RADBMX.CO.UK
Technical & Reference Section => Tech and Restoration => Topic started by: Midschoolfool on January 23, 2021, 07:20 PM
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Built this at the end of my tenancy a couple of years back. Put on some cheap parts because it cost more than I thought it would (don't they all :LolLolLolLol: )
Brake cost me ?100. I love taking NOS things out and using them. And yeah, it's filthy. I rode it for a year before I put it away :slayer:
OK so before. The seat clamp has cracked (so it's FUBAR) and I don't like it.
(https://i.imgur.com/bKTuMv4.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/QY5iACz.jpg)
NOS SNAFU Armstrong stem, SNAFU hex seat clamp, SNAFU grips and etc (all period correct NOS). Profile GDH and a Fishbone XUFO. I don't want to talk about what it all cost me :LolLolLolLol:
As I said, this thing is filthy. When I get done I will clean it. This took me about two hours (star nut fun, it was too deep in the fork).
(https://i.imgur.com/V4RuOcK.jpg)
And now I just spent another hour dialling it in. Only to realise the sodding XUFO is not only upside down but it's back to front too :nickswan: So I have to tear it all apart again tomorrow. I also had to flip the Pitbull, and take the entire front end apart. Only to have to do it all again tomorrow :nickswan:
Seat and post was about the only thing that went well.
(https://i.imgur.com/hq5e5Ot.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/RUMrCD5.jpg)
After tossing it around for about four hours my back is done. She's a bit of a fatty, like. Will go back up tomorrow and pretty much start again :LolLolLolLol:
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I don't like being beaten. Another one done for now. Going to remove the Skyway grip savers, but didn't have the screwdriver I need.
Will either hunt down some proper decals or make them come Spring.
(https://i.imgur.com/CQBfOVE.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/C27DWGJ.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/j56lMUq.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/lmobi4u.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/IphMJLd.jpg)
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:daumenhoch: gota love an STA, contemplated having NS version made , or a 250 :chin: couldn't decide ;D
got a blue fishbone ufo, used but in goos nick, should you be interested?
may be wrong on this but does snafu armstrong stem have a single clamp bolt? got a single clamp bolt, nos one and thought that was an armstrong?
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On the stem? no idea. That is what I was told it was on my DB NG when I asked on BMX Museum. I have a graphite coloured one on that, it's exactly the same. They may have used the same name on others though.
My buddy has a modern Standard. 250L? something like that. The L stands for light apparently.
(https://i.imgur.com/tRs7REi.jpg)
He swore by it. At the time I was riding a Proper BSH, but I had a bad stack on it and realised when fixing it that it was heavy and the back end was too short. I was going to get a Standard, S&M or T1 (like a new school ride) but a Metal Kizz fell into my lap last year and after riding it it's the best bike I have ridden. It's really light, has all of the modern manners but retains the slightly longer back end. This is good, as I don't like falling on my arse any more.
Thankfully I don't need any more parts now. I've literally got every last part for my next project and the one after (if I decide to take it on, it's only a cheap Goose). I only wanted the XUFO on it as my original STA had one on it.
(https://i.imgur.com/Z7uLiPL.jpg)
Same thing with the blue Skyway grip savers... Back then all I had was my bike, and working on it used to crush the grips. So I found those in the basement of the shop I used to work in and not only were they good for keeping the bike stable upside down when I was working on it but also served as fantastic knuckle protectors if you had to swerve around someone and hit a lamppost (as I found out).
Gonna take those off though. I have a stand now and all that.
Oh yeah, that's not my buddy (well, it is...) but Ephraim Catlow on my buddy's bike.
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She's a bit of a fatty, like.
That's ^^^ why I love this site! I check out the Museum every day but... it's just not British! :Great_Britain: :daumenhoch:
Anyway, back to BMX, I like the changes you made. Thank f**k you got rid of that circus seat as well. :-*
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Seems I have a sick pitbull :(
(https://i.imgur.com/ZcIXdpP.jpg)
Look at the back of the cam pins. Something missing.
