1984 Torker Freestyle Prototype #1

Well, I finally got it finished. I wanted to wait until Martin saw it first before I posted up the pics. This is the first Torker freestyle frame built under the Torker brand name. This frame was designed and ridden by early freestyle pioneer, Martin Aparijo. This is the only Torker FS frame made with a 4 inch head tube. Prototype #2 was designed and built with a 5 inch head tube. This frame was refinished in it’s original color and built to the same specs Martin had it built to back in 1984. Martin rode this bike with red & black components due to his ties with Vans, but I wanted to build it in true Torker colors so I went with gold and black. Not to mention, I couldn’t find his one off color combo SST Gen 1 hubs.

Frame - Torker Freestyle Prototype #1
Fork - Torker Freestyle Prototype #1
Stem - Pro Neck (Martins original stem)
Bars - Woody Itson Freestyle Bars by VDC, First Generation
Grips - NOS AME Unitrons
Rims - NOS Pro Class with NOS Rim Strips
Hubs - SST Gen 1’s (These are a team issue set of hubs)
Spokes - NOS Stainless
Nipples - NOS Aluminum
Freewheel - NOS Suntour 16
Chain - NOS Izumi
Tires (front & rear) - NOS Mistuboshi Comp 3 20X2.175
Brake Calipers (front & rear) - NOS Dia-Compe MX 900
Brake Levers (front & rear) - NOS Dia Compe Tech 3
Brake pads (front & rear) - NOS “Kool Stop” Vans Brake Shoes
Brake Cables (front & rear) - NOS Dia Compe 1984 date coded
Cranks - Redline Flight Cranks 170MM (NOS white, stripped & chromed)
Bottom Bracket - Ultralight Sealed
Chain ring - NOS Redline Bubble Font 41
Pedals - Hutch with Hutch FS Cages (Pedals were mine from the 80s, cages are new issue from Hutch)
Seat - Kashimax Aero
Seat Cover - Max
Seat Post - NOS SST Command Post (from Brian Scura)
Seat Clamp - SR (Martins original clamp)

Here are some pics, I hope you like it..





Martin is holding a book in his hand the he and I ended up in during the 1984 World Championships in Japan. This was the first time he had ever seen that book or those pictures. This book helped me a lot with the small details on his bike. Needless to say he was blown away on how the bike looked now and wanted me to tell everyone hello.


FYI, if you look up at the window behind Martins head, you will notice a red thing with a max decal on it. That little piece was wrapped around Martins rear brake on this very bike. For years people asked me what it was, the answer, a MAX helmet visor with the snaps removed. He did this so his rear foot wouldn't mess with the rear brake when doing cherry pickers.

That is without a doubt one of the best restoration projects I have had the privilege to see "Ever"...
To see Martin Aparijio seating in his old bikes... Has got to be a real sweet memory for you guys

Thanks for sharing such and awesome project Woody!!!

The bike is beyond anything I can dream of building. Just out of curosity how did you end up with the 2 frame sets? Did you beat him in a 9ball game or sumtin'?


Rob-

Nothing like that Rob.. I tell people I can play, if they still want to make a wager, that's up to them. As for the bikes, I asked him earlier this year what he still held onto after all these years. He told me he still had his complete Almanac bike (redline proline II), and his two Torker proto frame sets and that was it. He had sold his GHP prototype many years ago at a swap meet here in so cal. He couldn't remember what he did with his OG SST hubs though. His GT's were all long gone as well. I'm not sure why he held onto these bikes vs others, but for some reason he did. He also thought he still had one NOS GT Pro Performer frame set in a box some where, but he couldn't remember where he left it. It's funny to say, but I can understand where he is coming from. In any case, those three are now all back together. I would love to find his GHP, but that may never happen. But hey, it gives me something to chase after.

beautiful...... very nice bike woody

Man, that's incredible! So cool to see built up, and with Martin nontheless, Cool!!! Thanks for posting it, I probably never would have seen that frame otherwise.

Awesome!!!

Great job on this bike woody. I've always been a fan of those early Torker bikes and this one is just spectacular. Words can't describe how amazing this bike is.

I'm lovin' the banner in the background

KILLER!!!!!!!

Build of the year hands down!!!!! By a legends of Freestyle! Now we all know VBMX is a adiction!!! Very good build Woody.......

#1 is killer and can't wait to see #2 with those proto bars!!!

Awesome as usual Woody and below is how the bike was orginally.

Nice pic J.T

That is some history from one of the 2 best flatlanders BITD... Great build Woody, can't wait to show my kids this.....Ride on..

I've been wondering if that frame would get built up.
Martin is one lucky guy, your attention to detail was dead on. Nice job Woody!

