You bet!!!!! Anybody who brings their bike to me will get all the help I can give. Whether it is pulling out the tools or just advice on parts. I have to say one of the most rewarding things is to help someone out and then have them come back and tell me that they are faster now. One year at the ABA grands I was working with a company named DINO that specialized in mini and Jr bikes. Well a kid broke his frame and bought a DINO frame and needed it built before his next moto. So I built his bike and was willing to miss my moto to do it, I have a soft heart for little kids. While doing it I made some suggestions on cranks and gearing since I had his bike all apart anyways. They went for it. Later when the races were done the family came to find me and told me that their son got 3rd in the main and that was the best he has ever done at a national. Not just a national but this was the grands. It was worth all the stress while building it and watching the time left before his next moto. I did joke with them and said he had to give his trophy to me.

Changstar

Changstar--I am same way with fixing bikes as well. I'm known for my bike being dialed all the time or worked on someone else's bike, then word gets around. I remember those long nights or days when I worked on my bike, either it be a repair or putting on a new part. I also regrease sealed bearings as well which is always an overlooked item. Just because its sealed don't necessery means that the grease last forever. It to (grease) breaks down to some extent and needs to be maintance/regreased. Or you can always get them replaced with new ones, but in the end it is cheaper to regrease them.

I had a good session today at the new skatepark here in San Jose, Ca. since it was opening day for the Bmx Bikes! I know this is race forum but I had to put this in. Old school Pro Freestlyle riders showed up and rode! Guys we used to see in the Mags back in the day.
Hugo Gonzales
Oscar Gonzales
Ron Wilkerson
Maurice Meyers
Guys who were in AFA contests and Local Legend Rippers from 80's and 90's as well.
Cam Birdwell
Damian Schinella/Squirrel
Jared Allen
Just to name a few! If I left anyone important that I could not think of at this time I'm sorry!
Cool session but at the time I notice most of the old school guys just hanged out at the Big Pipe,just like the one that was famous at Upland back in the day ( The Pipeline ). This one is bigger and longer! You can tell from the old guys from there bike set. Front and back brakes, high seat set up, and 4 pegs. But some didn't due to park rules, plastic pegs only. So in end if you didn't ride the Pipeline back in the day, here is your chance to experience one! Will be out again next Sunday and if you Mainland guys are close to here or in the Bay Area and want to ride, let me know. Bike hours are Sunday 11:00am-1:00pm, Tuesday 3pm-5pm and on Thursday 5pm-7pm or 8pm. Cost to ride or spectate is 2 bucks and on Sunday have to pay for parking that is 6 bucks, weekdays parking is free. If any of you mainland guys want to check it out I can give you more details! Good place to relearn how to jump and use your momentum/pump your bike. Then you can train at PAL track that is in Santa Clara which is a 20min drive from park.

Chang,What's the theory with the 24" pro minus?Why the lower bottom bracket,slower headtube angle and seat tube as well as the shorter top tube?Why does the other models have just a shorter top tube and the rest of the geometry remains the same while the minus has completly different specs?---I'm definitely interested in another cruiser.The Torker is just too long for me.I tried 2 different bars and stems and shortened the chain as much as it would go with out grinding.I pretty much gave up on that bike.I ride it everyday to work but would like something that fit better.I should have never threw away that Cycle Craft 24".

Columns were not lined up. TT is half inch longer with each model. Slightly lower BB cause thay expect to be running shorter cranks. Short frame=short rider=short legs.
Headtube is kicked out a little cause shorter bike is squirrley and you would buz your toes when you turn. I am on the pro, you should ride mine and see if you like it. They make complete bikes too. Let me know, I can swing a deal.