(https://i.imgur.com/xsbmyxO.jpg)
Only way I can think to fix it is to get my buddy to machine new pins with screw on ends. Bastard ! I was so close to putting it away too :(
(https://i.imgur.com/jqQASfr.jpg)
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It's not over. Is it ever?
So the other week I was bumming around on Ebay, with money. A dangerous combo. That said I did run into these.
(https://i.imgur.com/CGMxo5B.jpg)
And had a double take. Eh? are you telling me those are original mid school Standard Strip bars uncut? If you thought that the S&M CW was rocking horse poo then I assure you it's nothing compared to an original set of mid school bars in one piece still.
(https://i.imgur.com/e4bxtco.jpg)
I had to. I just had to. Bye bye vocal, hello Standard.
Of course this created a dilemma. I cut the grips down for those heavily cut Vocals. So I bumped into these on Source yesterday and were part of a very large order.
(https://i.imgur.com/FShMwfI.jpg)
All I need to do is reproduce that reproduced decal, throw on some black after a light sanding and we're good.
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Now we're on a roll. I decided I wanted the micro gearing gone. Along with the blue wheels and parts. I have a black headset I bought for the T1 and didn't use so I will fit that. I bought this wheel earlier. Same 48 quid as the one on the T1 (same place).
(https://i.imgur.com/hg4EnEs.jpg)
And will get a front black wheel soon. They are the easy bit. Then a mate of mine had this, and did me a super deal on it.
(https://i.imgur.com/5oSnsOh.jpg)
I want to replace the junky fork on this. Have a couple of ideas though...
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Found a Alex Y22 on a sealed hub for the front.
(https://i.imgur.com/mtmTLgF.jpg)
Also figured out which fork I want on there. The ones on there were ?14. Mongoose shite, not long enough for a gyro. So the stem isn't attached very well right now :LolLolLolLol:
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Yeah this one is deffo next. I cleaned up the sprocket with Gunk.
(https://i.imgur.com/8tcfJmD.jpg)
It looks new. Yesterday I started work. First I changed the back wheel, chain and sprocket. Profile pain :rant: Man getting them off is a pain, even with the tool.
(https://i.imgur.com/lQLKWP3.jpg)
I then embarked on a three hour session in the loft. It was a total nightmare. I changed the fork (you will see that at some point today) and then realised to get the stem on the correct way up I had to cut the top plate for the XUFO. That took over 2 hours with a junior hacksaw and belt file. At which point not only did I smash another knuckle.
(https://i.imgur.com/eRcmsSu.jpg)
Which turned blue over night, I also decided my finger may be a bit too fat so I would take some off with the belt file :LolLolLolLol:
(https://i.imgur.com/QsnVoX6.jpg)
OK so joking aside I am paying for it today :LolLolLolLol:
Parts coming off.
The Vocal Neptune bars. Being replaced with 8.75" Standard Strip bars. I need to paint them black.
The black Mongoose fork is gone. Replaced with the one you will see shortly.
The blue wheels have gone.
The blue pedals are going, to be replaced with these, the last set on Ebay.
(https://i.imgur.com/kpDhHO6.jpg)
The cheapy Tektro levers are going, being replaced with these. NOS Fishbone skull levers.
(https://i.imgur.com/Idzbr8S.jpg)
Bike needs a black 990. Went cheap.
(https://i.imgur.com/9J0YKz3.jpg)
Want chrome pegs. Bought 4 of these Pazzazz pegs from the late 90s. Why do I know they are NOS? because I used to sell them at my shop :LolLolLolLol:
(https://i.imgur.com/5GZsC1q.jpg)
I also had a problem with the lower gyro cable. When the Pitbull broke I had to remove it from the bike to fix it. Thus, the lower single gyro cable got chewed to F. That tends to happen on Pitbulls. So basically if you look at this pic here you can see there is a grub screw on the silver block where the cables attach.
