1986 Redline RL-20a

First a little history on this bike  

It was bought new by my friend, he was a little late to the party as my crew had already been riding and styling for some time when he got it, and he was never a real bike guy he just wanted to be able to hang with us so he got his mom to get him a Redline.  

Three problems with the scenario: 

1. He was not really into bikes. 
2. It was the lowest end Redline Prostyler, and although it was beautiful, the lower quality parts were very apparent to us that had bikes with the best parts that money could buy (2 loaded RL-20IIs, 1 loaded Trickstar). So he had little appreciation for the bike.
3. He hated the Radberry after he got it, and was anxious to strip his brand new bike! 

Eventually life happens and the grand biking days slowed down, it was back to my core guys and my friend and his RL-20a disappeared.  Years later it reappeared at my buddy’s with the Trickstar house stripped of most of its parts and partially stripped of its paint.  Seems my other friend owed him money so in lieu just gave him the bike, which he wanted for the Radberry Peregrines for his lavender Hutch. 

Fast forward a few more years, none of us ride anymore I am visiting my friend, his Hutch tossed in the corner and the Redline tossed like garbage on the floor, I said let me have it...he said what for, I said dude it’s a Redline, he said you have an RL-20II what do you want this crap for, I said maybe I’ll use it to trash around instead of wrecking my good bike.  I took the bike home and it sat for a few more years. 

One day while cleaning up my shed I re-found it, at this point I hardly even rode anymore, and none of my friends did,  so my  intention was to strip the rest of the paint, leave it chrome put on the then new-school (midschool) RL decals (which I have NOS somewhere) and sell it.   Never got around to it, about ten more years go by, inspired by the fantastic outcome of my other Redline and the spare parts I had, here it is, reborn, and better than Redline Engineering ever intended it to be.  It’s been in my possession the longest, and has been well preserved in a heavy black contractor’s bag.  The chrome looked very good where it counted, the rest cleaned up nicely to like-new condition.  The dropouts look fantastic, and to my joy, the original front brakes were on it as was the original headset!

Considering this was a ”throw-away” bike I have spent an inordinate amount of time and money in its restoration that is doubtful I will ever recover should I sell it.  However, I have no plans of selling it and the results are stunning and compliment my Mack-daddy RL-20II exceptionally.  I was going to make this a very simple build no exotic parts, one piece cranks, "cheap" Redline bars etc....well you know how these things go and have a tendency of getting out of hand....at least I didn't spring for vintage 401 Flight cranks!

Thanks to Facebook I now am in regular contact with many of my old friends including the original owner, and he is taken back at how good his old Redline looks, and calls me the great BMX savior.

I am very happy with the outcome and the response, and for having rescued a great bike with a rather sad and neglected past….rest easy little Redline you are safe now.

Components:

• Frame and Fork: 1986 Redline RL-20a, original chrome, C4 refinished to original color.
• Decals: AJK reproductions, original fork decals.
• Stem: 88 Redline, refinished, converted to Odyssey Potts mod.
• Handlebars: Redline race Forklifter chrome, C4 refinished in color.
• Number plate:  Jeung Oh reproduction, customized. New
• Handlebar pad: custom made from generic white Porkchop/Flite white pad. New.
• Grips: Redline. New.
• Donuts: Flite. NOS
• Headset: 86 Hatta/Redline, original.
• Dirt skirt: SST Original.  NOS.
• Levers: Dia-compe Tech 77, reissue. New.
• Detangler: Odyssey Gyro 2nd generation. NOS
• Cables: Odyssey Gyro, after market housings, customized.  Jagwire  front cable.  New.
• Front brake: Redline issue anodized Dia-Compe FS880, modified with Weinmann quick adjust.
• Rear brakes: Dia-Compe FS883, show polished, lettering color matched to frame, show nut.  New customized.
• Brake pads: OBE Mountain bike clear trials. New.
• Brake cable clamps: Jagwire aluminum, customized. New.
• Wheels: 85 Peregrine Masters. Original.
• Tires: Odyssey Aaron Ross 20x2.10.  New
• Pegs: Odyssey aluminum 26T.  NOS
• Freewheel: 85 Suntour chrome 16T. Original.
• Chain: YBN. New
• Sprocket: Redline Flight Recluse 45T.  New
• Cranks: Redline Flight double pinch 180mm chrome, repainted in white, custom decals. New customized.
• Bottom Bracket: Redline sealed.  New
• Pedals: Redline low profile platform replaceable pins.  New
• Seat clamp: Redline 90's, original.
• Seat post: 80’s Redline original.
• Seat: 86 Redline/ Viscount.  Peroxide bath, repainted logo. Restored.
• Chain tensioner: Redline. New
• Lube: Tri-Flow clear synthetic water-proof grease. New.