More 80's Stuff - Mongoose BMX Questions!

[The Fixer]

Hey all,
In a never-ending quest to return to my youth, I picked up an '85 Mongoose Californian, almost exactly like the bike I had as a teenager. I've got loads of shadetree mechanical experience and love to tinker, so I want to try my hand at doing some simple maintenance on this bike to get it really road-worthy again. The trouble is, I can't find good writeups anywhere on how to do it? I've scoured the net, and looked at vintagemongoose.com and bmxmuseum.com and can't really find solid info.

Basically, I need to know how to break down the head so I can clean and regrease the bearings in the fork, and how to take apart the crank so I can clean and regrease them.

Help!

[sweetbmxrider]

Its a threadless headset, right? And the cranks are 1 piece?

[The Fixer]

Its a threadless headset, right? And the cranks are 1 piece?

It's a threaded headset, I believe. And the cranks are a 2 or 3 piece design - they're GT cranks. The original Pro-Class cranks and rims were not on the bike unfortunately, but it does have a nice set of Skyways.

[Mike]

Post a couple pictures. The threaded stem is just the bolt with a wedge nut at the end. Loosen the bolt and give it a tap and the stem will slide out. Then to take the head set apart you just need some large wrenches. Once you break it all loose it's all hand tight to set the bearings

[sweetbmxrider]

If the stem goes into the fork and there is a large exposed nut at the headset, its threaded. If the stem clamps to the fork and has a bolt where the top of the fork would be, its threadless.

http://sheldonbrown.com/images/headset-threaded-small.jpg

http://bicycletutor.com/overhaul-threaded-headset/

http://bicycletutor.com/images/bicycle/019.jpg

http://sheldonbrown.com/images/headset-threadless-small.jpg

Can you take some pics of it? Would help determine what's on it. 1, 2, and 3 piece cranks come apart differently but its all simple stuff. Look at the crank arms and see how they attach to the spindle or if there are no bolts pinching them to the spindle.

http://www.danscomp.com/serve/faq/cranks_faqs.htm

[grazi]

Its been a while for me but back in the day- pedals were always opposite thread. May save you a lot of frustration.

[The Fixer]

Thanks for the help and links so far! Allright, it's definitely a threaded headset, original Mongoose stamp on the top nut too -

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh190/TPIMonteSS/85%20Mongoose%20Californian/IMAG0984.jpg

The top hex bolt on the neck that goes through the tube is a bit stripped. I'm gonna soak it with BreakAway and then try to get it apart. Once it's apart, I'll repace that bolt. The other 4 bolts that hold the handlebars in place are in good shape.

And it turns out the crank is actually a 1-piece GT Performer setup. I ~assumed~ it was a two piece because the outside ring is separate. Here's a couple pics -

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh190/TPIMonteSS/85%20Mongoose%20Californian/IMAG0983.jpg

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh190/TPIMonteSS/85%20Mongoose%20Californian/IMAG0985.jpg

[maroman88]

very cool, i still have my mongoose BMX from about 10 years ago, i put some GT mags on it with off road looking tires lol

[sweetbmxrider]

Yeah those headsets can be tough if they haven't been apart in a long time. The cranks should come apart though. Keep all of the cups etc when you take it apart. I like the mag :lol:

[The Fixer]

very cool, i still have my mongoose BMX from about 10 years ago, i put some GT mags on it with off road looking tires lol

Nice! Definitely save it - I really regret getting rid of my old one now, but at the time all I cared about was driving. I traded it to my mechanic friend for some work done on my car when I was a teenager and didn't know how to do anything on my own. He's had the bike for probably close to 20 years now!

Yeah those headsets can be tough if they haven't been apart in a long time. The cranks should come apart though. Keep all of the cups etc when you take it apart. I like the mag :lol:

Thanks! They're Skyway TuffWheel IIs. I had the same set on my old Californian back in the '80s, but mine were blue to match that bike. I'll keep everyone posted, thanks for all the info so far!

