Dirt changed my life.

April 2, 2018 10:24 PM

The HMX 500 does not need an introduction when it comes to the New Zealand old school BMX scene.
posted by spaceburglar (3 comments total)

Memories! My then best friends older brother had an HMX500 and got it chromed as he was into BMX (& his family were comparatively wealthy in early 80's NZ - other claim to fame was that they bought "Nice One Stu's" MG (obscure Kiwiana ahoy) and their dad eventually got done for fiddling the books (was an accountant)) - he rode it a few times but lost interest soon after (10-speeds appeared on the scene as the bike of choice when going to school).

Um, multiple digressions aside, it was a very cool bike.
posted by phigmov at 12:29 AM on April 3, 2018 [2 favorites]

I find myself searching through the second link looking for all the BMX bikes I either owned (Redlines), pretended to own via sticker packs applied to Dept Store frames (Diamond Backs) or wanted to own (PK Ripper, SE Quad).

Remembering how small differences in gussets, welding or frame geometry were massive indicators of status and coolness but now mean close to nothing except to the most obsessive collectors is kind of like looking back at the music of my teens years and trying to explain its meaning and significance to people who are only familiar with it as 25 year old music their parents play.

It's kind of charming to see that there is a restoration scene similar to what happens to vintage cars. I'm picturing fifty year old guys riding around smashing their knees into their handlebars out of nostalgic love.
posted by srboisvert at 4:26 AM on April 3, 2018 [5 favorites]

Those Lix rebuilds are crazy wonderful. There's attention to detail, and then there's that.
posted by scruss at 5:29 AM on April 3, 2018 [1 favorite]