Need help identifying year/model of Cook Bros Racing vintage bicycle

[jeff82009]

My aunt recently passed away, BMX bike was her son's who passed @ 18. He cherished this bike. I have no idea what I have and if anyone could direct me I would greatly appreciate it. This is what I know.

Cook Bros. Racing serial number 534
Tuff Wheels II
Redline 44 sprocket
Tuf Neck (w/original)

Attached are some photos:

 

[Karate Chicken Industries]

You have my condolences first and foremost.

Second, you have a great bike, ride it!

 

[MattiThundrrr]

Serial numbers are unreliable for Cook Bros, they reset them frequently and used different sequence for each model. Instead you need to figure it out based on features, as they evolved over time.
https://bmxmuseum.com/forums/viewtopic.php?id=765105

 

[RustyGold]

My condolences.

Matti's link is spot on...it is in the '78-79 range. I'm assuming '79 as it has drilled forks (if they look factory drilled...not backyard drilled). This is assuming your brake bridge is flat...hard to tell in the photo.

You have something real special here...proceed carefully.

 

[RustyGold]

The Tuf Neck stem on it is probably ~'81-83...later than the bike. It is damaged by the non-original hardware...but is still worth some money. The stem below the bike looks like an MCS 6-bolt and could be contemporary to the bike. Tuff IIs came out in '79…but they still make them today. Should be a date or date code on the rims under the tube.

The trick setup back then would be to have alloy wheels for racing, tuffs for the street. I would assume the hubs are original to the bike and the tuffs were a '2nd day' aquisition.

 

[RustyGold]

The seat looks to be a UNI Hammerhead. It could be contemporary to the bike as well (if it has a logo/sticker on the back...that would help determine. Also worth some bucks.

 

[RustyGold]

I'd have to check the details, but if those are redline flights from the same period...pretty big bucks. Frame and fork set is the big value...but, nearly everything with it is valuable.

 

[GinoD]

I would be super interested in the 6 bolt gooseneck if you are thinking about selling it. I need it to finish a 20" MCS Magnum build I am working on

 

[jeff82009]

Thank you everyone! A heck of a lot of knowledge in this forum.

 

[RustyGold]

If you are looking to sell...to get an idea of prices, I have a couple suggestions. Both of which are hampered by the low volume (rarity) of Cook Bros stuff.

You need access to someone with a current membership to bmxmuseum.com, so they can search the completed for sale classifieds (I've let mine lapse).

Search for items on eBay using the 'completed items' filter. That only goes back ~90 days, but gives you an idea of what things do, and DON'T, sell for. Also, you need to know that prices are generally high compared to local/real world.

There are altruistic collector/experts out there...but, even the well intentioned are going to be a bit predatory. Soak up any offered advice, but always verify.