There will be a need for a high end shop that has good knowledge of what parts are in demand. One of the shops should take this on I would guess. But I know in the past not much was known on the racing side since none of their workers were hardcore racers, or had a big interest in racing. Seems that a good salesman with the distibution Co could talk them into products that may not actually be what is big at the track. I saw tons of different 3 piece cranks at the shops when in reality only a handfull of manufactuers really made a good one. To me once you are in the market for a 3 piece crank why would you look at a low end model, you could run a one piece if price is a factor.

Changstar

The wife took us out to HK yesterday-evening so my son and I could ride some. When we were leaving a parent approached me and asked about BMX racing here in Hawaii. I told him what I knew about the Sandbox. He told me that they (some parents) have been working on clearing the old HK bmx track. He said they have been working on it for about 3 weeks now so their kids could ride. When I looked over there were a bunch of parents with weedwackers etc and some groms riding. The interest is there! We just have to rekindle the fire of bmx racing here! Maybe we all need to sit down and put our heads together soon.

Changstar, you are right a local bike shop needs to get involved here. Most of the parts I have bought since returning to bmx were purchased online. There really isn't anything here that is race oriented right now. The bike shops have no demand for them. Hopefully we can change that soon.

jk

Back with the old Wheeler track I always let the shops know what was going on with the track but never directly asked for anything. I would keep it like an open invitation to jump in in any way they wanted. I figured each shop may have a way different budget and view on what they could or wanted to do. Some saw a lot more sales in racing and others not to much. This way they could get involved in a amount that matched what their sales looked like. All of the shops at one time or another did something great for the track. As far as high end product, most did not have any, they were great for the beginer and mid level racers, but once you were willing to spend on the high end none of them knew to much. It was funny how many times I would make list for people to take to the shops and have them order it.

Changstar

Sure would be cool if the HK track got rebuilt and had races also. If they got permission to clear it out and ride there it should not be much more to go all the way and make a full track and have races. I know the area is large enough and it has a concrete starting gate platform already there. They just need people to run it. Also since the track builder is comming over to do Sand Island it could easily be 2 tracks done by him. I am sure he wouldn't mind a few more days in Hawaii.

Changstar

Changstar,

So is the new track going to be built at the same standards as the mainland tracks? I'm hoping that it will be. That way when us "old guys" hit a Nat. it wont be a hard transition for us.

jk

Track will be built with that in mind. I would guess about med(X) level of skill for this track. In the past our track were very different from what was on the mainland so we were not prepared when traveling there. So the goal is to be the same as what you would see if you went over there to race. At first it will probably look tame to you, just a lot of mellow looking jumps. But it is shapped for you to be hitting it at full speed. So at cruising speed it will be very easy. Lips and landings are a lot mellower than like HK. Then again can you imagine hitting the jumps at HK going as fast as you can? Yeah that would be crazy. Just find any recent local track on you tube and that would be what to expect out of ours. I personaly like Rockford, IL.

Changstar

Hit HK at speed? That would be insane. I dont even pedal up to the jumps. I do the "old man" roll.

But, I hope the new track will have some jumps to intimidate the clipped in guys that can't jump! Hah!

jk

For some of the latest videos of racing check out---
go211.com

Changstar

SCA,
I need some info. Recently I have seen flyers at Cosco and Walmart for duplicating services. They both offer Beta to CD, which is what I am interested in. What do you think? Good or not good? I still have quite a few Beta tapes and I remember what you have told me about 20+ year old tapes but maybe I could get lucky with some footage. We started taping local races about 1980 and on through 1986 so I hope I can salvage something.

Changstar

Jason,

I know Costco is definitely cheap at $20 a tape. I know they take a couple weeks, so I'm guessing that they send it to the mainland. You should ask what the turnaround time is before palcing an order. I have not used their service, so I cannot say if they are good or bad.

If I had to send something out, I would use Sony Media Services in Alabama. They're not cheap, but they are very professional.

JT

Hey Changstar,

Let us know how successful you are with the tapes. I would be interested in buying some early 80's copies. I'm still hoping JT will find more of his golden tapes!

jk

I'd buy the one with me going over the bars and landing on my head. Ah, the agony.

OK, I am gonna do a few, starting with the ones that are labled and then on into the mystery ones that just say BMX.

Changstar

I'm in too...

BU

Hey BU, I heard you live closer to Mililani now. We should hook up one day so you can try my cruiser. Saw Walter at Walmart the other day, he has twins(8years old) and another one comming very soon by the looks of his wife. He said he still has a few of his old bikes. I think he said he lives in Wahiawa now.

