get of it dude, obviously you get screwed, lol

Actually I have never been on the receiving end of a scam job, and I hope to keep others from it too. But evidently you assies have no qualms about it........

[ April 30, 2006, 10:40 AM: Message edited by: DMG ]

i dont go around ripping people off or selling repo gear as original, what is your problem.
if people dont research the stuff they purchase well enough it leaves them open to getting caught out, i dont feel sorry for those people, it isnt fair what people do but hey, thats life, we have to deal with them all the time

no thats not it at all, i hate the guys that sell repo stuff as originals just as much as you, but the whole point is that if people dont do their homework, they get caught

trust me DMG, i would prefer originals over copies any day of the week but sometimes you have to take what you can get, i can speak for nearly everybody on vintage bmx in saying that we have all had a copy of some sort pass through our hands or in our collection now, i would even say that there is a copy of some form in your collection as well, this has been going on since noah built the ark, we arent going to change things and it will still be happening when we leave

Oh screw it, your right it's all good. See you on ebay suckers..........

you are a tool

so you sell repo stuff as original stuff to the suckers on the bay

you must have a super awesome fantastic immaculate non copy collection then, would love to see it, lol

I think there should be a special forum for the mega-collectors to hang out in because you cats are really bringing me down.

I remember the day I found my old bike, all junked up, dirty, rusty ... I thought, "wow, I'll bet I could shine it up and make it look cool like it used to". And then here come these people who say, "you need 1st generation flights and some NOS comp III tires" and "These are the bars you need, and they cost $239". And I'm thinking, "Couldn't I just pick the colors and decide whether I want straight or V-bar"?

[ April 30, 2006, 11:10 AM: Message edited by: P.K. and Hutch ]

dude, im hearing ya, not all of my collection is in pristine condition, it is too hard putting flights and all high end stuff on every bike, imagine buying 20 sets of flights, my wife would kill me, lol

this is the sole reason why i bought 3 sets of nice bars, hey, they are copies, so what, i like em

sorry, I forgot the obligitory LOL..........

Ok so what do speed pad repops look like? LOL

Boy I sure hope someone doesnt start repopping bango's!!!

Not only are they repopping stuff, with their evil profits they have moved into the housing market...

I need a set of those fake bars to go w my fake pads, so I could put them on the fake PK thats in the for-sale section LOL...

OK so I finally was suckered in to this topic & may as well drop my 2 cents. PK&Hutch, who cares what other people think your bike should have on it, its your bike. How many people had 3 piece Profiles or Flights when you were a kid? I only knew a couple, everyone else had one piece. The point is to build it how you like it, you're the one who gets to look at it all the time, not them. Also to all those bi*ching & moaning back & forth, lets just all agree repops are ok as long as marked as such. Now everyone can shut up with the egos & lets all get back to the reason why we're here....our passion for bikes!

I vote for what I am the owl said! From how the market has been lately on Cooks layback seatposts and seat clamps, I will put layback repop seatpost and seat clamps on all builds. This way I can pretend I have the real thing! I just wish I could afford the real thing. Everytime I see something on the bay that I really want it's usually a high priced item that I get sniped on because I really can't compete with the heavys on this site! So I will limit my repops to the stuff that is readily available at low cost. This is the best I can do and will accept life in the minors untill my big score comes in and I can move to the majors and have El Diablo finally critique one of my builds. I know he sees them but probably just shakes his head in disgust at my 70's builds and opts not to mutter a word about them rather than hurt my feelings. Class act for a dude with a classic collection that I would never dream about taking value away from. Except if he turns his head and I happen to end up with that loop we all salivate for!

Oh by the way Mr Diablo, If you happen to read this. I have some pics posted under the webco info thread courtesy of NSR Jamie who posted them for me. Fire at will cause I'm ready for my punishment!

Replica.n. duplicate, exact copy, facsimile.

Reproduce.vt & i. produce copy or representation of.

Copy.n. reproduction, imitation.

Ok, Well where to start…………. I could write a 5000 word essay, but I refuse to. Be warned it is a large post and I do apologise for the 1200 word length. And after reading the first 56 posts and scanning the rest of the 130 odd posts, I’m just about over this topic myself.

Firstly, Thank you, fellow Aussies and the few Americans for standing up for me. I have had a ton of emails from the States and the UK about guys wanting to purchase sets of these bars. Oh, and one negative email from a disgruntled US “investor”.

My repro bars cannot possibly de-value anybodies precious vintage BMX collections. OSBMX collecting and restoring is a ton of fun for most of us, but unfortunately for some it’s now a “my bike is worth more than yours” w*nk off. The OSBMX community now has “investors” and “collectors”. Which one are you? If you paid waaaaay too much for your original part, tuff luck, that’s your problem! If you can afford to pay waaaaaay too much for you original part, then good for you! If you’ve got your original part, then well done and good for you! It’s disappointing to see this hobby reduced from a genuine love of the history of BMX to a love of the dollar value of OS BMX parts. As much as I know some people are going to deny the whole dollar value thing, I’ll say it now, bullsh*t! From the posts I’ve read it is the single underlying theme for this whole topic.

