Re-Up; Preserving BMX History. Episode 85: Karl Chalk (GBR)

May 13, 2024

Written by Bart de Jong

Read 3453 times

Name: Karl Chalk
Country: UK
Number of bikes in the collection: I've had many bmx but always only owned 1 at any time

Do you remember the moment that you decided to start collecting BMX memorabilia?
Karl Chalk: I'm not a collector of memorabilia but enjoy seeing people's BMX related memorabilia.

Who were the first people you came across that helped you out to find the stuff you needed?

Karl Chalk: The first people I came across was Scott Durie and Brandon Wavish from the Skyway appreciation society.

Do you feel there is a need for BMX products to survive for history's sake?
Karl Chalk: I definitely think BMX products should survive as people are always looking for that grail part for their dream BMX to maintain the originality.

Do 16", 20" and 24" BMX bikes all matter to you? Where is your preference?
Karl Chalk: Although I love to see all BMX whatever size, my personal choice is always 20".

What's one of your oldest BMX products in your collection?
Karl Chalk: I don't have an oldest part but I've tried to keep the bike around the mid '80s if possible.

When you started riding, what bike was the dream bike for you?
Karl Chalk: When I started taking interest in BMX I'd always wanted a Vincent Frames MK1.

Do you have that bike in your collection today?
Karl Chalk: Unfortunately I haven't found any for sale to purchase to add to the Airzone

Name three BMX collectors that you respect?
1) Mark Jordan
2) Colin Reilly
3) Steve Gartside

Do you have a special love for a certain brand?
Karl Chalk: My favourite brand is Vincent Frames but I have a huge passion for Skyway products also

How often do you look on eBay/Craigslist/BMX Museum to shop for old BMX stuff?
Karl Chalk: I'm looking every day and night searching for BMX bikes and parts on ebay and marketplace and local sales although I have frequently bought internationally.

What shipping company do you prefer?
Karl Chalk: I don't prefer any particular shipping company.

What's the most ridiculous amount you have paid for a bike part that you needed to own?
Karl Chalk: The most I've paid to own a BMX part was £440 for 2 Skyway pegs, 2 Mike Dominguez rear standers including fees and shipping from the USA.

What do you think is the best BMX collector show?
Karl Chalk: In my opinion I think Milton Keynes is the best BMX collector show.

Trade, or sell/buy?
Karl Chalk: Buy-sell-trade.. Doesn't matter as long as both buyer and seller are happy..

What's a bike (part) you have been looking for but haven't been able to locate?
Karl Chalk: The only part I've struggled to find is a Tioga rear brake jacket.

Where can people reach you when they have that part available?
Karl Chalk: If anyone has a Tioga rear brake jacket for sale or trade I can be found on Facebook.

Thanks to: Richard Ridgway, Grant Stone and Darren New.

Previous Episodes on FATBMX:
Episode 1: Christophe Detandt (BEL)
Episode 2: James White (GBR)
Episode 3: JT Freestyle (USA)
Episode 4: Ben Murphy (IRL)
Episode 5: Rainer Schadowski (GER)
Episode 6: GAry Sansom (USA)
Episode 7: Michael Gamstetter (USA)
Episode 8: Grant Stone (GBR)
Episode 9: Steve Blackey (USA)
Episode 10: Shannon Gillette (USA)
Episode 11: Woody Itson (USA)
Episode 12: Oliver Kienzle (GER)
Episode 13: Kelly Swanson (USA)
Episode 14: Pat A Lar (GBR)
Episode 15: Billy Mills (GBR)
Episode 16: Steve Brothers (USA)
Episode 17: Aykut Hilmi (GBR)
Episode 18: Alex Leech (GBR)
Episode 19: Mike Janssen (NED)
Episode 20: Brian Gutierrez (USA)
Episode 21: Chad Powers (USA)
Episode 22: Alessandro Barbero (ITA)
Episode 23: Chris Daly (GBR)
Episode 24: Ian MacArthur (GBR)
Episode 25: Steve Strong (GBR)
Episode 26: Stephen Joseph (GBR)
Episode 27: Paul de Jong (NED)
Episode 28: Jon Western (GBR)
Episode 29: William "LaRock" LaRoque (USA)
Episode 30: Johan Janssens (BEL)
Episode 31: Darren Chan (USA)
Episode 32: Frank Lukas (GER)
Episode 33: Jason Teraoka (USA)
Episode 34: Shad Johnson (USA)
Episode 35: PJ McKenna (USA)
Episode 36: Henry Sarria (USA)
Episode 37: Jonathan Sherwood (SAF)
Episode 38: Trevor Henry (GBR)
Episode 39: Daniel Purcell (GBR)
Episode 40: Mark McCorkle (USA)
Episode 41: Tom Sustarich (USA)
Episode 42: Adam Cox (USA)
Episode 43: Perry Wills (USA)
Episode 44: John Buultjens (SCO)
Episode 45: Jay Eley (GBR)
Episode 46: Alvin Mullins (USA)
Episode 47: Scott Barrette (USA)
Episode 48: Ashley Little (GBR)
Episode 49: Bill Batchelor (USA)
Episode 50: Steve Firestein (USA)
Episode 51: Jon Hoffman (USA)
Episode 52: Peter Ashby (AUS)
Episode 53: Patrick Freitas (USA)
Episode 54: Mel Stoutsenberger (USA)
Episode 55: Martin Primentel (AUS)
Episode 56: Chino (USA)
Episode 57: Ely D. Thomas (USA)
Episode 58: Mickael Clerté (FRA)
Episode 59: Toby Henderson (USA)
Episode 60: Eddy King (USA)
Episode 61: Byron Friday (USA)
Episode 62: Lionel Eden (USA)
Episode 63: Donnie Platt (USA)
Episode 64: Brad Nash (USA)
Episode 65: Mohamad Al Amin (MAL)
Episode 66: Christopher Wesley (USA)
Episode 67: Sean Stiddard (GBR)
Episode 68: Tyler Collins (USA)
Episode 69: Rod Miles (USA)
Episode 70: Brian Britt (USA)
Episode 71: Sean Ewing (USA)
Episode 72: Jim Fisher (USA)
Episode 73: Òscar Pallarès (ESP)
Episode 74: Jeff Utterback (USA)
Episode 75: Timmy Williams (USA)
Episode 76: Tommy Yaley (USA)
Episode 77: Jason van Buskirk (USA)
Episode 78: Stu Thomsen (USA)
Episode 79: Scott Towne (USA)
Episode 80: Raphael Lawson (AUS)
Episode 81: Cash Matthews (USA)
Episode 82: Arthur Kourtis (AUS)
Episode 83: Maurice Meyer (USA)
Episode 84: Jeremiah Grimes (USA)
Episode 85: Karl Chalk (GBR)