[donnj]

ahhh the good ole days.... the skyway tuff wheel II was the wheel to have, the welds on those bike were amazing, hutch and thruster were great bikes also

totally not related but this tumbler helps me get a fix of the 8Os sometimeshttp://the80sareforever.tumblr.com/

[grazi]

:drool:
:shock:
:nod:

[The Fixer]

ahhh the good ole days.... the skyway tuff wheel II was the wheel to have, the welds on those bike were amazing, hutch and thruster were great bikes also

totally not related but this tumbler helps me get a fix of the 8Os sometimeshttp://the80sareforever.tumblr.com/

Cool, thanx for the link too!

So far, I was able to get the bolt loose that goes through the headset without stripping it, and I got most of the scale and rust off the bottom of the original BMX seat with the water/tin foil trick. My plan is to restify it mechanically, clean it, and enjoy it. I'm not changing the original decals even though they're a little scuffed and faded - it's just patina. The bike really is a survivor. I'll post some more pics when I get some more cleaning and work done on it.

[BonzoHansen]

my redline was cooler

[The Fixer]

my redline was cooler

All the kids that had Redlines and PK Rippers said they were cooler than Mongooses. ;) Not gonna lie, they were nice too. Do you still have your old Redline? Your boys would love it!

[BonzoHansen]

no, sold that years ago. I had a growth spurt one year, picked up like 6 inches in height in like 5 months and out grew it real quick, hurt my knee on it. sold it, retired from bmx. i wasn't that good anyway lol. raced at Howell a few times, mostly we hacked around town.

got a road bike started taking long rides. I'd go to manasquan or even point to go to the beach. I lived in belmar then, so those were pretty good rides for a kid. Can't really do that on a bmx bikes. Gears are good lol

I had tough wheels too. went through some z-rims too - busted those to hell. i think I had 'flight cranks' too but i don't really remember anymore.

anyway, that stuff you have comes apart pretty easy. i used to do it all the time back then, so if a moron 13 year old can do it you should have no problem lol. old coffee can with some gasoline, throw the bearings in, swoosh it around a bit and walla, clean parts!

[The Fixer]

no, sold that years ago. I had a growth spurt one year, picked up like 6 inches in height in like 5 months and out grew it real quick, hurt my knee on it. sold it, retired from bmx. i wasn't that good anyway lol. raced at Howell a few times, mostly we hacked around town.

got a road bike started taking long rides. I'd go to manasquan or even point to go to the beach. I lived in belmar then, so those were pretty good rides for a kid. Can't really do that on a bmx bikes. Gears are good lol

I had tough wheels too. went through some z-rims too - busted those to hell. i think I had 'flight cranks' too but i don't really remember anymore.

anyway, that stuff you have comes apart pretty easy. i used to do it all the time back then, so if a moron 13 year old can do it you should have no problem lol. old coffee can with some gasoline, throw the bearings in, swoosh it around a bit and walla, clean parts!

I never raced either, just beat around town with friends. I also biked to school (almost 2 mi. each way) which was good exercise.

Your last line was awesome BTW, great advice! Any idea if I can use regular Valvoline wheel bearing grease on the crank and headset, or is there a special bike grease I need to buy?

[BonzoHansen]

i always used wheel bearing grease because that is what Dad had on the shelf.

[sweetbmxrider]

I wouldn't hesitate to use wheel bearing grease. 000 and 0000 steel wool is good for cleaning up rust off of chrome too.

[BonzoHansen]

Yeah, steel wool and a little wd40.

[The Fixer]

Nice! I actually tried the WD40 with the 0000 steel wool yesterday and it worked well on the stuff that was lightly pitted.

And, I got to disassemble more of the bike today - found out why the crank didn't really spin smooth. Take a look at the bearings. WTF, it's missing a ball? I ~assume~ I need bearings for both sides of the crank - I really can't just replace the missing ball, right?

