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1974 Redline Squareback

One owner, original finish, and 151st frame built, rare white decals

My Schwinn Stingray was cool but once I saw On Any Sunday in '72 and knew that other kids were BMX'ing I had to get a real BMX bike! My local bike shop stated that this motorcycle company was producing BMX frame and forks. Being involved with MX I had to get one. My Mom had a fit on how much a frame and fork was then!

The bike was awesome to ride and indestructible! The geometry, gusset, and beefy square tubing made this bike so aesthetically gnarly! The frame and fork were replaced in '78 when I switched to Torkers. It's been sitting at my Mom's house until 2005 when she wanted to clear out my bike stuff. Built it up with the original Redline prototype stem, Schwinn seat post clamp, and Mesinger seat.

So here it is!

VEHICLE
Frame - Redline Squareback
Fork - Redline
Stem - Redline prototype double clamp stem
Bars - DG
Grips - Oury
Pads - Speedo
Headset - Schwinn
Rims - Araya 7b's
Front hub - Cook Brothers
Tires - Cheng Shin
Rear Hub - Schwinn "Redline" with Bendix coaster
Cranks - Campagnolo
Bottom Bracket - Standard
Pedals - Union rattrap
Chain – Schwinn
Seat – Mesinger
Seat post clamp – Schwinn
Seat post - steel
DIALED IN
Jeff Tollefson
www.jtfreestyle.com

Last edited by JT (2007-08-19 2:02pm)

saylor · 2007-08-19 8:38pm

YA !!!!!

rampar · 2007-09-15 7:24am

Wow, that looks like a motorcycle rear end? Looks really cool and never seen a stem like that?

sweet!

JT · 2007-11-15 2:40pm

This was a prototype stem and only seen on the Redline suspension bike in '75. Simple design but difficult to adjust the stem bolt and clamp bolts.

Byron Friday tested this and reported them breaking so the stem was designed with the forward support and beefier clamps.

oneluv1979 · 2007-11-15 2:59pm

Now thats what i call a survivor !!!!

VERY NICE !!!

BMXer · 2007-12-12 12:52pm

WOW, what a BIKE!!! That is so great you have had it all this time, nice job.

z-man99 · 2007-12-13 10:53am

Completely badass. Gotta love those cut angle chainstays. You can really see Redline's motorcycle roots in this frame.

JT · 2008-01-31 5:53pm

When I was a kid I thought it looked so cool but it didn't ride well for me so I really didn'nt thrash it at all. Squarebacks are so trick and has anyone seen a older serial number than 151? So glad my Mom didn't sell this guy in one of her "garage sales"!!

Having the early RL stem is rad too. Glad you all enjoy it as much as me for the last 33 years!!!

PlanetX · 2008-01-31 7:12pm

You have the absolute coolest collection. Crikey. This bike is super freaking cool, too.

jhammons01 · 2008-02-02 12:29pm

That bike is absolutley great!!

thank you for holding on to it for so long.

JT wrote:
This was a prototype stem and only seen on the Redline suspension bike in '75. Simple design but difficult to adjust the stem bolt and clamp bolts.

Byron Friday tested this and reported them breaking so the stem was designed with the forward support and beefier clamps.

The design change was called the "Redline Slantline stem" I'll take a picture of mine soon and post it up

JT · 2008-04-27 10:43am

Yes, I talked to Byron about the stems and he snapped a few. I can't imagine riding parts that could snap and when they did how you survive. Byron was crazy then and still to this day!

Thanks for the + feedback!

Last edited by JT (2008-04-27 10:44am)

BMXKID4EVER · 2008-06-03 12:24am

Very Very Nice Redline.

phillyc71 · 2008-08-06 4:47pm

beautiful squareback! damn jeff, all your rides are class all the way. kudos!

JT · 2009-01-06 8:04pm

Thanks for the feedback and really glad I could build it up again to share with everyone on the site! One of these days I'll get to my other RL's?

noob · 2009-01-06 8:50pm

crazy! 74 redline, are you kidding me?! amazing!!

MADDAWG · 2009-01-28 12:22am

Damn SWEET collection , id love to get my paws on 1 of these

JT · 2009-02-07 9:57am

The squarebacks have been selling recently so in this economy you may get a good price on one?

Thanks for the feedback and glad to share some Redline history

redline squareback · 2009-06-27 10:03am

where is the serial number stamped at?

itsdug · 2009-06-27 10:09am

How did I miss this one? This is one of the coolest bikes here. WOW!

JT · 2009-07-06 7:52pm

Squareback serial numbers are stamped on the bottom bracket underside

Thanks for the + feedback and adding more of my Redline collection soon

redline squareback · 2009-11-08 7:29am

MY SERIAL NUMBER IS STAMPED ON THE HEADTUBE.

mongoosedrummer · 2009-11-08 8:03pm

I believe KenC has a '74 with the stamp on the headtube as well. Or maybe he said there was no stamp? Can't remember...

This bike is surely a "Holy Grail" and another stellar build. JT your collection is too sick!

I'm very intrigued by the stem on this one... So basically the first Redline Stems came out in '75? I've always been a bit confused on the versions/timelines of early Redline stems and V-Bars.

Not to go too far off topic on this thread JT, but could you shed some light on the V-Bar and stem timeline? Do you know if the first V-Bars were Nickel and were they stamped? Sizes?

Also, I recently bought this bike from a member here and was wondering which version of Redline stem it was... I'm thinking it might be the 2nd version?

The pics aren't great, but you can sort of see it here:

http://bmxmuseum.com/bikes/mongoose/17011