Jon Clark

Was hoping that this thread would have a little more input by now. Oh well, I'll add another recollection. One of the "jumps" was supposedly named for one of the regular riders there who had suffered a pretty severe head injury. It was, if memory serves me, christened "53% Loss". . bummer. On a more positive note, there were a couple of brothers from (I think) Sweden that were there often around 76-77ish. They were pretty good. Didn't talk with either of them cause, well- you know, pride and all that b. s. Silly really.

Didn't some of the Moto-Pro frames have a big star cut-out in the double front gusset?

Just before it became clear to me that cast aluminum bmx wheels really weren't as advertised, I bought a Gurney mag. I'd already been through 4 or 5 motomags and should have just gone to alloys at that point. The Gurney wheel was cool looking but had one "minor" flaw. The brake shoes tore the inside of the Bendix 76 hub to shreds. Took it back to the dude I bought it from at Walt's Bike Shop. He looked me straight in the eyes and said that it just needed more grease. I crossed my eyes, told him that was very interesting - and that I wanted my money back. More grease... sheesh.

Though I'm sure that you had nothing to do with filing off the serial # - might that not present a problem if a local po-po saw it? It's my understanding that those in possession of such items would be brought up on charges and the entire bicycle confiscated on the spot.

Was Kim Wyant really that quick? That's cool!

You came all the way from the east bay? Guess you really were serious about bmx! And if you weren't yet old enough to drive, then you must have had an equally dedicated parent, sibling or friend with a car. Did you ever go back after that? Some of the better launch platforms took a long time to form. Even in 1976 there was quite a bit of "unimproved" surface area there. As I'm sure you know, it takes a whole bunch of passes at a mound of dirt before its shape is "set", so to speak. Rain could play havoc on things as well... though we can't forget that the place owed it's very existence to the fact that it was part of a city canal to drain that rainwater. Ah yes, the Schwinn frame/Ashtabula phase. In hindsight those Stingray frames were surprisingly resilient, weren't they? I can't recall a single failure, myself. 5/1/2" cranks, stock forks, goosenecks, Weinmann pedals and rims etc, were of course only good for about half a dozen or so thoughtless landings. Speaking of hindsight, as I scan the relevant completed auction prices @ ebay, I wish that I had not dismantled my Schwinn for the frame - and scattered it's "Apple Krate only" parts (including the "Schwinn approved" add-ons, sans h'bar streamers) to the wind. As I recall, even for a fifty +/- pound assembly the Krates were still fun to cruise. Probably could have picked up an alternate frame for the bmx build for 5 bucks. But we all know what they say about hindsight.

Around the year 1976, one rider that I remember in particular was a guy named Fred Fordy (sp?). Think he rode a 76 Red Line. He was an inspiration to watch. There where a few others as well at that time that were doing some crazy (seemingly) things... though their names don't immediately come to mind. The names of more than one of the jumps however, are permanently seared into memory. Bitd, you were required, by unwritten law, to "call" your jump before you headed for it. Some were more popular than others and you had to literally get in line. A few that spring to mind are: Root Uphill Nutcracker European Double Jump Suicide 40% Loss In the early ('75 to '83) years, before the city of San Jose decided to "get involved", the place was packed from Ouri grip to Ouri grip with kids of all ages and riding abilities. It was worth the 15 mile round trip ride. The worst day at Cali was better than the best day at school. So they say anyway... but I wouldn't know anything 'bout that...

Don't know if you are aware of this, but your RL Pro-Line forks (I'm assuming that they *are*) may be nickel plated under that white paint... like mine. No guarantees. My forks had the stock pearl white finish, and where manufactured in 78 or 79. Got them with the matching frame. Frame was sans little gussets , which where an add-on later in the production, so it's a safe bet on when they were made early on. Anyway... good score, Steve! Jon

I remember seeing your picture in more than a few issues of BMX News (still have every single issue), and reading about the Oakland scene. Where there many other riders trying to get with Silver Shield? Indeed, here in the bay area you guys were the team to be on.

(insert hi-five emoticon) Care to share any details? I'm all ears.

Thought I saw that, but didn't rewind to confirm. Those bars look silly. But that aside, and despite his position in the pack, I wonder how well they actually worked? It almost seems as if they might put your body in a better position to use your leg muscles, seeing as how power gets to the rear wheel by pulling on the handlebars - to push down on the pedals.

Schwerma "Champion" registry update 11/07/15 # CF 011 Adam Cox (jmc/ace) # CF 038 Kevin Mariolle # CF 039 Roc # CF 043 Frazer Bradshaw # CF 057 Jon Clark # CF 059 Dunphy1 # CF 075 seda # CF 095 RandyS # CF 112 Roc # CF 125 Jz56oval # CF 148 JP Bail # CF 187 Spike # CF 189 John Wells # CF 200 Roc # CF 209 seda # CF 214 Larock # CF 240?/250? DAN # CF 258 Roc # CF 259 dewabo # CF 264 Cecil Yother, Jr. "cj" # CF-? (filed) Roc # CF-? (filed)Spike # CF-? (filed) Larock # CF-? (filed) Waza # CF-? Ray Mariolle # CF-? Hank and Frank Bicycles The frame which I had listed as": "# CF-? t.b.d. for the record disposed-of (J Clark)" has been identified as CF028 by its previous owner... who also informed me that I had the back story wrong. Apparently it did not end up (afahk) in the land fill. It was mistakenly gathered up by his roommate and sold at the flea market for $5. This was fifteen years ago - to this day CF028 is still MIA.

Hi John, What led to your involvement with the Silver Shield bmx team? Hope to hear, with as much detail as you care to share. Best regards, Jon Clark

With only 26 reported, one wonders what the actual number of survivors might be. i.e., additional numbers of those with owners neither knowing or giving a $*#@ about it. If I had to guess I'd say 20 to 30... at very best. BMX is not a sport I monitor much anymore. Anyone running a Schwerma Champion frame competitively these days? Best regards to all, Jon Clark CF057

nycet3 said: "Just spent a little time looking at some Champion Schwermas online. I just don't think there are better looking welds out there. That bead in nickel--if it's not art--is approaching dangerously close. I'd like to learn more about the man. Is there a thread on this site dedicated to Doug Schwerma?" ___________________________________________________________________ It's reassuring to know that I'm not the only one who feels as nycet3 does. Doug Schwerma has made an indelible mark on so many dirt riding souls. What he produced is, in my eyes, an unparalleled mix of strength/beauty. Two seemingly opposing characteristics. Someone needs to write a book. I've been kicking the idea around, as he deserves more than a mention. Jon Clark