'86 DiamondBack Viper

[udallcustombikes]

Ever since I got back into bikes I have been looking to find one of my first bikes. Today I brought it home.

Some scratches and scrapes, but the paint and decals are good for now.

Lots of Dia-Compe Components

Still has the original seat

The only bad problem is the crank. In the pic the right leg is vertical and you can see the left is not.

Any vintage DiamondBack info available out there? I need to Identify the correct grips, tires, and pedals.

 

[Gebolys77]

Here is a pick of mine with the right grips dose yours still have the sticker on the back of the seat?

 

[OneHorsePower]

Here is a pick of mine

Tire threads the wrong way :wink: :lol:

 

[Gebolys77]

Yea thare two diffrent ones

 

[OneHorsePower]

Yea thare two diffrent ones

i know but... the front one is mounted backwards , just saying , i dont realy care myself , i just noticed it :lol:

 

[heyslugger]

YES! I am a fan of the 80s ice cream/dayglo colors! Very nice.

 

[udallcustombikes]

I know what I am looking for as far as grips and pedals go. I have decided to go with porkchopbmx's white skinwall Comp3 tires, but what size would be correct on this bike? 1.75? 2.125? Both like on my '04 Diamond Back, 1.75 rear and 2.125 up front?

 

[Dr. Tankenstein]

Back in the early 80s, we always ran a 1.75 rear / 2.125 front setup.

The thinking (as I remember it) was a skinnier rear wouldn't 'float' as much in a turn and was lighter, so you could get more torque on it and it was easier to keep level during a jump.
The fat front served a similar function. In the turns, it held a better line and absorbed more shock on landings. I don't recall high PSI tires back then.

So to answer your question....yes.:mrgreen:

Great survivor BTW.

Cheers,
Dr. T

 

[udallcustombikes]

I spent an hour this morning before bed Tearing the viper down.

I love the old school graphics.

Still has the seat sticker.

The fork steer tube has "AKISU 86"

The original bars are sweet.

Here you can see just how bad the crank is bent.

 

[udallcustombikes]

Since I had the night home alone I drug the parts into the kitchen and cleaned and polished all the piece parts. Tomorrow I will get the frame and wheels cleaned up.

I need to order some parts before I start putting it back together.

Pedals- 1/2" white bear traps

Any know where I can find these grips?

If I can't find those I will go with these

or these

or maybe these

White Comp3s

or some white freestyle tires if I find the right pair.

I also need to replace the 170mm crank and get some new cable housings.