by the way, I've reorganized my bike project priorities and don't feel a need to have the DG anymore.

If anyone is looking for a VERY clean frameset with an unused fork, all freshly powdered and decaled.....I'll sell this for the same I have in it $450 plus priority mail shipping. I'll ship anywhere in the world if you are a reputable member of this site.

see pics above for the frame set.

frameset has been sold. I'd delete the item above but I can't find a delete option.
thanks.

Hey, I was wondering if anyone out there can help me figure out the year and model of this frame. I can tell you that my parents bought this for me from some guy down the street back in 83. So I was the second owner of this frame.

The serial number is 20131.
It's been painted once (by my dad). The original color was more of a metallic blue, I believe.
The DG logo on the gusset was also painted. We had know idea back then how to find decals for it. It did come with the bright yellow decals.

Measurements: From the middle of the seat tube to the middle of the head tube is 17 1/2 inches.
From the bottom of the bottom bracket to the top of the seat tube is 13 inches.
From the top of the head tube to the bottom of the fork is 07 inches.

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks!!!

I would say an 80 or 81. from what I understand if it don't have a date stamped on it then the serial number is a sequence number, and thats a high number. mine all start with a 0, and their from the late 70's.

Ben is the guy who knows all about these.

Could be 1978 to 1981. Not sure if they kept makign these geometry when ZF1's came out. Only the first couple years had serial numbers that made dated sense. Nice basic DG 2 or 3. Near 4 lbs it's a DG2 and cromoly. Near 5 lbs it's mild steel and a DG3. Both came in epoxy blue.

The Head tube decal is the 1980 era. Do you have any pictures of before the repaint? If it had a black ink or gold gold prism decal, it is probably 78 or 79.

I love this thread !!

I'd love a DG, but not a lot show up in the UK !!

Thanks Ben!
I'll weight it when I get home tonight. And I'm sure I have some old pictures back at my parents. When I find these pictures I'm going to totally start regretting getting rid of all the old parts that this had on it when I got it.
I'm sure the gusset decals were just plain bright yellowish gold. As for the headtube decal, I'll have to inspect it a little closer because I think we might have replaced it after we painted. Unless we tapped around it when we painted it. Damn, this was sooooo long ago I cant remember.

So I also just found an old DG trucker hat that I've had forever also, but the bill is completely cracked down the center. I wonder if there's a way to restore that thing.

I just noticed the forks are the fatter DG forks. if those are the original forks then it would definitely be from the 80's.

hello i am new to this board. i bought my DG frame used in 1981 at the time of purchase i was told it was a ZF-1 i had heard that the ZF-1 has a 1in longer top tube. does this sound correct to you and im asuming mine is a 1981 because when i bought the frame it looked new. so i wanted to know if any you know what year or years the ZF-1 was made. im trying to find out as much info on DG as possible. you see im rebuilding the bike piece by piece and maybe i would like to show it. it looks like DG made bmx from 77-82 does that sound correct. thank you for your time and any info would be great. the frame is chrome it is 4 lbs 12oz the top tube from center to center is 17 1/2 inches and the ser# 05186

jim

ZF1 has oval rear brake bridge and oval lower rear brace behind chain stays. This is verse round (or the very early square). In addition to alonger top tube, it will have a steeper head tube angle compared to chopper like style of most frames. 198o or 1981 for that frame then I think DG was gone by 1982 or so.

thanks for the info. i know now mine is not a ZF1 so it might be a DG2 or DG3 its 4 Lbs 12 oz and chrome.

although i did not know him i went to the same school as Kyle Flemming i was just one year ahead of him. i remember when he died. i was told at the time he was in a van with 8 people total and was hit by a train killing everbody but the driver. also my local bike shop at 35th ave and bell rd. in phoenix had a Kyle Flemming replica for sale priced at $425.00 this was around 1984 i think. it was blue but thats all i remember. i always liked DG and PK Ripper above all the rest. so i just got my DG from the attic and started buying parts for it. my son is into bmx so i bought him a 2007 looptail PK Ripper frame. now we are building together. this is the most info i have found on DG to date. thank you all for this thread.

welcome to the board Jim!

