FATBMX Your Online BMX News Resource Since 1998

The basic back story on the bike is, my name is Steve Blackey and as I was the master mechanic at the world famous Bicycle Source Bike Shop from 1980 through 1986 I used to build and tune most of Buff's and RL's bikes in the 80's and Mike's '82 PK Ripper was my favorite bike, It was my first complete build for Mike and I always liked the way the bike looked. It is the inspiration for the tribute bike, the concept I was going for was to build an updated version of the bike with a modern frame/fork and components, bringing old school and current technology together.

Now, for the reason I built this bike, after attending an old school bmx reunion event in 07 where I saw John Crews after so many years and learned he has Parkinson's, I felt inspired again by my BMX hero to do something to contribute to John's cause so I thought this bike would be a cool project to do and be a great way to raise some money

Yes, I'm crazy about BMX and yes I've got some stuff saved. So much stuff that I don't even know what I have or where I've got it saved. Why? I don't know, maybe some day I'll get it together and go back in memory lane. Having items will sure help that way. But there are people who have parted ways with their precious BMX stuff and donated it to the BMX Museum in Chula Vista for others to see. Here's batch two of the photos that Pieter Does took on a visit to the

When Pieter Does was going to San Diego we asked him to shoot some pictures of the BMX Hall Of Fame at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista. Pieter delivered with a whole bunch of photos of old school BMX memorabilia. It has stuff to drool over, stuff you forgot about, it pays respect to the BMX Hall Of Fame members (his dad included) and much more. Here's part one of the photos. Check 1-2.

In school I was never really interested in history lessons. It was a thing of the past, a past I didn't experience. But when it comes down to BMX, it's a different story. Tioga just put up a catalog from 1980 (or around that time) and it's got a few interesting bits in it. First of all, their Rhino frames had double butted Cr-Mo tubes (in 1980 already folks!), they had super light tubes, awesome Competition tires and also they had DX pedals listed in THEIR catalog. Made by Tioga? Anyone?