Curtis Racelite - single speed jumper

[Roasted]

So I rang Curtis today to see about refurbishing the frame.

Turns out there's a bit of history with it as it was one of their pro team riders bikes, Chris Jackson, and could've been been a race winning frame.

Now I want to do it justice and not just throw some cheapo parts bin parts on it. I think I'll get it refurbished in the same colour to keep it original.

 

[mk one]

Look forward to seeing this built back up

 

[CTK]

So I rang Curtis today to see about refurbishing the frame.

Turns out there's a bit of history with it as it was one of their pro team riders bikes, Chris Jackson, and could've been been a race winning frame.

Now I want to do it justice and not just throw some cheapo parts bin parts on it. I think I'll get it refurbished in the same colour to keep it original.

 

[Roasted]

This little frame has been built, rebuilt and now dismantled.

The first build was how I wanted it, but on a budget. I put it together thinking about pump tracks and dirt jumps so had just a rear brake.


Then my boy grew out of his kids bike and I changed it a bit, I got some DMR Drone forks so I could run a front brake on 24" wheels.


Now it's been taken apart again so the frame can be repainted to protect from rust. I also asked Curtis about the original build and they told me that it was likely built with Z1s and Atomlab wheels, which I have now got so can keep it vaguely original. I've also got a sticker kit from Curtis, so the next stop is the powder coaters.

 

[Roasted]

I picked up the freshly powdercoated frame which I had done in the original colour.

It looks really nice after I applied fresh decals. Now I just need some time to complete the assembly.

 

[Roasted]

Almost completed assembly, you may notice that I had the cranks powder coated to match the frame.

All I need to complete is adjust the chainline, fit the chain, true the wheels, put the badge on the headtube, change some rusty bolts and change the cable length for the brake. May also try find some better tyres.

 

[Roasted]

Head badge put on and decided to pick out the lettering on the dropout.

 

[Roasted]

For quite a while I have been trying to find pictures of Chris Jackson riding my bike so I could build it to a similar spec.

Yesterday I found a Flikr account with some bmx and 4x action (now retro), and on there are some pictures of Chris riding a RaceLite24.

Unfortunately it's not my frame as the one he's riding is disc only and has a separate seat post clamp, mine has a built in clamp and rim brake only. These photos are from 2006 and my frame is early 2004, so mine is probably the one before this.

I'd have to start all over again if I wanted to do a close replica but I may keep my eyes open for some white DJ1s, black Atomlab wheels and roadie rear mech. What I noticed in the pictures is he's riding back brake only with a right hand lever.

You can find these photos on https://www.flickr.com/photos/dirtbikesupply/ and they are a great look into the mid noughties bike scene. Hopefully I'm allowed to share a few here.