First time buyers advice

[birdman74]

Hi everybody,

I'm hoping for some newbie advice buying an old school Bmx.

I'm just after something to cruise on that looks good, but not too low spec. I loved Burners when I was a kid and and was after something along those lines, something 80s. I've been looking on ebay and It seems it could be a bit of a minefield, in terms of overpaying and unknown bikes with high end decals applied to them, lookalikes etc.

The Burners seem to fetching high prices, the question is, can anyone recommend other makes that are decent as an alternative? What would you guys go for? I did see an auction for an Ammaco bike that looked good, but I didn't have any idea if it was worth the asking price. Should I perhaps just shell out for a Burner maybe? Roughly what should I be looking to spend? I want something rideable and not a project.

Many thanks in advance.

 

[welshv5er]

found anything you like yet ?

 

[birdman74]

Re:

Not really. I've been watching some burners on eBay. They seem to be fetching quite high prices, £300 plus. I did see a chrome ammaco on eBay, which looked nice, had mag wheels and seemed tidy, but it went before I could bid (sold for about £240). I'd still love to get something, but I'm still unsure I want pay more than £300. Which it seems will be the case to get something decent (on eBay at least) Can you give me any help, advice or suggestions? Cheers

 

[Jussa]

Re: Re:

Not really. I've been watching some burners on eBay. They seem to be fetching quite high prices, £300 plus. I did see a chrome ammaco on eBay, which looked nice, had mag wheels and seemed tidy, but it went before I could bid (sold for about £240). I'd still love to get something, but I'm still unsure I want pay more than £300. Which it seems will be the case to get something decent (on eBay at least) Can you give me any help, advice or suggestions? Cheers

Greetings,

Welcome to the BMX world, it can be a minefield, however get yourself added on some FB Forums like 'Norfolk / Suffolk Retro Riderz' or 'Old School BMX Life' and you will soon see a plethora of bikes for sale ranging from Budget Entry to High End, basically to suit anyones pockets. I've built a sold a few over the years from Burners to Haro's to GT's and Dyno's. The beauty of the Forums is that the majority of the bikes have been lovingly restored or looked after by enthusiasts. Ebay is good but can be a minefield especially if you are buying blind (without seeing it in the flesh) £200-£250 will get you a lovely Old School Bike of resonable quality. If your heart is set on a Burner and you want to ride it then be warned, they are tiny frames and not very comfortable, when your a 10-12 year old kid back in the 80's it was a different kettle of fish, however as i found out at 46, 6ft and pushing 100kgs it ended up being an expensive ornament lol (See my build thread - viewtopic.php?f=52&t=291308) was good fun building it though. Ive done a few over the years, here is my link to my Replica Goose which ended up becoming the pukka item after i locally found an original Frame & Forks viewtopic.php?f=52&t=279305.

Jussa

 

[birdman74]

Hi Jussa,

Thanks for the great advice, it's really helpful, particularly about the frame size of the Burners. I hadn't really considered they might be a bit on the small side now I'm fully grown! Like yourself I'm in my 40s and 5'11 ish, most frames seem to be listed as 20", am I going to find all bikes of the 80s era too small as well? I loved your Burner and Goose threads, they are stunning bikes! There are some replica skyway complete bikes on ebay at present that seem reasonably priced and look nice, but the seller does not know what the frames are? Which puts me off? I'll certainly join the forum/groups you recommended (although I'm not on FB at present) Thank you very much for your help.

Nathan

 

[Jussa]

Hi Jussa,

Thanks for the great advice, it's really helpful, particularly about the frame size of the Burners. I hadn't really considered they might be a bit on the small side now I'm fully grown! Like yourself I'm in my 40s and 5'11 ish, most frames seem to be listed as 20", am I going to find all bikes of the 80s era too small as well? I loved your Burner and Goose threads, they are stunning bikes! There are some replica skyway complete bikes on ebay at present that seem reasonably priced and look nice, but the seller does not know what the frames are? Which puts me off? I'll certainly join the forum/groups you recommended (although I'm not on FB at present) Thank you very much for your help.

Nathan

Glad to of been some help Nathan, Just so you know not all frames are small, the 20" is the wheel size, the geometry varies and you can improve riding postion with a Layback Post and bars slightly forward. I've got 8 x 80's BMX's and all have slightly different sized frames including both length and standover height etc. For example i find Haro's have a nice long frame along with GT's, Gooses can feel small but mine is set up so i can comfortably ride it around our local track. Some more links to some club rides we hold regulalry. Need any more info let me know.

viewtopic.php?f=13&t=320519

viewtopic.php?f=13&t=313115

Jussa

 

[welshv5er]

Sound advice off Jussa
Am 5'11 and can just about get away with riding a burner, around parks, sea fronts with seat at its highest level..

A lot of bikes on flea bay are well over priced.. Dreamers ! seen plenty just keep getting relisted over & over !
But Twitter another good way to find bikes too. found my last 2 burners via that

 

[birdman74]

Thanks guys for all the useful advice!