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1981 Huffy Pro Thunder

1981 Huffy Pro Thunder. All stock except for the Z-rims and tires.

The first bike I ever had, the Huffy Pro Thunder. I found this one on ebay, and it was totally thrashed and rusty. I took almost an entire summer getting it back into shape. All stock and OG except for the Z-Rims and tires. I still have the OG wheelset, but I'm still working on getting those back to life. Lots of people first experience with BMX was on a Huffy, as was with me. I have a soft spot for the department store bikes, as that's what my family could afford when we were kids. Didn't matter to me the brand back then, as long as I could ride with my friends. Still my all time favorite bike.

intrikat · 2008-11-10 7:11am

Sweet Pro Thunder, no doubt. I love the frame gussets. We used to go to the Fred Meyer's down the street from our house in Gresham and I would head straight for the sporting goods dept. to stare at the those. The red/white one was my favorite, later my family surprised me on my 10th birthday with the black and yellow version. I also remember the blue and yellow one. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

jdavis · 2008-11-10 7:15am

The Pro Thunder was my first (what I considered to be) "real" bike growing up. I removed the decals and repainted it white, added new chrome bars and forks, tuff neck stem, and shimano DX pedals. I was so proud. Learned to do kick-turns like a mad man on that bad boy. Thanks for posting. I think there is tear forming in my eye.

Last edited by jdavis (2008-11-10 7:48am)

91GT347 · 2008-11-10 7:41am

Thats just like my first BMX ,and 2nd bike. Same colors and all. Dont wanna sell it do ya ? PM if you do.

bigpapes · 2008-11-10 9:37am

Great to see some Huffy love! The only way I would ever sell this one is if I found another in like or better condition in the color I had (yellow/blue). A few have come up, but have been too thrashed or the wrong gusset version.
Intrikat, post up your blk/yellow! I want to see it . Man I did the exact same thing, Fred Meyers and straight to the bikes/toys. Pro Thunders for days! I loved the Pro Lightnings too (I'm still gunning for that plate as soon as some spare $$ comes my way).

TxFireman · 2008-11-11 10:45pm

I wish I remember what year mine was. I would think late 70's as I was still young at the time I got mine. It is good to see them again though. I had the blue frame & bars, with an orange pad set and decals. At least I think it was orange or an orangish yellow. I know I changed a lot of things out on that bike over the years. I started saving up for a Kuwahara, and then got into moto-cross and instead bought a dirt bike.

Great example of a classic, bro.

sonyacams · 2008-12-03 11:43pm

I remember when my mom got me this bike.. and i the first thing i did was take off the chain guard and kickstand. i have been looking for another.. it was my first bike and remember going to charlie's bike shop.. every weekend to upgrade what i could.. then it was stolen.. i had bought a Haro plate and put the number 3 on it but i never got a chance to put it on the bike..
i actually still have the haro plate, its still sitting in my closet, its been there for the last 25yrs..

puff_puff · 2009-01-07 8:17pm

Wow beautiful bike Bigpapes. Check mine out. IDK if u Remember i had it in the "name it " forums because i wasnt sure wether it was a CK (Coast King) or a Huffy, we debated for like 3 days and finaly we came to a conclusion that it was indeed a rebranded Huffy Pro Thunder.. lol.. But anyway i restored this thing check it out. Tell me what you think?

http://bmxmuseum.com/bikes/huffy/19381

Tigger · 2009-02-21 4:41pm

intrikat wrote:
Sweet Pro Thunder, no doubt. I love the frame gussets. We used to go to the Fred Meyer's down the street from our house in Gresham and I would head straight for the sporting goods dept. to stare at the those. The red/white one was my favorite, later my family surprised me on my 10th birthday with the black and yellow version. I also remember the blue and yellow one. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

You must have grown up in Portland. My grandparents bought me my Pro THunder Two, the blue and yellow one for my 10th birthday from Jafco. I still have it to this day. It will be my son's bike when he is ready. It is all original except for the rear tire and tubes. I will have to take some pics of it an post them.

BTW, nice bike Bigpapes

squirrelbite · 2009-02-21 6:48pm

yeah, this bike is awesome. my first ride. i have a pic of me somewhere when i was ten or so. some 25 years ago! i'm happy that you submitted this bike to the museum.

bigpapes · 2009-02-21 7:33pm

Thanks guys! Glad there are some huffy lovers out there. Good memories on that bike for sure. I had almost forgot about Jafco!!! I grew up in Portland, and I think my parents bought my pro thunder at Fred Meyers.
Here's a pic of me on my huffy back in the day...