(https://i.imgur.com/QBXsTp1.jpg)
Inside you find that there are three channels. They use "D" type ends.
(https://i.imgur.com/R2HP2rA.jpg)
However I didn't have any. So this came out.
(https://i.imgur.com/R3IJrfS.jpg)
And worked beautifully. Just note, don't hold the lug in your fingers they get awful hot :LolLolLolLol: Whilst there I realised that rectangle flat ones would actually fit better so that is what I made. With grips holding the lug :LolLolLolLol:
I then had one job left to do. Draw this.
(https://i.imgur.com/kaTr4Q9.jpg)
And then cut one for the bars. Will get some pics of the progress later :) I also need to drill a hole through the seat tube because I have had enough of the way the Pitbull sets up. F that.
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Haro. I was going to use the fork from the Ruben but it would be a massive ball ache and I am fitting pegs so all of that would have been a waste of time, given it would have looked identical.
(https://i.imgur.com/0YnuKtJ.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/yXOaOJa.jpg)
You can see what I had to do there to avoid flipping the stem upside down.
(https://i.imgur.com/B3LEjlU.jpg)
Pedals and DT/TT decals going next. I then need to drill and tap a barrel adjuster into the seat tube through the seat post.
And my rebuilt cable :)
(https://i.imgur.com/ODl3fjl.jpg)
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Like the chrome forks with black painted frame :daumenhoch:
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Yeah I didn't think I was going to like that tbh. Glad to be wrong though.
Just did the seat tube mod for the Pitbull. No more pissing around with that arm thing. Took the pedals off too, the blue didn't look good at all.
(https://i.imgur.com/ert3MyH.jpg)
Decal is done. Old one I peeled to trace is at the bottom, new one sitting above it. Once the bars are painted this should be done this week. The wheel (front) should arrive tomorrow, and if my hands aren't hurting I will sand and paint the bars. Then it's just the pedals and front brake to come.
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The murder continues. Pedals are gone. So is that shit brake adjuster on the Pitbull that always faces the back of your seat post or tube. You will note I have drilled and tapped a barrel adjuster in there now. Which allows for a very tidy lower cable set up as I would have had mine BITD.
(https://i.imgur.com/Z5mZN8w.jpg)
I also solved another annoying issue. The Y plate on the upper cable is set up so that you have the rear brake on the right side. If you don't? you get punished by having it facing toward the bars so you can't adjust anything properly :rant:
When I realised that they could come apart I simply removed the two cables and switched them around, so it now faces the correct way.
(https://i.imgur.com/JK3dHA0.jpg)
I changed the seat too.
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Buggerbollox.
(https://i.imgur.com/qIScqeT.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/GtAY5ww.jpg)
Worst case scenario I will have to ask my buddy to machine a new axle. Can't find them for sale anywhere. Gotta love our modern throw away society. And ironically they are for sale everywhere in the USA.
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Replacement ordered. I will sort the other one out with Carlo. Didn't want to just sit around waiting for ages so found something even better.
(https://i.imgur.com/HgvCtxf.jpg)
Triple wall lol. Will go really well with the E on the back.
(https://i.imgur.com/U3tDVlj.jpg)
Sealed with a solid 14mm axle. Which is important, as I will need to file that down to fit the fork or cut the fork.
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The man tank rolls on.
(https://i.imgur.com/ePwhqWc.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/CHPKi9L.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/rW7gli5.jpg)
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The tank wheel and pedals came.
(https://i.imgur.com/LBs7EQ0.jpg)
Man, that wheel is heavy :LolLolLolLol: Thing is I need to concentrate and not get caught up on the weight. That is how I ended up throwing loads of new parts on it in the first place. I need to cast my mind back to the "Heavy is better" days and really go to town.
