My earliest ride

[Steve_Hoog]

Back before cars, back before dirt bikes, back before go karts.... We were into BMX bikes!!! We didn't have the fancy stuff kids have today, we had Schwinns.

First thing you did was ditch the banana seat and rob a seat off a 10 speed. Get you a pair of motorcycle handle bars, and let it rip.

1 Ashtabula forks, hopefully you could make a straight enough cut with your hack saw to get the fork nuts back on.
2 Number plates, you had to look cool (chic magnet).
3 Shamino rims, bigger spokes a must and wire tie them were the meet.
4 10 speed seat, very uncomfortable on your privates but again you had to look cool.
5 Motorcycle handle bars, never mind that all those original Schwinn bars we took off and threw away are selling for $50 on Ebay now.
6 Cleat type pedals, can't have your feet slipping off during heavy race action.
7 Color coated racing grips, again you have to look cool.
8 Knobby tires, traction is a must!!!
9 Smaller front sprocket and bigger back, gearing is all so important and a lesson carried over into the hot rod days.

The Bike...

http://www.empgmc.com/race/bike.jpg

[budnate]

oh man.....I was heavy into BMX that was the best times... when we went from those dinosaur bikes to light fast bikes.. alloy rims, chromely frames..three piece cranks, tough neck goose-neck's etc.. and if you really went all out you went with sealed hubs and bottom set from the racing 10 spd crowd..came in a hard case lined with velvet and set ya back 350.00 big ones...Blew the old man's mind when he asked how much I had into my bike one day and I replied 750.00 easy and that was with the cheap hubs,,keep in mind this was the late 70's and was done with paper route money..man that was a grind getting up at 4:30 everyday to do like 150 papers during the week and triple that on Sun

after I sprung for the good stuff it was over a grand then came the 400.00 Cheata frame one of three http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif I may have to go dig out some pics now... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I still have a full tilt 20" hanging on the wall in the shop, I watch goodwill and other places and never see any of the old quality stuff around..I hope everyone was like me and hung it on the wall..would be a shame to have 'em in the landfill..those were great times as the sport evolved from nothing into the full sponsored rides and a actual magazine for the sport...major brain cramp now but one of the local guys went Pro and rode into his 20's and I think I saw him as editor of BMX magazine a while back.

"North Seattle Berm Buster" out.

[427TJ]

Yep, I had a Schwinn Scrambler (1975 version of the Sting Ray) when I was 12. I remember my Mom and Dad taking me to El Sobrante Schwinn (CA) to buy it. My Mom was a little put-off by the price tag of $125 but she could see that I was excited and my Dad said okay. Soon, I had swapped on Ashtabula forks, MX handlebars from the local motorcycle shop (Cycle Gear), and real motorcycle handgrips. The Scrambler had beefy spoked wheels stock but I traded for a black five-spoke mag for the front. I kept the banana seat because my paper route bag sat nicely over the seat and I could reach down on the fly and grab papers to throw. Neighbor's dad disassembled it one day after school and painted it a nice shade of Rustoleum red with his spray gun and compressor and we put it back together after dinner. That was a wheelie machine. Alas, it was stolen in late 1976.

[Mr70]

http://www.gregs-garage.com/bikes/images/scrambler2.jpg

[Steve_Hoog]

Oh my the Schwinn riders are coming out of the closet!!!

[budnate]

[ QUOTE ]
I traded for a black five-spoke mag

[/ QUOTE ]

remember we had two versions we had the plastic 'Tuff Wheels" and the Aluminum one's with the machined edges and rime lip, For some reason I want to call them " Magnum 500's" but that cant be right???..do you guy's recall what they were called???? I am way tired will post a few pics tomorrow.

[427TJ]

Man, that photo of the Stingray damn near brought a tear to my eye! My Scrambler's seat was exactly like that--black tuck and roll with the white Schwinn lettering. What a classic bicycle and a true American icon.

Yeah, I can't remember the name of the mag wheels that came out in the mid '70s. I think the one I had was made of very strong plastic, as it was overall black and very light. All I had to do was lean back and give the bars a little pull and a slight push on the down pedal and that front wheel came right off the ground. It was even worse with my paper route bag over the seat with 50+ newspapers.

[Steve_Hoog]

The wheels are a blur to me too, but I remember the first Mongoose came out in the mid 70's had some type of cast 5 spoke. Seems like they were a little on the heavy side.

Wheelie riding bikes they were!!!! I was able to ride them continuously, even mastered making turns and going up hills.

I left my blue bike at my dads house after going to college, I think they sold it in a garage sell for $10. They called an asked before doing it, I was so involved in cars by then (and beer drinking) I couldn't think of a reason I would ever need it again.

Now my daughter thinks it's the coolest thing since hot wheels so we bought her an old frame and she's sanding it down for fresh paint. Says she wants to paint it blue.

