Is it Worth Restoring A Vintage BMX Bike?!

In today's What The Phu Wednesday over at EPIC BMX (@_epicbmx) Phu goes over the Pros and Cons of restoring a vintage or aka Rusty, older BMX Bike. The bike featured is my 1999 Haro Bikes Dave Mirra Signature 540 Air model that has a fair amount of rust, corrosion, scratches, and aging marks. This will be the beginning of a step-by-step restoration guide for the pure BMX enthusiasts out there that want to embark on a little project of their own.
#BMX #restoration #epicbmx
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[@harrymackenzie5403]

I've spent a few hundred restoring a severely rusted up Ruption LX 1996. Had sentimental value as was my first bmx.

[@AlfredoMancuso]

That’s what it’s about!

[@joski9030]

Fair play I’m doing the same with nos Haro backtrail 2 frame and all new parts to replicate not my first bmx but the first one I got into dirt jumps on. I’m not expecting my money back it’s gonna be an ornament I think.

[@Chronic_Pain]

I’m bringing my 2002 Haro Dave Mirra 540 Air back to life! Was given to me and this video really assisted! Along with the old school GT video you brought down from the ceiling you worked on! Love the videos brings back my positive memories of riding!

[@bgoutdoors802]

To me it’s always worth restoring an older bmx bike. It’s a part of history. The evolution of bikes

[@AlfredoMancuso]

Without a doubt

[@nb6584]

This shop just seems like a fun place to be

[@AlfredoMancuso]

Genuinely is!

[@suntzuwarsword1964]

Very cool...ive just taken up old bmx bike restorations at 60 its fun and very rewarding and i still ride them..great channel..great content..from queensland Australia thank you

[@ra1phe]

The Mira shits on that new school Bmx even in the rusty state. 🤣

[@arcadiagreen150]

Me and my son fully restored my old 2001 Haro Nyquist backtrail. He loves it. Although we did update the bottom bracket to sealed bearing, thanks to your video

[@jrvega9559]

Love the video! I have my fully restored Dave Mirra Flair I did about a year ago! I went all out on it and it looks amazing! I can’t wait to see what Phu does to this one! I’ll be on the lookout for the next video. Thanks for sharing this Alfredo.

[@genesisbeast8831]

I could listen to this man talk about bmx any day!

[@AlfredoMancuso]

Stoked!

[@nicholasbuttery511]

Try finding the 13 MM Axle nuts that are missing because i have yet to find a retailer that stocks them. This happened on turn of the Century Mongoose BMX`s which through research the 13mm and 14mm axle diameter been decided ? The 14mm won...

[@mr_ozzio5095]

"Gack" made the first 14mm rear hubs, which was in turn bought out by Hoffman Bikes and re-named the "Girthy hub"! which came on complete Hoffman bikes from around 96/7 onwards😎

[@knightbrian92]

I'm restoring a Haro Supra from the ground up myself but probably commited a sin by throwing GT mag wheels on it lol.

[@raw_si_siht]

Do what thou wilt. lol Seriously tho, who cares meign. Do you. That's cool would like to see a pic.

[@jopac75]

I can’t wait to see the restoration of this bike. It’s nice to see some Mirra bikes getting some love.

[@1mikewalsh]

No bike is worth restoring except for personal attachment. Spent a G on an old Schwinn phantom, sold for a G! Rechromed a SE Mauler, sold for the price of restoration. A hobby of love!!!

[@AlfredoMancuso]

You’re not wrong!

[@andrewsiasparks]

Yes! Every time.

[@AlfredoMancuso]

💯

[@mr.jetskii3870]

heck yea love the phu vids

[@AlfredoMancuso]

💯

[@skylarsoper241]

A few years back I was on the bmx museum and bought a 2001 mirra signature flair in raw with red decals , black front end , it looks like a rust bucket but I love it it’s my rat rod 😊

[@hectorn.6137]

I love this!!! This is going to be good! I think Dave's bday just passed. Here's to the greatest to ever do it. R.I.P. Miracle Man

[@Rileys_dad]

DO MORE FLATLAND RIDING, AND GET PHU DOING SOME TRICKS!!

[@GoonCinema]

I’m excited to see the outcome and Alfredo should do another side by side comparison with the other haro again.

[@AlfredoMancuso]

It’s a must!

