Full Version: To the Diamondback guys
thanks for the help with serial #s, baseballs and other parts. but I still dont know what model identifiers to look for.were there certain colors,decals and components for each model?? mine is a red color ,the top tube is 18 3/4" it has the prism stickers with the grey snake,diamondback cranks, araya-suzue rims ,dia compe brakes kkt lightning pedals.all of the parts are ano. gold.
Rodney. Sounds to me like you probably have a 79 or 80 Diamond Back - probably a "Large". Came in red, blue or chrome. This is the predecessor to the Senior Pro. I'm assuming it is a looptail. This was the top of the range DB in those days. Full cro-mo and a "pro" sized ride.
I did a potted summary of DB history one time (as I see/recall it, anyway) - I'll try and find a link.
Cool bike - e:mail me a pic and I'll post it here.
ktu14912@bigpond.net.au
I did a potted summary of DB history one time (as I see/recall it, anyway) - I'll try and find a link.
Cool bike - e:mail me a pic and I'll post it here.
ktu14912@bigpond.net.au
thanks Kurt I'll put a pic up soon. yes its a looptail,and you are right ,from the serial # info. its from 1980.the sticker on the seat tube does say chomemoly.I dont have bars,fork ,stem or the front wheel,so I'm trying to find out what I came with bitd "new".good job on the ID without a photo!!
This is what it would have looked like. This is one of Ramon Beaner's awesome rebuilds.
Rodney,
This is my potted summary of DB from 77-83:
DB's originally were US made and welded up by the same people who did FMF and SE. Commenced in '77 and only stayed as US production for less than a year before moving to Japan. Koizumi factory. Quality.
The original forks were dual dropouts. Frames came in Mini, Standard and Large sizes. These were all cro-mo looptails. There was a non-loop tri-moly frame that was lower end.
In '81 there was a major change to the Large frame's geometry - development was driven by Sandy Finkelman and new recruit Harry Leary. This resulted in the Senior Pro. There were still 3 serious frame sizes in the range from mid- '81 - renamed Mini, Medium Pro and Senior Pro. The dual drop fork was dropped.
There was continuing very subtle refinement to the rear end of the Senior Pro and this resulted in the black smoke Turbo in '82. An iconic DB. These were the golden years for DB.
Also released in mid-'82 was the tri-moly Silver Streak - same geometry as the medium pro, but a mild steel rear end including thicker dropouts. They sold a squillion of these.
In late '83 things started to slide for DB (in my opinion). Most production moved to Taiwan, though the higher end frames continued with Japan production for a little while longer.
The original "large diamond" gussets went in '84, replaced by a noticeably smaller diamond. After that I don't care...
This is my potted summary of DB from 77-83:
DB's originally were US made and welded up by the same people who did FMF and SE. Commenced in '77 and only stayed as US production for less than a year before moving to Japan. Koizumi factory. Quality.
The original forks were dual dropouts. Frames came in Mini, Standard and Large sizes. These were all cro-mo looptails. There was a non-loop tri-moly frame that was lower end.
In '81 there was a major change to the Large frame's geometry - development was driven by Sandy Finkelman and new recruit Harry Leary. This resulted in the Senior Pro. There were still 3 serious frame sizes in the range from mid- '81 - renamed Mini, Medium Pro and Senior Pro. The dual drop fork was dropped.
There was continuing very subtle refinement to the rear end of the Senior Pro and this resulted in the black smoke Turbo in '82. An iconic DB. These were the golden years for DB.
Also released in mid-'82 was the tri-moly Silver Streak - same geometry as the medium pro, but a mild steel rear end including thicker dropouts. They sold a squillion of these.
In late '83 things started to slide for DB (in my opinion). Most production moved to Taiwan, though the higher end frames continued with Japan production for a little while longer.
The original "large diamond" gussets went in '84, replaced by a noticeably smaller diamond. After that I don't care...
thats it!!! that is the exact bike. minus the front end.Ramon's bike looks so nice. thanks for the help Kurt.
Kurt, the only thing "rebuilt" on that bike are the wheels, the spokes were rusted beyond hope. The rest of the bike is as it was new back in 1980.
By the way, Sandy HATED these bikes.
They are awesome though.
By the way, Sandy HATED these bikes.
They are awesome though.
Ramon, that is a great looking bike.I was given what I think is the same one. what model is it? I wasn't really into Diamondbacks in 1980 (this was Boss country), I found that out my first trip to Red devil!!!! (local jumping spot where local pro's and bad ***es ruled the world)what does the top tube decal say??
Wow Ramon - that was quite a survivor then. Very sweet indeed.
Cheers Kurt
Cheers Kurt
Rodney - It's a 1980 Diamond Back "Large". That's the name.
If you check out the January '81 BMXA there's a test of that bike.
If you check out the January '81 BMXA there's a test of that bike.
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