Changstar

.. the worm walter??

i am sure i saw him and big ed riding back from waikiki in the bus lane yesterday, nice haircut on him, have to say ..



-p



...

Ride this afternoon, 3:00ish? Gonna bust out the Skyway for the 4th of July. Anyone? Beach ride.

Wish I could make it!

Got some riding in at HK with my son. The wifey wanted to try out her new camera lens so everybody was happy doing something. Even got to hang out with JT for a while at the park.



jk

One day we all will ride,...one day.
BMX tag, who's in? *LOL*

Ala Moana was packed like a sardine can. The smell of all the BBQ's were awesome. I think the fireworks will be fantastic tonight. Good ride today, except for my cranks loosening. At least the bike got a good couple of miles today.

Looks good Rust.......Ahhh that old familiar sound of the cranks creaking.

jk

Haha! yup the creaking. At first I was like, "What's that sound? I know I got grease on every part. Then, ah that old familiar sound of loose cranks." Good thing a 6mm allen wrench was around.

who rode today? Was feeling a little sore throat coming on, so decided to stay home...

I live in HK... and worm lives in wahiawa...

hey jk, give me a buzz if you coming out this way on the weekend, might be able to catch a short session... cool pic, the fish bowl lens...

BU

me and nelly
I'll give you a call sunday afternoon.

Wearing that thing in!!! Now its ready for fine tuning! Grease those cranks up! Lets see that thing in the Sky now!

I'll try and answer a couple of questions that I have seen in this thread.

JK - The Free Agent and MCS Cruisers at BIKEFACTORY Waipio are NOS frames that we had in storage. I decided to take them out and fill up the space with some mid-school BMX frames. I actually had an older Redline up there and someone bought it. As far as the "tiki bike" (S&M/Nui Art Projects) frames, they are based off of S&M's LTF model. They only made 50 selling at $420.00 a piece. All profits go to charity. I actually have one at Waipio as well if you'd like to get a better look at one. And yes, the bottle opener works. hiccup.

JC - I would love to be more involved with the new track. I just got back from meetings in Park City with GT and their Senior Product Manager for BMX. I've slowly started bringing in a few BMX racing bikes and I even have an S&M .38 Special hanging up at the town store. There isn't much of a market for it yet, but we'd like to help with anything we can. A couple of the guys at the shop have even built up BMX bikes of their own in anticipation of the new track. And I'm getting ready to build up my old Robinson from my racing days, still looking for those darned Power Series cranks!

Opening a new store has put a lot of my projects on the back burner (Hawaii BMX Documentary, sorry JT) but I think the BMX track would be good for all involved. Let me know about anything I can do.

duane@bikefactoryhawaii.com
duane@shootsbrah.com

Very cool, I would like anyone to be involved. I usually just let our plans out and see what comes back. Like wally would just throw an idea out on what he would or could do and it works out fine. Hawaii BMX doc would be so cool, the sooner the better. As we all get older we may lose info or items related to the past. I bet marty at the TV station could be of help too, we go way back to the 80's Mongoose days. With people and videos stall available it could be awesome. I would love to see it in a style like the MTV docs, where people get a few seconds to comment on many things.

Changstar

Duane,

Thanks for jumping in the mix! We are all looking forward to BMX making a comback of sorts in the islands. Its definately a boost knowing that a shop like Bike Factory is willing to support the comeback. The documentary would be a cool project - especailly with JT involved. I hope you continue to post as the things progress and evolve here.

jk

BU something to pump you up!

Trails

jk

I liked the 90 degree hip, where they were pulling the over flat tables. That gap at the end was so high. I can't even imagine what it would be like to be that high in the air. I don't know what I would have done had that been 20 years ago.

Changstar

Yea, I still made it !!!!!

http://www.forbes.com/lists/2009/87/taiwan...Chang_294U.html


Changstar

Going by the Oz-certified date of July 10th, 1969 - when the first ever BMX race was held in Palms Park -- has everyone (anyone?) began thinking of how the BMX communiity should celebrate our sports 40th Anniversary?!
FRIDAY - July 10th, 2009 - our favorite sport officially turns FORTY.


Changstar

Congrats! You could have at least smiled for the pic.

We should all ride.

I had to visit my credit union in Wapio so I dropped in on BF Wapio today. My first visit since they opened. Previously, I only saw the store during construction, then with racks and boxes. If you haven't been there, check it out. Wally & Duane (and the crew) have done a real nice job with the new store. There is a fair amount of mid to high end product in stock. The S&M "Tiki" bike is really a work of art. The welds are some of the best I've seen since the heyday of RedLines and the engraving around the "bottle opener" is first class.