(https://i.imgur.com/7eiWUAN.jpg)
Have decided to cut the fork drops. Still waiting on the levers and pegs, and I know if I did the cutting today I would hurt myself so yeah need to show some restraint.
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Forgot yesterday's progress update. I took the Magic tech or whatever it's called (Dia Compe) off my Quadangle. The Quad would have come with Promax brakes. Put that on the STA and will fit the Promax back on the Quadangle soon.
(https://i.imgur.com/51c3Jzf.jpg)
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Man what a frightfully good piece of fortune ! Tired of jackasses charging stupid money for old parts?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/194157561839
(https://i.imgur.com/ZHSQeEH.jpg)
What you have there is a Velo grabber. For less than a fiver delivered. I have ordered two.
(https://i.imgur.com/iTBvztr.jpg)
What you got there is basically a Primo mid school seat without the screen printed logo on it.
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Cut the fork last night.
(https://i.imgur.com/D44I9PA.jpg)
Then the most ridiculously heavy and over built brake levers arrived today :LolLolLolLol:
(https://i.imgur.com/bPYFXl6.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/QeThF3Z.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/KxWL3Cv.jpg)
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Brakes done and dialled.
(https://i.imgur.com/ufUHgr7.jpg?1)
(https://i.imgur.com/EvxE24I.jpg?1)
(https://i.imgur.com/UrR3Tj9.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/ozhwcvq.jpg?1)
(https://i.imgur.com/H7QPOjO.jpg?1)
Last jobs are fitting the 4 pegs if they ever arrive (Hermes) and the seat. On this post.
(https://i.imgur.com/zlpNPWe.jpg?1)
I know I know, I am anti lay back. Ever caught yourself in the dick with a set of uncut bars? Now you know why we cut the shit out of them in those days. It's not pleasant :LolLolLolLol:
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Balls. Seems I missed an update. Sorry dudes.
(https://i.imgur.com/tEtM9o4.jpg?1)
Pegs and post are fitted.
(https://i.imgur.com/3KC5GYp.jpg?1)
It's now unbelievably heavy :LolLolLolLol:
Seats I ordered are supposed to be coming today, but losing hope. I did find this.
(https://i.imgur.com/UlwHpUt.jpg)
It's a DMR 4130 post that looks identical to a Primo rod. No tax though, so it was ?10 delivered (what I mean is no sentimental tax was applied).
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Seats arrived yesterday. Duly fitted. Post arrived this morning, not sure if I am using it yet. Bike is done though.
(https://i.imgur.com/t17YQ6A.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/kwohq5J.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/2OUSv9E.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/3tq6kmE.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/ZQUe9HJ.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/CfbTOMO.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/I1Ky1rP.jpg)
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Working on the Super Fork.
(https://i.imgur.com/KGCrfui.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/PZtBark.jpg)
I just sanded the legs out fully and "that annoying bit in the middle". I stopped short of the drops because there is a reasonably large koof on one leg, and a small one on the other.
(https://i.imgur.com/AfdfAO7.jpg)
I could basically sand forever and get nowhere, so that will need either the hand file or the belt file. The end cap on one side has taken a smack too, and is sticking out a wee bit. Same, that will get the file.
(https://i.imgur.com/L9YysAW.jpg)
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Quick update.
(https://i.imgur.com/LkXKgFV.jpg?1)
Fork is now painted black. I used the satin, because it's the best. Will clear coat them when I get back as I have been crippled by a very big project. Top nut needs some attention then satin, but compared to what I have been doing it all just seems so much easier :/
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Here we go again !
So the Super Fork ended up on the Pork. So I still wanted/needed a period correct fork for the STA. I bought a Kink one, but then a NOS Ditch fork came up on the bay.
(https://i.imgur.com/kOX68qv.jpg)
Really wanted to keep the front end chrome. Bought the parts needed to convert the fork to 1-1/8. Well, the headset at least.
(https://i.imgur.com/uXs9juU.jpg)
Went up earlier and started work. First job press the cups in and get the fork on.