Jim, I used to hit the bike shop on Bell rd. back in the day as well. Live in Washington now.. Here is my DG and I am about to start my second one.. Welcome,

thank you . i can say i have not seen that color on a DG. the PK looks just like the frame i bought for my son 2 weeks ago but his is the retro frame. i never see DG forks for sale so im looking into Landing Gear for my DG because as a kid i always wanted them.btw did you know Swiss American bike shop on 43rd ave and Bell rd. is still there! they have been at that location since 1977 and they own the building so i dont think they will be going anyplace soon.

I've been looking for the last couple of months for a yellow/blue DG but no luck. Back in the mid/late 70's I dreamed of racing a DG but my Trailmate had to do.

If anyone has any ideas where to look other than eBay please forward them.

Ned

4 lbs 12 oz is likely a DG2 made of 4130. DG3 looks the same but is mild steel and heavier.

comparing your ser # to mine what year do you think my frame is ser#05186 i bought the frame used in 1981 and i bought a # plate for it and i want to put the year on the plate. thanks

these are the parts i have so far. the last item in need are a set of Landing Gear lites forks Jeff bottoma forks or a set DG forks

yellow Super light 13.5oz alluminum handlebars yellow/blue Oakley F-1 grips blue Tuf neck Pro neck blue Tuf neck seat post clamp yellow drain pipe seat post blue Aero lightning bolt seat yellow/blue Neal # plate blue V-monster tires yellow Z-rims dated April 8,1981 blue Primo spokes yellow Z-hubs yellow spider blue Sugino chainring yellow/silver chain blue Gates pads w/DG logo blue Dia-comp brake lever and caliper yellow Vans brake shoes blue Tange head set blue tire valve caps chrome freewheel yellow Kingsbury pedels blue L.E. 149 sets made titanium spindle Profile cranks yellow brake cable blue axle caps chrome DG-2 frame

after buying the landing gear forks i like i found a set of DG forks for sale. this is the first time i have Ever! seen a set for sale so i had to jump on them. so now i have a set of landing gear lites in mint condition 2 hole unstamped for sale if anybody is interested.

Wondering if the DG guys can help me out on this one. I have this stem that was on a 79 mongoose that I tentatively identified as a DG/Powerlite stem from 77. Here are the links to the reference material that helped me to id it:

http://powerlite.wordpress.com/2008/06/01/...powerlite-stem/

http://martinbike.jalbum.net/Parts/Stems/slides/5d57_1.html

But on the stem itself is a Sugino stamp. So, did Sugino make this for DG and then Powerlite? Or is my stem a Sugino that is an exact replica of the DG? Anyone know?

Here's mine.

I will be selling it as soon as I can ID it.

DG only announced the stem, but never shipped them (we got one demo unit).

"Everything Bicycles" introduced it as "Powerlite". You nailed it as Sugino was the manufacture and the others simply brands.

Thanks for the quick reply!

Funny how I have just noticed this, but Tim remember that profab Mini fork I sold you and the DG that was burnied into to the blue ano from the UV exposure? I also noticed that your frame other than the front gusset and lack of the small gussets at the seat/stay intersection is identicle to a profab frame. That would make sense. Profab was building alot of stuff for everyone else at the time. I'd bet that Profab was building all of DG's MX stuff as well.

That DG of TIM's is the best. I still clearly remeber the day it showed at my house. It was at the dinner table that night. I was stunned it was NOS. It really is amazing.

It is 1976 era. Was ProFab making frames then? Is ProFab related to the Essers? I'd lvoe to know the early history and Skibel Sr won't talk, Chuck is gone, Kevin Harlow doesn't know, Bottema is MIA.

Stu?

