Name: Kelly Swanson
Hometown: Greeley, Colorado
Started riding BMX in: 1975, on my Schwinn scrambler, first race: 1977 on my trusty Mongoose Motomag!
Number of bikes in the collection: Currently own 10 vintage BMX completes-
Do you remember the moment that you decided to start collecting BMX memorabilia?
Kelly Swanson: About seven years ago I bought a 1/4 pipe off Craigslist for my son to skate and the seller had a late model OM Flyer, that I bought on a whim- Once I got my butt back on a BMX bike I was hooked all over again!
At this moment, do you wish you had started collecting earlier?
Kelly Swanson: It’s all about timing and passion, I would never change my path to getting where I am today.
Do you feel there is a need for BMX products to survive for history's sake?
Name: Woody Itson
Hometown: Keller, TX
Started riding BMX in: The 70’s
Number of bikes in the collection: I have 15 complete bikes and some frames and parts that may or may not ever turn into anything
Do you remember the moment that you decided to start collecting BMX memorabilia?
Woody Itson: I didn’t actually decide to collect any BMX stuff to be honest. In fact there was one point where all I had was the one bike that I was riding and some miscellaneous parts and uniforms in a box.
Name: Steve Blackey
Hometown: Torrance, California
Started riding BMX in: 1977
What was your connection with The Bicycle Source?
Steve Blackey: I met Mike Buff and started riding with him at local dirt jump spots in late 1979. Mike's brother Steve Potts (Inventor of Potts Mod), opened The Bicycle Source early 1980 in Lomita, California. At that time I was 15 working at another bike shop. Around mid April 1980 Mike asked me if I wanted to work at his brother's shop and I jumped on the opportunity.
Steve Potts owned and ran the business, also did sales, I was the mechanic and did sales. With Mike Buff, being associated with BMX Action, the shop soon became a focal point for local kids because Mike would come by often so I could “Dial in” his bikes. As the Freestyle BMX movement exploded, the shop
The Dirty Knobs Podcast Season 2 Episode 16 with Hollywood Mike Miranda, JV James Vicente and EC Eric Carter sit and talk with the King of Kruisers, the Kos, Jeff Kosmala. Jeff shares the birth of the BMX cruiser, life with Mongoose and Redline teamates and the "Firecracker Story".
Name: Oliver Kienzle
Hometown: Kornwestheim, Germany
Started riding in: 1975 with Bonanza bikes. Real first BMX bike in '79.
Number of bikes: My wife says not enough
You've been a BMX fan from the start. What was the first bike that you decided to keep forever?
Oliver Kienzle: PK Ripper
Being from Germany, did you think all the American bikes were next level in the beginning?
Oliver Kienzle: Yeah definitely next level.
What were the first American BMX brands that you saw at a race in Germany?
Oliver Kienzle: Hutch, GT and Torker team Mirranda, Brackens, Judge etc
Did you ever buy a bike like that?
Oliver Kienzle: No, too expensive.
If you had the space (and the money), what bike would be on your "to own" list right now?
Name: Shannon Gillette
Hometown: Chandler, Arizona
Started riding BMX in: Racing in 1980, but have been riding BMX bikes since about 1976.
Number of bikes in the collection: Only a few as of now. It's alway revolving stable.
Do you remember the moment that you decided to start collecting BMX memorabilia?
Shannon Gillette: I always just kind of hung on to my personal stuff. Like jerseys and number plates. But the first bike? I lived in Hawaii at the time and the year was 1989. It was actually a friend's old race bike, a 1979 Supergoose and he was throwing it in the garbage in front of his house. So I swooped it up and he told me I couldn't take it. I had to buy it from him. hahaha.. I said what?! You're throwing it out in the garbage. He said I want $40 for it. I said DEAL! It was in rough shape, but working in bike shops for 10 years I was up for the task. Long story short, I cleaned it up, rev=built the wheels as the spokes were all rusted. Hawaii does that to bikes with all the salt air.
Name: Michael Gamstetter
Hometown: Dayton, Ohio, USA
Started riding BMX in: 1978
Number of bikes in the collection: Currently, 5. At one time, 20+.
Do you remember the moment that you decided to start collecting BMX memorabilia?
Michael Gamstetter: Yes, it was around 1996 or 1997. It was a random thought that popped into my head while I was working. I thought it would be cool to find an old JMC or Torker, a pair of Oakley II grips in the box and a set of Reedy pedals (I eventually had all those.)
Stuart King // On Location // Backyard // 1995 by Snakebite BMX
Name: Grant Stone
Hometown: Newbury, Berkshire, U.K.
Started riding BMX in: 1980
Number of bikes in the collection: 8
Do you remember the moment that you decided to start collecting BMX memorabilia?
Grant Stone: I’ve never really stopped riding BMX, so I have always had a current BMX in my possession. But I guess I started buying old school stuff about 9 years ago when I had the idea of replicating my Skyway TA that I sold in 1988 and regretted ever since.
At this moment, do you wish you had started collecting earlier?
Name: GAry Sansom
Hometown: Lewiston ID...
Started riding BMX in: 1969
Number of bikes in the collection: Over 600..200 plus completes and 400 plus framesets
Do you remember the moment that you decided to start collecting BMX memorabilia?
GAry Sansom: Hmm... a couple times.. I rode all thru the 70's..and 80's.. when I moved to Portland in 1996, I was down to 5 bikes..then I found ebay..
At this moment, do you wish you had started collecting earlier?
GAry Sansom: Yes..they were so inexpensive in the early 90's.
Do you feel there is a need for BMX products to survive for history's sake?
GAry Sansom: For sure..part of the reason I started collecting.
What's one of your oldest BMX products in your collection?
Gary Sansom: My 1981 Kuwahara.. Skyway forks..Redline squareback
When you started riding what bike was the dream bike for you?
Gary Sansom: SE Quad angle..I recall seeing one in the shop.. 1980 or so.
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.