(https://i.imgur.com/mLAiFO5.jpg)
Thankfully the bolts that were missing from the fork (and partly why it was so cheap) are just regular UNF 3/8 bolts like female axles, Profile GDH cranks and so on so I have a stock of them.
The only thing left to do was to take the 14mm axle out of the wheel to send it to my friend. Who was then going to machine the ends off at the lock nuts, and drill and tap it to the 3/8.
(https://i.imgur.com/5VNxPZL.jpg)
Because I sure as fook was not cutting that fork. Axle removed and I sawed marks into it where it needed cutting off.
(https://i.imgur.com/viSb9Bj.jpg)
Then I had an idea. See, before I could start work I had to put a load of stuff away. I had stowed some crap right at the loft opening last year and pretty much forgotten about it. One of those things was this wheel I got for 30 quid.
(https://i.imgur.com/TZcwpUm.jpg)
Then I had an idea. Let's smack the guts out and see what we get. First thing I noticed was the bearing OD was smaller on the RANT wheel. Hmm.
(https://i.imgur.com/zdJQMrr.jpg)
OK so what about the bearings out of the Alex heffa wheel? how about the ID?
(https://i.imgur.com/jGv7rgq.jpg)
LMFAO. No.Way. :LolLolLolLol:
(https://i.imgur.com/mUftT8W.jpg)
Like a doggy with two dicks !
(https://i.imgur.com/UCPD213.jpg)
All I need now is the steerer shim.
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BTW I found something super interesting out about the fork yesterday.
I always wondered why they were called Stupid Forks. I figured maybe just because they were pretty crazy. Nah. :LolLolLolLol: Chris was taking the piss out of Hoffman Super Forks (The original 1" clamp ones).
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Right, more done.
I didn't like the lay back. Never have tbh. Either get a longer TT, or get a bigger bike. Problem is the seat post I had for it was really long and looked stupid after I did the Pitbull direct feed mod (hole in the seat tube tapped for a barrel adjuster). It makes living with the PB much more pleasant, and it looks better too. So yeah, the seat post I had in mind was a DMR. It's literally exactly the same as a Primo Rod, yet it cost me a tenner new.
So I chopped it down.
(https://i.imgur.com/ycJH8Hz.png)
And filed a chamfer into the end as it was before. No point painting it as I just smothered it in grease.
I then had a good look at the bike and I will be honest, don't like the Profiles. TBH I don't like Profiles. They just never did much for me, even BITD. They are a dick ache to remove, due to the stupid design, and they never changed it. All they needed to do was thread the sodding ends, you could pull them off a piece of piss.
After having a dig around I realised I had a set of NOS gen 1 Powerbites. Both the arms and spindle and bolts were all bought new old stock, and fitted to the 2hip Root Down. Problem is both arms are R. I then realised I had a set of Demolition pedals (exactly the same, but very well used and restored) and that meant I had a second R side axle. And I didn't feel bad, because I put a crap ton of work into them, only for several of the pins being stuck and pissing me off immensely. So, I had to remove the US to Euro BB, press in the cups from the 2hip (I stripped it and the FIT after getting the Pork last year) and after several hours of pissing around.......
(https://i.imgur.com/Fim0EeM.png)
I don't regret it at all. Looks miles better, and makes the sprocket pop much harder.
I've also brought the bars back a bit too, and brought the levers in. Literally all I am waiting on now is the bloody shim for the stem.
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Well that was a faff. Seems the shim I bought is so you can clamp on a 1-1/8 stem to a threaded steerer. So it was a bit loose. Thankfully I found a left over seat post shim that went inside it, and she's good. Finished the brakes, fully dialled and dangerous.
(https://i.imgur.com/7CdADwl.png)
And have ordered this for it.
