I see alot of nice Redline freestyle bikes around here but I have no clue how to tell them apart as far as quality, year etc..
What were the different models and how did they differ?

thanks
Al.

[ February 04, 2007, 11:11 PM: Message edited by: hemidart1 ]

OK this is general and of course subject to production variations in years...

RL20 Prostyler --came out in 1984, these were all white, very early models had no fork pegs; unique & desirable because they are the "first", not that many made.

RL20 "2nd gen" --- in 85 Redline went to a half chrome/half paint finish with all new graphics. Structurally identical though. Still desirable but not as much as the other models in my opinion.

RL20II -- came out in 85, is considered one of - if not 'the' - ultimate freestyle frame/fork made. Twin top tubes. Had high level fork pegs, and introduced flared rear chainstays to serve as foot stand area. 1985's are distinguishable by having straight brackets on these chainstays, are considered very desirable because of this unique design, plus the first year of production. These have bottom brackets same color as rest of the frame.

1986 and after they had brackets with a 90 degree bend design, and went to a graphics package that faded to a black bottom bracket regardless of color. Still super desirable.

RL20 "3rd gen" --- I think this was 86 (someone please correct me) when they added the flared rear chainstays from the RL20II to the single top tube frame. I find these more desirable than the 2nd gen for this reason, although I don't know which is rarer. I am looking for a good restorable frame and fork for one of these if anyone has one!

RL20A ---tri-moly (steel) cheaper version of RL20, also had 4" non-flared headtube. These typically have low fork pegs. This may be one of the lesser desirable of them all, although still a decent bike.

1988 - RL20II last year of production, paint changed - no more chrome, faded from color to gray (all chrome was available too). Colors were new and unique, kiwi, mango, etc. New graphics. Also had 990 mounts for the first (and only) time. Had low fork pegs of much larger diameter and length. These are considered less desirable by the community, I think because the color schemes aren't as sharp as the half paint/half chrome, plus most of us owned one of the earlier models when we rode BITD. Ironic, because it probably is the best design frame/fork due to the 990s and fork pegs, both of which I consider an improvement.

RL20B - new design top tube similar to Haro Sport, trimoly, debatable as to if this is the least desirable of all.

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Good Job NightHawk!

Now if you really need some more exact identifiing when it comes to a strange combination of the above, there are some more little things to look for....

Stephen