Brooklyn Gangsta V1. Frame no.018

So I thought I'd post my V1 in the CP thread seeing I've had it almost a year and it keeps on changing and never seems to be properly finished!

Brooklyn Machine Works Gangsta V1
46 size
Frame number 18
External headset and solid rear dropouts (both very rare)

So it originally started off as this brown number well-known to the forum.

http://www.lfgss.com/thread49947.html

The fork bottle mount holes were welded up but the brake cantis were left on. The f&f were then coated by Armourtex with their matt 'Dark Black' which is apparently darker than normal (they use UV light to activate the paint pigments apparently) and certainly looks very stealth! Just as a side note the powdercoat is holding up beautifully and is super tough.. The above was all done by the previous owner.
I bought it like this with a Thomson seat post and seat post clamp ready to be built up, this unfortunately took quite a bit longer than expected!

So the first thing I bought for it was the rear wheel. This was only because it came up for sale and I liked the look :) All black Velocity deep v with a black Chubb hub.
These two photos show it on the day I bought the rear.. Still no BB or HS. Sorry about the crappy pics though, most were done on my phone.

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The f&f were then coated by Armourtex with their matt 'Dark Black' which is apparently darker than normal (they use UV light to activate the paint pigments apparently) and certainly looks very stealth! Just as a side note the powdercoat is holding up beautifully and is super tough..

hehe...please tell me you didn't believe this?

#65
Malaysian
any photos of it post paint/pre-sale?

#66
Archie's Grobags
You mean in relation to this right...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Archie's Grobags

Sold.
I painted it black and got £3OO more....who'd have thought it eh?

If so, then no...it's still at the painters.
It's being done in a special 'Dark black'...it's blacker than normal black. They use a special pigment which takes longer to prepare and has to be applied under UV light to activate the pigment.
Hopefully be worth it though as it'll be much blacker than most standard black paintjobs.

#67
Malaysian
sounds v.cool. what about the wheels? repainting them too?

#68
goodhead
it's like how more black could this be? And the answer is none, none more black.

#69
*m.f
ahem
YouTube- Billy Paul - Am I Black Enough For You [HQ Audio]

#70
MrSmyth
Chuck Norris has a soul darker than any bike.

#71
Archie's Grobags
Quote:
Originally Posted by goodhead
it's like how more black could this be? And the answer is none, none more black.

You're wrong. This paint is Blacker than any other black paint.
By activating the pigment under a UV light whilst curing it means that the paint actually gets blacker once it's in direct sunlight.

#72
b'jammin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NRIkUi_jFo

#73
Basha1978
Quote:
Originally Posted by Archie's Grobags
You're wrong. This paint is Blacker than any other black paint.
By activating the pigment under a UV light whilst curing it means that the paint actually gets blacker once it's in direct sunlight.

Is this process possible on other colours? I'd be interested to see the results, where it can be done. cheers

#74
Basha1978
Sorry, just read that back, seemed a bit rude! wasn't my intention! Just interested to know more

Quote:
Originally Posted by Basha1978
Is this process possible on other colours? I'd be interested to see the results, where it can be done. cheers

#75
spagettihoops
lolz.

#76
Fox
YouTube- blac haze - do you wanna ride

snigger

#77
Archie's Grobags
Quote:
Originally Posted by Basha1978
Sorry, just read that back, seemed a bit rude! wasn't my intention! Just interested to know more

Not rude at all.
I'm not sure about other colours, but they do an 'Invisible Clearcoat' which is supposedly as strong as regular clearcoat but is so clear that it is for all intents and purposes invisible.
Pretty damn cool.

Didn't Pistoffski have this?

Im debating over getting a Gangsta. Scott do you think they could cope with any off road use? Nothing huge just bombing around Epping forest? Im downsizing soon so i'd like a one-bike-fits all. Though I love my Mash i've got a 60 mile commute at the moment and my back is not really enjoying it.

I know a couple of people who have raced cyclo cross on them, but the tyre size out back is a bit limiting.
Personally I think their Launchpad frame is more versatile if you want to go off road too as it has much more tyre clearance.

BRP: yeah, I took that with a pinch of salt but thought I'd throw some of the original thread in there ;) Apparently, however, it is some high temp powder coat they used on it, I asked them when I visited them with another frame.
BnD: yes he did. I put up a wanted ad after seeing and missing one on Gumtree and James got back to me.

hehe...please tell me you didn't believe this?

