I've been very lucky scoring some really nice old Mongoose stuff over the last couple years, but this '76 frame is the jackpot!!!

As I've begun to finally assemble all the pieces to recreate my first Mongoose from back in 1976, I recently found this insanely well preserved historical time capsule. It completely smokes any other frame I own.

This will be the heart of my most cherished build/project and it is nearly mint. Rarely have I seen anything 33 years old in such near perfect condition. Not exactly NOS but so damn close it's nuts... I doubt this was ever ridden more than once or twice.

It still has it's near perfect original decals and the original nickel finish with almost zero drop out marks... Totally sick!!! Aside from the extremely - ever so slight - marks on the drop outs, the only other minor blemish is the rear stripe or "band" on one side that is slightly peeling.

I removed the "Motomag" decal (to recreate the same look as my original '76 which also had it removed) and there was a slight difference in the nickel underneath it from the rest of the frame as the decal had preserved the OG finish from any oxidization...

To even it out a little, I hit it with some Mothers polish and it is hardly noticeable now. I've only done the down tube and I'm sure the rest will be just as sweet once I polish the whole frame.

I'm so stoked about this bike!!!

Here's the frame:



For comparison, I placed it beside a refinished '76 someone gave me a while back... The refinished frame is Triple Show Chrome with the licensed re-pop decals:

(Notice how the "Blueish" tint of the chrome on the refinished frame looks quite apparent next to the "Goldish" tint of the nickel on the original frame)





These DG Octopus grips literally took me years to find... The hardest of all of the original components to obtain it seemed. They are pure NOS goodness and now ready to join the party!



This is the OG '76 Goose that will be fully cloned as close as humanly possible (I loved this bike BITD more than anything I had ever known):

Anticipation!

How come the BMX Products decal is square cut rather than having the traditional rounded corners?

Can we get a close up of that decal?

Can we get a pic of the decal behind the headtube?

Can you post a pic of the difference in the nickel finish between where the "motomag" decal was and the rest of the frame, it would be interested to see the difference in the degree of oxidation between the covered and uncovered parts

What's your point Brisben? Are you trying to be some kind of detective? FYI, the small BMX decal was mine from a massive sheet I have of them.

I showed that picture of the sheet to you before when you forensically challenged my first use of those decals... Remember?

Why are you so suspicious of my NOS stash? These are NOS US made bike parts and decals, not Aussie knockoffs. I have more of them to... I just sent a set to Waza.

I'm surprised to see you on my thread after all these months, I thought you were still busy trying to figure out how to remove rust from your Gold Stem bolts...

This is looking really good! Lovin' all the pics, especially the old school riding pics.

Great Score Pete! I am looking forward to seeing some progress pics on your childhood recreation.

jk

That bike is the one I first saw that started my interest in BMX. As a kid I saw 3 guys that got those for Christmas and I was hooked. I begged to have a BMX bike after that. Everything about it screamed cool to me at 9 years old. And is still cool today.

Changstar

Those early mongooses will always have a softspot in our hearts as they were to most of us, our first "race bike". I saved my 2 dollars a day lunch money for a whole school year to get my first one and it was the baddest bike on the planet and I ruled the world (my block).

Geeze mate - keep your skirt on, a guy asks a couple of questions...

Firstly, to answer your question, I AM trying to be some kind of detective, I had thought with your depth of knowledge on the subject you could proffer some sort of answers.

So from what you have said - you have actually replaced the decals on this bike, your inference of "near perfect original decals" gave the impression that these were the actual decals originally on this bike. So I was just trying to clarify that!

What is the harm in asking, users on this forum ask many questions on many threads of a similar nature; why do you feel that whenever I ask a question is is some sort of persecution? I would consider that most restorers and collectors are interested in the "forensics" as you put it of BMX

Do you not think it reasonable that myself and possibly others would be interested to see the oxidization effects on a 33 year old frame compared to a section that has been protected by a decal?