My bars are the ‘Johnny Chopper’ brand (I’ve been making bike parts for over 15 years) OSBMX handlebars “inspired” by the classic Skyway Race Bars. Just like the Bottema “inspired” forks for sale on vmbx recently. I had honestly thought about stamping them on the end of the bar where the grip would cover them, and I’ll gladly do it to keep the masses (actually the minority) happy who can afford 250GBP for a set of Skyway bars. My handlebars are sold as copies, not leading anyone on that they are the “real thing”. I could have easily made the bars EXACT copies from crmo including knurling and stamping (in Maurice’s case) and released them onto the market slowly and steadily as the “real thing” and made an absolute killing! But I’m not like some people, and I don’t rip people off, ever. Particularly when it’s something I’m really into, I’d be just cutting my own throat.

My bars are purposely made out of S/S so they can be easily recognised as a copy. My bars are purposely NOT knurled or stamped (Maurice), so they can be easily recognised as a copy. My bars are made out of 316 Marine Grade S/S. They will not rust, ever. Original Skyway bars are made out of 1.2mm (0.049”) wall thickness 4130crmo, mine are made out of 1.6mm (0.065”) wall thickness 316 S/S. They are slightly heavier and pretty much AS strong. If I made them from 2mm wall tubing, they would be stronger than the original crmo versions. Why did Mongoose use S/S??? I could easily make them out of crmo, and maybe I will??? What about some DY JMC inspired bars, Bottema forks, Skyway Tuff forks, GT Pro bars, SE Power Wings, Seat posts, Landing Gear forks or 24” Quad Angles etc etc. Shortly, any of the afore-mentioned parts are possible and I will be getting JC decals made for my repro parts to avoid confusion also. But I can’t stop a purchaser from removing the decal.

At the end of the day, YOU know if YOU own a copy or the real thing. If YOU know your sh*t, you should be able to tell a copy from the “real deal”. BMX as a sport has survived on copies since day 1, as do many other industries. And most of us could tell if a part was a copy. I’m simply trying to provide a service for fellow OSBMXer’s who can’t obtain the parts they require. My parts will look correct and provide the function they are supposed to but they do differ from the original, and they are repro’s. Analogy 1: What about the vintage, classic, muscle car and custom motorcycle industry??? Man, no one stamps their repro parts so you know it’s a copy. And most blokes couldn’t build their ’69 Dodge R/T Charger without ‘repopped’ parts, no way. You can build a whole Harley Davidson motor without a single Harley part! Is the owner of the 100% original R/T Charger ****ed that his mate has bought repro badges, gear shifter, tires, gauges and steering wheel for his Charger??? NO! He’s stoked that his mate shares his appreciation for classic muscle cars! (Sorry Aussies I’d say HK 327 GTS Bathurst Monaro but I need the Americans to understand what I mean ie Dodge Charger). So many restorations simply can’t be completed without the aid of repro parts. Luckily for OSBMX collectors, bitd and still now, you can buy a frame of your choice and build a whole bike how you want it, with whatever brand parts you want.

In summary, I think the vintage BMX community is big enough to survive a small number of ‘repopped’ parts but frankly I don’t care if I sell 2 sets or 200 sets of handlebars – I’m just trying to satisfy the collectors who can’t ‘obtain’ the final part they need to finish their bikes.

Other stuff:

I know the early Mongoose S/S bars weren’t stamped but they do have knurling. My bars will never have knurling.

I’d love to make Snake Bellies, Carlisle Aggressors and Comp 2’s!

Oh yeah, A magnet will stick to some crap Chinese Stainless Steel, but it won’t stick to “real” Stainless Steel. If a magnet sticks to it, it ain’t stainless steel. The most common grades of Stainless used in Australia are 304 and 316 (marine grade). Stainless steel has such metals as nickel, niobium, molybdenum, chromium and titanium in it. 316 has more molybdenum (that’s right as in chrome molybdenum), so a magnet will very slightly (almost undetectable) pull towards the higher grade of stainless steel. Stainless steel is very strong, mild steel is much weaker. I’m a welder by trade and I’ve been doing this sh*t for over 20 years.

Searching for years at swap meets etc for the 1 part you need to finish that project is tonnes of fun and very satisfying when you do. Like most of you, I’ve been there and done that with cars, motorcycles and bicycles and I’m still doing it. I’m not asking you to give that up, each to their own.

