Folding Bikes - Formula One BMX small wheeler on ebay

I came across this crazy thing and thought some of you might be into it-
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=380005136299&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=025

How does it fold? Isn't this just a kid's bike? Why would this be of interest to this forum?
So many questions. I think I know the answers, though.

....... Why would this be of interest to this forum?


The advert uses the word ''steel'' four times, that's enough to get people excited around here.

I guess there should be a "Steel" forum then. I'm an aluminum man myself. I know, I know - don't start up anything, okay?

Think thats got a few upgrades

Dura Ace mech

I saw one in Richards bicycle book.
Seems like a good bike

I like the geometry of the bike. I happen to think this bike would make a very good folder as the geometry is aggressive instead of being straight up.

I've seen one or two of these on the net over the years. They're collectable.

Any bike folds. I had a Sears Spyder when I was 9 that folded under my Mom's Chrysler station wagon.....

I think this is definitely of interest because this forum informally embraces the non-folding minibike... :)

Ok so here's what I know about F1 BMX. Definitely not a kids bikes - F1 BMX series was a short-lived series in 1988 for fast and loose dirt racing on the flat with geared frames and pursuit geometry.

I love these frames and they're pretty rare - there was another like this on the Fixed Gear Gallery (http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2005/may/WillFCC_aol_2.htm) a couple of years ago that had had the fixie treatment;

http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2005/may/WillFCC_aol_2-1.jpg
Will's Fixed Gear Schwinn Qualifier


Only a few manufacturers made frames; Diamondback F1, Schwinn Qualifier, Haro Dart... Anyone know any others?

http://bmxmuseum.com/image/f1..3_lg.jpg
http://bmxmuseum.com/image/f1side_lg.jpg
A Haro Dart

See also the the Mongoose Moosegoose also for larger sized BMX frames (very similar to the minibikes popular in Asia and the new non-folding Dahons)
http://collection.rydjor.com/images/bikecollection/1979mon.jpg
Mongoose Moosegoose

I'm sure someone here turned an F1 into a nice tourer... [goes and looks]...
Yes - here (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=189992&highlight=qualifier)
http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=13390&d=1145710703

There a fair few threads here if you search for 'moosegoose' 'f1' or 'minibike'

Also you can get replica frames made new: Rockfish (http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2007/mar/ThomasGrinder):
http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2007/mar/ThomasGrinder-1.jpg

Lastly - don't do this: It's not big or clever. Look at the rake!
http://www.grinderbikes.com/diamondback_01.jpg

there cool bikes

not sure of the mongoose tho

very short lived ...... Shimano driven actually , they made a group for those bikes. They invisioned Parking lot racing , just like BMX racing on dirt. We made a few bikes at the time ( velo Schauff ) after riding them ( the little frames ) we concentratet more on MTB instead. BMX was huge around that time, but the sales were going down, hence the new idea about F 1 bikes ....
thor

I'm glad you showed up littlepixel! I actually posted this here because I saw your post on a blog about them when I was trying to research what this thing was.

freaking awesome!

what size wheels are those? 406 or 451?

I think they're all 406 though 451s would be excellent in one of those frames if you can manage to make them fit...

@ garagegirl- you're welcome! I don't need many excuses to go off on one about minibikes, especially vintage ones...

It is good to be reminded of these bikes . I like the fat Bmx tires ( i did the same thing with my BF Metro)on that last bike pumped up hard they are probably comfortable and still fast.I would go with moustache bars not drops.It would be nice to get a hold of one those but they are probably out of my financial reach.

http://houston.craigslist.org/bik/604519458.html

I went to look at this yesterday. Too small for me (and my wife was sat in the car frowning). Maybe someone else will save it?

Cool. Non folding minibke. What the ?%#* is this?