(Nice crack about the Gold Stem Bolts too - that's a real zinger, you really cut me off at the knees with that one!)

Hey Brisben, I'm glad your awake... You are wrong again. I did not replace the decals on this frame. They are original. I added the small square BMX Products decal on the seat tube from my stash to match my original frame. That's all. To answer your questions about the "oxidization"...

I'm not sure what kind of computer you're using at your Mom's place but if you look closely at the third picture, you can clearly see the "oxidization" marks from when I first removed the original Motomag decal on the downtube before polishing... Look closely.

You can also see the differences from where the seat clamp was protecting the OG finish in a few pics. All your questions were basically already answered Inspector Clouseau.

I actually love answering any questions people honestly have and learning as much as I can about old Mongoose stuff myself.

However I'm not buying your act on this... Don't play me, son. You were originally questioning the whole authenticity here, that's it. I got that.

You clearly forgot our last exchange and another rude encounter I had with you where you questioned my integrity, played BMX detective and even attempted to use profanity...

Of course you were way off then as well and basically ran away after I shut you down with more facts and extra pics. I'm not going for it again this time. No extra pics or considerations for you, you're done. I don't like your style...

Your Quote:

wow - it even flipped the decal on the stem - this stuff is amazing

you cannot tell me that the restored stem is the same as the before stem

Dude - check your pics

Before:


notice the position of "maurice's" tail in relation to the stem bolt in both pics

After:



This pic shows both stickers facing the same way

to add to this the sticker on the "restored" stem has even had the type under the mongoose restored

BTW - if rust gets under a brass plating in the state you have illustrated here - it CERTAINLY does not come back to brass

Either you have a serious mix up with your photos or you are just talking [Hey everybody, I'm salty!]

Here's the link to your last embarrassment: http://www.vintagebmx.com/community/index....mp;hl=gold+stem

Does anyone care about what a guy who never raced and calls the guy who got this site up and running childish names even though he's been involved in bmx more than 30+ years ?

Perhaps you should finish your question, if you want it answered.

Damon Devon is my hero!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Onya Caferacer, seems like you've been following me around and trying to learn everything you can about me... I enjoyed your posts on my "75 Mongoose" thread too, although they were somewhat "off" factually and you obviously have some serious spelling/grammar issues. Anyhow, I appreciate you caring so much about me but to be very honest, it feels a little creepy.

Also, I'll venture to say I was racing full production BMX bikes before you'd ever seen one... I got started with BMX in 1974 and (as you may know already) had the very first Mongoose ever shipped outside of the US by early '76. Our racing wasn't sanctioned where I lived back then but we sure did race. I don't believe you had even seen a Mongoose until at least the 80's, right? Maybe even later? No worries, I'll try to help you on your BMX history and spelling/grammar if you'd like. It's never too late to learn no matter how far behind you are.

Oh and if you ever get out to Tennessee, I'll take you Music City BMX which is awesome. It's the track where I occasionally ride right now at 45 years old! Can you believe that? I'll supply the bikes and all the riding gear too. All my riders are vintage Mongoose, Redline and Webco. You'd love it - that is - if you can actually ride presently. Let me know...

In a way, it's kind of sad to see my thread go so far off topic here... Is this some kind of "Aussie" thing? Swat one drongo down for being annoying and a couple more pop up right away to take his place. It's like dealing with gnats or "no-see-ums".

Now Mick suddenly pops up out of the blue only to praise his boyfriend on my vintage Mongoose thread? Sheesh, I know you're all battlers and you all love a barney but maybe it's time to go back to your own thread and get off mine? Or at least try to add something half intelligent/on topic? Whatever...

Why do you attack everyone that doesnt agree with you?

and you dont just have a friendly debate, you go for the throat EVERYTIME. If someone doesnt agree with your opinion they can look for to a spray like the one above. And its not just this thread, its every thread.

Dont forget to abuse me, my builds, my friends, my reason for being here. I have been building bikes since 2004, have many friends in the community and certainly dont deserve to be attacked by you or anyone else. You have some serious anger management problems, but I'm sure your response will back my statement up.