[@trebor216174]

I have a backtrail x1 that I’m restoring now from the frame up. I even found a haro chromoly fork for it on eBay. I can’t wait to see the restoration progress of your bike. I can watch cool bmx restores all day. 🤙🏽

[@williamking9200]

In my opinion these older bikes are going to have scratches, it means they been riding and did its purpose. I bought a 90s Mongoose Villain for $100, spent $50 to clean it up and I like it, it's rider and ok to thrash on, but I also have a Haro that has almost $2000 invested into it,it's mint, no scratches, no dings, the chrome is flawless and im scared to ride it, I dread the idea of dropping it and scratching that mint chrome... So to me having a bike that's already scratched and chipped is easier for me to take out and ride vs one in showroom condition...

[@Chronic_Pain]

Wanna part with the villian ? Been on hunt for one.

[@williamking9200]

@@Chronic_Pain sold it to a good friend recently

[@MetalY2KMusic]

I fully restored a Haro Zippo, and Backtrail X3 from this era. Was only able to sell the pair for $150 after months of trying to sell them.

[@kyzer122]

Awesome! I just picked a 97 haro shredder ans plan to clean it up. Perfect timing!

[@AlfredoMancuso]

Yes!! Stoked to hear this!

[@frogmanpipes9561]

Help me out. Where can I find a ok fast ripper? For the original cost?

[@holeshot1721]

That bike is legend!!!! Wheelie king and very smooth!!! Top top quality!!!

[@krazie2745]

luvin it..I'm trying to fined a 1990 free agent bmx cruiser..wish I still had mine..

[@imdefault2117]

Happy to see ya phu you really make my day stay rad my man

[@djfu3l3r25]

More of these types of videos plz.

[@AlfredoMancuso]

We got you!

[@tomwallenfeldt3139]

I have disguised/preserved my Haro with GAFF tape. It is a hero cosmetic with a cape.

[@emreciftci5403]

keep doing brochachi we miss your riding vlogs!

[@ryancuda45]

ambulance is perfect for the flat land fall

[@AlfredoMancuso]

😂😂 it was such good timing

[@adammorton6660]

That quamen flatland bike was dope!

[@AlfredoMancuso]

We’ve done a feature on it before!

[@adammorton6660]

I'll have to check it out

[@justinwood2881]

Amazing info thank you 😊

[@AlfredoMancuso]

🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@tonysheene6399]

Good call ! I’ve done loads of oldschool bmx rebuilds, It’ll be interesting to see your way of doing I revamp of this mid school bike

[@tomekpaluch9088]

your the man stay awesome. Restoring a powerlite p-56 from like 1996 found at my original dirt jump trails under a ton of leave's someone ghosted it blew out the front wheel walked away, best find ever, V-brake chromoly

[@jacxb7576]

That outro tho dope lol would love to see that frame out to work.👌🏽💯

[@AlfredoMancuso]

Haha Hellya!

[@MadMetalShop]

Evap-o-rust is a life saver and wont damage coatings or chrome. Soak 24 hours and the rust washes off. Gotta recrome or paint the crome though. Once crome is compromised its all downhill. Id paint the crome or source replacements.

[@Livnglrg]

How does it do on a nickel coating? I have a 76 Racers X with a nickel frame and needs rust removal.

[@adamsifford6228]

How much you wat for that Haro?

[@Anthony-uz5tj]

i have an older haro chrome in my basement different model but i had the 540 air as a kid loved that thing

[@daniellorenzo7285]

For me priceless good times and memories.of my youth

[@AlfredoMancuso]

Couldn’t agree with you more!

[@yannlukas7344]

Perfect In time I would say because I bought last week a haro backtrail Ryan nyquist x3 from 2003👌🏻

[@randycollins2607]

liking all the new vids 😎🤘

[@AlfredoMancuso]

Thanks Randy!

[@anester1866]

i love that bike, it shares a few parts with my 2001 backtrail. ive been updating it. midschool can be weird, ive got a 14mm front axle

[@naturalaspired]

Love these videos. Wish i was as cool as Phu! :P

[@Rx7Fc88]

Someone is selling a 91 diamond back and for pretty good deal for 150 is going to need a new chain soon and tires other then that we’ll taken care off, is it worth it to get ? Being debating if i should go for it

[@jrkawasakiz149]

I love my Classic Bikes. And that bike looks pretty damn nice ☺️ ❤️

[@AlfredoMancuso]

🤘🏻

[@movward]

@ 6:23 his voice went period correct to the bike

[@juanmontalvo480]

I can't wait to see this finished 🙌 🔥🙌

[@GolfSux]

I street rode this frame back in the day. My left rear dropout was half gone from grinding without pegs

[@Luuceo]

Every time I roll by Epic I’m always wondering if im gonna catch you filming and kickin it over there. Maybe one day I’ll be able to say what up! Much love fredo!

