A lot of you know that I have been looking for a 1970s frame manufactured under the name Cheetah. This frame was made in the mid 70s, and I believe it came out of Arizona. There were two Cheetahs - the standard Cheetah "Competitor," and the Super Cheetah.
My first real BMX bike (the Huffy monoshock does not count) was purchased from PRE BMX in Issaquah, Wa. My parents took me there when I was 12. The only bike they had in my price range was this orange twin top tube machine with yellow pads. I never saw anything like it. It was rugged, light, and a departure from everything else out there. I mean, no one I knew had an orange bike with a skinny reay tire.
The folks laoded it up in the Buick Vista Cruiser, and we went home.
Within a year, it went through many iterations. I swapped the orange 7bs for blue Tuffs. The bars and stem were swapped for a blue Tuf Neck and blue race inc bars. The final nail in the coffin came when I painted it a horrible shade of bluish-purple.
Shortly after this, I sold the frame to a friend in Bellevue for $5. Later, I bought a Race Inc, then a GJS and finally a Supergoose. The Cheetah was the special one, though.
When I returned to the collecting scene, I never expected to find one. They are very rare, and one never surfaced. I was done building new bikes, but if a Cheetah came around, I would do one more.
And it did.
Last summer, an anonomous frame was listed on ebay. the back of the frame was crushed - possibly a car backed over it. The seat mast was cut down as well. The owner did not know what it was, but I did. I was quick to stake my claim, bidding $700.00 on it, just to make sure I had a chance at winning it. In the end, I won the auction. I think I paid $76 bucks for it.
Here is what showed up a week later:








In the end, thanks to the members here who held back on the bidding

The frame was damaged, but I knew Rod Miles could fix it. He knows quite a bit about these frames, and, despite his health issues, agreed to take the project on. Rod was great to work with. I understood he was battling some weird ailment, so there was never any push to get it done. Once he got through it, he jumped right in and repaired the frame plus he helped me get the thing painted in the propper color.
The frame showed up last week, and I was just amazed at the quality of his work. It looks awesome.
I should point out that there is a chance the frame I bought on ebay is my original frame. I have no evidence other than the weird purple color. However, I think I remember these things were offered in purple.
So, two days ago I started the build. Here is the frame with a the forks and stem installed:



Those are Ashtabula forks, cut down with my trusty hack saw to the right steer tube height. They are NOS items. My original bike had an Ashtabula single clamp stem, which I despised as a kid. I decided to upgrade this one. Last year, I won a Cook Bros (not Cooks Bros) non-slant stem from Jeff Norton's ebay auction. I was going to use it for my Stroker project (cancelled, but still have the frame). While it's not the same as my original bike, I like it better.

Here's the stem I am using:



I am assuming the non-slant stem pre-dates the slanted stem. It looks pretty boss on this bike. The headset is a vintage piece as well.

It's like night and day, man what a great job Rod did. It's really cool that you could actually have your original frame!

-Brian

One of the tougher items to find are correct wheels. My original bike had orange Araya 7bs. This is another component I never expected to find. I was going to powdercoat a set of silver 7bs, but then a VBMX member offered a NOS set to me for a reasonable price. I apologize for forgetting this persons handle, but a huge "thank you" goes out to you.



Ben Joy was going to supply me with the non-orange 7bs, but the orange ones came up at the same time. (Ben, thanks for being understanding.) Ben was also instrumental in getting me the right hubs. He had a set of really old school wheels with the flat, heavy and chromed Araya rims and these high flange black hubs. They are identical to my original hubs, so I bought the wheels and pulled the hubs for my build. Sadly, I cannot use the ultra heavy gauge spokes - the holes in my orange rims are too small.
The wheels for this build are not assembled yet. That will happen in the near future.

You are welcome Steve It was easier to be polite and not bid against each other back then (you still would have won it, but I had a $500 bid ready). With eBay's current auctions, you could be bidding against your own mother and not know it. Your frame looks great! Looking forward to seeing it when you have it all built up.

Great story. That bike looks amazing. They do a test of the Cheetah in the June 77 BMXA

Here is a link if you have not seen it.

23 mag link

The wheels and tires are critical to this build. Here is a close-up. I am currently looking for a 1.75 Cheng Shin knobby. I have a knock off, but really want the correct tire:



This is a great combo - very old school.

Finding the right components was not too tough. My Cook Bros was a nightmare in comparison. All these NOS parts were found on ebay. I am not sure which grips to use. My original bike had yellow grips in the same style shown in this photo. They will definitely be black, and they will be 1970s pieces.

are those the orange 7B's that were on Ebay last week?

I saw those 7bs last week. I was amazed another pair surfaced! I bought these from a VBMX member.

Details, details. This vintage Schwinn clamp will work well. I have a 13/16 Wald seatpost on the way too. You can see the quality of the work Rod did. All the little stuff really matters:

Awesome, Ken...just awesome. Thanks for being a good sport!




So, there are two more pieces of the puzzle missing. I have no stickers and I have no frame pad. Hopefully, a black pad will show up sometime soon so I can have the bike completly finished for the August portland show.
The other item is frame stickers. I have no frame of reference other than memory. Rod confirmed that the downtube says "Competitor" framed by starts. The stickers are chrome with black letters. The head tube is another story. I was sent a picture of a headtube sticker, which was way different than the one on my original bike. However, it has the illustration of the Cheetah which I can use when I recreate my sticker set. I recall the headtube sticker being a small-ish square with the cheetah logo in a circle, and the name "Cheetah" underneath it. I will probably go with an approximation of this until I can find the real deal.
More photos will be posted as the build continues.

Alfa, that's looking awesome! Can't wait to see this one done.