Thats a burro .... super super cool indeed.. however its VERY Expensive I mean very ... and the tires are heavy, meaning they wont ride like the the bikes we are ued to ... But on sand or just cruisng along they are hot...

thor

These bikes are sweet... I need to focus here! The last thing I need is another bike project... I guess I could start lookin for next winter's project? :)

oh think my Lil blue bikes going under the spanner

how hard are those guys cornering?

sooperb

Lastly - don't do this: It's not big or clever. Look at the rake!
http://www.grinderbikes.com/diamondback_01.jpg

Au contraire Rodney, it's not big, but it's definitely clever, and rather awesome! Also, don't talk 20" fork rake with me, unless you can top this:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a322/Samuelw72/Image073.jpg

A few months ago I built a mini partly inspired by the BMX F1 bikes. I described the design and build in my blog:

http://www.tonyrentschler.com/Bicycle_Site/Blog/Entries/2007/11/22_Scout%3A_Design_and_Construction.html

http://idisk.mac.com/w.rentschler-Public/Photos/IMG_0800.jpg

http://idisk.mac.com/w.rentschler-Public/Photos/IMG_0809.jpg

I saw your website Trentschler

loads of good bikes I want...cant afford....dont have the tools to build...

Ive built chopped bikes with lots of rake on forks...
Still got those long forks in the shed have to build a bike for them

Great looking bike! Loved reading your complete and well written story. I would love to be able to build my own frames. That would truly qualify as "building up" a bike.

Keep up the great work.

A few months ago I built a mini partly inspired by the BMX F1 bikes. I described the design and build in my blog:

http://www.tonyrentschler.com/Bicycle_Site/Blog/Entries/2007/11/22_Scout%3A_Design_and_Construction.html

http://idisk.mac.com/w.rentschler-Public/Photos/IMG_0800.jpg

http://idisk.mac.com/w.rentschler-Public/Photos/IMG_0809.jpgHow did you make /what did you use for the handlebar stem?I picked up( someone discarded it.) a 20"wheeled bmx frame and am thinking of making it usable for my 5'8" self who likes to sit upright.

looks like ahead set forks with a tapered riser tube
clamps onto the fork tube then goes thinner at top for the stem

I built up my 3speed BMX
I used bars from a scooter...you used to get them with 12" mag wheels
The bars are simmilar to BMX ones but they were a bit higher.
I widened the ends to take proper grips/levers and bar ends.
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c296/Alecw35/BMXclose.jpg

Jus' bumping this thread as a nice Haro Dart (fixie) turned up today on the FGG (http://www.fixedgeargallery.com)
http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2008/apr/4/JoePesci.htm
Love the pursuit wheel combo of 406/451!

http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2008/apr/4/JoePesci-1.jpg

Involuntary reaction: "Dude that's nice!"

is that bare steel?

cool

I found a guy here in the states that still makes these frames, his name is Nick (he lives on the East coast)... I emailed him (when this thread first started) and he emailed back, but he has been to busy for us to get any further than that in the process. They are relatively cheap and he sometimes sells them in various states of finished... Thomas Grinder is the guy from earlier on in this thead ,who owns the Orange one, bought his from Nick. At this point I kinda consider Thomas a friend since we have started emailing each other pretty regularly now. He lives in Colorado, and builds really flippin sweet bikes. The bikes he builds are usually single speeds (He calls his bikes "Grinders"). I recently talked him into keeping an R-20 he found to rebuild it. He has a differnt slant on things so his R-20 should be one to take note of when its done. The dude knows his poop...

He has a blog and a bike site...

Blog is http://grinderswheels.blogspot.com/
Site is http://grinderbikes.com/

R-20's : They can still hold their own....

come check the progress...
http://web.mac.com/phatatude/Green_Space/Raleigh_Twenty_Blog/Raleigh_Twenty_Blog.html

is that bare steel?

cool

Probably! It might be clearcoated though. Last a bit longer that way.. :)

I seen they are making watches from steel salvaged from the Titanic.

Youve got to keep the watch in an Argon filled dome to stop it rusting.
Dont want to do that with a bike though