Hi. I just found this site searching for info on my old, new bike. It's an '85 Schwinn Predator Streetwise. It's is nowhere near the pinnacle of BMX evolution, but it's nostalgic for me. I saved up all my allowance, odd chore, and lawn mowing money that summer to buy this bike.
This past weekend my son was staying with my parents. He's 4 and just got a kid's bike for his birthday. He's gotten good enough (with training wheels) that it's difficult to keep with him on foot, but I don't need my 700c-wheeled hybrid to keep up with him. So, my dad (with my son's help) dug out my old BMX bike and cleaned it up a bit and brought it to me.
It's in decent shape, but needs a bit of work. For starters, it has tiny little rust pits all over it. I can polish these out with chrome polish, but they come right back. A coat of wax over it after polishing should help, but is there a longer term solution? Is there a better way to detail it? I'm hoping Rat Rod (or is it Mr. Rod?) can help with tips. His recent '85 NIghthawk is a very similar bike that looks great. Incidentally, the Nighthawk is what I wanted back in '85, I just didn't have the extra coin. It was one step up from the Streetwise.
This past weekend my son was staying with my parents. He's 4 and just got a kid's bike for his birthday. He's gotten good enough (with training wheels) that it's difficult to keep with him on foot, but I don't need my 700c-wheeled hybrid to keep up with him. So, my dad (with my son's help) dug out my old BMX bike and cleaned it up a bit and brought it to me.
It's in decent shape, but needs a bit of work. For starters, it has tiny little rust pits all over it. I can polish these out with chrome polish, but they come right back. A coat of wax over it after polishing should help, but is there a longer term solution? Is there a better way to detail it? I'm hoping Rat Rod (or is it Mr. Rod?) can help with tips. His recent '85 NIghthawk is a very similar bike that looks great. Incidentally, the Nighthawk is what I wanted back in '85, I just didn't have the extra coin. It was one step up from the Streetwise.