24" FRAMES
Pro Series
Pro Minus 20.0" 14.5 - 15.75" 11.5" 72.5* 69.0* 26.8 1 1/8" 4 lbs 4 oz.
Pro 20.5" 14.5 - 15.75" 11.75" 73.0* 70.0* 26.8 1 1/8" 4 lbs 5 oz.
Pro Plus 21.0" 15.0 - 16.25" 11.75" 73.0* 70.0* 26.8 1 1/8" 4 lbs 6 oz.
Pro XL 21.5" 15.0 - 16.25" 11.75" 73.0* 70.0* 26.8 1 1/8" 4 lbs 7 oz.
Pro XXL 22.0" 15.0 - 16.25" 11.75" 73.0* 70.0* 26.8 1 1/8" 4 lbs 8 oz.

http://www.formulabicycles.com/

Torker is good for a guy 5 foot 10 or more, my old Redline had same geometry and I never got it to feel real good cause it was too long and I am taller than you. My current Formula is the pro with 20.5 TT, and it is a wheelie monster. You'll like it, if you get the shorter one it might even be better.

Changstar

Hey JK-

Russell who??

LOL

There is indeed a reason why you started off reading the tag from RH's underwear and it quickly dissipated into a column of Royal Summit dust. MTBers are fast and agile as a cougar in search of milk and honey (to supplement their beefy diet, of course). Russell is a good guy to ride with, among others, because he rips. Simple as that.

We also go back a long way, which is why I can rip him too LOL.

** shakes hips to Rump Shaker **

Actually years ago he hooked me up with a hardtail Ventana, Rock cranks and some other devices worthy of getting ones knees dirty for, while praying to the titanium gods, naturally. Built up that MB with all the pieces I dreamed about and used the MB to enhance my road riding, plus prevent burnout in the end-of/off-season.

Way to go JK, hanging with the Big Dogs on Royal Summit, that is way COOL..

Russell needs NO introduction, but for those unawares, look at this article:



Vet Men, downhill first. By no means his only claim to fame, let me add. Look at the names on this list (granted this is an old results page), Joey Riveira, Eric Vallencourt -- this guy + his wife did an Eco-Challenge, Kent Taylor, Robert Mynt -- he is/was my girlfriend's flying instructor and my good friend, Robert Root (high speed wheelie king), Russell Hirata (oh yeah, I just wanted to add him again, therefore no need to inflate himself next time we shake the paw LOL), Ray Brust, Ben Sambrano (finisher of Race Across America and someone I battled in the hills with on the road), these guys are great riders in Hawaii. We could, of course, take the Socialistic view and apply talent and results equally across the board... but I won't. LOL..

Way to GO on the dirt JK and those other Old Schoolers coming back full circle, keep up the PUMP..

Russell, you should ride road a bit more, your sprinting would come in handy after a hard 45+ miles in a road race. Subtle nuances learned on dirt gives you a slight advantage in a circuit race too.

<pokes RH in the ribs>

LOL..



OH YEAH..


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WOW, thanks ton Shannon aka ThumperPilot -- Grrrreat pics and post-text, superb!

Re-pre-sent the eight oh eight, cool.


The Best..

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Greetings Jason Changstar-

I meant to respond back to this one.. I know and have ridden with these guys, in fact Walter or someone shot this pic in 81 or 82 and kindly gave it to me. The last known pic ever of me on a Mongoose BMX bike, something which I am forever grateful for..

Since later in the thread KevLau added some spice (and injected humor too -- some pimps, etc LOL) .. I'll say that I saw Joe Genovia near the little elementary school here in Waikiki a couple years ago, we chatted for a few and he was wearing slippers HAHA.. I remember Tyson drove that big Toyota truck with 35s on it, yes?

Third gear up Red Hill, heavy duty!

JC, I am sure I've both met and ridden with you.. but due <excuses coming> to the many blows my head and various body parts have taken over the decades, I am indeed "slow" in some areas.

This is the picture that Walter or a riding counterpart shot and gave me (much thanks). Not very good quality, but nice nevertheless..



Shot right by the current Burger King on King St and across from the McDonalds. If anyone can make contact with the list of names provided by Changstar, I am sure there are more pics from this batch. I remember we were getting rad. That was fun, for sure!

The post about "slow learner" and that stuff. Come on, the higher one ascends towards BMX Actualization (hats off to Abraham Maslow, btw), the thinner the winning/losing demarcation shorelines become.. the fact is, without delving into what it is like to stand on Mount Everest, the top or peak is lonely indeed. Few find it. Fewer stay there. Well, some do dominate, we can say that.

