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1977 Ashtabula

This company made the original bladed forks and longer cranks.

Just got an email, and a new shot:
Here is my Ashtabula! i found this frame under a pile of scrap metal out in Talala Oklahoma a few years ago. I sold it to a guy named Joe Gillion (Daddy Goose) and he restored it to look like a Ashtabula race kit. He really did a great job. Then by luck I ended up getting it back off of him. Of all my bikes it one of my favorites. A fine correct examle of this type of bike. Thanks! I love the new look! Derek Booth (dewabo)

Ashtabula is a native American word meaning "river of many fish." Ashtabula
parts were found on alot of Mongoose and Schwinn bmx bikes in the 70's. The
factory was located in Ashtabula, Ohio on Route 20 also known as Prospect
Ave. Part of the Factory is still standing but much of it has been torn
down. When I was in there as a kid we found crates and crates of bikes
parts, unfinished parts, technical drawings and even prototypes for
different things. These things are long gone due to many "suspicious" fires
and multiple owners. I don't know much more than that. The last time I was
home I was cleaning out my own warehouse and I took some stuff to the local
scrapyard and I found a bike there with Ashtabula cranks and an Ashtabula
stem... So anyway the stuff is still around. Sorry I can't be of further
help.
Take care -Ryan Humphrey

elfdoublecross · 2006-12-15 5:27pm

that is a really nice bike. im not too familiar with ashtabula frames but the resto job on this one is great.

scraplord · 2006-12-23 10:55pm

hey gnyha10, those rims are Femco`s.

bikes4u · 2007-01-19 5:16am

cool---I have driven by Ashtabula, OH and wondered is it the same? LOL

g-flash · 2007-07-17 6:12pm

Nice bike!

BridgeCity · 2008-01-22 10:32am

crossup · 2008-02-11 6:29pm

Isn't this bike older than 77'? I've got the same MINT frame and remember single Gussett frames ran from about 72' to 75'. Also, what's the story on the blister pack bike? Do you still have it in this condition?

BridgeCity · 2008-02-12 11:27am

that isn't mine, it was posted by someone at vbmx. this is how those kits were sold.

this guy seems to be the master of old so cal bikes. here are some of his. rick's bike shop modifications would probably be the earliest publicized chop shop jobs. notice the 72 bike:

http://www.bmxmuseum.com/user/reilley1

wolfgang · 2008-02-12 4:14pm

Very nice!!!

I live in Ashtabula,but have to buy parts out of state or even the Country!
Can't get any ASHTABULA parts around here!!! LOL

Here are a few pics,and the Building is still standing.

Last edited by wolfgang (2008-02-12 4:21pm)

dewabo · 2008-06-19 1:58pm

I submitted this bike a few years ago. I still have it and its one of my favorites! not to many around anymore. guess they broke pretty easy.

BridgeCity · 2008-06-19 2:34pm

An Ashtabula frame set is the only bike I'd ever build in the future just to have as a non-ridden bike to stare at.

you aren't kidding about rare. I've yet to see one for sale.

for a 90 pound kid they were fine. the one in our neighborhood was subjected to some impressive evel k. type launches.

dewabo · 2008-06-19 2:45pm

Serious air Huh? he he! got to like that.

I sold the bike at one time and got it back. I'm not letting go now. Its kind of funny really. I was collecting vintage bikes mainly Stingrays when i found this one in a junk pile. I just thought it looked cool and bought it. ent to find out what it eas and do some research on it and found some cool vintage sites and made quite a few friends because of it. The bike got me into Vintage BMX collecting which is more my time era anyways. I sold it to buy into some of the bikes I wanted as a kid. I then realized I had made a mistake and contacted the latest owner. He just happened to be getting out .of the scene and cut me a way sweet deal on it. I am glad I got it back because the bike got me into this mess so it means more to me in some ways. Oh! and I wish I still weighed 90 lbs...

BridgeCity · 2008-06-19 3:13pm

good story, definitely a keeper.

actually, the kid that owned this bike in our neighborhood was a tool. (actually he still is, go figure)

anyway, we rode a lot on a crick system on the edge of town that was well overgrown with sloped dirt sides. We'd day dream about how fast you'd have to go to clear the whole creek from bank to bank. (did I mention we were 10 year old idiots)
So this Tool announces early one day that he WAS going to attempt the jump.
Everyone that rode a bike within 2 miles of our neighborhood showed up to watch him break himself into small pieces, or at least a good bloody nose. (did I mention we were 10 year old idiots, yet)

and it was a good gathering, but guess who never arrived.
Glad Evel K. was there with real cajones, on TV.

SE U SEE · 2009-06-07 2:36pm

I like to see that! I had one in nor cal for a while, around 83' I was 11 or so, it was heavy & I painted it with chrome rattle can paint AARRGGGG! This was before I got my SE RACING HENDERSON HAULER & then a PK RIPPER. NICE JOB! from a one time Ashtabula rider.

vonmark01 · 2009-06-07 2:43pm

i pitched a frame in the early 80s ...thing weighed like 10 lbs
yeah i know ..dumb move

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