[neo_pop_71]

Hello,

I posted last night on the "Passion" forum and I received a couple of PMs suggesting that I repost here in the Vintage, Classic forum. Please forgive my cross posting, I'd like to get to the bottom of what I have. Thanks for your time!

I just picked up a couple of bikes this week, gotta have some new projects for the new year. I thought they were both "Richard Cunningham" Nishiki bikes from the late 80's or early 90's. One has all the original decals, that one is a "R.C." Nishiki Ariel, not the later one with the elevated chainstays, it's the ealier one that all 4130 double butted everything. It's super light!

The other is a mystery... I thought it was a version of the Nishiki Alien but now that I get it home in the light, I see that it's a Haro. It has the elements of a Richard Cunningham Mantis or a Nishiki Alien, aluminum front with a bolt-on chrome rear triangle, crazy geometry, and super light too. The serial number on the bottom bracket makes it a 1990, I was able to figure that much online. The chromed triangle is stamped 000027. My buddy thinks it's a Haro Extreme but he has never seen one with a bolt-on rear end. It's has a front derailleur pulley on the back of the seat tube, so it is before top pull derailleurs ('91 or '92, I think those came out). It's also running one of those crazy YST541 headsets, I checked and the steerer tube is 1 1/4", so that checks out.

Anybody out there have anything to contribute regarding this frame? I at a loss, none of the Haro Extremes that I've found online have the bolt-on rear. What is this thing???

 

[jeffgothro]

I know that frame but the name escapes me...best guess (or what I should say it looks like is a Nishiki).

I think that frame might be a Mantis

[edit] It has "HARO" stamped on it I missed that the first time - I would imagin thats what it is then.

I just read your post after what I just posted, sounds like you have a pretty good idea of what it is...I think I've seen a chrome bolt on rear end, I just can remember or confirm if it was a Haro.

 

[hairstream]

Maybe it's a Mantis with Haro dropouts?

 

[jeffgothro]

Didnt Alpinestars have a similar frame?

 

[jeffgothro]

I dont think its a Mantis.

https://www.firstflightbikes.com/1992_Mantis_XCR.htm

Or Nishiki

https://www.firstflightbikes.com/1990_Nishiki_Alien.htm

 

[fjyang]

Its a Haro Extreme alright. I have the exact same frame with bolt on rear end, silver color with Hero Extreme decals. Sold the frame last year to Europe to a collector. I think its one of the earlier Extreme models. Later extreme have the fixed rear end. Even though the frame says made in USA, its actually assembled in Mexico, spot welded to hold the parts in place, ship it back over the border and the welds are finish up in states so it can qualify as Made In USA ;-) I always like elevated chain stay frame and Haro probably sold more then others and its also one of the nicer looking E-stay bikes amont its peers.

 

[neo_pop_71]

Hey FJYang- Thanks for the confirmation! Check out this email that I received!

I just received a lengthy email from a gentleman that feels that I have a Haro Extreme "Team" frame. He's provided an incredible amount of information to back up what he claims. I hope some of you will read his email, which he gave me permission to use (just not to use his name), and my hope is that one of you can back up any of what he put forward.

Thanks again for your time, here's the email:

Hello there,

You're mighty lucky! Here is a piece or two to your mystery bike puzzle, follow this link:

http://www.mombat.org/1982_Salsa_Scoboni.htm

I know, it's a Salsa but look down the page and you'll see the stem is a Bull Moose credited to Tom Rightmyer, the "Maker of the Mantis stems" and your connection to Richard Cunningham has been established.

Now, follow this link:

http://www.wisil.recumbents.com/wisil/records/Fastest_Ever.htm

Scroll down the page to #98, the name look familiar? Yes, in 1980 Tom built the World Land Speed Record setting bike, a bike that did 51.54 mph (82.95 kph). In the 70's Richard was obsessed with speed, pushing a bicycle to the limits, it was at this time that Tom and Richard became friends.

Tom was doing metal fabrication in Anaheim, Ca and later moved his operation to Fullerton, CA. Tom has had a long-standing membership in the Orange County Wheelmen and has built numerous one-off bikes for riders over the years. As you can tell (from the first link), Richard appreciated Tom's craftsmanship, it's clear in the fact that Tom made every Mantis stem and that's fused a relationship that would find both men working together then and again working closely in the future. When Haro approached Richard to design Haro's new cross country "TEAM" bike, he did so and the design principles were based around a frame design that was familiar to him because it was race proven. That is what you have… here is an exact quote from a bicycle reference book I have, "1990 - Haro Team Extreme - modeled after the Mantis which offered an aluminum front triangle bolted to a chromoly rear with elevated chainstays." My reference book does not state how many "TEAM" frames were made but it does note that many of the first frame were done by Richard himself. I'm not saying yours was but the possibility is there. Here is an interested sidenote, Haro approached Richard about doing a full suspension version of the "Extreme" frame, it explains that Richard was too busy to fulfill the project and handed it over to (guess who?) Tom Rightmyer. Tom would complete the full suspension design with Richard assistance and the frame would go on to be mass produced.