Let me please dedicate these next 2 shots to Changstar, who is not giving himself enough credit for his number 1 status on BMX dirt. I don't know what it is like to be number 1 at BMX or anything, really, for that matter. I do know that it takes hard work, dedication, practice, mind-memory-body and fusing of physiology over time, dialed equipment and big nuts, guts and more. You have that, otherwise you would not have achieved the accomplishments you did, especially 5 in the Worlds. To me, that is like getting a gold, silver or bronze medal in the Olomana Road Race or State Championships (pineapple hills race 3x circuit with guys like Kent Taylor, Ben Sambrano and Robert Root). All things being relative, naturally, we must take into consideration of context and opportunity. As they say about winning a race of any kind: "The strongest does not always win, the smartest wins". This applies to road, but also other venues.

I salute you, revel in your success!

Campbell Industrial Park - 15/16 Novice.



Awww, OK, LOL ..



This is what I mean by context and relativity. Behind me lies Edwin Kamisato (SE jersey) and 741 is someone I knew but cannot place the name. I never even made Expert (my lowest number was 158 LOL) and have one 1 (ONE) trophy of 1st place in my BMX career, ever. Counting that one 1st place, I maybe won in motos, less than 5 times, ever LOL. What a joke, but I accepted that I was more a BMX dirt jumper than a "real" BMX racer. I feel fortunate to hang on a forum among Hawaii's best ever BMX racers. Rockne, Jeremy, Changstar, Rory, Buddy, Shannon, Russell, and so on.

You rock Changstar!

I don't have much to share on BMX racing, but do have some pictures LOL.

One last one:



Mark Miyashiro, Cannons Club. Can anyone say "Upside Down"? Besides Diana Ross, of course.



Cheers ya'all..



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P,

I have said it several times before and will say it again. Awesome pics! I was talking to kevlau at Royal Summit about you and your endless supply of vintage hawaii bmx shots. I love the Cambell pics as well. Wow! Hows the powder we raced in. Amazing! I remember Edwin Kamisato. Was always the nicest guy. Never had anything bad to say about anyone.

I feel a little better about having my asssss handed to me on the Royal Summit trail. I even poked fun at Russel up there. I told him to go first since I'l pass him like I used to do....... .
I gotta admit those guys are very fast. I think they were finishing up a Diet Coke whn I finally made it down. I spent Sat and Sun at HK track. Sunday there was quite a handfull of mtbers riding. I sure felt out of place on my little 20". Not too bad if I could still jump but even the little kids were getting mad air compared to me. But, hey...I'll get it back!

jk

Thank you very much P-Nut, I am honored. I guess because the racing spanned many years, it would be hard to capture anyones career by a few people. Those who were there to actually witness it can testify. Which is very hard for me since I raced from 1978-2002. I never really retired, just took a step back and less serious. So during that time many different generations saw different parts of my carreer. I give props to many because I watched the sport all through those years. Yep I have had the pleasure of being there to see the pioneers like Rory, John, Moki, Rockne, and Kevin S all the way to Hawaii's last official # 1 Bobby Thompson. I have tried to keep the history alive for the title holders as to me each one is special and takes a whole year to get done, no other sport demands 12 months of being on your game. So really we should salute all the #1's, and their competition. Because you are only as good as your comp. By the way I had number 158 too. When people ask me if I ever got number one , I just say yeah, but not revealing how many. he he he.

Changstar

If you look at the MTB results, Alaska and Kerwin were regulars at Wheeler BMX too. Alaska won the ABA grands 2 times in a row in the 31 & over Intermediate class. Is Russel the same guy that has a stash of top of the line cruisers? Including a rare and awesome riding "Bad Racing" frame. If it is then he did some hot laps at Wheeler too.

Changstar

I know the answer to that one but maybe Russell can stop lurking and answer. Huh Russell?

jk

Howdy-

That is probably him. He has 2 wheeled talent on dirt and road too. Wait till you get a load of his sweet road bike LOL.. that guy has the best stuff..


