1978 Cook Bros. Racing Dennis Dain

One of a kind custom frame for Dennis "The Red Baron" Dain

Dennis Dain was sponsored by Ralph's Bicycles and co-sponsored by Cook Bros.  A custom Red and Gold frame was designed for Dennis.  Minicycle BMX/Action magazine was featuring the Cook Bros. racers and their bikes in the October issue.  Unbeknown to Dennis Cook Bros. had him wear the Cook Bros. jersey instead of the Ralph's jersey, that didn't set too well with Ralph.
The article features Dennis's 26lb bike as he preferred a stronger bike than super light bikes as he was a bigger and stronger rider.
I told Dennis about the build in 2008 and still had a hard time finding the seat, spider, and chain ring.  As with my 1979 Dennis Dain Redline replica he sent me a seat, spider, and chain ring from the original bike!  To top it off the original 173 plate and photos from the Minicycle photo shoot, talk about awesome!!
Had a nearly perfect nickel frame that I had stripped then had it professionally painted exactly like his original, even hand painted pin stripes.
Slapped it all together right before the 2010 Rockford Vintage gathering.  Created a poster of Dennis's photo's and magazine shots to go along with the bike.  It was well received at the Rockford! 
I promised Robert Cook, Gary Cook's son, that I would show him this and my other Cook Bros. bikes.  Well I packed up four CBR's and sent them to sunny California for the 40th Anniversary of BMX celebration.  It was great to have Dennis see it first hand and Robert was blown away by it too!
The Cook Bros. (Gary and Craig) created awesome products and as Dennis has stated, he won more races riding a Cook Bros. than any other bike.  A special thanks to Dennis for allowing me to share his personal BMX items on this bike to make it that much more special!


VEHICLE
Frame - Cook Bros. nickel removed, painted, not powdered, pinstripes by hand.  Original decals except seat tube.
Fork - Cook Bros. NOS original nickel
Stem - NOS Cook Bros. slantline
Bars - Redline Proline non-stamped with original sticker, Dennis Dain replica hair band
Grips - Dennis Dain’s original Malcolm Smith grips
Brake lever - NOS Dia-Compe with Dennis Dain bend
Brake cable - White
Caliper - NOS Dia-Compe 890
Brake pads - NOS Dia-Compe with holes
Headset - NOS Tange
Front hub - Cook Bros. 1st generation
Rear hub - Redline Bendix Coaster
Spokes - Double butted
Nipples - Brass
Rims - C&G Super Pro
Front Tire - NOS Schwinn Scrambler 20 x 2.125
Rear Tire - NOS Cycle Pro Snakebelly
Chain ring - Dennis Dain's orginal Takagi gear
Spider - Dennis Dain's orginal Takagi
Spider bolts - Dennis Dain’s original bolts
Chain - Schwinn
Cranks - NOS Ashtabula 7½" stamped
Bottom Bracket - Schwinn
Pedals - NOS MKS rat traps
Seat - Dennis Dain's Kashimax suede
Seat post - NOS Laguna solid
Seat post clamp - Chrome Schwinn
Plate - Dennis Dain's original 173 custom
Pads - Cook Bros. 1st generation
Valve caps - Black plastic
Misc - Cook Bros. jersey, gear bag, original Dennis Dain pictures, and Mini-Cycle BMX / Action magazine signed by Dennis.
DIALED IN
Jeff "JT" Tollefson
www.JTFreestyle.com

Last edited by JT (2010-12-23 7:16am)