My first bike was a 78-ish Azuki Raider. It was one of those Japanese roadbike companies that started making bmx bikes and paved the way for Kuwahara. I can't even find a picture of one now.

Mine was a red 1981 Scorpion SX I got in early 1982 with yellow steel rims with black astabula one piece 165mm cranks with "slow change" 44 tooth chain wheel and black astrobula goose neck. Even back then when I was still naive to the ways of BMX I had sense enough to upgrade immediately to a gold ACS four bolt stem (the type with the replaceable allen nut and bolt system), one piece 175mm one piece cranks with a quick change spider with a 43 tooth chainwheel, yellow Skyway Tuff Wheels and red Tange steel fork (that was a mistake, I was in the midst of a "cash flow" problem ) . I also got rid of the palm ripping grips for Oakleys and switched out the handle bars for red Race Inc. aluminums (another mistake). Later in '82 I got rid of the stock falling apart square cage pedals with red Shimano DX pedals.

That bike lasted me a few months IIRC until a crash in late 1982 broke the down tube at the stem tube (after the lug joint) . I then replaced the frame with a maroon Redline . Later in early 1983 I broke the Race inc. handlebars at where the crossbar joined the handle. Replaced them with good chrome GT Pro bars. Then the steel front fork bent in one of my many crashes and I replaced it with a chromoly chrome Tange TRX fork.

The frame lasted until I realized the frame was too small for me and I got a chrome GT Pro frame in mid 1984 IIRC, and in 1985 second hand Mongoose pro class rims, 180mm one piece cranks (all that I could afford) and later, a Hutch stem to move the handlebars from my knees as far as possible. I finished my so called career with that general bike configuration (with the addition of red Shimano SX pedals) in September 1989.

I still have everything, including the GT I retired on exactly how it was on that sad day in September '89 with some of the race track dirt still on it. I still got the Redline frame, the Scorpion frame with the snapped down tube. Anyone believe it is worth something on Ebay?

Oldtimer1980s

it was a stingray for sure. high handle bars, think the color was green. 1973 no pics unfortunately...

I dont have a picture of it, but my first bike was an old school Schwin that I bought out of the paper for $25. I can still remember telling my mom how much faster I could pedal on that bike compared to a cheap bike.

I remember it, but still don't know what it was. I've never seen a picture of a twin top tube frame like it posted either.

A 20" neighborhood special, I got it around 1976 for $10. & I was the 3rd or 4th owner. It had been spraypainted at least 3 times when I got it & had no identifying decals or badges.

It was a twin top tube, single down tube design, similar to a Torker. It didn't have the gusset at the seat tube/top tube area like a Torker though. The top tubes ran all the way from the head tube to the rear dropouts, with a bend at the seat tube. It also had reverse style dropouts, just like a Schwinn Sting Ray. And it was HEAVY!

It was nothing special, but I had some great memories riding that bike all around La Mirada, Whittier & Orange County California.

I'd love to find one like it & do a recreation!

My very first bike was a Huffy similar to this, but since it was 1976 it had a red, white and blue patriotic theme and was called (I believe) the Star Spangler...



Then I had a lame 10 speed that weighed 3 tons, then I bought my baby in 1984...which I still have and still ride...

My first racing bike was a '80 Thruster "Timmy Judge" model with a euro bottom bracket (Phil Wood) and cantilever brakes. Polished 7X rims with Phil Wood hubs, Campy Record cranks, Thruster bars. Wish I would have kept it. I've never seen another one like it. The frame was special ordered by Wooden Wheels bike shop. I was racing from them at the time.

Iam lovin these old photos keep them coming

my first 20 in. was a 76 AMF Evel Kneivel bike. Man I was so proud of that bike. I was the man on that thing. LOL. Then I got a HUFFY Pro Thunder. At least is was the good one. It was yellow with blue anno araya rims, dia-compe brakes, and sugino gt 3 piece cranks. Then I got a HUFFY STU THOMSEN. It was ok but was my last bike until 2003 when I found vintagebmx.com

I had I think an '82 Free Spirit 20" BMX bike that I rode for 6 or 7 years until I saved up enough to buy a brand new Haro Master.

I need to dig up some pics of that Free Spirit so I maybe can find another one.

NICE PROTECTIVE GEAR THERE! I remember too never even wearing a helmet when I was out jumping 55 gallon drums, with my parents watching no doubt!

Just wondering, you ever find any pics of that Free Spirit?

Mine was one of these. I had Femco steel wheels 'til I was able to get Araya 7Bs on mine:

Murray with springer front fork

First bike ever or first BMX bike?

Changstar

Mine was a 1980 or 81 team schwinn ...Wish i still had it thier kina rare i havent seen many people talk about them in here even..

This is kick azz it reminds me of Joe kid on a stingray

1978 Ross Snapper , saved up paper route money to buy it . It was blue with yellow tuffs cool bike.