Unboxing A Screen Used Karate Kid Bike

[@spookymorales]

No one on KZbin brings the memories back like Curt and 80s Life! Another KILLER episode dude! Thank you both! 🙏🏼👻👊🏼

[@rkline65]

GOAT of then and now videos for sure!

[@radgraham]

That's so freaking cool bro. Not just to have the bike, but to then prop it up in the exact locations it was in the movie!!

[@NBAwasBetterInThesands]

Hello 80s Life! Your channel brings me so much joy man. My favorite movie Karate Kid🫡Love these vids.

[@LetsGoThere]

I like how happy you always sound revisiting these 80s locations

[@Abby-ym2tv]

I thought it was really cool when I found out that I lived around the corner from actual movie apartment 😁

[@seibervideo]

That’s cool! I used to live in North Hollywood somewhere myself, and my family probably drove past that apartment complex a few times.

[@CityWalks_Estelle]

That's awesome I love it 😊

[@rerun3283]

I used to live next door to the dumb and dumber apartment and didn't realize it. One day I watched the movie and then went outside and was like "holy #$@!"

[@markturner977]

@@rerun3283there wasn’t a kid in a wheelchair outside stroking his pet bird was there

[@webslinger48]

100% perfect. The subject of the video; the bike expert; identifying, filming and matching the locations to their respective movie scenes; the insightful commentary; and last but not least, the "nostalgia itch" that it scratches! I don't think there is any way this video could have been better, nor anybody else that could have made it other than Kurt Crucial of 80's Life. Congrats!

[@Breadking100]

Holy crap what an intro! Chills when I saw the gates to Daniels apartment haha awesome

[@niknigro]

Awesome vid - love seeing the Karate Kid apartment building!!

[@shannon_w.]

This is sooooo cool!!!! That is one of my favorite movies!!! I remember when it came out, I was sooooo in love with Ralph Macchio ❤❤❤❤

[@GKsGS400]

I'm with you. Whether it' the real bike or not it was cool seeing it come out of the box and get put back together. When I saw the red Elina seat I was convinced. Great find..

[@C-mac_in_the_6ix]

Another cool video Kurt. I love how you brought the bike and placed it in the exact same spots as the movie. I totally believe it's one of the bikes from the movie.

[@arcade80sbmx3]

The grips are Oakley's yes the same as the glasses and they were not stock for that bike.. awesome....video thanks

[@atrax7023]

It's interesting seeing the color of the front wheel hub in some scenes of the movie change to silver then in other scenes change to blue front wheel hub. Very cool bike and an awesome video!!

[@drakejdf]

One of my favorite movies/sequels.I’m a bmx fan as well and this video was great.80’s🤘

[@mksolid82]

Kurt you really are hitting it out of the park. This channel is becoming the best 80s channel ever. That bike is amazing. Maybe this was one of the bikes used when Daniel was run off the road by the bullies? I guess we will never know.

[@Breadking100]

Just friggin incredible. This video needs 1 million views! Daniel must see this video with his own eyes! I love karate kid so much. My son's name is Daniel for Christ's sake (my wife thinks it's in honour of my uncle, but in reality it was always because of Daniel Larusso ... my uncle is aware, he agrees with this sentiment)

[@ThePotomuss]

Bet that's the one! Really cool. Thank you for sharing!

[@cartertheis7199]

Best video in the history of videos, (down to the Maui & Sons hat:) Miagi Turbo FOUND!!!

[@oldschool-bmx]

Very cool bike and awesome video. This is a really cool find.

[@Paulo-kj8pb]

I am a bit of a BMX collector and generally 80s stuff. I cant add any information about the bike, but what I have collected over the years is a Sato's dojo karate gi. It was one of gi used in the Karate Kid II movie and has the documentation to go with it. Love collecting 80s stuff.