Hey, nice seeing you here Reece! Thanks for dropping in. This has become quite the "Aussie" fest, I figured you might show up sooner or later!

It's like a revolving door from down under and each guy gives it a try! Ha! No worries...

I don't agree with what you've just said at all (I know, that you know, it's not really true) but that's cool.

The words and posts all speak for themselves... No apologies, no regrets. I rather enjoy exposing BS'rs and never back down from poseurs, as you know. That's not a bad thing, at least not to me. I'll probably never change either... I just don't suffer fools easily. Sorry mate.

BTW, I sort of dig that Helium bike of yours. I meant to tell you that before when I saw it. Can't see why it would have ever really lightened up a bike though... Crazy!

Nice work and right as rain!

Next?

Oh geez, can I join in?
The helium was meant to strengthen the thin-walled tubing they used to make it lighter.
Caferacer is still racing and holds a few titles. He was factory JMC in I think 80 or so? Correct me Damon if I'm wrong.
Sorry Pete, I really like this goose. It's a shame to have all this banter in the thread.
Next.

Yep, its hard to not know about you. You do put lots of information about yourself on this site and others. Creepy ? or Insecure ? Only you might know ?
I'd love to know my off-information on the 75" mongoose thread, please tell ?
Thanks for picking up on my spelling and grammar problems, i thought you were a drummer ? But now youre an English teacher?
And refering to members that question your infinite wisdom as gnats, Pete be nice !
The condescending attitude you have, in refering to members from Australia as "battlers" and implying that we might be gay "boyfriend" is not as tough as you might think, and we all know if you met us in the flesh you would'nt be saying this type of thing, don't we.
If there was no organized racing in Canada in 1976, how could it be racing ?
That's like saying youre a competitive tennis player, but are just hitting a ball against a wall by yourself.
Here are some fact's and their not for the sake of blowing my own trumpet.
I still own the February 1978 mongoose caferacer i started racing on in july that year.
Rode for the JMC factory team from 1980 to 1983, have raced in the U.S many times during 80's and 90's.
4 time Australian champion, one of only two people to have won one in the 80', 90's and 00's.
Longest continuous racer in Australia [ 31 years last july] so i think that racing on 15 1/2 top tube frames for me was done a long time ago, but thanks for the offer.
So i've done this for more than 3/4 of my life time, and not just discovered bmx again a few years ago like many on here.
Oh yeah one last thing, Celine said "HI PETE" !

Its all good, i've just utilised the block button on threads and PM's so he can abuse me until he turns blue in the face for all I care. You've made my blocked list Pete, and now that makes one!

I knew you were wierd when u admitted to playing drums for celine dion

Damon/Caferacer you sound like a good guy... Your credentials are very impressive. Nice work.

I'm sure you would be a great guy to get to know in "real life". I respect you for basically coming to another Aussie's defense... People like Brisben (who essentially embarrasses himself) are lucky to have people like you who try to help them out. I've tried to help out people before as well who were stumbling or getting clobbered. It's all good mate.

Glenn... You're awesome bro. You'll always be cool with me. Thanks for the input and I totally agree with you 100%.

Quicksilver/Reece's Pieces: I've never posted on one of your threads ever nor have I ever sent you a PM on this site... Blocking me here? LMAO!!! Why do you come around my threads in the first place? You're essentially blocking yourself from following me! Ha!

Anyhow, I've never had to use that feature, but I'm happy for you if you need to use it, especially if it prevents you from trying to bother me anymore or getting confused or embarrassed.

Bye-bye Reecy...

So anyhow... I was trying to put together my childhood bike and I found this awesome frame...

have a nice day

Too funny... Right after posting that, I saw you reading my thread over on OS... I guess it's sort of flattering to be followed around (and ignored) at the same time by Reecey!!!

In the meantime, here's a Mongoose related interlude:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tYt-0AwE_g