1987 Johnson Freestyle 
#1 2008-11-10 5:56am
- JohnnyQwest
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1987 Johnson Freestyle
1987 Johnson Freestyle
Back in Hawaii in 86 I wanted a GT PFT. I worked washing dishes in a chinese restaurant until I had about $500. I lived on an island with only a couple bike shops to choose from (on the Big Island), so I flew to Honolulu to get one from the famous "Bike Factory". I was only 15 or so, my parents were with me and when they saw that my dream ride would cost me over $500 they flipped out. They said "it must be cheaper on base", this is a common phrase since my parents come from a military background. They took me to Hickam Air Force Base thinking they would find the same GT PFT for half the price... I knew it wouldnt be, if they even had one there, its always the case. They did in fact have a "Johnson Freestyle" which was manufactured by the guy that owned the bike shop on base. I was practically forced to buy this bike since it was only $150 and my parents were ecstatic getting such a great deal. All I remember saying was... "it doesn't compare to a GT" and that "I'll probably break it". The owner assured them that the quality was as least "as good" as any GT... I couldnt win, here I was stuck with a POC I didnt want. I put it together the day we got home, only to find out that the fork wasnt tapped for the screw in fork standers on one side and of course it was my weak side. The mag wheels that came with it were nylon or something, they would bend so bad I could barely turn without them tweaking. The break pads looked like a chain-saw spitting dust every time I hit the breaks too. It was only a few weeks before I started to buy GT parts to replace the great "Johnson Freestyle" parts. After replacing just about everything except the frame I decided to sell it. I figured I'd make some money back and buy the GT PFT I always wanted. My neighbor happened to love this bike and bought it for $200, must've been all the GT parts... I haven't had this bike since 1987, but I took some pictures of it for the short time I was stuck with it. I never seen or heard of another one of these so I thought it would be a good one to post here for the mere rarity of it. BTW, years later, this ride was a rusted heap of junk in my neighbor's back yard. Gotta love the salty air in Hawaii... 
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#2 2008-11-10 4:30pm
- jsholst2006
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Re: 1987 Johnson Freestyle
Very cool story.
I have definetely never heard of these before.
I'd get the frame and try to bring it back to life.Something this rare at least deserves a shot at restoring.
In The Name Of God....Father I'll Fly!!!!!!!
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#3 2008-11-10 4:41pm
- chromey
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Re: 1987 Johnson Freestyle
VEry cool looking bike.
It's like a mixture of an 83 Haro Freestyler and a later haro Sport.
I love the chrome.The whole bike looks very quality.
Wanted: one TIOGA COMP III tire Natural-Gum color (1.75) /// Olive GREEN BULLY frame /// Nickel Patterson frame
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#4 2008-11-10 6:05pm
- spadoc79
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Re: 1987 Johnson Freestyle
did you ever get your gt u wanted?
Oh hell yeah
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#5 2008-11-11 4:32am
- JohnnyQwest
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Re: 1987 Johnson Freestyle
I sure the hell did! I'll put it in the gallery when I find those pictures as well...
-JQ
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#6 2008-11-11 2:11pm
- spadoc79
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Re: 1987 Johnson Freestyle
cool can't wait
Oh hell yeah
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#7 2011-01-19 8:24am
- nasty is nate
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Re: 1987 Johnson Freestyle
Nice johnson!
I have trades for your ATT galaxy note 2 or S3 phone
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#8 2011-02-11 11:32pm
- JohnnyQwest
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#9 2011-02-11 11:38pm
- Hobbes12
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Re: 1987 Johnson Freestyle
Thats Awesome ![]()
You Should Go Rescue It!
hobbes1278@gmail.com
Auburn Blue Max Bully DB DK Dyno ELF GT Haro Hawk Hutch JMC Mongoose National Pro Redline Roger DeCoster S&M Schwinn SE
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#10 2011-02-28 3:06pm
- axel
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Re: 1987 Johnson Freestyle
wow i can feel your pain as a kid knowing what you want and mom and dad SAY NO .
Mom and dad don't alway's know best ![]()
Cool story and yea i would get your old bike back if you can .
I will never ever find my old bike ever ![]()
HardGuy Statement # 1 Just SMASH it !!
If that does not work SMASH it again !!
"Truth is, everybody is going to hurt you; you just gotta find the ones worth suffering for." ~Bob Marle
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#11 2011-07-29 3:26pm
- oldschoolBmX19977
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Re: 1987 Johnson Freestyle
HEY wanna see my Johnson?
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#12 2011-09-21 8:05pm
- JohnnyQwest
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Re: 1987 Johnson Freestyle
oldschoolBmX19977 wrote:
HEY wanna see my Johnson?
I heard yours had a small downtube... ![]()
-JQ
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