Re-Up; Preserving BMX History. Episode 57: Ely Thomas (USA)

Feb 24, 2024

Written by Bart de Jong

Read 2895 times

Name: Ely Thomas
Hometown: Dirty Mitten (Michigan)
Started riding BMX in: Started around 12 years old
Number of bikes in the collection: 25

Do you remember the moment that you decided to start collecting BMX memorabilia?
Ely D. Thomas: Well started collecting old fat tire and Stingrays I would find at Yard sales and would walk past the BMX for some reason. Then one day that changed and I started with the BMX about 15-20 years ago.

At this moment, do you wish you had started collecting earlier?
Ely D. Thomas: Yes I do because I passed on quite a few oldies.

Do you feel there is a need for BMX products to survive for history's sake?
Ely D. Thomas: Yes I do, however I don’t like the fact that a ton of stuff is being re made and some even sold as “new old stock”

What's one of your oldest BMX products in your collection?
Ely D. Thomas: The oldest would be my '77 Torker MX. I love this bike and all of its Heavy feel.

Is there any specific reason for the Torker love?
Ely D. Thomas: The love for Torker is strange because it just happened lol. I had a few JMC’s and turned to the twin tubes of Torker.

When you started riding what bike was the dream bike for you?
Ely D. Thomas: When I started back as a kid in the early '80s I would go to the local bike shop and drool over the Haro Master.

Do you have that bike in your collection today?
Ely D. Thomas: No, but I would love an '83 Torker made Haro freestyler.

Name three BMX collectors that you respect?
Ely D. Thomas:
1) Kelly Swanson and his Pat. Pending “Table Shots”
2) LaRock
3) Peter Ashby (insane Torker collection)

Do you have decent mechanical skills?
Ely D. Thomas: Well I would think I do. I mean I change a tire.

What products are a great help when you find an old rusty historical piece of shit bike that needs to shine again?
Ely D. Thomas: 0000 steel wool and monkey spit

How often do you look on eBay/Craigslist/BMX Museum to shop for old BMX stuff?
Ely D. Thomas: Every damn day.

What's the most ridiculous amount you have paid for a bike part that you needed to own?
Ely D. Thomas: I like to trade for the most part but I paid a bit for the MX

Do you have a man-cave where your bikes are displayed?
Ely D. Thomas: Right now I have everything in a barn racked up on an old school bicycle rack. Just like bitd at middle school.

Do you always have room for "one more bike"?
Ely D. Thomas: Yes.

What's a bike (part) you have been looking for but haven't been able to locate?
Ely D. Thomas: A Torker made Haro freestyler.

Where can people reach you when they have that part available?
Ely D. Thomas: People can find me on FB as me
BMX society as Yardsaleguy
BMX museum as yardsaleman

Thanks to: Thanks to all the cats that have helped me on my journey with my Torker stuff. And Paul Winkel for the gem of the collection the prototype Torker LP that was handed to him by Mr. Johnson bitd.