(https://i.imgur.com/untcGwm.jpg)
Because it deserved something better. It now needs a serious clean, as it's rotten. Covered in grease and hand prints etc. The powder needs buffing and polishing etc. Then if the decals I ordered actually arrive ('cause after chastising me for refusing to pay for their error I have no idea if they actually sent them or not) I can fit those too. If not I will get some of my own made and take a refund, because they already cost me more than I can get a set made for.
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Right, had an idea. I've been swapping parts around on my collection for a bit. The tyres on this are fine, they just look a bit modern. Great width, but the tread is a Total Killabee knockoff. They did ride really nice though when I rode it in 2018.
Any way, after searching for multiple hours for something decent I came up empty. Wish Primo would reproduce the Vs in anything but clown size but ho hum.
Then I remembered I have a set of Plyte paths in 1.85. They are folding kevlar though, so come up more like a 1.95. Perfect.
(https://i.imgur.com/QcxFV7q.jpg)
I also got all of the white shit off them too. For the Kink I have a new front wheel (that oval rant one, needs an axle) and I will put my F-IT traction advantage on there. They are 2.3s, so much more in keeping with a modern ride.
Salted.
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OK so after a bit of a run in with Standard (twunts) I apparently got the decals I bought today.
(https://i.imgur.com/6AgJaw0.png)
Now the astute among you will have noticed they are not the correct decals for the year. Well spotted. This is because for an actual STA set for my year model (a 2001) they want FIFTY DOLLARS. For some stickers. And not just fifty dollars, oh no, they want an additional FORTY DOLLARS to send them.
This is why this STA has had no friggin decals on it for three years. Because I ain't paying no ninety dollars for some feggin stickers. They can naff off. Now recently I thought they may have relented, because those above were sold to me with $7.50 to ship them. So, I finally ordered those for $35 IIRC, plus the shipping. Which is still too much but there you go. They are the slightly earlier ones, which I am fine with, because they tie into the year I had (a 97, IIRC, may have been a 96).
So I was pretty stoked. Got up the next day and I got an email from someone at Standard (I won't name names) telling me I needed to pay another $10. I won't lie, on that specific day I had $0 to my name. I paid all I had into a donation for the hospice that cared for my uncle, and I live week to week. Plus TBH? that was the reason why I hadn't bought them before. I just said look, if you haven't sent them don't, just give me a refund and I will get some made. This person then started laying on the threats about how I don't have permission.
And so I replied, saying that in the 90s I bought every possible Standard part there was to buy for my STA. And thus, without people like me they wouldn't still be here. At which point I blocked emails from them, as I wasn't very happy.
So yeah, they arrived apparently. But I didn't get any shipping info or tracking /roll eyes. I guess I didn't pay enough huh? I think the worst thing "they" said to me was "It costs us at least $20 for the shipping". ORLY? so then why the fook do you charge $40? oh, that is because you are screwing over the people who bought your shit X2, and making bank out of that too. I dunno man, yanks. So friggin greedy.
The seat has also dispatched, as well as the bolts for the pegs. And so, with a lot of cleaning and buffing I think the next time I see the bike it could actually be finished. After six years. Crazy.
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Orsum. Tomorrow we wrench.
(https://i.imgur.com/1OlJFh8.jpg)
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Well it's been too cold. I did get up there about an hour back, but I didn't last long. No way am I spraying cleaner around and getting my hands wet, nor risking the decals in the cold. I just don't think they will stick properly.
(https://i.imgur.com/pn3Jzsi.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/hKNhPWL.jpg)
She's close though.
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Finished.
(https://i.imgur.com/QqgMqO3.jpg)
Will be a video as soon as it effing warms up enough to go back up there. Christ it's cold !
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Love the changes you've made to this but man, what a ball-ache over those stickers!! Thanks for representing our brand! Yeah, right!! "nono"
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They're just greedy dicks dude. Like nearly all BMX companies. It was never about the riders, well, apart from milking them.
I am hoping to put a set behind the bikes in the loft soon so I can do the new format on filming. If so, this one will be next.