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1976 Ashtabula
#1 2012-12-29 2:31pm
- dwh19690
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- From: Concord, NC
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1976 Ashtabula
1976 Ashtabula
Early BMX Survivor
1976 Ashtabula built frame. Date stamp on dropout is 8/76. I'm calling this one an Ashtabula built even though it does differ from all the other (6) Ashtabula bikes in the Museum. The frame is a match to the others except for the front gusset. Believed to be a product of Sun Cycle Co. and called the Black Diamond, but an Ashtabula built frame. This was a Craigslist pickup. Was obviously some kids old race bike. While the frame is from 76, the Tange forks are dated 79, and the ACS Z rims and hubs are 81. Looks as though the kid upgraded the bike as he went along. Other than cleaning it up, I had to swap out the bars, the brake cable, and the pedals. The old rat traps were toast. And the seat post was stuck and I ruined it getting it out. Everything else is the way it would have been in the early 80's, and I tried to only add period parts. Was even still wearing good ol' NC red mud when I got it, probably from the last race. Here's the parts list...
Frame-Ashtabula built '76
Fork-Tange TX1200 '79
Handlebars- Race Inc.?
Grips - AME bubble font
Stem- Early unstamped Tuf-Neck
Cranks- Ashtabula '79
Chain-ring - Addicks 44T
Headset/BB - Schwinn stamped
Rims- ACS Z Rims '81
Pedals- KKT
Hubs - ACS high flange '81
Tires - IRC BMX Racer set
Seat - Viscount
Brakes- DC 1080 w/Shimano lever
Seat post clamp- DC two piece
This bike has been sold. Good information below so I'm going to leave it up.
"I would have gotten away with it, too, if it wasn't for you meddling kids and your dog"
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#2 2012-12-29 4:24pm
- espbassist88
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Re: 1976 Ashtabula
Very cool. 
Bass Solo, Take One...
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#3 2012-12-29 9:09pm
- myone
- BMXer 4 Life
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Re: 1976 Ashtabula
Clssic peace of history rite here!!!!!
Everybody sing GOOOOO YANKEES !!! MAH!! COULD WE GET SOME MEATLOAF ??????????
Your gonna wear the shirt of the band your going to see??? DONT BE THAT GUY!!!!!!
R.I.P. Autmn Pasquale 12yrs. old you will not be forgotten. Murderd over BMX parts. UNFORGIVABLE.
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#4 2012-12-29 9:17pm
- fixed1313
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Re: 1976 Ashtabula
Way cool .......... looks great.
Always looking for Schwinn Freeform and Dyno stuff, and I would love to put together a Dinky for my youngest before he is to old.
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#5 2012-12-29 9:17pm
- BillyHelms
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Re: 1976 Ashtabula
Very nice bike! Started polishing some parts on my '87 Predator today. A long way to go to get a picture worthy bike.
'87 Schwinn Free Form, '87 Schwinn Free Form EX, '87 Schwinn Free Form Pro, '87 Dyno D-tour and an '88.5 Haro Sport
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#6 2012-12-30 2:24pm
- 1966bmx
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Re: 1976 Ashtabula
not a black diamond frame . they were a completely different shape frame . nor is this an ashtabula frame . similar but not one . super cool looking frame though .
I used to have a handle on life ...... but it broke ...
WTB Cook Bros 26" 3 bar cruiser frame or Frame/fork with American BB , 26" Cook fork also .. PayPal ready
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#7 2012-12-30 2:35pm
- dwh19690
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Re: 1976 Ashtabula
Looks like it to me....
"I would have gotten away with it, too, if it wasn't for you meddling kids and your dog"
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#8 2012-12-30 2:59pm
- 1966bmx
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Re: 1976 Ashtabula
crazy the ad i have for the ashtabula black diamond frame is WAY different from that one . still looking on my computer for it .
i would say that is a sun cycle frame . but for sure made by ashtubula for them . just too close to my ashtabula frame not to be .
I used to have a handle on life ...... but it broke ...
WTB Cook Bros 26" 3 bar cruiser frame or Frame/fork with American BB , 26" Cook fork also .. PayPal ready
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#9 2012-12-30 3:03pm
- TrulyOdd
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Re: 1976 Ashtabula
cool frame.
should be listed under black diamond though...not ashtabula.
Always looking for anything from: Star Products BMX, GJS, White Bear, Hustler, Panda, Rebel Racing, Blazer or BXC.
VINYL RECORDS & CASSETTES
I buy, sell, & trade - Over 100,000+ Hip Hop, Rock, Funk, Soul, Reggae, Jazz, Punk, etc. I’ll trade records and bmx too.
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#10 2012-12-30 3:14pm
- Monster-Robot
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Re: 1976 Ashtabula
Here you go Donnie. May 1975 BMX News:
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#11 2012-12-30 3:43pm
- dwh19690
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Re: 1976 Ashtabula
Monster-Robot wrote:
Here you go Donnie. May 1975 BMX News:
So we're both right..or wrong...or something...not sure of the date on the ad I have. My guess is, judging that the date stamp on my frame is from 76, that they dumped that frame from 75. It's......different. 
"I would have gotten away with it, too, if it wasn't for you meddling kids and your dog"
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#12 2013-01-01 12:25pm
- Monster-Robot
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Re: 1976 Ashtabula
This is from June 1975, BMX News:
Here is the full add. From May to June, it looks like big changes were made. The ad you have posted above is from July 1975, also BMX News.
Last edited by Monster-Robot (2013-01-01 12:28pm)
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#13 2013-01-05 4:16pm
- RadicalNick
- Retired ODSY HRDR
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Re: 1976 Ashtabula
The one in Monster-Robots ad is probably the old model and dwh's is the new model. I like the new model.
44t BMX Club - NC Chapter
"Two hundred years of American technology has unwittingly created a massive cement playground of unlimited potential. But it was the the minds of 11 year olds that could see that potential."
Craig Stecyk - Skateboarder Magazine - 1975
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#14 2013-01-05 7:55pm
- butterbean
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Re: 1976 Ashtabula
you were on the way to get this when i called about it , it was listed as a suntour , probably cuz of the stickers. i see you cleaned it up . very nice !
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#16 2016-03-22 5:43am
- FL Vaughn
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Re: 1976 Ashtabula
Awesome history with the clippings above - My first BMX frame was a Blue Ashtabula Black Diamond like this one... I worked at a bike shop at 12 YO... putting bikes together for $3-$5 a piece...
Needed - Rascal Bars - Early KKT and MKS Rat Traps - Anything Florida 74-80
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