it down to the shop when it's finished. Who did the wheels in the end, BMX Plus?
Clive
bikelab
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Hi Clive,
Yup, I took them to BMX Plus - I work about 5 minutes away from them on the Wallisdown Industrial Estate. I've got my fingers crossed because so far they've been less than impressive with service but I spoke to Ben who built the wheels up and he seemed a good guy and he's built them exactly as I asked. He's just got to true them up and I can pick them up tomorrow. They looked good on Thursday evening when I saw them.
I'll pop down one lunchtime week after next if that's OK. I work with a guy called James who is MTB mad and cycles with a couple of clubs. He's just spent £4500 building a Titanium Marin MTB and I know he's looking for some components to finish it off. He's an easy sell - all the shops love him! :LolLolLolLol:
Cheers
Rich
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Andy - you're so not funny :LolLolLolLol:
:LolLolLolLol: Ahh the love of a facebook quote.
Rich, are you going to MK09 mate ????? this would be a very good candidate for show and shine. Lets face it, they don't come much shinier than that. :4_17_5: :4_17_5:
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Yeah, made me chuckle that did!
Sorry mate, I'll be in Munich doing a trade show over the MK09 weekend.
Depending on how it ends up I might pop it in for May BOTM for a laugh! However, went to pick up my wheels today and they run like a couple of eggs. One of them was at least a half inch off. Not impressed at all. I was offered a discount initially but I pointed out that I'd only have to take them to be broken down and rebuilt again by another shop so they're going to have a go at it next week.
The guy that owns the shop seems a good guy but I'm not convinced by the kids he employs. I don't want to slag them off on a public forum without cause but so far they've not done anything to give me any confidence that they can actually build wheels. Hopefully, all will be well next week. Fingers crossed.
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Ouch..... sorry to hear about your wheels mate, i've had all mine built at Pijin BMX in Southampton, superb quality, can't recommend them enough. Sawzall gets his built there aswell. :4_17_5:
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I'll give them until next week, otherwise I'm taking them over to Clive at Bikelab to see if his mechanics can sort them out.
The average cost of the mountain bikes in there is more than my car so if they can cope with technology like that, a 25 year old BMX wheel shouldn't cause too much problem. Should have taken them there in the first place really - I was lazy and took them to the nearest shop!
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Righto, nearly there. This is likely to be a longish post that's pic heacy so I apologise in advance if you nod off from my ramblings.
My original idea was to buy this and race it in the old school series in the South, but I ended up buying far too many NOS parts and as the costs mounted (and mounted and mounted) I realised I'd be mad to race it. So instead, I decided to build it up so that it looked like it had just left the shop in 1983 in a spec as near as possible to the magazine article scanned on Jaimies Kuwahara site.
Lots of parts have arrived this week, the main one being my 400 flight crank at last! I've also got the wheels back from BMX Plus and to be fair them, they were very apologetic that they'd taken a while. Having spoken to Ben there, it looks like the black spoke nipples I gave them to use were crap and kept snapping as soon as you tried to true the wheel - he had a little pile of them in front of him when I picked them up.
I've got my crank from the states at last! It's in minty mint condition. Not a single mark and has the original sealed bearing bottom bracket all stamped up Sugino as it should be. 'Scuse the finger prints on the chrome!!
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/vv127/rhino_mac/DSC00655.jpg)
NOS Sugino 44t chainring with machined teeth, mint Sugino chainring bolts, NOS Itzumi black/silver chain, mint Suntour XCII's with NOS pedal cages.
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/vv127/rhino_mac/DSC00665.jpg)
These are the wheels: Show bike fitted only Chrome Araya 7X, repro Araya decals from CBRGil (the old ones were a bit faded), NOS Asahi 194mm chrome spokes laced 4 cross, NOS Black Spoke Nipples, NOS Suntour sealed bearing hubs, NOS Suntour 16t freewheel.
Rear
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/vv127/rhino_mac/DSC00666.jpg)
Front
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/vv127/rhino_mac/DSC00669.jpg)
Excuse the white bits behind the nuts - I've got thick card washers behind them to protect the dropouts front and rear until I can find nylon washers in the right size.
This is the bike all up together:
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/vv127/rhino_mac/DSC00676.jpg)
The seat post is a bit high perhaps, but I'm 6'2"!
I've got some NOS Comp III Rainbow labels in 2.25 and 1.75 on their way - the original IRC's are nightmare to source so these will have to do until I find a set. Then it's just the Elina rub ons when CBRGil has done them, and some Suntour 9/16 decals for the bottom of the pedals from Kendo. Oh yes, and a chain adjuster for the drive side - still need to buy one of them.