Elitist bmx collectors – what can I say……………………………PM me if you’d like your own personal pocket sized magnet to carry around at swap meets – I am happy to post one free of charge…

I know segments of my post will be reposted by individuals with their own remarks. Whatever. Please do not expect me to retort again, this will be my only post on this topic.

Thanks to everyone who gave me the “heads up” on this topic. And thanks for making my bars a HOT topic! They are already making BMX history.

Cheers,
JC.

he he he,...he said, "wank off". I love Aussie barbs as much as Brittish ones....

FWIW JC, Laser engraving is cheap as hell, but I am not even hinting at telling you how you "should" do it, I just know if you are considering markings, laser is cool and cheap, (we do it at our shop).

I think the smack-down pi$$ed him off a bit. Hmm, go figure.

yeah johnny , this NEGATIVE REMARK that started this topic has started a STAMPEDE !!!

where a couple of sets might have been sold ... now there is a mad rush to get the CHOPPER BRAND !

Probably PM the topic started and thank him for making you a rich man , orders in already for 200 sets of skyway's and 1000 pre orders for the ones in the pipeline

YEEEEE HAAAAAAA !!!!!!!!!

Is this the thread where the bangos are being repoped?

Am I too late?

wow, a double post that skipped.....cool!

[ May 01, 2006, 12:18 AM: Message edited by: Ted Carl ]

you'll have to call yourself ....

JOHNNY CHOPPER INTERNATIONAL !

I'll give ya some Haiku!..........lol

You know what haiku means in......nevermind....

Sorry I've been biting my tongue and it hurts
If I give you $20 can you send me the list of the names of the people who e-mailed you?? LOL
Matt

more conflicted feelings. a collector's story.

i have an early Red Line Pro Line frameset that was in terrible shape. badly rusted and pitted. horrible attempt at a powder job on it. so i had it repaired and properly repowdered. it now looks terrific.

so what to do about decals? the re-issues offered by SBS are *ahem* not good. i located and purchased a complete in the bag NOS set of Pro Line decals for the frameset, but cannot bring myself to use them on the frameset, since they are extremely rare complete and in the bag. but i respect SBS's ownership of the trademarks so making a large enough run of reproductions from the originals to be cost effective is out of the question. not to mention the sleazy behavior of certain buyers of the Decoster decals that were made a long time ago. making one set for my personal use is cost prohibitive or i would consider that, as that violates no trademarks.

so.... the frameset just sits there and will probably not ever be built by me. i'll probably sell it at some point.

on the flip side, some lucky bastage won an NOS Red Line Pro Line seat post last week which they wouldn't have won if the decal thing wasn't hanging up this build - since the post is the only part i don't have for it!

see, Ramon? what you perceive as "hypocrisy" is simply life being what it is - complicated.

hey tim .... what is the point in just keeping the stickers ??

why didn't you put them on the bike you got powdered , it was the bike they were meant for ?

are you going to keep them till the day you die ?

or wait till they get even more rare and sell them ?

i am not understanding some people on here , it old school bmx's we are on here for .... building them , riding them , bringing them back to life .

rather than GIVE YOUR stickers to YOUR BIKE and rebuild it in its former glory (you were only a seat post short of a bike) you have decided the bike is not worth putting the stickers on anymore . the stickers are rarer than the frames are !

if its just to look at or posess , you should stick them on the wall in TFI FRIDAYS .

I cant beleive this fewd is still going on .... lol I did like the coment about i need some fake h/bars to go with my fake pads on my fake pk that was good. The Plagiarism was quite amusing added to which the US Vs Aust and personal attacks are great, this is turning out to be a most amusing thread.

Ted Carl:
I got this theory on why you have so many double posts bro... your fingers are still in tune with that DRO down in your shop, yeah that one covered in 10 years of coolant spray that needs the keypad buttons pounded into submission to register.

well mate , to be quite honest , when im gone , if my kids are healthy and happy ..... i don't think i'll really give a $%@# about who is interested in bmx .

and , your kids might not be interested in them either ... wating patiently for their MAD OLD MAN and his absession for KIDDIES BIKES to pass away so they can get their hands and sell his prized collection of bikes !

gold plated trickstar $50,000 LOVELY !


WE ARE ALL LOOKING AT THINGS FROM ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER !!

YOU SAID IT "COLLECTORS" OR "BUILDERS" , you and a few others on here are worried about the preservation of your rare pieces of history .... which if for sale - might be a $400 set of bars ..... to us "the builders" uncle chop chops handle bars will get us riding until we find the real $400 bars for our bike OR maybe be happy with the repos we have !

[ May 01, 2006, 08:13 AM: Message edited by: ozzybmx ]

yeah man LOL at aussierampar .

when we hear the US navy ships coming ... we actually send the slappers down to the docks ... hoping you will take them with you ... and their diseases !