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Love it man! Very Clean

wired wrote:

houndog wrote:

wkbogie wrote:

I love this forum and am amazed each time I learn and try a new trick.

+1
Every time wired does a bike I learn something new...

You and me both!

So, I just read how jlewis likes to read about the thought process that goes into building a bike.  Here's the back story on this one.  From 1986 to 1989 I rode the Pipeline skatepark in Upland, CA a lot.  I lived less than an hour away when I started then moved and got about fifteen minutes away before it shut down for good.  I saw a lot of pros ride there over the years and Eddie Fiola was one of my favorites.  Not only was he one of the best full pipe riders I've ever watched, he was nice to everybody.  It didn't matter whether you were just a little kid watching him in awe or another biker sitting beside him around the perimeter fence.  He was polite, courteous and took the time to talk to anyone who had something to say to or ask him.  During one session I was curious what a pro did with all the free bikes they got so I asked.  He said he sold them off as he got new ones...   Next question was "Do you have one I could buy?"  I ended up getting a mid 80's GT Pro Performer with sealed bearing hubs and a few other choice parts - for $100.  Here is what it looked like after I stripped my Dyno and merged them together.

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l258/ … d25-32.jpg

Here's a couple shots of how it finally ended up as I rode it for a good two years.

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l258/ … d25-33.jpg

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l258/ … amp_03.jpg

I know a lot of people get the urge to recreate one or more of their favorite bikes from way back when and I'm no different.  Like an idiot, I sold this bike for $125 in '89 when I thought I outgrew BMX and had moved on to mountain biking.  Stupid, stupid, stupid!  My urge to recreate, however, always seems to stray a little from rebuilding the exact bike.  For most, it would take way too much money to do and for me personally, I always like to incorporate something new as I build.  I may use newer technology, change and personalize the graphics, modify the colors, but something has to be a little different.  Such is the case for this bike.

My original Performer was chrome with a mix of black and white accent parts.  The bars and seat post I'm using now were already factory painted white so I decided to roll with and build around them.  Over the past two days I had a lot of parts sitting on this bike and they just weren't working.  The 990 plate on the bottom didn't work out because of the chain clearance.  I tried a set of black calipers in the back, then silver, then white - bingo!  While the silver rims I had in place looked okay they just weren't jiving with the white up top.  So I started swapping parts and now I think I'm on the right track.

While I hate stealing the thunder of the reveal, here are a few pics of where this bike is going, for today at least.

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l258/ … d25-34.jpg

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l258/ … d25-35.jpg

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l258/ … d25-36.jpg

This is the first time I've used white grips.  I think I put them on too soon as I'm having a hard time keeping them clean. 

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l258/ … d25-37.jpg

I know they'll get dirty but I want them spotless for the pics I take as soon as I'm done.

Great story Kelly. I'm the same way with my 83 GT Nora Cup I sold BITD for $200 when I got into skateboarding
I will build it again
I'm on my third bike now with white grips (I bought in bulk lol) and yeah, they get filthy with building especially. I just scrub them with dishsoap before i take pics.

Kurt_Rad wrote:

So do I get to see this in person in 2 weeks???

Yep!  I'll be riding at the Millennium skate park on Friday, all over Cochrane on Saturday then around Bowness on Sunday.  Look forward to meeting you and all the other Museumers!

Only a little progress so far this week.  I'm matching the front 990s to the rear calipers and thought I'd try something with an old seatpost clamp.





Now to ruin a perfectly good, new set of cranks.





Just a little more sanding then off to the buffing wheel.

I printed up some decals last night and got them applied this morning.  I also picked up some matching Kool Stop brake pads for the front and rear.

Last edited by wired (2011-08-11 6:56am)

I really want to ride this so I'm pushing hard.  Here are the parts about to go in the Drano.



I chose a smaller tub so I could use less sodium hydroxide.  I dumped in half a can of the Drano crystals.  You can see the bubbles in the shape of the chainwheel down below the surface.



I decided to strip and polish this chainwheel so I could have a silver fallback if I didn't like the black one.  I really like the design of the black one and didn't want to strip it yet because it's still brand new.  This one is also a 23 tooth which is a little smaller than I want to run.



I strip paint without wearing gloves.  I DO NOT strip anodizing without them.  These parts got HOT!



I pulled out the chainwheel first and left the crank arms and valve caps cooking while I brass brushed away the black stuff.  The Drano also loosened the purple paint inside the holes of the chainwheel.  It all brushed right off.  When the crank arms came out they were hot and black.  I rinsed the remaining pieces under cool water then began brushing off the rest.



All done.



I spent about two hours at the buffing wheel getting all five of these pieces polished.  When I tested the right crank arm I knew I wanted to leave the black 25 tooth.



Lastly, I replaced these silver anodized caps



with these (gold ones stripped and polished)

Thanks Quetzal, that's an awesome compliment.  If this turns out to be a good rider, heck, I'll bring it to California and ride with you.    One more pic for today.  I think I may get this finished tonight...

Just amazing

Duuuude...  Now that's just stupid sick!

MACAW wrote:

...the cranks are beautiful 

He's the polish master... it's patience and skill.
If I ever need this done I'll just accidentally ship them his way

You're killing this one! Super nice!

Will we see it on Saturday?