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[DarrenX33]

Rick I kinda had the same bike. My parents couldn't afford a new one so my Dad pieced together one in "Daytona Yellow" decals and all. Then eventually I got a 1980 Schwinn 36/36 freewheel in red for X-mas! I'm gonna start digging for pix. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif

[DarrenX33]

When I made it past the training wheels I had a Schwinn Pixie. The Scrambler is in the back. Notice the towel on the seat in an effort to prevent dry rot. You can tell I was raised in a car family.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v370/darren_costello/133-3333_IMG.jpg

[DarrenX33]

Then the Schwinn 36/36 freewheel. I am pretty sure this was taken on Xmas day. I eventually "Day 2'd" it. Haro handlebars chrome, Oakley 3 yellow grips, Suntour gooseneck in red, red Alloy pedals (cant remember the make) and lightweight seat. I pulled the front brakes and replaced the rear break lever with the "2 finger" lever. Can't remember who made that either. Oh yeah and a set of yellow Snakebelly tires. I think I had a number plate with "01" on it. Wonder why I chose that number. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Dig the brown Sears "The Winner" gym shoes.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v370/darren_costello/133-3334_IMG.jpg

[DarrenX33]

But technically this was my first ride!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v370/darren_costello/133-3335_IMG.jpg

[Mr70]

WoW...Back then,you looked EXACTLY like your son today!
Nice older car in background...

[Belair62]

Sorry guys...my first ride was a Royce-Union and we didn't have any of that BMX crap...

[DarrenX33]

My Father's gold 1964 Coupe De Ville. Notice the license plate.

[Mr70]

Your father is Dennis Cumby!!??

[DarrenX33]

Oh brother. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v370/darren_costello/125-2509_IMG.jpg

[Supercar_Kid]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v370/darren_costello/133-3333_IMG.jpg Looks like you're ready to head out to the '84 CC Street Machine Nats. Take 'er easy. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[DarrenX33]

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif

[427TJ]

That's it! The mag wheel I traded for came off of a Mongoose. It was black plastic, five spokes, and all the rage in 1976.

[indyjps]

may be a little too new for you guys but my ride was a profile frame and fork, redline three piece crank with sealed bearings, bear trap (ouch my shin) pedals, pedal traps when racing, shimano rims, stainless spokes, bullseye sealed hubs, uni seat and bars, dont remember the brakes manuf. but it was the first bmx center pulls. ill see if i can find pics.
i kept breaking center of redline cranks so i had a machinist in town make me one out of 4340 and heat treat it, didnt know anything about steel selection @ the time but he was building race cars and welded up the diamondback frames i kept snapping. after that i started snapping off the crank arms. pretty cool that the same machinist narrowed the nine inch for my first car, he remembered the bike.

[427TJ]

Here's how I learned to ride a bike. This photo from 1966 (Richmond, California) shows me and my friend Rob on his Schwinn Stingray. Rob was (is) 4 years older and could easily ride me around with him on his bike. I'd sit up front on the banana seat and put my feet on the top of the forks on the chrome 'steps' that stuck out at the fork tops. One day, Rob got tired of riding me around. We were on the local schoolyard riding with dozens of other kids (the baby boom was neat that way) and Rob just stopped, got off the bike, and said "It's time you learned how to ride!" I was scared but before I could bail-off the bike he gave it a good push and I was off. I can still remember thinking "Hey, I'm riding a bike!" as I went across the schoolyard. I didn't know how to turn so I crashed into the side of the school building. I wasn't hurt and Rob put me back on and gave me another shove and I was off for more.

You can see that we were a Ford family. My Dad thought Falcons were economical and practical so we had two, the white '62 (bought new) and the blue '66 (also bought new). All California cars were "black plate" in those days!

[427TJ]

Just found a pedal car shot from Xmas '65. I'll bet most of us got our start on a pedal car. I even rolled one once trying to take a downhill corner going down a steep sidewalk. The front wheel dropped off the curb and that sucker rolled over into the street, going around only once but it felt like 200mph at Daytona. Nope, no helmet, no nothing, we just bled a little and got over it. How did we ever make it through childhood without all the "safety" crap kids have to wear nowadays? When my wife's not around I let my kids ride their bikes around the backyard without their helmets. Shhh, don't tell her.

[Steve_Hoog]

I kinda laugh at the helmet thing. I mean we don't want our kids to get hurt like any good parent, but all the crazy stuff we did and lived to tell about it. There were no helments back then.

