[PROJECT] Chilled's old skool BMX restoration/build worklog (Mongoose, Redline, Hotfoot)

That looks so odd

 

Yeah red wheels really don't suit it

Anyways, it's just I can actually ride it Damn it rides nice though! Shimano MX30 freewheel at the rear, so much better than el-cheapo freewheels.

I'm so achingly close to finalising it

 

Looks like the Redline will be done sooner rather than later

Just put a big order in for the remainder of the parts because of some pre-crissy discount deals, so thought what the heck. Ordered..... Dominator seat, Redline chainwheel, all Dia-Compe MX-1000 calipers, Tech 4 levers, MX seat clamp, Tange MX-125 headset, Izumi gold chain for a bit of bling, AME red grips, MKS BM-7 pedals, and layback seat post.

Rock n roll!

 

Piece of history just arrived today, repop but still very yummy

 

Weeeeee! Rest of the parts arrived for the Redline, see you in an hour or two with a full build

 

So we ended up getting the "frame + parts" rough layout pic after all...

 

Yeah I don't like to disappoint

Progress! Hard parts done now. After some hammering and filing the headset is in and moving sweet, plus chainwheel and seat clamp / stem

 

A beer or two to enjoy the process?

 

Bloody oath!

Well it's all done, here's a sneak peek.....not enough sunlight left to take nice pics tonight but she's all done

So happy with how it turned out, might even be my favourite. Will take a bunch of nice shots tomorrow with a full write up.

 

FINAL 1984 MX-III/Series III Redline

I formally present the completed 1984 Redline restoration/build.

Journey

This was a reasonably easy build as the frame and forks came to me in pretty good condition albeit with some small rust spots in corners. This was more a fun carpet queen build that consists mostly of repop parts. Original Redline parts are incredibly expensive these days.

I have read old magazines to find out the era correct parts so tried to keep that where possibly and I think it's mostly for a Redline of this year. Currently has MX-III decals as they came with the bike but at some point I'll probably change to 600A Series III decals.

I started with og frame, forks, and was able to source a polished DK stem from someone here in Adelaide. Apparently I'm the third owner of this frame as it was shipped from someone in the US who had it since a child and was bought by someone in Aus, then I bought it off them. It received a Acidic acid bath with removed all the smallish rust spots in corners which brought the frame back to near new condition with some patina. No pitting at all on the frame, just some small scratches and flaking occasionally, but it is a frame that is almost 40 years old and was used back in the day. This bathing process took one day in the bath and was dried cleaned and polished with AutoSol chrome/metal polish.

Repop parts didn't take too long to get as I was sourcing all parts from within Aus and they were mostly repop.

Some small riding adjustments needed but first ride was awesome. Slightly heavier than the Mongoose Blue Max but it rides sweet

Parts list

Serial: G0384

Frame: 1984 MX-III/Series III Redline (og)
Forks: 1984 Genuine Redline
Brake Calipers/lines: Dia-Compe Quick Release Alloy MX1000 (repop) / Dia-Compe cables (repop)
Brake Levers: MX123 (Tech-4) Alloy Red (repop)
Brake Pads: Genuine Dia-Compe 980 threaded (repop)
Crank/Chainwheel/BB: Three Piece Redline Flight cranks (Twin pinch, full wrap) 180mm, Chro-Moly Redline Flight Chainwheel Black & Silver 44T (repop)
Chain: Izumi 1/2" x 1/8" Gold (repop)
Head stem: DK Pro (og)
Head set: Tange MX-125 Chrome and Red (repop)
Handle Bars: Redline V Bars (repop)
Grips: AME Tri (repop)
Seat: Viscount Dominator 2166 with Gold lettering (repop)
Seat Post: ProBMX Ch-Mo Seat Post Layback 22.2mm x 450mm (repop)
Seat Clamp: Dia-Compe 2 Bolt MX150025.4mm Red (repop)
Seat Guts: Silver generic (repop)
Pedals: MKS BM-7 9/16" Red (repop)
Rims: Araya Type 7x 20", Suzue type hubs (repop)
Tyres: CST Comp 3 Skinwall in competition setup 20 x 2.125 on the front and 20 x 1.75 on the rear
Pads: 1984 Redline White/Red (repop)
Decals: 1984 MX-III Redline (repop)
Colour: Chrome with Red/Gold splash

Final pictures

This is where we started...



This is where we ended up...

 

.....cont.....

 

Bear trap scars are/were a right of passage!

 

OMG it's glorious!

The red tyres/rims are super sweet. I don't know much about BMX - is it common for them to have brakes front and rear?

 

Thanks mate

In terms of brakes honestly I don't know a great deal about that whole brake culture thing. I thought at one point it was more a mid school thing, but in the end I reckon it's more just personal preference and whether you're doing freestyle tricks or not. Definitely aids in tricks not to have a front, or even a rear brake.

In short: I don't really know

But I do know I've always preferred have a front brake.

 

This thread has been like looking back at every BMX bike I ever wanted as a kid but never got. I had a converted dragster. The suffering was real. My best mates had a BMX and my Malvern Star purple dragster got a black paint job. It's amazing the level of detail to your anguish that can resurface after such a long time lol.

My pedals didn't beat me up too bad from memory but I remember at least twice I leant over too far while going fast through a bend. My big toe hit the road and the skin on the front of my toe got pushed quite a way back. The heat coming from my toe could have welded steel. Another few times I was riding the bike without the chain guard and my leg ending up between the sprocket and the chain: which is a pain one can try to imagine but can't until it has happened to them! I am pretty sure I was wearing jeans or some kinda pants and that likely led to my pants catching.

It's like walking/running into a toe bar: it has to be experienced to be understood.

 

I had a banana seat dragster before my folks bought me the Blue Max for my birthday. The anguish was very very real when other kids rolled out those beautiful new bikes and for a period of time I had to suffer with my old 3 speed dragster. I couldn't wait to get rid of it in the dumpster. But boy I wish I had that dragster these days, would be worth a mint I reckon. Was a lovely bike in it's day but had it's issues and had lots of rust too.

 

Fantastic job mate, great work.
Who gives a shit if it's mostly repop, it looks The Business.
Such a good score on that frameset eh!

Looking forward to seeing the Blue Max even more after seeing how well the Redline brushed up.

I think if you intend on ever riding it, even if it's just round the corner to the shops, a front brake is extremely wise (channeling the motoring rant thread...)
Besides which, I'm pretty damn sure some big name stunt/freestyle riders liked the front brake for certain front end tricks etc. so it's legit in terms of history/culture I think.

 

Thanks : ) Yeah actually it's turned out better than I thought in the end. All the colouring matches and looks like how I remember the old Redlines to look back in my junior days.

Well I've sorted out the hubs, cancelled my order with the last place and re-ordered elsewhere, so they are now on their way, should have them by mid next week. Then just need to build the wheels and all done! It look fantastic right now, just missing the wheels

Almost all done so my BMX journey nearly complete

 

One of the more affordable BMX's that I was aiming for was one a mate had - a Red Devil. There were also Blue and Yellow Devils. Another mate of mine had a Sportsworld Team Machine BMX in black but I preferred the Devil's.

 

Still on holidays but hubs waiting in my mailbox at home, hopefully don't get pinched out of the mailbox

Returning Monday so I'd say the Blue Max will be done and ready to show Monday/Tuesday. Very excited!