Name: Raphael (Raf) Lawson
Hometown: Singleton NSW Australia, now living in Manchester, UK
Started riding BMX in: 1979
Number of bikes in the collection: Currently 4 down from 13
Does your collection represent your active time in BMX?
Raphael Lawson: Yes – Mongoose focused.
When you build a bike, do you need a special purpose for it?
DIRTYFEST 2 // VINTAGE BMX RACING // INSANE!
Name: Scott Towne
Hometown: Otsego, Michigan, USA.
Started riding BMX in: 1977
Number of bikes in the collection: More than I need, less than I want. I don’t consider myself a “collector”. I’m a lifer. Old BMX bikes are something I have because they are part of my story. I could give a presentation on each bike that I have and why it means something to me. In fact, I just might start doing that. “It’s all in the presentation” after all.
The first pic I ever saw of some over tweaking something was Todd Anderson, who at that point in time-1985-was riding for Redline. I picked up a magazine in a mock 711 next to Faze 7 BMX centre in Waltham Cross, Todd was cranking a twisted lookback with his feet on the cranks arms, and his front wheel hitting his shin, I'd never seen this before, until that point a pic of a look back was anything with bars passed 90 degrees and the back end high.
Name: Stu Thomsen
Started riding in: 1972 (I Think)
Teams represented: Three Majors: SE, Redline and Huffy.
Some of the smaller and short term teams were: Dirt Master, Webco, DG, FMF, Motobecane (One Weekend), my bike shop (Stu Thomsen’s Family Bicycle Center), Southridge Cycles (on MTB and BMX). A short stent back on Redline and now representing SE again.
What was the first bike you used to ride Bicycle Motocross?
Stu Thomsen: Schwinn Stingray
In 1973, what were people using at the first few races you entered?
Stu Thomsen: Modified Stingray type bikes and a few custom garage builds by ingenious fathers.
You've seen the BMX bike development firsthand. What kind of full suspension bikes did you get to ride?
Stu Thomsen: I had a custom made Monoshock bike I would race now and then at the Corona downhill
In today's video Phu Vu ( / _epicbmx ) gives us some quick tips on how to restore this vintage Redline BMX Bike!
Name: Jason Van Buskirk
Hometown: Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
Started riding BMX in: 1979
Number of bikes in the collection: 30+
Dutch roots by any chance?
Jason Van Buskirk: Yes, my Heritage is Dutch, however, I am born and raised in the U.S.
Is your focus on BMX bikes from the period you raced in mainly?
Jason van Buskirk: Yes, I tend to collect bikes from the late '70s To mid '80s... Probably 1987 being the latest. I do have a couple '90s bikes, but that's not the era I enjoy collecting the most.
Name: Tommy Yaley
Hometown: Mtn View. California
Started riding BMX in: 1974ish
Number of bikes in the collection: 9
Do you remember the moment that you decided to start collecting BMX memorabilia?
Tommy Yaley: About 7 years ago I decided I wanted to re-create the 1st Gen proline I had when I was a kid. I sold a bunch of my music gear collection and then, like everyone else, it took off from there. Just one more bike...
The Torker MX26 Race Frame | Behind Torker BMX
Name: Timmy Williams
Hometown: Keyport, NJ
Started riding BMX in: Early ‘70s. Raced from 1982-1985, sponsored by bike shop in South Jersey called Beacon.
Number of bikes in the collection: Now, 30 completes. Once had over 45. I LOVE the odd/ rare BMX frames and parts, so that’s why my collection is different than some others.
Where does your love for BMX bikes come from?
Timmy Williams: When I was a kid, growing up in Egg Harbor Township, NJ, they built a BMX track a half mile from my house (It’s still there). I would ride by there on my bike to check it out and soon I asked for
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.