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LOL mos def!

You had a career that spanned a decade and much changes do occur. Living through them is like seeing, living and being the 70s (KC and the Sunshine Band and pure disco, Soul Train, Motown chest hairs LOL), the 80s (rubicks cube, Flock of Seagulls, breakdancing, Max Headroom, the IBM PC, Mork and Mindy) and the 90s.. **when?**

Just joking..

You're right, we must collectively issue out Props to those number ones of BMX past.

Here is Danny Lee, doing his best to salute the number ones by flattening his bike like Ernie and Bert might have, had they been given a fair chance:



Humility is a fine trait to possess, though one might say "Well, if an artist enlarges me, why may I not be counted great?" Very True. The question then is, who might the artist be?

Look at it this way: Furnish even weak virtue aid (thanks Nietzsche)

Actually, it is very difficult to discern oneself, simply because the filters that are/were constructed to assist in the screening process have been built for self preservation. And thus we all are biased and cognitively damaged to a certain extent because a self is needed to perform the screening in the first place, thus we have prejudice (skewed viewpoints). Guess who the self is constructed LOL..


The best to you all..


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P Nut has the best pics and mighty artfull words too. Somebody with good computer skills should create a photo album to preserve our history. I will always give props because in me is still that little kid trying to learn a wheelie, and looking at those guys with the matching uniforms, and cool bikes with alloy everything just in awe. I still like to see a big cross up, a flat table, or just a lot of air. An old fashioned berm shot with a cloud of dust. A power wheelie as you cross the finish line. Man those things I still love.

Changstar

bump

Here's some OS clipping sent to me by Rockne.





One More.

Aloha Hawaiians,

Whoa! It took me over two hours to read thru this entire thread, but worth every minute. Talk about a flashback. Jason, I have no idea how you remember all of the names. I only raced in Hawaii from 83-84, freestyle took over my riding after that. I remember riding down to the Mililani high school jump, the lower one by the football field, with Daniel Watanabe and jumping with my brothers huffy. That was the first time that I met Changstar, Sugi and klaus. I was hooked on bmx after that. I wish I still had some racing pics from bitd, but I lost them all. Awesome thread Jason, and I am stoked to see the pics and the riders still riding. I just started riding again last year after 18yrs away from bmx. Thanks for the rip down memory lane.

Aloha,

Andy Shohara

What's up Andy,Hope all is well with you and your family.J sent me a email with some pics of you riding the bowls again.Nice!!I hear your boy is riding as well.---I have some good memories riding with you from BITD.Remember us driving to Joe Bright's 1/4 pipe in Kailua?How about all those HIC demos at the schools.Those were some good times.
If you ever get back to paradise,give me a call.'Til then,take care brah!!---Sugi!!

this is andy recently, at forty years old still getting crazy. are you coming to hawaii this summer?

kl

yeah, i'll be staying in Maui with the family and have about an hour lay-over on Oahu, July 7-14.

andy

Here's a pic of Roger Nitta at the Iolani Palace Race. He posted a thread somewhere else on the forum. Click on LOPAKA:

LOPAKA



jk

Whats up guys ? Somewhat new around here. I didnt go through and read the 34 pages in this thread. Where you guys at. One of my buddys from back in the day is getting stationed over there in a few months. He will be on the Island of Hawaii I believe. Hes in the coast guard. Can y'all tell me where I should and should not go while Im there ? Is there parks that allow bikes and stuff ? Im mostly into jumping and vert. Thanks alot

If you are on the Island of Hawaii check out bmxhawaii There's a guy with the screen name slingshot. He lives on Hawaii - more commonly known to locals as "Big Island". I ams sure he'll be happy to point you in the right direction.

If you are on Oahu there are a few jumps that are more mtb freindly but BMXers ride there too. Check out dhhawaii You'll find better info on where the trails and jumps are on that site. I heard the only bike friendly skatepark is in Pearl City.

