1982 Skyway T/A

For Christmas 1985, I asked for money to buy a new bike.  I was 12 years old.  My department store bike just wasn't cutting it.  I had been reading BMXA for about 6 months at this point.  I wanted something a bit nicer and a whole lot cooler. 

A kid that went to school with my older sister had a Skyway T/A that I absolutely fell in love with from the first time I saw it.  I'd watch him do tricks after school in the courtyard.  When he wanted the new 86 Haro Sport, he offered the T/A to me.  I jumped at the opportunity. 

I had the bike for a few years and sold it when I bought my first car, regretted that decision dearly.  I always missed that bike.

Almost 20 years, and a few BMX's later, I see a Skyway frame and fork listed on Ebay.  Frameset was dent/ding free.  I threw a bid on it and surprisingly won the auction for $315.  Over the last 5 years, I collected parts to build up this bike with all the same parts my original had.  I have built this up a few times with different components, etc., but finally decided it needed to be exactly as it was the day I bought it.  That is the bike I fell in love with.

Every part on this is exactly as it was on my original.  Even though I didn't choose the parts on my original, I don't think I would have built it up any differently than the original owner.  I think he did a great job.  I may have picked some different colors here and there, but the parts selection was perfect.

Everything on this bike has the original finish.   One point I should add: I replaced the original decals like an idiot.  I knew within minutes of removing them that I had made a huge mistake.  That was 5 years ago, live and learn I guess.

The only part on this bike that is not "era correct" is the wheelset.  I picked up the retro alloy flanged Tuffs from Ed at Colored Tuffs.  I chose these because my original had alloy flanges and figured I'd never find an original set.  I've only seen one original set for sale over the last few years.  I am happy with the results and this thing really brings back the memories.

I should also state that it took me 5 long years because I was on a tight budget.  I did some serious looking and jumped on some great deals along the way.  Never thought I would finish it!  I built this whole bike for the bargain price of about $1,000.  Not bad I think.

Frame: Skyway T/A (Original Chrome)

Fork: Skyway T/A (Original Chrome)

Headset: NOS Tioga Beartrap II w/ NOS Suntour Headlock & NOS SST Dirtskirt

Stem: ACS 45

Bars: NOS Skyway EZ Bars

Brakes: DC MX1000 Rear w/NOS Tech 3 Lever, DC 880 Front w/Tech 4 Lever, Correctly Dated DC Cables

Brake Pads: Skyway Tuff Pads

Grips: A'me Unitrons (Went thru hell trying to get a pair of these)

Bottom Bracket: Tioga Cups, Generic Bearings

Crank: Takagi Cro-Mo (These are from my original bike… held onto them all these years)

Chainwheel: NOS Sugino 44t

Chain: NOS Izumi

Pedals: MKS Grafight-X

Seat Post: GT Laidback (Original Chrome)

Seat Post Clamp: DC MX Hinged

Seat: Viscount Dominator (real-not a new one)

Wheelset: Skyway Alloy Flanged Retro Tuffs

Tires: NOS Haro FS175 (I think these are on backwards, but that is how they were on my original)

Freewheel: Suntour 16t

Pegs: Skyway Axle Extenders & GT Framestanders (NOS)

Misc: Dice Valve Caps (I hate funky valve caps, but hey, my original had them)