When video games were simply from Atari, kids longed for a bicycle so they can go out and play with their friends outside. Bicycles were part of their birthday wishes, Santa’s letters and rewards for being in the honor’s list. I got my first ever bike as a combination of high grades and Christmas gift from my mom.

If you didn’t have a bicycle, you would borrow your neighbor’s ride and go around the street up to the corner. One favorite past time decades ago also was to go to Philcite or Starcity and rent bicycles. Either you get the single bike with banana seats or the one with a sidecar to haul your younger sibling/s around.

Life was so much simpler back then. No internet, no gadgets, just pure unadulterated fun of cycling with family or friends.

Back then, you will know where your friends are if you see their bikes parked in the front yard of the house. Now, you use an app to locate your friends.

This simple yet complicated bike is a blast from that era when fun means getting on your bike and pedaling far (and not telling your parents). The small adventures and the awakening of your innocent adolescent mind all attribute to the weapon/toy/bicycle between your legs.

20″ Rims

Twenty inch, chromed or stainless, heavy thick rims roll this pretty yellow machine. They aren’t special, you really don’t care about them, but these rims are heavy and tough. Bombproof and solid, you have to clean the “in-betweens” of the rios if you want those rims, shiny and bright!

Two-Piece Crankini

This yellow number wears a two-piece crank paired with solid black and chrome pedals ready for the abuse of strong legs. Thick old school BMX chains give this bike the power to move.

Plush Ride

Do you remember how your old BMX from your childhood rode? Try to feel that ride, only make it softer…or plush. Thanks to the front and rear suspension this bike offers. The ride is something like sitting on an easy chair. The long “banana seat” gives the cyclist a bouncy, trampoline feel not usual for a bicycle. The thick 20″ tires also add comfort to the bum. You can still feel the ground, but it’s more like sitting on a car, with good suspension.

Get A Grip

Grips were simpler and basic back in the day. You simply matched the color of your grip with the color of your bike. Done. Hello Yellow!

Rare

I haven’t seen a bicycle like it. Full suspension on a 20 inch bike? This is way ahead of its time, dating it back from 1974-75. Bikes back then were built tough. These kinds of bikes were used in the mud and were played roughly. Nobody took care of their bicycle and preserved them back in the day… so to restore these kind of gems took much effort and love. Props to Lee of BZkleta for the understanding and patience in building this bike with us. Cheers, my good sire!

Go Retro

It is not easy going retro on bike builds. Everything has to be period correct. The tires should be from the same era, the look, the materials… We had to source out tires that are perfect for the build. This is the bike that you need to bring out if we were to shoot a 70’s movie.

***backstory: This bike build is homage to a bike photo of siblings riding a yellow bike with a bent toptube and suspension at the rear. We researched high and low and this bike is the end product of that photo.