[@A_playa_named_Gus]

You took my gi and my honor-Sato

[@terri_blueberri]

The bike is a Mongoose 2/4. There are definitely multiple versions in the movie. Logos have been blacked out and others haven't on different versions. There are also silver hubs and blue hubs on different bikes. Those white/blue grips in the film look like Oakley F-1's. Other parts were changed from the production model including pedals, brakes, sprocket and seat. People do build tribute bikes and there are always stories about bikes being found in barns or rescued from being destroyed. Idk how you could authenticate by serial number, even if such a record exists. It's a nice bike, deserves to be cleaned up and detailed to make the chrome nice and shiny and so it doesn't deteriorate any further.

[@vistalite-ph4zw]

Some bikes have serial numbers on the bottom of the frame where the crank mounts. Not sure if Mongoose serial numbered their bikes back then or now, I never owned a Mongoose. Also did Colombia/Sony keep records like that on bikes and other props. Unfortunately that's how the studios are they use it, put it in storage, a backlot, or just get rid of it.

[@LEWOO7]

Yes mongoose have serial numbers on the frame, it's a long shot, but maybe mongoose themselves hold a record of who they originally sold it to.

[@vistalite-ph4zw]

@@LEWOO7 That makes sense. I worked heavy duty for over 30 years and a trailer manufacturer named Dorsey keeps records of every trailer ever sold originally.

[@VenturaIT]

Everything looks the same except the pedals and grips... they probably had more than one bike, probably like 4 or 5 bikes, one went down the hill, one was thrown around I think... but it's easy to build this bike about 10-15 years ago.

[@HobbyTimeSeattle]

Love it! That Elina seat is aftermarket and is period correct to the bike and movie date. And worth around $1,000 alone.

[@Twobarpsi]

Really? I have a black Elina seat. Same model. $1000???

[@andersonslade3226]

@@Twobarpsi at least $500

[@HobbyTimeSeattle]

@@Twobarpsi no the black seats are the most common. They fetch $400-500. Red, blues, and yellows pull closer to the $1,000 mark.

[@raaawkstaaar]

@@HobbyTimeSeattle used ones fetch more like $200-500, only NOS ones fetch a grand or more

[@HobbyTimeSeattle]

@@raaawkstaaar you not finding vintage Elina's for $200. Nice try fanboy. lolol

[@angelalinderman9985]

Very cool 😎 love that you went to the apartment!💜👍

[@cinemabside]

Dude!! Riding the bike down the same street to school was EPIC!!!!!

[@PeteGibbons1]

That’s the bike! Well done on the video mate. Greetings from Scotland.

[@OH.A.M.]

That’s why I love this channel. Wow! LaRusso DNA should on that bike. 🤘

[@L-I-V-I-N]

Love it!! I had to settle for Mongoose Californian in 84.. No bigger fan of the Karate Kid and how well you made this episode!! Legendary man!!

[@blackbeansmatter1280]

Still a good bike back in the day. Especially Pro Class rims. Throw on 3 piece crank and boom

[@VenturaIT]

Those white handgrips were the cool grips back then and were an affordable custom upgrade, even from Walmart... but they were made of delicate foam, so they probably broke off and they put the originals back on... those grips had a 2 layer makeup with harder rubber below the foam... so what would happen is the foam would break off and you'd have to get new grips... I had a pair of grips like that on my Mongoose at that time, that's how I know. I got the Walmart knock-offs.

[@goodhumourwagon]

Jack is a solid dude. He runs a bike shop in LA and he's worked on a few of my Schwinns.

[@oconmx2252]

this was an awesome video! wow, I didn't realize how cool it would be when I clicked to watch but going through it was awesome!!

[@deanhagerman6843]

Awesome job both of you guys!

[@gonzalopoketer]

Awesome video Kurt ! This is my dream, the bike, the locations. Thanks for sharing this epic content !

[@thepawll]

I knew when I saw this come up on my feed that I was gonna enjoy it. I’m a fan of yours, bikes and the movie. I gotta say though that you riding the bike at the locations…..awesome!!! Great job, man👍🏼

[@elvisisalive2716]

omg I loved Kuwys and the Goose! Couldn't afford them as a kid, but got a Diamond Back when I was 12 back in 82!

[@The.Retro.Corner]

Dude this video is freaking awesome!!! I love your content and I myself am an 80's kid and eat all of this up like candy. I love history so seeing these videos meshes my two favorite things, history, and the retro lifestyle I lived. Keep doing what you're doing brother! Bravo!