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh190/TPIMonteSS/85%20Mongoose%20Californian/IMAG1015.jpg

Here's a pic of the race, which after some cleaning should look pretty good.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh190/TPIMonteSS/85%20Mongoose%20Californian/IMAG1012.jpg

And here's where I'm at so far. Brakes are off, and are complete and in decent shape. I just need to polish the hardware and get new screws/locknuts for the handlebar clamps. I did what I could to restore the seat and laid back seat post. I'm gonna pull the handlebars and check the headset bearings this week; that way I'll just have to make one trip to the bike shop once I know what it needs.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh190/TPIMonteSS/85%20Mongoose%20Californian/IMAG1016.jpg

[BonzoHansen]

still looks like a heavy mongoose lol

nice progress

[sweetbmxrider]

You should have no problem getting new bearings from a bike store, just bring them with you. Those bars are insane :lol: and the whole ass end of the bike is just 80's

[The Fixer]

You should have no problem getting new bearings from a bike store, just bring them with you. Those bars are insane :lol: and the whole ass end of the bike is just 80's

Hey man, the '80s were awesome! :) I love those handlebars too, they really are a throwback.

And in other news, I brought the bearings to the local shop yesterday. He wound up having a brand new set of original style bearings with the cups and all in a draw from like 30 years ago. The guy was really cool about helping me get the right stuff!

Also, I finished disassembling the bike after work today. I pulled the handlebars and fork off, and then disassembled the headset. The bolt going through the steering tube is gross - it has decades of grime and other crud on it. And the grease was completely hardened, which would explain the difficult steering. On the plus side, once I cleaned the bearings off in gasoline, they looked awesome. I was also able to clean the light rust off the top of the fork tube by where the front brakes bolt on. Here's a before and after pic.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh190/TPIMonteSS/85%20Mongoose%20Californian/IMAG1017.jpg

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh190/TPIMonteSS/85%20Mongoose%20Californian/IMAG1019.jpg

Oh yeah, I also started stripping the powdercoat off the GT crank arm. I'm gonna polish it up and get a Mongoose chainwheel to make it look better. Progress is slow, but it's getting there!

[amargari]

Great timing on this thread. I started disassembling a 1986 Mongoose FS1 BMX/Freestyle bike. I stripped the powder coat and rust and I am going to paint the bike black with TSC black. Once it is painted, I will put it back together with my son. I will post pics in a few days.

[The Fixer]

Great timing on this thread. I started disassembling a 1986 Mongoose FS1 BMX/Freestyle bike. I stripped the powder coat and rust and I am going to paint the bike black with TSC black. Once it is painted, I will put it back together with my son. I will post pics in a few days.

Nice, definitely post them up! How does your son like doing it? My son is 9 and having a blast. I'm pretty sure he'll be bugging me to ride it as soon as he's tall enough LOL.

[amargari]

Nice, definitely post them up! How does your son like doing it? My son is 9 and having a blast. I'm pretty sure he'll be bugging me to ride it as soon as he's tall enough LOL.

He is 10 and enjoyed taking it apart. Once it is painted, we will put it back together. He has also enjoyed looking for replacement parts online for the bike.

[The Fixer]

He is 10 and enjoyed taking it apart. Once it is painted, we will put it back together. He has also enjoyed looking for replacement parts online for the bike.

Same here, my son has been learning a lot through this process, and having a good time helping me along the way.

And, now for a few more update pics. The rear forks had some surface rust, and the bike really hadn't been cleaned in a long time. So, here's a before shot -

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh190/TPIMonteSS/85%20Mongoose%20Californian/IMAG1022.jpg

And, here's the same spot after cleaning with the water/tin foil mix, and then being hit several times with Blue Magic metal polish.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh190/TPIMonteSS/85%20Mongoose%20Californian/IMAG1036.jpg

Here's the whole frame, polished and ready to be reassembled.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh190/TPIMonteSS/85%20Mongoose%20Californian/IMAG1039.jpg

The USPS sent my new crankwheel and seat clamp from Georgia to Texas (whoops!), so I've been delayed with getting it assembled. I'm planning to get the front fork installed with fresh grease on the headset bearings tomorrow, and maybe polishing the brake handles and ends so it's all detailed and ready to be put back together once the parts arrive this week. Stay tuned!

[The Fixer]

Well, today went better than expected! My son helped me install the fork and headset, and then he prodded me to get a bit more done. Thanks to the advice earlier in this thread, I was able to get the bearings installed, and not over-tightened. The handlebars spin free and do not bind anymore.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh190/TPIMonteSS/85%20Mongoose%20Californian/IMAG1041.jpg

And, we wound up turning the Goose back into a roller today!