Hope this helps.

jk

Hey Andy, glad you found us. Its been awesome how slowly more and more old timers are finding this site. It's even more awesome thats guys are getting on the bikes again. Looks like you are still ripping it up. I still remember one of the first quarter pipes you guys rode. The one where Walmart is now, it was many separate pieces of wood layed up against an old piece of concrete pipe. How that thing stayed together was amazing, the air you could get on it was even more amazing and then have to pull the wood back up every few airs cause it would start to slide down. I always knew that if you could get air on that thing you would be crazy on a real ramp. Join the party and share some stories, I'll try to find more pics. I can still hear the theme from "Hawaii 5 O" as you hit the big bowl at Pipeline skatepark..

Changstar

LOL, that was the first quarter pipe I ever rode. There wasn't a single nail in it! Jesse Ramiscal and I used old pineapple tops between the bottom of the plywood edge and the ground. The pictures on this thred are sweet, it brings back a lot of great memories. Seeing the word Tantalus gives me a little shot of adrenaline. The names mentioned bring a smile to my face, and I am pretty sure that it was Garret that broke his frame and face-planted it at the high school jump.

I try to ride and jumps for at least 20 minutes a day with my son. I think next year I may introduce him to bmx racing, he is doing very well on the ramps and jumps and his bike control is progressing nicely. Kevin lau sent me a copper Blacklightning for my birthday last year and John Povah gave me a portable quarter-pipe so I don't have to go far to ride.

I wish I had some more Hawaii pictures but I only have 2 from the GT show at B & L and a dozen or so from Joe's ramp in Kailua. I do have some of my racing trophies from Keihi lagoon, Hickam and the Kaui races, but all of my pictures, racing leathers and jersey's were lost.

Andy

whoops.

couple pics of the third flyin' hawaiian, andy shohara. the first is jumping the big doubles, and the second is the end of a rock walk as a real curb dog.

Hey Andy didn't you live in England or something after leaving Hawaii? When was it and why did you stop riding?

Changstar

I moved to England for about a year and a half. I turned pro in late 86, then moved to San Diego in late 87. The AFA wouldn't recognize my pro status because I had to earn enough points in AFA contests. The AFA Masters series was held throughout the entire US but I couldn't afford to travel to every event so I just did the West, Oregon, California and Arizona. I still couldn't earn enough points just riding in the West and by 88-89 paying sponsors were very hard to come by. I stopped competing in 89 and just rode and skated until 90. I got into off-road racing and raced the baja 1000, 500 and other score races through 96 when I got married and started a family. I hadn't ridden a bike from 90-2007. Now that my son is into bmx I got the bug to ride again with him, so here I am.

andy

Hey Andy, how old is your son? Any more kids? Did you hear that Spanky has a son now, about 1 and a half years old. I have a step son that is 19, then 2 girls of my own Amber is 10 and Ally is 4. For about 5 years I had a track and my wife raced cruiser and got #1, then later my step son got #1. Then Amber started racing when she was 5 and got state champ. Then track closed when she was about 7. Has been totaly fun being involved from the track operator side, but looking back I should have been on a bike a little more. Every time I would ride I would end up fixing a part of the track that could be better. I would ride for like 10 minutes and and work on the track for an hour. Post a pic of the family, some where I have a photo of most of the boys when we all went to Spanky's son's first birthday. I'll try to post it.

Changstar

It is a turndown sighting!

Barry Nobriga at Makiki jump demonstrates:




Perfectnut tries to imitate Barry:





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Oh yeah! He's back with more INSANE pics. Dig the SCOTT mask too! The local boys should have got sponsored by some RUBBER SLIPPER companies. Amazing how similar those two shots are.

I am hoping to get some style back in my jumping. Hopefully I can get some Sick pictures too......Or pics from the Emergency Room!

jk

JK-

You recognize!








You'll be getting ill air once more, some day soon!

Look what I dug up from my black and white negatives -- I have one more slide too, I have to develop..




and this super-old one, possibly my first ever photographed tabletop.. don't ask, I don't know. But, see the Ashtabula neck, cranks and forks.. LOL




Catch up to ya'all later..


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One more:




Raymond Motosue at the old Hickam Jump.. a bit gnarled on the negatives, but it came out ok.


