Finally done!!! This has been by far the slowest build ever in my 25+ years of turning out bikes!
This is a 5th anniversary special edition 1982 Diamond Back California Klunker; I found it wasted, rusted, and in need of rescuing.
Once I tore it down and tossed out everything except the frame, fork, original handlebars, original Dia-Compe levers, and original grips it was ready for sandblasting and powder coating. The powder coat color is Wet Black, I really wanted it to shine like it did back on ’82. Originally I was sticking to a purist build with only period correct parts but I started to realize that I was very limited on part options from a performance standpoint. That bothered me because I fully intend to use this bike and I want it to perform well on the trail. So, I had to get creative and blend new with old… I definitely did not want it to look like any of the garbage from China that I see everywhere today!
1982
Diamond Back 5th Anniversary Special Edition California Klunker
FRAME – Tange CrMo
FORK – Tange CrMo
HEADSET – NOS Tioga Bear Trap
REAR DERAILLEUR – NOS Shimano 7 speed drop out mount
HUBS - Shimano Deore DX
RIMS – Ritchey Vantage Comp
TIRES – 2.1 Kenda Nevagel (unhappy, going to change)
BRAKES – Suntour Roller Cam with Tektro center plate mount
BRAKE LEVERS – Original stock – Dia-Compe MotoX
CRANK – GT one-piece 180mm with new Tangent chainring
PEDALS – Primo magnesium platforms
SHIFTERS - Shimano Deore XT thumb shifter
HANDLEBAR – Original stock
FREEWHEEL - AJ-AM 7 cassette (11-30)
STEM – NOS GT BMX 4 bolt
SEAT POST – Diamond Back Tange CrMo (Tioga made, Japan) with Odyssey Pozi-Stop
SEAT - SDG USA “Big Boy”
GRIPS – Original stock - A’ME BMX