As for the duel Gut-Lever photo...
how long did you run mags? First time I've seen that on your bikes.

Awesome. Just awesome. Thanks for sharing!

Thats a really cool build. Regardless of what it is (and it's really cool) it's a well built bike.
Nice job as usual Woody.

Awesome bike!! Freestyle history restored. I like the bolt for the wheel attaching hardware. Very clean looking. I had known that Torker is a huge part of the history of Haro, but I see some Trick Star in the front end as well (raised downtube with cross member through it to the headtube). I wonder if this Torker model had any influence on the design of the Trick Star too or if it came out after the Trick Star. If it does, I would prize it at an even greater place in freestyle history, if there could be one.

Really nice! Thanks for sharing it Woody!

Woody, you've become quite the restorer over the last couple years. But i suppose it helps when you've always built among the best bikes around! Great build!

Incredible!

I ran mags for a little while. I was really bad with bending rims early on in my riding career so I went to Skyways. They hooked me up with some custom wheels. Wish I still had that white set with the custom front hub....

WOW totally awesome Woody!!!
Is it me or does it look like Martin hasn't even aged? lol! Get back on a bike Martin!!!

If you had problems bending rims early on, my guess is that you were probably pretty tough on the Skyways, too. Did you ever crack them? I cracked my back Tuff doing a lawnmower, of all things. Can't imagine what you pros put those wheels through!

We all know Martin smiles a lot, however, the first and last photos are great. Love the bike.

Freakin' RAD as usual, dude. Although.. it is kind of surprising and sad that Martin is completely without any GT's. How can we remedy this situation? :-)

Very nice build! It's nice to look at the various builds that pop up on here from various members. But to see a build from one of the old school greats, and with such detail, that is really cool! Just to see that the guys we looked up to, that have "been there, done that" so-to-speak. That bmx is still a part of them after all these years. That's cool to see...Woody, does Martin ride at all? Or does he talk about riding again? I have to think that after seeing all of these old school bikes like your restored gold TS, the GT that was built for Eddy, and now this Torker, that all of that has to have given him a little itch to get back on a bike?!

Hey everyone, first thanks for all the great comments. I will make sure Martin sees this thread. Second, yes Martin actually rode straight through until the end of the 90's without stopping. He dropped out of the lime light, but was involved with doing shows for many years after his GT days ended. I'm sure Martin can still ride pretty well. You don't get that good, then suddenly forget everything. Sometimes your body doesn't want to cooperate with your mind, but I'm sure there are some things that are still very easy for him to do. It's also my understanding that he became a really good street skater as well. A couple years back Martin was injured pretty bad in a motorcycle accident. He was broad sided by a car and ended up stretched across the hood and from there to a hospital. He told me it's taken him a couple years to recover from the accident, but I'm not sure he is 100% yet. He busted up his leg pretty bad in the impact. He did tell me he does want to get back on a bike for sure and he did trip out on my bikes as well. He may think I'm nuts-LOL.

In any case, he doesn't seem to have aged much and he still smiles and laughs all the time. It was just like old times only with a few more body aches and grey hairs (just me)...

I see so many motorcycle fatalities in my area each year. It's good to see that he recovered from his accident and is doing well. Thanks for sharing the info Woody. I would'be loved to be a fly on the wall when u were showing him all your bikes, etc. I bet there were some great stories/memories shared!

Wow thks for sharing, never knew that bike actually existed!!! Made my day.

Awesome Restore!!

That is AWESOME! Thanks so much for sharing! Any chance for some action shots?!?

Amazing stuff Woody !!! The Torkers are some of my fave freestyle bikes, and your prototypes are just sick !!

Those hubs...I'm droolin over here !!!

awesome work woody.....it's nice to see all the pros from bitd..
looks like martin was real happy in the pics.

It really looks great Woody. We should expect nothing less from a guy with a gold plated Trick Star hanging from the rafters.

Great work, Man.

That is definitely one for the books. Great to see you stoked too. That was great to see you at Rockford 2008 and displaying the banner. I seen my name on there...

That Torker is just stoke. Never really seen one like that. The extra tube is sick. Just a great job on the bike. That made my day.. Stay stoked...

Talk about a trip... seeing Martin's smile sitting on a Torker now that's just priceless.
Thanks for the great job!

That looks like Woody's up stairs pool room is it not? Is the pool table still there or are there to many bikes up there? I just got my 1982 Haro Freestyler Torker built (TXX 106 F) in the mail. So So happy to have an 82 aswell as an 83 torker built Haro's! John

Too Cool Woody and Martin! We are all hardly worthy of your radittude! Hails to the OG freestyle masters. Martin, I always looked up to you special, because of your spanish surname. Good times

jesse Diaz
honored