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p,

i think your turndown is a little higher and more clicked. almost a leary or judge, or what would be later called a lookdown, but with the wheel turning towards the front foot. can you do it on 700c's?

Damn, those pics are insane. To think that was being done that long ago. Totaly rad. That will inspire the old timers to kick it out a little more, turn the bars a little more, pull up a little more. And hope someone get a pic before I hurt myself, haaah. No way for me, can't tweak a 700c. Too much bike for me.

Changstar

Are any one of you guys bidding on this......Bicycle Motocross News.....Hawaii South Pacific.....on Ebay. If you are I don't want to bid against you.

Clickity click

jk

Go for it dude, I'll even chip in $10 to help you get it.. As long as I get to check it out, maybe just make a photo copy of it for me. That needs to be here in Hawaii. Part of our history.

Changstar

So do you guys have Spanky's contact info?I could probally snail mail him but I don't have any other way to get in touch with him.I got Jesse's number and could contact him.
Chang or Klaus,are you guys working on Sunday?This is probally the only weekend I can ride for a few weeks.I won't be able to ride until June if not this weekend.You down?

sugi,

i'm down. let's do it. bring water. that place is hot. bring menor. he'll be good for a couple of laughs. spanky: 222-6400

Shoots!!I'll call you before the weekend.---BTW,you talking about HK or Royal Summit?

Sugi.....If thats Jesse Allen you are talking about shoot me his no.

jk

KL

That would be an expensive risk LOL

Here is some more inspiration from negatives I developed.. Cannons Club action shots!!

Jeffrey Kang:




Perfectnut:



Michael Tyau:




Shot and developed 110 film -- the thin little negative types.. what memories



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CStar-

Ya, those are very old pics.. I loved the Scott mask, I obviously borrowed it for the picture LOL

Here is another one from a very gnarled negative, at the end of the 35mm roll, probably.

Makiki dirt jump, one of my most favorite dirt jumps from back in the day.. sorry about the bad quality, this reprint was off a trashed negative.

Perfectnut:




Actually, I have another set of negatives I dug up, I'll get those developed soon..


Have a fine weekend Gents..



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YA Dude!

Like C said, that is Hawaiian treasury.. it belongs here in the islands.. part of BMX heritage




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Sorry guys! I got outbid at the last sec. I bid $30.01. I guess someone wanted it more. I was hoping to get it to scan and post. Bummer!



By the way P, thanks for all the effort and cashola you are putting into those old pics that you are kindly sharing with us. I'm digging the look of the 110 shots for some reason. Would be cool to take some pics at the HK track on one of those. Probably can't find the film for it anymore....Let alone someone who can develop them? Anyone know more about this......Might come out cool!

jk

Aww bogus!

Oh well, you tried LOL

I know that Longs Drugs cannot develop the 110s, I had to use a specialty photo shop in Waikiki to get them developed out. On Kuhio, right by the American Cheesesteak house and Starbucks..

Someone else might have other suggestions..



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Sorry,I was talking about Jesse Ramiscal(fellow Mililanian).---I told one of my fishing partners about this forum and he's having a good time reading the previous post.Hopefully he will join as he has some ol' skool BMX roots as well.Sign up allready School Teacher.Share some stories/pictures.From what I understand he raced in the Kewalo Basin,Cambell,Iolani Place days.

Menor said he's down.Spanky is nursing a back injury from work so he said he's out for a couple weeks.He said he still has a bike but he lent it out.I think he'll be down for a session soon.I can call more guys.Try getting Baham to come out.I heard he just hurt his knee at work though.How about the Higas?
So what Chang,you down?Anybody else?----BTW we drinking after or what?I think I going to need something to numb the pain.

Sounds like a plan, I'll try to make it. Shouldn't be much pain unless you go down. Ask Jay, he sampled some dirt trying to make the doubles, and a Rat trap too. Ha ha ha. This gonna be at HK? That's a fun place, not to intimidating. We need a way to get to the water, I don't mind spending a little time smoothing and packing. Anyone know where the hose is?

Changstar