Pete

Steve,

I have an NOS 20x1.75 Cheng Shin C-183 for you. Just let me know.

Now that is VERY cool! I can't wait to see it done.

Dan

Killer Just killer! I'm diggin' it to be sure. PM sent!!

Great presentation, cool stories, and a build I can't wait to see completed. It looks like Rod really did you right, the frame looks excellent.

Is there another way?



I'm more excited about this build than any other in a long time!

Glad to have helped out with the 7B's. The bike came out Awesome!!!

That is gonna be one sweet orange crush!

That is artwork my friend......love the 70's stuff.

Very interesting build. I agree, one of the coolest builds of late!

That is so nice!!! Rod is the best with fixing up these bikes.

Hope he is doing well.

You guys are the best.
First, I feel like the peg at a ring toss. Three (OMG!) people stepped up to offer me the correct rear tire. Pliska won out, and we are meeting at the haunted house in floral stree this evening to make the exchange.
Second, all the compliments are way cool. I could have never done this without the help of you people. The fact that people did not bid on this frame when it was on ebay shows your strength in character (except tose worms who bid it up to $76 bucks...I keel you all!!!).
Finally, the experience and passion for the hobby at this site (and the other one too) is what keeps me going. I don't build many bikes, so this is not a regular thing for me. Personally, I prefer hanging in the cafe calling Stodd a liar (the liar!). However, everytime I see the stuff you guys are building, I am inspired to turn the heat up a notch on the bikes I have.
Even if it means foolishly buying a seat post clamp for OMG! $400.
We are preserving more than vinyl, rubber and metal here. We are preserving a community.

I have a chen shin 1 3/4 x 20 nos . Pm me if you want .

Cant wait to see it built up. This is going to be one of the top builds IMO.

Old-skull

Great bike and great story.
I should have your frame decals by mid next week for you.


I think you need to get a bike rack mounted on the Super Bee. That color looks alot like Hemi Orange.

Twp peas in a pod, and both will be done around the same time!

Now that is the Sweetest set of Orange wheels on this site yet You have to show both of those rides when there done in a pic, MAN that is just smoken set of wheels for a poster!!!!!!!

Great story. You kept my interest the whole time. I'm now a fan and I'll be checking on the progress. Keep us informed!

For those who are interested in the resurection of this rare cat, the build is done.
Done, I tell ya!
But I wont have any pictures to post until Monday. Ben was instrumental to the completion of this bike...he built the wheels for me last Wednesday.
Thanks, Ben!

Done already? Sweet! I look forward to pictures.

2 words sum up exactly what I know about 70s bikes. Dogmeatus Excretus. However, this is one of the coolest bikes I've ever seen. Oh, and I hate you for owning that Road Runner, too.

Wow that road runner is sick...i love it....they are gonna look so cool together!!so how mutch cash do you have in the road runner? Thats a 68 0r 69?

Out in these parts we call it a 1969 Dodge Super Bee.
(thanks for the props!)

You stated that both would be done around the same time. Does that mean we get to see some pics of the finished Super Bee on Monday as well?

We will take the Super Bee in next wednesday for a front end alignment. If everything shakes down well this weekend, It will be done around the same time as the Cheetah.

Very nice. Keep us updated.

I've read through this thread, and I have to say, your attention to detail on this restoration is amazing. You're a credit to this hobby.

Well done!

I too am lookin' forward to seeing BOTH done. I love a good 70's ride too.

The detail is great on this restoration and "every" project Alfa does! I'm always impressed with the fit and finish of his bikes.

C'mon Alfa....indulge us just a little with some quick shots of the other bikes...! Please, just a little lead up to the unveiling....?

Dang we have to wait till monday for both of them in a pic doing a power slide and a burn OUT for those Super BEES in one pic I can wait that long LOL man those to are some SWEET rides you have!!!!!!!!

One of the most enjoyable things about this dumb hobby is the people.

Early on meeting DAN, DaveC, Bill, KOD, Jason, Paul, Triplerbmx, RandyS, Jamie, Azman, Jimmy and (I will miss someone so I stop here so I don't offend my friends) was a blast. Building wheels for many of them was relaxing. Sitting around talking about bike stuff most would consider me retarded for knowing was fun.

Wednesday evening, sitting with Alfa, building wheels, talking about restoring houses, bikes, traveling in Europe when young and having this all on a warm summer evening while listening to Crowded Hosue library was my pleasure.

It very nice change from the potty mouth trash talk of late.

I agree. Kind of refreshing, isn't it

Allfa Sweet the 69 here in PR is allmost done two post me your cell and i'll send you a vid from the cell
so you can here the 426 Hemi ALIVE.

Im certainly no tim, but I was inspired by every build he did. I would love to continue restoring these two wheeled things, but there has to be a stopping point (my wife agrees). I have built four bikes which mean the world to me. My GJS is, in spirit, the bike I used to race. The Robinson is a replica of the one a neighbor kid raced. The CBR is a bike I could only dream of as a kid, and the Cheetah was the consolation prize, and, the very first BMX bike I owned.
Here are three of the 4 bikes I have restored:










Oh, come on - you know you like it!

Absolutly makes for very interesting reading , beautiful bike & car . My son-in law recently got back his '68 440 charger (rotissirie restoration ....i'm sure mucho $$$ ) & that car moves but i'll bet that hemi REALLY moves . Pics of your bike W/ the car will be TOTALLY OOZING VINTAGE !!!

Love the bikes and the Cheetah is rare and now looks better then new. Love to see it built up. The Cooks Bros is just begging for a number and district decal. What was Oregon's NBA district back in the 70's? I think Seattle was W, was Portland also?

We never had NBA. We went NPSA/Local to ABA. OR-1 would be correct.

Can't wait-hope the frame decals were okay.