Ben Click to view attachment

I'm lucky enough to have gotten another of the DG stems when I got my Super Pro. I dont have it in front of me, but dont remember it having Sugino stamped on it anywhere. OK just pulled the stem out. It indeed does have Sugino Japan stamped below the max height line and the numbers 20.7 Is that the weight in grams or ounces or a date code?

wOot, your the second person to reference one of the sites I made. Makes it all worthwhile. I did the Powerlite site and a CYC and Redline site. All are always works in progress. Just waiting to score a Webco to do my next site and then I'll finally do the DG one Ive been putting off lol.

They were. Profab was to Two Wheelers, DG, and Cheetah what, Bill B was to SE, FMF,and Cycle Pro. Profab also made swing arms & other parts for Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki, Kawi, and other makes for other aftermarket dealers including DG. They made parts for those factory teams as well. They also did alot of R&D prototyping for the aerospace industry, and as far as I know they still do. The welds on those frames are as perfect as I have ever seen just like Military spec welds you typically find on aircraft parts.

Don't know about the Esser connection to Profab.

The Two Wheeler Pro was the only one they built for TW, and the Super Cheetah was the only one they made for Cheetah. Those two manufacturers only had their exotic stuff made by them. Cheetah used to be located just south of Grand Ave on the east side of 43rd ave in PHX

That DG showed up at your house, did you sell it to Tim?

I'll try to get some pic's posted of my TWP/Profab after the Ottawa IL gathering, It's almost done, and you will see just how similar the DG1 and the Profab are.

I also have a Profab Mini thanks to Mr Ken Pliska, and my Pro is courtesy of Mr Rick Gaytan. Now If I can only talk JMC ACE out of his Profab Tandem, and Scott Towne out of his Pro w/euro BB My Evil plan to dominate Profab frame collecting will be complete

Cool site!! Definitely helped me and also gave me a quick education on Powerlite history. Thanks!

I think Essers owned ProFab. Hmmm. The early Powerlites also looked similar to DG, TW Pro etc.

Jeff Bottema held everything all these years. We had been friends since 1977 and he never mentioend his "pack rat" gene. A few years back he called and said he wanted to raise some cash. I sold around $25k for him in 2 months. After hearing of some deals where "old pros" were snookered by some buyers, I offered to sell for Jeff so he wasn't leaving money on the table.

TIM bought that frame and the frame Juan now owns (cut gusset) via from Jeff via me. TIM was always generous and professional offering top dollar. But not everyone is or would have been.

Thanks for the ProFab lead.

The 1st DG BMX frame... It went to Kevin Harlow - Gary's son (the G in DG). Circa 1975 DG Book of Trick MX.

Click to view attachment

Profab was based out of Chandler AZ, I didn't think the Essers lived in AZ. I guess they wouldn't have to but I have never heard their name associated with Profab. Team Green Machine, and the Battles brothers were at one time sponsored by Profab from what I can remember. I was a support rider thru a LBS

I'm from AZ don't be fooled by my current local

It is confirmed the first frames were made by ProFab. Then they were brought in house. Likely at the time the gusset, drop outs and rear triangles changed.

DG research on ser#`s add yours to the list it will help those of us that are not sure of what year the frame is.

DG 577 716 = MAY 77 716TH MADE
DG 677 816= JUNE 77 816TH MADE
4 8 20= APRIL 78 20TH SUPER PRO MADE
5 8 131= MAY 78 131ST MADE
8 78 2213= AUG 78 2213TH MADE
01129=1979
01216=1979
01726=1979
03750=1980
05186=1980
18738=80 OR 81?
20131=81 OR 82?
000777= I HAVE NO CLUE (ITS ON EBAY)

anyone have an old head tube decal? I need the gold prism lettering on black style.

Ben has been trying to assist me on getting this one last decal, but no luck so far....

reproduction is fine with me as the frame has been refinished

[quote name='CORVETTEJIM1968' date='Jul 30 2008, 01:03 PM' post='580286']
DG research on ser#`s add yours to the list it will help those of us that are not sure of what year the frame is.

