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1981 Mongoose " kos kruiser " 
#1 2008-05-01 6:53am
- So. cal Bmx for life
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- From: HuntingtonBeach California USA
- Registered: 2008-04-16
- Posts: 79
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1981 Mongoose " kos kruiser "
1981 Mongoose " kos kruiser "
Rare 26" team bike
I spotted this beauty hanging over a chainlink fence in Huntington Beach Ca. What caught my eye was the double clamp gooseneck. It was in pretty bad shape when I found it, but it seemed to be all original and when I asked the owner of the property what he was going to do with it he said if you want it you can have it . "Free " ? yes " FREE " he said. So I took her home and stripped it down and cleaned all the parts as best I could . I started with the frame and forks it's a 1981 26" kos it had alot of rust. I used a razor knife blade a chipped all the rust off a polished it with ultra fine steel wool and now it looks like it was rechromed but thats the original chrome.The forks I was not as lucky so I cleaned all the rust off and shot them with some flat black primer to protect from any further rust atleast until I can get them rechromed.Next the wheel set ,26" ARAYA 1.75's with shimano hubs. I took off the old shredded up tires , pressure washed the wheels and hubs , tuned up the wheels and greased the bearings and then put on some new tires I had laying around.Then cleaned and polished the seat post and clamp( stamped MONGOOSE ) and put on a NOS viscount aero seat. The bars( stamped stainless MONGOOSE made in USA) and double clamp neck stayed in good condition still with the original mongoose sticker so after a clean and polish ( again with ultra fine steel wool )they looked great . I left the cranks on ( Takagi ultra dyno )still very nice and the peadles were in good shape too ( suntour bear traps ) . I cleaned up the brakes and levers (shimano) and replaced the front cable. I put on some mongoose decals I had ( I have ordered a set of the original decals ) and put on the SDG pad set I had ( looking for an old mongoose set now ) So other than the seat and tires, pads and decals everything is original to it .Elbow grease goes a long way . I spent I think maybe twenty five dallors and about a week to get it rolling again. 
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#2 2008-05-02 5:26am
- shivadread
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- From: Jersey C.I.
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Re: 1981 Mongoose " kos kruiser "
Absolutely stunning Kos, good score
RIDE IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT
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#3 2008-05-05 9:03pm
- So. cal Bmx for life
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- From: HuntingtonBeach California USA
- Registered: 2008-04-16
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Re: 1981 Mongoose " kos kruiser "
From the info I've gathered it's my understanding the"T" = TEAM, "C" = made in Chatsworth Ca., "C" = March for the third month ("A" is Jan., "B" is Feb. , "C" is Mar.) "1" = 81 for 1981 the year the bike was made. So this would mean my bike was a Team issue bike made in Chatsworth Ca. in March of 1981 . From what I hear this is very rare . I still cant believe it's my Bike and that it was FREE!!! WOW GOOD KARMA I GUESS
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#4 2008-05-06 9:11pm
- Flyin' Squirrel
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- Registered: 2008-02-19
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Re: 1981 Mongoose " kos kruiser "
Wow, what a score! Great bike and nice job with the cheap resto.
"If God dwells inside us, like some people say, I sure hope He likes enchiladas, because that's what He's getting."
- Deep thoughts by Jack Handey -
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#5 2008-06-07 12:05pm
Re: 1981 Mongoose " kos kruiser "
My friend, you got the SCORE OF THE CENTURY!! I spent a small fortune on mine and it was worth every penny. They ride great don't they?
Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there.
My bikes:
http://bmxmuseum.com/bikes/user/4249
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#7 2009-08-12 5:53pm
Re: 1981 Mongoose " kos kruiser "
Thats awesome love stories like that!! well done!!..
make sure to checkout my latest Kosy build... http://bmxmuseum.com/bikes/mongoose/27087
THATS FACTORY - TEAM
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