[getset]

So I'm kinda bummer out I might have to retire a favorite bike of mine. I've been riding this 96 GT for many years and it's been my go to bike anytime I'm wanting to do any long rides on a BMX. I was about 3 miles into a ride this week when the crank snapped on me. I am going to replace the crank, but I'm also thinking of putting this bike away and not giving it any more abuse.

What do you guys think about retiring a bike? I figure most racers or serious riders probably only use their bikes for a couple of seasons before they get something newer to ride. It makes sense to me that after alot of use the metal is going to weaken and you probably are more likely to crack or stress and damage a bike.

I do think all bikes should be used, but I'm starting to think the older ones are more for cruising than serious riding. I guess I'm going to have to hang this one on the wall with the other retirees?

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[GlennS]

Nice looking, comfortable bike. No wonder it's one of your favorites.
That "looks" like and aluminum frame, correct me if I'm wrong, but my opinion is bikes were made to be ridden. If it were my bike I would clean it up a bit, buy a few new parts to "restify" it.
I wouldn't officially "retire" a bike for good, unless it was very rare or collectable.

[COASTY]

mm I'm have a similar problem myself.
My Supergoose that I built in 1981 is one of my favourite riders. Even today it fits me perfectly.
On my last ride to work I noticed the cracks (2-3mm long) in the Shotgun seat were slightly longer. It's is getting more and more worn and I don't want to ruin my old bike. I have delegated her to light duties for now. I could buy a replacement seat for riding I guess but then it won't be the same. What to do, what to do.

[Richard Vogt - bmxmountainbiker]

I believe that frame was recalled by GT because the frames snapped at the head tube. We (Kovachi Wheels team) had all of our 1996 Speed Series frames replaced with Box Series frames during the recall.


This was the frame they replaced the '96 Speed Series with. I think I would retire that frame.

Richard Vogt
bmxmountainbiker

[Contender]

I retired one bike that had a few minor hairline cracks, nothing serious.

Just out of respect. It was my early BOSS frame serial B0008 or number "8".

The thing was really stable, and made it possible to ride at higher speeds with confidence. I really had an affection for the frame, and in some places nobody had heard of it. People would always ask about it because it wasn't a GT or Redline.

Won a bunch of races with it, many memories there.

Never did sell it, one of the few things BMX that was kept.

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[getset]

Richard Vogt - bmxmountainbiker, on 19 May 2012 - 07:00 PM, said:

I believe that frame was recalled by GT because the frames snapped at the head tube. We (Kovachi Wheels team) had all of our 1996 Speed Series frames replaced with Box Series frames during the recall.

GT_Kovachi_Cruiser_1.jpg
This was the frame they replaced the '96 Speed Series with. I think I would retire that frame.

Richard Vogt
bmxmountainbiker

You're right, that frame was recalled. I had my original replaced with a 98 Box frame, but I missed the 96 enough to buy another. The frame cracking at the headtube is yet another reason I'm thinking I shouldn't be riding it much anymore.

[Spur]

Tough call, I have a recall xxl that I ride pretty frequently, but most certainly do not thrash on it. I also have the recall cruiser frameset for wall art. I would say for normal leisurely cruising it would be fine. If you do decide to retire it, retiring as it sits would be cool, broken crank and all.

Nice Box Richard...errrr... Do you still have that?

[84profile]

I don't like riding new school, so I have no choice, I have to keep riding old school...I'm yet to have a major failure and everything I ride is 82-84 vintage...(I'll probably regret saying that out loud!

In saying that I always wondering if there is any internal rust going on in the tubes, that might show it's head upon landing a jump

[bmx2112]

My rider is a 91 Free Agent Limo and I will retire it when I break it!

[Richard Vogt - bmxmountainbiker]

Just because something was recalled doesn't mean that YOURS is going to fail, but I think that mid-school chromoly is probably a lot safer than recalled aluminum... I'm just sayin'

Speaking of chromoly, any rust-removal processes where the interior of the tubes aren't protected from rust afterward run the risk of weakening the frames with new, aggressive corrosion

Richard Vogt
bmxmountainbiker

[bennyt4130]

POR 15 is the ultimate internal tube rust treatment.

[abozny]

I don't know what I would do if I were you. first of all that crank looks really bad. how can something like that even happen. Were you doing 10 foot vertical drops? I guess if it was me, it would depend on how much I like riding the bike. I only have two bikes that I like to ride. The one is my rider and the other one is too pretty to ride and I have too much work into it, so I want to keep it like it is. So if anything broke on my rider, I would replace the part and move on.

I ride only one bike because I want to know that bike inside and out. My bikes ride all so different and in a jam, you need to have confidence in your bike and how it will react when yo try to pull it out of a sticky situation. Whether I want to ride my rider or not, I always ride it, just for that reason.

I don't know what would be irreplaceable on your bike. If it is the frame, I am sure you could have it repaired if it broke. There are lots of good aluminum repairmen out there.

[Contender]

Which POR 15 product? They have many on that site.

I have used citric acid powder in water, rinsed, and treated inside tubes with a personal favorite Corrosion X.

To swab out tubes, a small gun cleaning kit. Bars get a Boresnake to swab out the curves.

A.G.

[Memnoch316]

I wouldnt retire the bike because a crank arm broke, it's not uncommon for drive side crank arms to break at the pedal. Before I checked the pic to see what brand of cranks they were my first thought was redline flites. Since I broke 2 right flite arms at the pedal during my time racing. I would just go with cranks with solid arms vs. 3 piece welded arms.

This post has been edited by Memnoch316: 21 May 2012 - 03:41 AM

[bennyt4130]

Contender, on 20 May 2012 - 12:43 PM, said:

Which POR 15 product? They have many on that site.

I have used citric acid powder in water, rinsed, and treated inside tubes with a personal favorite Corrosion X.

To swab out tubes, a small gun cleaning kit. Bars get a Boresnake to swab out the curves.

A.G.

I like the gas tank product. Converts the rust and protects from further corrosion.

I do like your technique. The brushes are a great idea.