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh190/TPIMonteSS/85%20Mongoose%20Californian/IMAG1046.jpg

I should be done with it this week if the Postal Service can find the two parts we need to finish it.

[sweetbmxrider]

Man that thing is lookin sweet

[The Fixer]

Man that thing is lookin sweet

Thanx Adam!!

And, the missing parts finally showed up today. New seat clamp is on, polished seat post and rescued original BMX seat are installed.

Here's a pic of the crank setup now - new anodized aluminum Mongoose chainwheel, along with the GT crank that came with the bike (you can see on page 1). I removed all the powdercoating with aircraft stripper, then wetsanded with 2000 grit sandpaper and polished a bit with the Blue Magic.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh190/TPIMonteSS/85%20Mongoose%20Californian/IMAG1051_zpsccb0bb5e.jpg

I'm hoping to install the crank and bearings tomorrow after I get home with my kids. After that, I need to clean the chain, polish the brake parts, and give everything the once over to make sure its safe to ride. I'll have some completed pics by the weekend with any luck!

[zuuhlsT/A]

OMG you so took me back to the days of my MCS Spider. God I loved that thing. Sweet Mongoose.... I had 2 of them and never broke them....

[The Fixer]

OMG you so took me back to the days of my MCS Spider. God I loved that thing. Sweet Mongoose.... I had 2 of them and never broke them....

Thanks! It's always nice to take a trip back in time - I finished reassembling the Goose today, and got to ride it a bit, and man I felt like a kid again for a few minutes!

Here's some final pics - it was overcast, but I figured you guys might wanna know how it turned out. I decided to keep all the original decals and just work around them. I know they're scuffed, but it's nice to see stuff that's 27 years old still look and ride good.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh190/TPIMonteSS/85%20Mongoose%20Californian/IMAG1055_zps894c9aad.jpg

I wound up replacing the chain too - it was cheap enough, and the old one was too rusted to be presentable.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh190/TPIMonteSS/85%20Mongoose%20Californian/IMAG1056_zpsf407a251.jpg

And here's the final shot -

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh190/TPIMonteSS/85%20Mongoose%20Californian/IMAG1053_zps4ee8483e.jpg

It rides great so far! I will check it over again once I put a few miles on it. Don't worry, I fixed the rear brake pad after I took the pic LOL. :)

[sweetbmxrider]

Came out awesome! I love it

[donnj]

awesome job, enjoy the ride....

[zuuhlsT/A]

Diggin the Moto Mags. Had those on my Mongoose in blue. Nice work

[Tru2Chevy]

Looks great Steve!

- Justin

[The Fixer]

Bringing this one back from the dead because I made a few updates to it - here's how it looked after I finished it the first time. :)

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh190/TPIMonteSS/85%20Mongoose%20Californian/IMAG1053_zps4ee8483e.jpg

And here's how it looks now -

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh190/TPIMonteSS/85%20Mongoose%20Californian/IMAG1257.jpg

I added a "survivor" ProClass disc off a Californian that was being parted out onto the chainring that came with the bike, along with a set of older Takagi cranks to replace the mid-school GT cranks. Other updates include a set of survivor mid-'80s Shimano pedals to replace those Wellgo pedals (they sucked!), repro skinwall tires, and legit clamps for the brake cable to replace the zipties. :)

Anyway, I had so much fun doing this one up I'm on the hunt for another project - anyone have an older BMX bike they'd like to get rid of? ;)

[Mezzy]

Now you all got me out looking for 80s bikes, lol. I use to compete when I wad a kid also. I had skyward gift wheels and the Z rims that were spoked rims made from the mag wheel material. Anyone remember those rims? I'm gonna vid me a GT Pro series I think. Never had one of those.

Awesome looking bike man!!

[Z28 Heritage]

Wow it came out great! Its making me want to fix up my old schwinn from when i was a kid.

Here's a pic of what it looks like. Its not mine i just stole it from Google. Mine is packed away in the shed with flat tires.

[Mezzy]

I'm going to start one real soon as well lol funny to see this thread. Lol