1982 Skyway T/A
Replica build of my original T/A I had back in 1986
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)
Submitted by erichevy
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