I have a change to buy a '99 Torker Cruiser from someone I know. He wants $350 for it. Is that price fair? It looks new and not beat up. It's all aluminum and he told me that it was one of the last american made ones. It does have the twin top tubes. Any info would be helpful. Thanks.

I guess the major difference to some people is where it was made. Some were made by SE for torker & others were made overseas. I have a '98 "5.7" I think (black with T in gusset) which I was told was an overseas made frame but I love the look & it's 1 of my favorites. I thought the yellow ones with the 3 small holes in the gusset were SE made but I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong on that.

I was asking in the Vintage Freestyle section about a bike I was offered today.. Chrome twin top-tube Torker with the "T" in the gusset..Seemed to have newer school components (Threadless, 48's) I think the name was Jester?? Any ideas about this one??
Thanks, Chris

The frames with the T gusset were made overseas, the frames with the 3 small holes are SE made.

My 1999 SE made Torker.

The logos are now worn off the crank arms, and the Skyway pedals have been replaced with new school Shimano DX pedals... It's my daily rider.

more pics...

I did a little research on these beautiful bikes before I purchased my 24". Most of the '98 - '99 20" frames were SE made. This is evident of the serial stamp on the rear dropout versus the bottom of the bb. If you have a serial stamp on the bottom of the bb shell, it was made overseas, regardless of the 4 holes or the "T". The 4 holes were '98 - '99 models, the "T" came in later '99 - '00. There were more 20" SE made production models, but they were the "4 hole" style only. The "T" gussets were all overseas. I have yet to see an SE made Torker 24" cruiser frame other than Matt Hadans' custom frame, 2 were made for him. He has only 1 as the Torker BMX team was disbanded in '00 or '01 and was absorbed by Redline, both are owned by Seattle Bike Supply. The 2nd frame never made it to him and apparently was still at SE when they shut their doors. I cannot confirm any other SE made production 24" Torker cruisers, however I'm sure someone somewhere has one or has in their possession Matt Hadans' custom Team Torker 24".
My Torker cruiser is an overseas one of course, with the 4 holes in the gusset. Yellow with custom p/coated Landing Gear, profile arms and S and M RV criuser bars. Running an Atomlab wheelset. I love it, probably one the most comfortable cruisers I've ever ridden. I think the roughly 22 1/4" toptube plays a major part in that, it also whips thru a rhythm section like no other. A litle on the heavy side but not bad.....OK, I'm getting carried away.
I paid around $425.00/shipped complete(original stock, not the custom stuff) and in "like new" condition.
Bottom line on the SE/Overseas bit, check the location of the serial stamp.
Buy it anyway, You'll be glad you did....Good Luck and Good Riding

CruiserXX, thanks for the info, I've been chasing a 24" one as well. Question, what is the difference between the 5.7 model and the "Earthquake"?? Which is longer, or are they the same but from different years? Any info from anyone in the know would be greatly appreciated!

The 5.7 came out in '99, it had the "T" in gusset. Stock color was high polished silver. I have brochures from '98 and '99. They show measurements of the top tube being 21.9". I'm not sure how they are measuring. Mine is a '98 and measures just a bit past 22.25" from the center of headtube to center of seat tube and about 20.5" from the back side of the headtube to front side of the seat tube.
The "Earthquake" was Clarence "The Earthquake" Perrys' signature cruiser, came out in late '99 or 2000. Mr. Perry is known for his extreme power and speed from back in the 80's fame. If you've ever seen him, he's a big guy and still very fast. I think they only made the "Earthquake" cruisers in black with their own gusset design as well, calling it a "Tribal" or something like that. Pretty cool looking frame however the welds were kinda burly, even for an aluminum frame. I'm not sure if it was any longer. The Earthquake could very well be a bit longer if it was made for Clarence Perry.
There is a guy who has an autographed one, he's over at the other Old school BMX site (http://www.******.com/) under the name "Cruiser King". He's needing some $$ right now, might even sell it to you and he's right here in CA. as well.
If I new how to convert my photos to the URL format required to post pics on this website, I'd post a pic of my 24".
Keep on the hunt, you'll find one. - G