RAD (The Movie) Cru Jones Bike Build

[SETFREE]

I think as long as it's in the spirit of the build, go for what you can.

I built my dad's race bike form 1980, and I was working on a pretty specific list of parts. I put red anodized Araya 7X rims on it even though he had only ever used chrome 7X, and red 7Bs. Red 7Bs are impossible to find and I liked the red 7Xs. I went with them and my dad loved the bike so I considered it a win.

So for you I'd say, pro-class rims are pro-class rims. Hard anodized vs. chrome doesn't seem like a huge visual difference at least. I'd say just try to get the strips inside the same color

I've never been a stickler for "screen accuracy" in my prop world though, so maybe I share the same feelings for bmx builds haha

Same type of feeling as you, I guess I just wanna go ALL OUT on this project yeh know?

 

[SETFREE]

Okay So here is where I ran into my first real Problem / Issue with making it 100% Movie accurate, The Grips, if you notice the bars I posted have "team mongoose" blue grips, The grips have since turned a real dark almost Navy Blue from dirt and age, Grips like this are next to Impossible to find (really they are) In new or slightly used condition, I found a guy who sells remolds of the grips are they are PERFECT except one thing........the blue he used is way too light, it's more of a sky blue instead of a royal blue that should match the tires

 

[SETFREE]

I was so inspired I looked up the movie on Youtube and watched it again, then went on a bike ride

NICEEEEE!!!! Haha!

 

[SETFREE]

So after much consideration I went with the AM'E Grips, same Area, used on a lot of bikes in the movie, vintage from '85 (easier to find) and they are the right Blue Color, For now I will use these until I find the right pair or I can figure out how to dye this other light blue pair to a royal blue color (any suggestions?)

So far it's the only thing I've gone away from as far as screen accurate, not happy about it, But the other Dark blue grips would have looked horrible compared to the Blue Tires I got (accurate Chin Comp III Tires, Skinwall)

 

[pandatrooper]

I have this movie and BMX Bandits with Nicole Kidman on VHS. Love this build and love these bikes from my childhood!

I used to have a white Redline frame with an Aero red seat, pads and Sugino cranks. I had those Ame grips too!

 

[boshwan527]

I have this movie and BMX Bandits with Nicole Kidman on VHS. Love this build and love these bikes from my childhood!

I used to have a white Redline frame with an Aero red seat, pads and Sugino cranks. I had those Ame grips too!

that's like one of my dad's first bikes:

I'm only 22, but I've been REALLY into old school BMX haha

 

[SETFREE]

Okay so now for the seat post & seat, The seat post is obviously from a 85 Mongoose Californian but it's the "laid back" style post, The Seat is a Blue Areo with chrome guts (not gold) with the Gold "BMX" lettering on the side

 

[SETFREE]

Also got myself a new (old stock) set of Chin Comp III Blue Skinwall tires, easy to find believe it or not.........but them on and BAM, This is what it looked like

 

[Robert412]

This seems to be coming together quick!

 

[SETFREE]

Here are Two Small Screen Shorts for reference to those who forgot what Cru Jones' Bike looked like

 

[SETFREE]

This seems to be coming together quick!

Took about 6 months, you guys are getting to see the "quick" version of the build Lol

 

[SupernaturalFan]

I have this movie and BMX Bandits with Nicole Kidman on VHS. Love this build and love these bikes from my childhood!

I used to have a white Redline frame with an Aero red seat, pads and Sugino cranks. I had those Ame grips too!

Funny you should mention BMX Bandits. I've actually got the same bike Nichole rode in the flick. It's not a replica per say but it is the same colours. Here she is:
1981 Malvern Star SuperMaX - BMXmuseum.com
Well worth clicking!

Great build man, those pro classes don't come cheap. I bet your wallet felt that one. If you want I'll have a dig around and get you a complete part run down which should make it easier for you.

 

[SETFREE]

Wallet felt it for sureeee! Lol, But again this was a Bike from my childhood, I wanted to do it right.......Thanks for the part list, but I got it all been researching every part for months to find out, I am finished, just putting it together for all of you guys to see little by little...........already have all the parts

 

[Leigh]

This is Awesome!
If it was up to me, I'd use the accruate rim's & grips. I think it'll look like a screen used version & the wear marks aren't that bad.
Have you tried using something like washing up liquid & water on the Mongoose grips?? I have the exact same Ame grips (inc the colour) on one of my bikes

You'll have to have a pop at building the E.T. Kuwahara KZ1 next

 

[SETFREE]

Okay so now for the Pads!.........Nylon Pads are hard to come by with no Markings (solid red) but i finally came across a set that had zero markings!

The Yellow was a bit harder but I finally found a Cali-Lite Yellow Stem pad! Circa 1985! Now the thing is it was debated for a while what pads where used on the bike but it was found out to be Nylon and no Leather like some have said before (as you can see from the pictures of Cru's Bike)

 

[SETFREE]

O'yeh! Forgot to say, The Red Pads had yellow tape around each end of Cru's Bike.......I figured go with electrical tape, but then it came to me! Cru used a Hockey Helmet to ride, The Movie was in Canada, so what else would they have used? HOCKEY TAPE.......Bam, so that's what I used (No Pictures Sorry) just figured I'd add that little bit lol

 

[SETFREE]

Now for the Breaks..........I had these Lee Chi Brakes that honestly would have done fine because almost all the Mongoose Cali's came with these, BUT it's not what was on the real Cru Bike.

In one scene you can clearly see they are Pro Class Brakes (would make sense because almost everything on the bike is pro class) so I looked and looked and looked but couldn't find them until about 3 weeks ago when I came across a NEW IN THE BAG set.........couldn't tell you how pumped I was, Got them for a good price too!

 

[Leigh]

Score with the brakes :thumbsup
They look identical to the Dia-compe MX900's & tech 3 levers, there's also the MX1000's the same but with quick release & quick adjust.

 

[SETFREE]

Yup! Almost went the Dia-Compe route until I found these

 

[trooper1m]

Loving this build. Been riding for 31 yrs, currently restoring my old Trick Star and have pre-ordered the 24" skyway TA. Really looking forward to seeing how this comes together, loved RAD as a kid