[@Outtatime247]

I believe it is the real bike. However some parts have been changed. Front hub is different as well as grips. But that front brake cable has the same swoop. I would swap out the grips for the blue/white oakleys to match the movie bike. Nice video, cool bike!

[@80sLife]

Bike actually had a blue hub when Daniel is locking it up at school.

[@MSJChem]

This (and Cobra Kai) made me re-watch the Karate Kid movies after not seeing them since I was a child back in the 80s.

[@luciom5778]

Thank you for sharing. Keep it going. Love your vids.

[@blackbeansmatter1280]

Most of us swapped out grips to Oakley. Throw on some donuts too lol. Cheap hop up. Next was ditching the one piece cranks.

[@raaawkstaaar]

A'ME or ODI Mushroom's for me

[@EagleStar15]

Just seeing the unwrapping of the mongoose pads gave me flashbacks from my BMX mongoose from the late 70s.

[@mando0414]

Kuwahara, now that's a name I've not heard in a very long time. Awesome video!

[@ThatNateGuyOnYouTube]

DUDE THIS IS DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOPE!!!!

[@markb4366]

Great clip. All signs point to this bike being what it claims to be. Great piece of 80’s film holy grails.

[@davefilms345]

Screen used or just a replica it's still amazing to see, great video Kurt love it

[@eastabfadeaway3842]

Could the white overlays come off the grips? Do the blue grips have nubs on them. I remember those type and the overlay would wear off.

[@eastabfadeaway3842]

@somejerk1575 those things would disintegrate. And you don't sound like a Jerk

[@thewickednetwork7667]

How Rad The karate Kid Is one my favorite 80s Movies 🍿 crazy to think this bike 🚲 is 40 years old and a survivor I assure you this is a screen used bike.

[@JIVETURKEY600]

This is actually super cool, And yes its a Good chance they used the bike for something else and changed the Grips for a shoot. Thanks for your hard work.

[@jakebunker8874]

I still feel like Johnny was the real hero of this movie and never deserved the bullying he had to take from Danial.

[@HA21310]

Super cool !! I met jack at bike o Rama , I bought a vintage bmx off of him super cool and knowledgeable guy 🤙🏽

[@Buzzode]

Great Video as Always .. One thing you forgot was to Roll the Bike Off The Hill When Danial Get Pushed Off By Cobra Kai …. LOL … thanks for the Karate Kid Memories

[@vistalite-ph4zw]

I found it interesting that the director/production went with a 24" frame(I believe)especially when 20" BMX bikes where very popular then.

[@thismothafuckasaid7304]

Ya, I remember me & friends thought same. We didn't know anyone who owned one.... Actually we'd never even seen 24" Mongoose in person, only in ads in back of BMX magazines

[@raaawkstaaar]

yes, it's a Mongoose TWO FOUR and I often wondered the same thing why a 24"...nobody rode those!!!

[@vistalite-ph4zw]

@@raaawkstaaar 🤣🤣Exactly..

[@SkyTurnsPurplePhotography]