DG 577 716 = MAY 77 716TH MADE
DG 677 816= JUNE 77 816TH MADE
4 8 20= APRIL 78 20TH SUPER PRO MADE
5 8 131= MAY 78 131ST MADE
10 8 35 =october 78 35th super pro
8 78 2213= AUG 78 2213TH MADE
01129=1979
01216=1979
01726=1979
03750=1980
05186=1980
18738=80 OR 81?
20131=81 OR 82?
000777= I HAVE NO CLUE (ITS ON EBAY)

tom, i will drop you one in the mail,
i`ll use the return addy on the wheels when they get here, o.k.?
jake.

thank you jake!!!

1978 DG Super Pro

4 8 19

I am pretty certain the number is the number for that batch. In other words they probably did batchs from 25 or 50 or 100 bikes. So my Super Pro is bike 19 of unknown number. Since the only other one in the data base for that month is 20, maybe they only did 25 that month.

Jake any more of the old black ones? I have a repro set for my DG, but it came with a blue gold decal head tube decal and a black one. But the black one is too big for the head tube. I'd glady trade you both of them for a black one plus some cash.

DG Steve Skibel Replica:

DG 677 861 (June, 1977)

J1176 555

Square brake bridge and chainstay brace. Indented dropouts, intermittent welds on the headtube gusset with the old logo.

Model...?

My guess DG-2 pro

Jake any more of the old black ones? I have a repro set for my DG, but it came with a blue gold decal head tube decal and a black one. But the black one is too big for the head tube. I'd glady trade you both of them for a black one plus some cash.
[/quote]


sorry racer , i can only find the one sticker for tom. i thought i had a few tucked away , but they aren`t headtube stickers,.
jake.

it looks like you may have a late 1976 because all the 77`s i have seen are easy to identify and 78`s have the new logo. nice:)

J1176 555= NOV 76 555TH MADE (NOT 100% SURE)
DG 577 716 = MAY 77 716TH MADE
DG 677 816= JUNE 77 816TH MADE
DG 677 861= JUNE 77 861ST MADE STEVE SKIBEL REPLICA
4-8-19= APRIL 78 19TH SUPER PRO MADE
4 8 20= APRIL 78 20TH SUPER PRO MADE
5 8 131= MAY 78 131ST MADE
10 8 35 =october 78 35th super pro made
8 78 2213= AUG 78 2213TH MADE
01129=1979
01216=1979
01726=1979
M01011129= 79 or 80 (owner not sure) Rooster
03750=1980
05186=1980 DG RACER 2
18738=80 OR 81?
20131=81 OR 82?
000777= I HAVE NO CLUE (ITS ON EBAY)

DG 116 5(or 6)7 – DG Racer 1

Ben thinks it’s from November 76

This is great – if only someone would do this with ’77-’79 Redline Prolines. I’m trying to figure out how to date those.

I would go with Ben, but I thought the DG -1's had flat drop outs

Profab built DG racer 1, note the flat drop outs

They way Ben explained it is that they made that frame style for about 5 minutes. Remember Jeff Bottema broke and then partially cut out the gusset on his 1st frame. They then went to the older logo style with the intermittent welds on the gusset and pressed drops outs (like mine w/a euro bottom bracket). Only the Skibel had the straight drops outs at this time.

I know red is the wrong color – I’ll have it redone in yellow after I have Rod fix the drop out and seat tube.

Past the brief ProFab style frames, the flat drop outs meant Junior or Skibel. Monster if you have an american BB, you are either DG2 or 3. Near 4 lbs is DG2. Over 5 lbs is DG3. DG1 is identical to DG2 except euro BB. Super Pro added ten speed head tube diameter and seat post clamp to DG1.

Did DG ever make a dual dropout frame, wasn't that popular in the 70's?