[@dougdroen7519]

Man I love it I'm n the middle of restoring a black mirra pro n turning it into a blue one it's gonna b sick.. Its more of a blammo blue now... It's got the blammo SN# but has pro decals.

[@cindyzaragoza2736]

I love Zenta

[@leobustamante9004]

Does weight matter because I’m 230 and I’m not sure if I’m able to ride Bmx

[@martsokelly2320]

Hey is there a way I can get a hold of you I got a sweet idea I got an not sure what year from 97/98 i bought it brand new the color aluminum with clear coat maybe it's got original everything the handle bars are the only real rusty part on the bike

[@TheFloridaBikeVlogger]

always should be looked at is it worth it to you. nothing else matters

[@AlfredoMancuso]

💯

[@thenetworkguy_]

Still got my limited edition bully piston from 1997, she’s lived and one day I’ll restore it.

[@boricuaallstar15]

I’m 6’1” 275 lbs, new to bmx, can you recommend a good bike in the $500 range?

[@milktruck9345]

My bmx hard trail only had the rear breaks that you had to pedal backwards to stop.

[@jk-76]

Where do people sell their vintage BMX and freestyle bikes?

[@naui_diver9290]

Nice color

[@olivergowen13]

Awesome

[@ilanpro]

I love my 1980 Schwinn The Sting

[@yeseniamacias662]

bikes hv character!! Im gonna say that haha

[@michaelcrighter]

I was very poor growing up. Thankfully I was blessed to have a friend that always looked out for me letting me buy his used bmx parts and bikes. I was so excited. This was one of the bikes I got off him. It was almost brand new and he sold it to me to buy a next generation s&m dirtbike. I bet right?... ha. Anways . I had that bike for 3 years and beat the living crap out of it riding hard street. Back then we were just learning street. We would grind concrete or marble we did not care. That seat was so comfortable ha I never rode it that high. And those fusion pegs lasted awhile. Back then hard was amazing. Now.... I would be hard pressed to have one and if I did it would be an SD or something. This video brings back memories is all I'm saying. I did my first downstairs feeble on this bike and fell in love since. I moved onto s&m after and haven't looked back. I actually did my senior report on this bicycle. Thanks for the great videos . I enjoy your content

[@michaelcrighter]

I had the mirra sprocket and mirra bars upgraded from those too.

[@byrontownsel7274]

If it's a green 1886 Torker 2 360 Air, then yes you restore that beautiful bastard. Like I did.

[@potaylor9992]

Yes, awesome for a restore. Would like to see what parts are used to bring it back to make it ride able. color is grate the rash just adds to the beauty. cant stand the powder coating stuff thats just me. love it time to make it cool once more. Totally worth helping out even better than before. Just Ride Bmx

[@AlfredoMancuso]

Definitely agree with you here!

[@mahazda351]

I’m currently upgrading my 2005 haro backtrail x1 chrome bmx, it still looks modern besides the sprocket which will be replaced 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@azerator1819]

I have a 99 Haro Mirra Air that i`m planning on restoring with some spare parts.

[@nickf.2871]

Just did a 93/4 gt mach one have a fatboy24 all red parts with skyways a 98 and a 81 mongoose supergoose with era correct racing parts and im building a standard sta 500 now r.i.p. dave mirra

[@dorioki81]

Bike check on the blue quamen

[@jmechon23]

I wanna see a vid on this bike being rebuilt!

[@AlfredoMancuso]

Going down today!

[@strangeblocks5756]

crazy. dad bought this bike brand new think was like 450 ish. then had to get the like 8pc bars they was riding. then kid down the street had same bike but no decals breaks dirt tires trashed now that i think back. mine was all stock besides bars. and we traded. hurts my feelings till this day haahah. was like 10 tho didnt know any better. so so so heavy had to weigh 45lbs

[@kirkwickham3336]

I have a Quamen G9 similar to the one in your video!