JC - Please let everyone know when the next association meeting will be held. Also, I may have missed it, but what is the status of the SandBox? Are we waiting til AUG and have an ABA certified track or have they started using local resources?

Thanks,
JT

Hey Rus, so which one of your collection is gonna be your race track bike? Are you gonna bust out an old school bike or build up a new days one? What about everyone else? What is everybody going to be on for the opening 0f the new track? I'll be on my trusty 06 Formula cruiser(Chromo), or my 03 Nirve Element 20"(Alum). Flat pedals of course.

Changstar

If anything, the 24" torker, but lately been riding the skyway and it feels alright except for the cranks. Gonna put the "flights" back on. Never really rode the haro, might take that one out this weekend. JC, you gotta come cruise one weekend.

Russ

I'll try and be out there on my LTF. Long live flat pedals! Maybe the Robinson if it's done.

RIDE!



jk

.. RAD

--> .. i love the black and white photograph, the composition is outstanding .. great natural beauty enhances the background too


rusT, Bones, Big ed .. the town chain gang, i am working all day today <raining outside> so sunday later afternoon is "mo bettah" for me.. if anything



cheers


-p



//.

word!!! mean clip...

BU

You should have an old school class, 1980's and below frames... I'll be out on my S&M randy brown or if I ever get a 24 together...

BU

talked to my friend Wayne Irei, Lisa Irei's dad. According to her dad, she has old skool pics that I hope she would post on this site. He says she's in good shape, so I hope she would consider to come out and race at the sand island track. That would be neat, a womens class...

I am hoping there will be a big enough contingency of older guys on 20". I finished my 24" build but haven't even rode it for a test ride. The 20" is too much fun. I would be down for an old school class (like BU mentioned) like the OS series running in the mainland. I think all the old timers (except one) will be on flats. Maybe we should have a gentlemans agreement to run flats?




Awesome! I hope Lisa finds her way to the website. It would be great to finally have an old team member here!

jk

+1

Here is a letter I just received, if you have any more detailed ??? let me know.
Changstar



Aloha BMX supporters,

Just a short update on our progress out at Sand Island. Sand Island Off Highway Vehicle Association has been given the green light for grading and grubbing as of 27 Jun 09. Work is hot and heavy on the initial work to be done. Since there was a 2 year delay after our last shutdown, the permitting has finally been completed and clearing of the area has started anew. Island BMX has attained the services of nationally recognized BMX track builder Billy Allen. He constructs about 30 tracks a years. He’ll be doing the BMX track building from 20 – 24 August. We’ll potentially need manual track helpers to work the rakes, cutting tools, brooms, etc. on Saturday Aug 22 after he does his first couple days of building. While I have soccer practice that morning, I expect to be there late morning. More info to follow. Any support is welcome. Hope to see you all soon out at Sand Box Hawaii!



Jim Drake

I think all the old timers (except one) will be on flats. Maybe we should have a gentleman's agreement to run flats?

If you mean me, then don't worry. I don't trust myself to be in clips for now. heck I don't trust myself on a BMX period. Aside from the normal ABA classes, we surely could have an old school series. Run what you brung flat pedal class. However, in accodance to ABA rules you have to have entered a traditional ABA class before participating in a special class. So you must enter 20 inch or cruiser class before doing any extra classes, including opens. I am sure we could come up with some kind of deal on entry fees. Idealy I would like to see it free, just pay for any regular class and doing the old school class is free to enter. Maybe we could keep track of the finishes and crown a series champ. We hopefully could get some sponsors to come up with prizes instead of trophies.

Changstar

Changstar,

Thanks for the update on the track! Is there anyway we can Jim Drake to post updates here or BMXHawaii? I get calls from time to time from people asking about the track. People also ask me at HK track sometimes. It would be great to have somewhere that we can point them to.

OK I'll make it more obvious.....the only one that will be clipped in will be RH.

I ran into Roger Dodger no. 63 last night. He mentioned that if the track was more like the ones we used to race on BITD he would seriously consider racing again. I think alot of the old timers are under the same impression I had when I came back - that you have to jump huge gaps during a race. Maybe the Olympic track helped promote this misconception? But, I think when the OG's realize we can roll a new school track there will be more guys coming back.

I am really interested in an old school series. Flats, side pull brakes, 1" headtube, quill style stem pre 85 or so frames. Would be so cool! Anyone else?

jk