#shattersdreams

Johnny Hates Jazz - Shattered Dreams (UK Version) - YouTube

Gutted ;)! Must sell it on now then!

It's really black. I like how you've got the Chub hub squeezing in that little extra bit of black. I hope you plan to dress in an appropriate manner (in black) while riding it.

I wear black to ride a (matt) black bike.

I do have a green glow stick left over from 1989 though.

I do indeed dress appropriately. Black riding jacket and black shorts in summer. Oh and black PAC bag. I hope that satisfies the black code? In fact I'm thinking of calling her the 'Blacksta' but need the new wheels to do that :)

So here are a few shots of the first build. The front wheel is just a beater as the new Goldtec Pro hub meant for the front wheel had a shot axle and unfortunately the company was a nightmare to deal with..
Apart from that the cranks I sourced in the USA as there was a major drought of black 75's here along with the Holdfasts.. Pedals were DMR V12 mags as anything to keep down weight was a bonus!

More pics to come soon..

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My trusty old chocolate donkey is reborn. 5 years old now!

Indeed :) amazing bike if I may say so..

So here a few more pics.
After longlast the front Goldtec hub was replaced and my friend John (chainstay on the forum) built it up. Can't recommend him enough for wheel builds (free plug) so if anyone's looking.. Put it on a H+ MSW rim..
Ran 35c Panasonic Panaracers with this build but they were pretty slow albeit tho comfiest ever! They're for sale, almost new, if anyone's interested btw. Black Thomson Elite X4 50mm stem also for sale if needed by anyone.
This build didn't last too long, however, before I changed it again..

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Love it!

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A couple of pics of the next stage of my V1. Bought a set of Phil/CXP33 wheels and swapped handlebars to a set of Nitto RB 002's (which by the way ride amazing!). The stem was obtained from TFG and is a Nitto UI-5BX.
Pedals are MKS Custom Nuevos with ReLoad straps from the USA. Went for this combo as they're lighter than most BMX/platform pedals and I love straps.. Also bit easier to get in and out off as opposed to MTB ones with pins. Oh and they went better with the ongoing build.. More photos to come..

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does this mean that the old bar/stem combo and those black sug 75's are for sale?

If you mean the risers and the Thomson stem then yes they are (have a clearout thread going atm). Using some v nice Nitto Ltd ed risers on the Nitto stem now and can't bear to part with the bulls..
75's not for sale, still on her and used daily. Best cranks ever :)

ah yes, you've just changed the chainring, i should've spotted that :) yeah they're damn good cranks.

Yeah had to get a better ratio going on so the FSA ring it was. You interested in the handlebars/stem?
Actually the bars are Bitch Sticks that are for sale, not the risers on the photos..

A few choice upgrade for the V1 :)
My BB is on its way out so thought I'd just take the plunge.. Ti axle as well.
Sotto Voce headset, been wanting one for a while. Top cap isn't matching but it'll be replaced with a secure lock Pinhead one which I currently use (and find pretty damn good).
Still waiting for my new wheels... Sigh!!
Once all those things inc. wheels are on the build is finished! Maybe the only things I'd be looking is a black 48t Zen or FSA ring if anyone has..

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The CK headset and Phil BB installed at last! Beautifully smooth now..
Still awaiting the wheels though..

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It is finished at last :) :)

Wheels put on two days and they run so sweet. Also the new cog/chain combo is super silent so very happy with that. Overall love how it rides and feels.
Part breakdown:

46cm Gangsta V1 frame and forks (with cantis)
Thomson seat post and seat clamp
San Italia SLR Kit Carbonio saddle
70mm Thomson X2 stem
Cinelli Mash bullhorns
Nitto barends
Pinhead lock cap
Chris King Sotto Voce black headset w Ti baseplate
Phil Wood Ti BB
Sugino 75 165mm cranks
Sugino chainrings
Sugino 75 50t chainring
Spincycle Ti Purple Haze crank bolts
MKS Nuovo pedals
Holdfasts
Velocity A23 rims
Front hub: Goldtec Pro
Rear hub: Chub
19t EAI cog
Dura Ace lockring
DID Racing Pro NJS trackchain

Phew!

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awesome!

haha its so similiar to my gangsta build! ive got the slr, 70mm thomson, chubs laced to a23s....

mind ive got an iridescant paintjob and sram omniums, with look keo carbon pedals.

you must be well chuffed with it, how much you think its set you back in total?

Looks so good! I'd prefer it with a longer stem and risers but where did you find your bars?