[@josephcorso5081]

That quamen though

[@danieldumlao5393]

yeah I'm first again ☺️

[@AlfredoMancuso]

Ya did it!!

[@stoneyrules]

With the bike boom came a downside, and one that was prior. Not trying to "I'm (young) and I like (old thing here)", but I'm 17 and always loved 80s bmx. these retro bikes (i.e, Skyway, Redline) are crazy expensive. Upwards of 2,000 for an old rusted one, when they only costed at most $400 untill people realized others would buy them. Now most people just hold their parts, or buy for the purpose of selling higher. These bikes literally aged like wine, and the price shows

[@AlfredoMancuso]

Yea the rising tide did have an adverse effect on a lot of the rest of the market

[@stoneyrules]

@@AlfredoMancuso first off, LOVE your channel, got me Into bmx even more. Luckily, this Specific Era of Bmx Is not only still going strong, but you can still find bikes that are reasonably priced being vintage (i.e a Mongoose FS1 Is selling for $800 on Mercari right now) or just Insanely rare, like a 1987 GT Pro Performer going for $14,000 on Ebay. Never Ridden, Never Assembled, still In box.

[@kristinereyes3407]

i have mirra flair ang nyquist backtrail and they are almost finish.

[@completefemboyr.n.g1308]

I wanna strip the paint of my 2012 haro Z20 let it get some surface rust than clear coat it, it needs baring cups so it's a frame right now anyways

[@pointnine7844]

Any chance of reviewing collective bikes let's say a c100 V2 (UK brand I love them I'm from Australia so it's nice to be the only one on them

[@AlfredoMancuso]

I can definitely look into it!

[@pointnine7844]

💓

[@michaelscott5450]

If I seen a bike like that in the trash I would take it and restore it

[@domone1201]

Than comes the question to restore back to original, or at least period correct, or upgrade to more modern parts.

[@Louisthefur]

The tires and seat on this bike are worth more than the frame is to collectors.

[@Daniel-yf9iy]

It was a good quality bike to begin with.

[@toashez2410]

I had that exact bike!

[@AlfredoMancuso]

it was such a good bike!!

[@adamsifford6228]

Haro is worth restoring.

[@Anykine50]

Great vids and your knowledge is awesome. The fall made me sub! Jk 🤙🏾

[@dallasrash7968]

I have a 1998 terk vert 1 but I can't find enything about the bike but it's in good condition

[@AlfredoMancuso]

Very nice!

[@ricardo340]

Keep it as original as possible and make it useable. Then hang onto it

[@jeremiahbray2470]

Had a trek from 99 bought for 1200 ..took it in to a shop yesterday and they told me it was a total fix and not worth it. 250 later totally worth not getting a now trek.

[@adamsifford6228]

>f you got a good vintage old school dirty bmx or vintage freestyle bmx it's worth restoring....

[@signal_rr]

What about other checks such as the structural integrity of the frame/forks/bars; if there is cracking, or geometry that was tweaked? Also, I'm going to assume it depends on what the bike will be used for and it's history if it will compromise safety. I think it's cool seeing someone properly restore a bike that I wanted as a kid, and kicked the idea around of doing the same.

[@nitrous07me]

That’s a vintage bmx??😅 Dawm I feel old

[@frankquiroga1977]

The title states " vintage " there's nothing vintage about a mid school bike. Video was cool but the title is deceiving. Any good vintage mongoose, redline, laguna, GT, is worth restoring. Mid schools are debatable on what kind etc.id school bikes are that old yet.

[@frankcastle3827]

I still ride my 99 Ryan nyquist Haro bike.. And my 2004 Ryan nyquist haro X1! They just look sexier and are built to last! I can't imagine riding some newer boring basic peice of shit bike that has a boring basic frame...

[@keam210tx]

This Phu with the wack hair and no jokes cuz he ain’t lookin slick haha Good vid series to come though. I cruise a CW racer original chrome bars are chrome with the straight across top piece on some og black skyway mags with that black kashimax aero seat…shhiiii

[@completefemboyr.n.g1308]

Pay upward of $300 for a new bike yeah no not doin that, im continuing doin this

[@BlackyBrownDestruction9337]

Take it apart and see how worn out it is

[@samanthaalessi5001]

I have a matt Hoffman I'm looking to sell let me know all crome

[@howardgillingham4763]

Absolutely not, today's stuff is way better

[@kennethlazaga3511]

Yawa