So weird seeing that bike back there. That was probably an extra bike used for stunt choreography, like the scene where he goes flying off the bike down the hill. It may have also later been used by people or child actors at the studio lot to ride around, which is why it has obviously been weathered and ridden. They probably didn't know where the bike came from. The seat is a giveaway because it's a movie seat. It is possible this bike industry dude came across the same model and later the same aftermarket seat and made up the story with a frankenbike, but who knows?! If anyone would encounter a studio bike, he would be exactly the kind of dude you would expect to come across it. A stunt bike wouldn't need the white grips, but the seat would be important for rehearsal because of the feel and height for the stuntman, so the performance and balance match the shooting scene bike. When the original bike was fitted with the aftermarket seat and grips for the film, it may have been intentional to communicate that Daniel really valued the bike. Because it meant a lot to him, it's even sadder/lamer when compared to the cooler dirt bikes, or when it comes up in conversation with the girls. It also creates a disadvantage when he gets caught and bullied on it, so he redirects his angst on the bike's limitations in anger rather than confront his own inability to protect himself. When Miyagi fixes it, the bike on the stairs becomes a metaphorical representation of Daniel's potential change from bullying and comparative self-worth. The value of the bike is rediscovered, and with some work and attention the motorcycles don't matter as much as good training and balance. The bike is all he needs, but with a different healthier perspective on what matters, so it's not the social status disparities which matter, but how you work toward things and accomplish things the right way. This clash of social class but victory by the underdog through hard work and courage, it's a strong message that audiences of kids, like myself, identified with in the 80s. There were always shitty bullies back then. That bike is probably one of the true gem props from films of that era because it had a powerful symbolism integral to the growth of a legendary character in an iconic film. Apollo's shorts from Rocky 4, as a metaphor, as a valuable film device, as a piece of history, in an iconic period film... this bike is like that. Rambo's knife. Indiana Jones' bullwhip or fedora. Goose's dog tags. Agent Starling's temporary FBI badge. The surfboard in Point Break. The blade in The Outsiders. There are props in films that are relatively small and overlooked but are powerful devices in film. I thought about Daniel's Mongoose when I got a Dyno.

[@DaveWossum]

I had those same grips from the bike in the movie on my Diamond Back in the 80s, specifically because I saw them in this movie.

[@adambloodworth6856]

Yeah that’s cool glad that it wasn’t thrown away like so many other props have been in so many other films plus reuniting with filming locals is so nostalgic great video Kurt

[@TheMultiGunMan]

That's pretty cool. Thank you for doing a video on this.

[@BW-kv9wj]

I used to pass by that apartment daily on Saticoy from 1980-83 when I was in high school.

[@zebra3662]

Great video, great bike. Can't help but notice the classic Malibu and what appears to be a Bel Air. Sweet.

[@markb4366]

I have collected BMX for years. In regards to the grips, those along with the tires generally perish over time. The seat is a very sought after product that was produced by the Japanese company Elina. Elina were more associated with Kuwahara BMX bikes, the same as us3d in ET. The seat alone goes for over $1000 depending on its quality.

[@mikeymike8407]

Karate kid was like a parent to me, think I’ve seen it over 100 times

[@origtex]

All the BMX action in the 1980's was in Los Angeles / Orange county. There was a ton of manufacturing (actually making stuff) for BMX. The good components were alloy, and you could easily spot it. The rims in this video are alloy. The allow colors were usually red or blue. Sometimes you would see gold. The bike was realistic for the movie. Poor single mom with a kid. I am guessing the bike would have been around $300.

[@automaton111]

Very cool! I love this kind of video from you

[@3282pm]

Man I love seeing this bike!!!

[@80sLife]

You should buy it for the Totally 80s room

[@seric4546]

I had those same soft grips on my bike when I was the kid in the eighties. It's possible they swap them out because the stock mongoose grips are pretty hard If you're not wearing gloves and they might not if wanted to tear up the actor's hands from doing repeated takes.

[@andrewschryer8131]

Such a dope bike I remember watching The karate kid thinking it was such a cool movie when I was younger how I wanted to live in California

[@zerozero6265]

This video deserves atleast a million views

[@sergiomontes5534]

So many memories with that movie as a kid.

[@nathanjensen2121]

Wow, pretty cool....

[@himebaughchris4026]

Hell. That bike Might have been in 'BMX Bandits' too. 😁

[@santanadegollado9812]

Over all great story & I believe it sounds good & seems to be accurate... Jack seems like a good guy not like he's trying to get rich off it or scam anyone! 🤞🤞🤞 once again amazing vlog thank you & Jack for this 80s Life Rulz!!!!!

[@sonnydacuse7622]

I also had a Mongoose BMX bike in the 80s! I really wanted a GT, Diamond Back, or Haro. Huffy was low end but popular.

[@bloodeagle6458]

Holy crap now that's a find

[@GB85632]

As a fan of this movie I loved the video thanks for sharing I like your videos

[@ThatNateGuyOnYouTube]

When I was a kid I had a neighbor across the street named Tyler, who wanted to be Daniel SO BAD that he'd go out and throw a fit and throw his bike in the dumpster, and my brother and I would get in fights with him cause we'd try to take it out and keep it LOL!!!