[Mr70]

AAAHHH...Those were the days.
Of Lead paint,small objects you could swallow,Nickel Fireworks that would put NASA to shame today,sharp corners on cars,and serious heavy Metal toys,that doubled as a weapon you could use to beat your siblings with.
Around here,if you wore a Safety Helmet,you would soon regret ever putting it on,by the chasdising you would receive in the following weeks to come by your peers.
Good Times..... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

[Steve_Hoog]

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif

[DarrenX33]

Don't forget those dreaded red dye No.2 M&M's. Banned in 1976.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v370/darren_costello/redMM.gif

[MrsBillyBobcat]

AWE! You guys were soooooo cute! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I saw the cutest little boy this morning when I went with my husband to pick up his hot rod from a friend's garage. This little guy was a neighbor kid that liked hanging out in our friend's garage. He kept trying to con him out of some of his stickers so he could put them on his skateboard. Then he found a box of parts and asked "is this stuff for sale? 'cause if it is, I got money!" I was dying! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif Oh, and by the way, he was wearing a hot rod t-shirt with a '69 Camaro on the front! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

Rita http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[Motion Camaro]

<font color="blue">Those were the days! TRUE,TRUE.

I flel fof of so mayny thigs wen I wass yuongr &amp; I'n stile O.K.! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

!!! &amp; I DIDN"T EVEN SUE ANYBODY!!!! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif </font>

[Steve_Hoog]

Just like cars, one isn't enough.

http://www.empgmc.com/race/bikeb.jpg

[SOM2001SS]

[ QUOTE ]
may be a little too new for you guys but my ride was a profile frame and fork, redline three piece crank with sealed bearings, bear trap (ouch my shin) pedals, pedal traps when racing, shimano rims, stainless spokes, bullseye sealed hubs, uni seat and bars, dont remember the brakes manuf. but it was the first bmx center pulls.

[/ QUOTE ]
I had (and still have!) almost the exact same bike! At 30, I'm a bit younger than most on this board too. Profile F&amp;F, Redline Forklifter bars, DK stem, Redline 3 piece cranks, Pitbull brakes, Araya rims. Had almost $800 wrapped up in that thing. I love that Profile frame.

[WANNA BE SYC]

Forgive me for saying. but All these pics,just change the faces and these could be my family pics,same shoes clothes etc.You take pics today and you'll have diferent settings in every picture.Were so lucky we grew up when we did.Everbody smiled back then, we apprieciated a new bike for x-mas when we got one.And did'nt mind puting togother bikes from ten different other bikes{hell those were the best bike i ever owned}Thank you for the trip back down memory lane.Remember sticking schwinn forks down into royce union forks for the first chopper style bikes? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[Supergas990]

Wow, welcome to the good old days. How many of you had the checkered Flite pads and Vans shoes?

I had a Mongoose frame, TRX forks, Araya rim w/shimano hubs, takagi crank, etc.... I think that bike was apart monthly for new paint or parts.

Now if I'd only saved my vintage copies of BMX Plus!!!! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif

Blair

[budnate]

Found this old one..we made the paper sunday i think it was 1976 but I had to crop the other dudes out of it..thing would not resize for nothing..old school bike..from the famous "V" Jump..it was in a really steep raveen like 100 yards straight down..then up the other side about half way to a jump about 3 ft high the speed would carry you about 6 ft off the ground for like 30 plus feet then you would touch down on the crown of the hill on the other side..major rush!! no need to peddle just push off like the long distance ski jumpers..only a few dared peddle down the hill certain death was claimed if you did,lol.

Bud.

http://www.yenko.net/attachments/98349-BMX5.jpg

[Steve_Hoog]

Bud

Oh heck yeah cool actions shot!!!!

This is a made for camera pose, but check out the coat.

http://www.empgmc.com/race/wheelie.jpg

[budnate]

I know cracks me up!..note I have the goosedown vest on with the hooded sweatshirt, Roger Decoster leather gloves with the goofy strip of foam sewn on the backside of the fingers...aaah the good old days I could go for spending a few days back then again. hanging on the corner munching a redrope and daring one of the guys to do something really insane...I mean stupid.

[Steve_Hoog]

Seems like I remember stealing the foam insulator off off the house A/C of the neighborhood houses for pading on the bars and frame. Then taking the biggest bell bottom jeans you could find and sew in some more material to make them completely cover your feet. Of couse the chain gaurd was taking off first so you could get your big bell bottoms stuck in the sproket.

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[DaveC68]

Skyway...I think Skyway was the name of the plastic mag rims.
I had them on my first bike...a DG, I then moved up to a Redline with Stu Thompson handle bars http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif...I thought I'd never sell that bike! (that all changed at 16 when I wanted new carpet and the driver seat repaired on my 72 Monte)...I sold it to a kid and his dad for $120 I think.
Still have the Monte though...don't think I'll ever sell it. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[1967Z28]

427TJ

Wow, I used to live in Richmond, CA back in '66-'68 also. Up off of Hilltop Drive. Went to Fairmede school. Now you need an Uzi to drive up my old old street but back then it was OK. I'll have to look for old pics of my bikes and while I'm at it, pics from the CC Nats (late '70s - early '80s).

-Jon

1967 Z28 original survivor
1967 Z28 Trans-Am race car
1967 Z28 Registry