I know Tom, I have for years, he has a framed picture of that full suspension Haro hanging up in his shop in Fullerton. I'll swing by there and try to get you a picture, that'll give me a good reason to go see Tom. I know this is a lot of info but I can say with some certainty that you have (one of Richard's) HARO "TEAM" EXTREME frames.

Good luck with the build!

p.s. Tom's welding skills are not limited to bicycles, Tom handy work could be found on the track or drag strips in the 60s and 70s, he built many drag bikes. He also handles the fancy stuff like Ducatis, rare MV Augustas, classic Ferraris… here is a quote from a Ducati Service and Technical Source page, "Tom Rightmyer Welding Fullerton, CA- Beautiful Welding! Just make sure to bring a cold six pack of Coors beer, in cans, on every visit. And the Coors must be fresh: check the date code on the bottom of the can! Sounds strange, but make the offering, it really helps!" Not convinced? Check out this link to fabulous vintage motorcycles:

http://www.motorcycle.com/events/one-lung-monsters-12925.html

Here's the quote, "…and to metal artisan Tom Rightmyer who fabricated the impossible…"

Tom is a true character, in every aspect of the word! As stated earlier, you are mighty lucky to have that frame!

 

[Zanetti]

The Haro and Nishiki brands were both owned by the Derby Cycle Corporation back then, and ideas that sold well were often incorporated into the product lines of both brands.

The Haro is a knock-off of the Alien ACX (which was an 'official' knock off of the Mantis XCR).

It was probably made in Taiwan by Anlun right next to the aliens. I'd inspect that frame very carefully, most if not all of the aluminum frames produced by Anlun were not heat treated properly and failed prematurely.

 

[jeffgothro]

Rusting away in my back yard.

Haro Escape w/ original first gen Manitous.

 

[richieb]

Its a Haro Extreme ... made in the same era as teh Nishiki Alien ACX - Probably even the same factory. My old Alien ACX had a Kastan-built rear end (in Mexico!) and the Haro/Kastan relationship goes back a long way.

It was later in the Haro lineup...I would guess 92-93. I believe SSMike may have more to add on this conversation.

-Richard

 

[jeffgothro]

Your right...my bad.

 

[chefmiguel]

Richieb isn't Kastans long term relationship really with Redline? If I'm not mistaken he started Redline.

 

[chuey]

I'm pretty sure Lynn Kastan started Redline, but later lost the name in a divorce. Bummer.

Chuey

 

[captain8track]

but that black haro has 1 1/8 steerer I think, thoose puppies are bad to the bone!

 

[jeffgothro]

I dont know, it used to be a pretty sweet bike, all XT stuff - I know the stem is a A-Tac quill stem, I dont know what size though, its not my bike.

 

[richieb]

I believe, in the time frame we're looking at here, Linn Kastan (SP?) was welding Haro's handmade in USA BMX frames...hence the relationship.

I think

 

[chefmiguel]

Kastan made a small amount of frames at the time under his own name (remember his one sided fork?). He did do some contract work for Redline and a few others. Unfortunatly he had some quality control issues if i remember correctly and then price of labor skyrocketed in Mexico (where he was producing from). This and BMX was at a low point as far as sales closed him up.

 

[neo_pop_71]

FOR SALE! This Frame & BOX V-Brakes CNC ONZA

TOO MANY PROJECTS ! ! !

Gotta cut my losses and let this bad boy go, sad for that, but I need another project like i need another complaint from my wife!

I'll sell it for less than I paid, $75.00 for the frame as pictured. I have a brand new in the box Shimano bottom bracket for it that I'll include for the nice even amount of $100.00. It'll be forever and a day before I get around to building it up. Hopefully someone will get this bad boy back on the trail!

I'm also selling a complete set of v-brake levers and calipers by BOX. Remember ONZA? The guys from ONZA started BOX after they sold ONZA, BOX was designed for racers exclusively. Ultra high end stuff, better than Shimano XTR, in the same time frame as PAUL. These brakes are super light weight, servicable, with slick looks but the only draw back was the price. I think I paid close to $200.00 for these back in the 90's. I bought two sets, one set went on my yellow/gray Yeti hardtail and this set went on the shelf. Oh well...

I don't have any use for them now, my 29'er single speed is disc brake and all the bikes I build now are vintage stuff with canti brakes. Here is rare chance to pick up a sweet bit of bike history!

This is a kind deal, I won't sell these for a penny less than $60.00. I'd rather put 'em back on the shelf and keep 'em! You can't even buy a set of LX brakes for this price, the levers alone go for $45.00 plus shipping online.

Let me know if anyone wants one or the other. Maybe both? Make me an offer!

Thanks for all the input and Happy New Year ! ! !

-DON-

 

[hairstream]

What a way to start off the new year.

 

[sho220]

Nice box...