[@TheKurtsPlaceChannel]

Very entertaining and fun to watch. Thanks for posting this.

[@treydaniels5175]

And the front wheel hub is blue. In the movie it's silver. I'd say its the 'B' bike. Maybe. Still coolio

[@80sLife]

It's blue when Daniel is locking it up at school

[@treydaniels5175]

@@80sLife I think there must of been at least two bikes for him

[@treydaniels5175]

@@80sLife Silver when riding blue for close ups maybe. Nice find none the less

[@80sLife]

Agreed. At LEAST 2 bikes.

[@zillsburyy1]

80s never say die

[@Mekaneckpain]

Looks like a blue TANGE seat clamp too... I always thought it was probably a Suntour. I guess I'll have to try and find one for my Karate Kid Two/Four. :)

[@BW-kv9wj]

I noticed on the movie bikes, they covered up the Mongoose decals on the frame and forks with black tape.

[@mghc7]

Love your stuff..I’m on the east coast and I played out there with my punk band a I went to the apartment building and not only did I get in the apartment complex.but I walked up the steps and the door to his apartment was open…i took a peek inside,but my wife was yelling I was goin to get arrested,but wow it was so fucking cool

[@balloonknot3028]

Awesome video 👍

[@sjf1981]

I own a mobile bike shop Spins Mobile bike repair. I used the clip of him throwing out his bike for a funny little commercial I did. Always hurts to see him trash that bike! Ride on!

[@mikesrcgarage]

Wow that looks legit and reminds me of a bike that was stolen from me back then. 26" racing cruisers were the bikes to have in the 80's and mine was a Powerlite racing cruiser which I wish I still had. That Mongoose is awesome! Great memories although I almost died on mine, no lie the forks broke! I replaced them with a prototype set of SE Landing gear forks. If you ever come across a 26" Powerlite with Landing gear forks let me know! Lol! That bike looks to be exactly the one from the movie! Very cool! ✌️😎

[@stunterx8472]

This is so awesome! I love this channel!!!

[@sethlogee]

How do you know they used the newspaper from the day it was packed?

[@HEAVYDRAGON72]

Some people think it was a diamondback. But in the first movie was definitely a mongoose 24"100%.

[@frogdog3600]

The front hub on the screen bike is low flange and silver color, yours is anodized blue high flange

[@planetwisconsin9901]

Loved my Murray X24!

[@A_playa_named_Gus]

Excellent video! And editing job

[@eccentricsmithy2746]

A newspaper date doesnt tell you when it was boxed to the day, It could have been boxed months or even a year or more after the newspaper printing.

[@blech71]

Big D from Williston Labs would go nuts over this one :)

[@eacproductions3651]

There should be a record an archive from a props driector that could contain the bikes serial number along with other props from the set. Lot of work to get access to archive but movie/tv historians do it all the time.

[@artcoleman3503]

always very good. thank you

[@mvan8307]

Two classic chevys, one being a tri 5, plus he's wearing a dodgers hat...this man don't b.s, his word is true.

[@crosswalklarry]

Nice. Now you need to track down a Thrashin' used deck. 😊

[@rdakota428]

Dude, I so dig your video's!

[@PetersonMoore-qf7ud]

Yo those grips are the real ones the white parts could and would separate after time coming loose and pulling off

[@franciscoavila2356]

Weather it was in the movie or not hope you grabbed that mongoose bike!

[@alvinmortimer7536]

Cool bike for sure. I heard Ralph Machio kept one. Doubtful that was screen used, maybe an extra? The way it was packaged and disassembled solidifies my opinion. There was only one bike more Supreme than the two-four and that was the "twenty four pro class" 😉 I wish I could visit the 80's again.

[@Stevelives13]

Probably switched a few parts to try and disguise the bike, otherwise it could be classed as product placement.

[@ozej2043]

Blue hubs as opposed to silver wheel hubs on the movie bike,still it’s awesome to see an old mongoose

[@80sLife]

The Bike has a blue hub when he's locking it up at school

[@tomaszuloaga7241]

There are multiple scenes where the bike has a blue front hub.