It should be finished 100% next week so I'll take some decent piccies of it and post them up.
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beautiful
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Its looking amazing Rich! :smitten:
I'm looking forward to seeing it with the tyres on posing in the sun showing off its shiny shiny chrome work.
Brilliant job. :daumenhoch:
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Lookin good. :daumenhoch:
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Lookin' very good :daumenhoch:
Nice attention to detail ;)
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Awsome!! Stunning and your first ever build too :daumenhoch:
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Wicked! (I think that's what we used to say in the 80's!)
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Gotta be BOTM material. :4_17_5:
Love out like that me like :LolLolLolLol:
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:smitten: that Rich.
Looks soooooooooooooooo good. Bikes don't half look weird without tyres though don't they.
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Well, it's finally finished (apart from the chain tensioner but I was too impatient to wait until I posted).
Final Spec as follows:
Kuwahara Laserlite Frame (restored, rechromed)
Kuwahara Laserbars (rechromed)
Kuwahara Laserpost
Elina Aero Turbo Seat
Suntour Arrow Seatpost
Tange TRX Forks (NOS)
Hatta MX2 Headset (NOS)
Suntour Powerstem
Suntour Headlock (NOS)
OGK Cobra Grips
Tech 3 Lever in Black (NOS)
Dia Compe MX1000 in Black with Self Centre Device
Dia Compe Brake Blocks (NOS)
Dia Compe Brake Cable (NOS)
Sugino 400 Flight Crank 180mm (show bike fitted only)
Sugino Sealed Bearing Bottom Bracket
Suntour XCII Pedals with NOS cages
Sugino 44t Chainring in black with machined teeth (NOS)
Sugino Chainring Bolts
Itzumi Chain Black/Silver (NOS)
Araya 7X 20 x 1.75 in chrome (show bike fitted only)
Suntour Sealed Bearing hubs in black (NOS)
Asahi Spokes in Chrome (NOS)
Black Spoke Nipples (NOS)
Suntour 16T Freewheel (NOS)
Comp III Rainbow Label in 1.75 and 2.25 combo (NOS)
Chain tensioner x 1 (NOS) to be fitted when it arrives!
Repro Decals by Del and CBRGil (Araya Decals)
Repro Padset by Firebird
Major thanks go to: Marc (Kuwahero) for the seat and grips, both of which would have been a nightmare to source and he gave them up in aid of my bike plus copious PM's with help and advise, Ian (Bodamus) for the Laserpost, Stem, Tyres and piccies and advise about Kuwies generally, JT for the Tech 3 Lever (still haven't seen a NOS black one for sale anywhere else!), Andy (Haro82) for the self centre device which killed 2 birds with one stone (needed one and it sorted the flat brake bridge issues I was having), Lee (PKRadman) for the very blingy rims, Frosty fro swapping my blue Headlock for a NOS black one, still in the blister pack and Del and Firebird for making repop decals and padsets and generally offering a service second to none!
Blimey, feels like an Oscars speech.............seriously though, I've thoroughly enjoyed building up my first bike and been stunned at the help and support everyone has given off this site.
Anyway, here's the finished piccie
(http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/vv127/rhino_mac/DSC00679.jpg)
If nothing else, I hope posting the build from receiving the frame onwards gives anyone building a Laserlite in the future some kind of ideas of what the parts look like - being new to this it's a nightmare to work out what is legit and what's a copy on Ebay!
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congratulations mate...tis a proper stunner, thats for sure.
now, whats next :D
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wow what a job top marks :daumenhoch:
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Great job :4_17_5:
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wow what a stunner,how you gonna top that????? :4_17_5:
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Thanks everyone - really enjoyed building this bike.
Not sure what's next - I'd like to own a Diamond Back (not a Harry Leary - lovely bike, but none of my mates had one). Maybe a Silver Streak - always wanted one of those - I used to drool over them in Merry Cycles.
I'm stuck between doing a rider and a show bike - it would be nice to build a bike that I'm not scared to ride!
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Rich,that looks totally top drawer,done your self proud there. :daumenhoch:
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Very nice Rich, well done mate on your first build. If my Nova comes out half as good as that i'll be well chuffed.
Now lets go rip that Kuwi up at Bournemouth on Sunday. :LolLolLolLol:
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Stunning :smitten:
The Frame looks mint :daumenhoch:
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REALLY nice build. Would you please email me the dimensions of the Laser Lite TT decal? Would owe you one! Thanks!
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WOW! :)
Just read this thread! Beautiful bike and if my laser lite build turns out half as good as this i'll be a very happy man indeed!
I'll say it again .........WOW!
:)