1992 Diamond Back Viper
I found this Diamond Back Viper frame and forks on Ebay and decided to build it up. When I originally found the frame it didn't have any decals showing what kind of Diamond Back it was. I did some research using the serial number under the bottom bracket. I went to wwwos-db.net and cross referenced the frame type with pictures on bmxmuseum.com. The serial number is BI-0262 so I am thinking either 1992 or 2002 Viper. The 2002 frame looks way different than the this frame but the 1992 frame looks the same as mine.
DB Viper (Frame and Forks)
Fork Diamond.
Rear DB drop outs.
I could not find the original decals for this bike but I did find some old school Viper reproduction decals that I think will look nice on this bike.
I found these decals on Ebay.
I cleaned the frame and forks , then I applied the decals.
Fork before.
Fork Decals.
Headtube Decal
The rest of the decals went on with no problems.
Down tube decal.
Top tube and seat tube decals.
Decals complete.
After installing the decals I polished the frame and forks with Turtle Wax chrome polish. Then I pressed in the headset cups.
I pressed in the bearing cups for the headset but the black headset didn't go well with the blue decals so I went with a chrome headset.
New Headset.
Chrome headset and forks greased and installed.
Frame and forks so far.
After installing the headset and forks I started on the cranks and bottom bracket bearings. I found a 175 mm chromoly 1 piece crank on ebay and I paired it with a 39 tooth "Chop saw " sprocket from Pork chop BMX.com. I found a 110 bcd spider to complete the cranks.
Bottom bracket bearings and hardware.
39 tooth Blue anodized sprocket.
Chromoly one piece crank.
Cranks complete.
After building the cranks I pressed in the bottom bracket cups , greased the bearings and installed the crank.
Bottom bracket cups pressed in.
Bottom bracket bearings greased.
Cranks installed.
After installing the cranks I installed a blue anodized Suntour style goose neck.
Goose neck installed.
Next I installed chrome handle bars.
After installing the handle bars I started on the wheelset. I found a set of blue anodized MDA wheels. These wheels are 6061 aluminum old school 7X style wheels with an 11 tooth driver.
I cleaned up the front wheel , then replaced the bearings and put new grease.
I cleaned up the front wheel , then replaced the bearings and put new grease.
Front hub (before cleaning)
Front hub (cleaned and polished)
Front hub packet with new bearings and grease.
Next I cleaned the rear wheel and overhauled the rear hub with new bearings and grease.
Front hub (cleaned and polished)
Front hub packet with new bearings and grease.
Next I cleaned the rear wheel and overhauled the rear hub with new bearings and grease.
11 tooth driver and axle removed from hub.
When I took the rear hub apart I noticed that it had 3 sizes of bearings. The driver has 1/8" and 5/16" bearings while the rear hub bearings are 1/4" .
Driver with hub bearings.
When I took the rear hub apart I noticed that it had 3 sizes of bearings. The driver has 1/8" and 5/16" bearings while the rear hub bearings are 1/4" .
Driver with hub bearings.
Driver taken apart with bearings removed.
I cleaned and lubed the driver then I replaced the bearings and added new grease.
Driver and bearings.
Rear hub cleaned (drive side)
Rear hub (new bearings and grease)
Driver (new bearings and grease)
The three pawls on the driver are spring loaded , they engage with the notches inside the hub (above) to turn the rear wheel when you pedal the bike.
MDA 7X style wheelset complete.
After completing the wheels I wrapped them in DK Photon grey wall street tires.
New tubes .
Next I installed new VP "Bear Trap" pedals.
New tires and pedals installed.
Almost complete.
Next I installed the chain and the grips. This Viper got a KMC Z410 chain and blue AME grips.
Next I installed blue anodized aluminum Dia Compe style brake and cable.
Rear brake installed . I still have to run the cable and housing then adjust the brake.
This Viper is getting a Viscount Dominator Saddle with a chrome seat post to finish off the build.
1992 Diamond Back Viper BMX complete.
Next is more pictures of the Diamond Back Viper
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I cleaned and lubed the driver then I replaced the bearings and added new grease.
Driver and bearings.
Rear hub cleaned (drive side)
Rear hub (new bearings and grease)
Driver (new bearings and grease)
The three pawls on the driver are spring loaded , they engage with the notches inside the hub (above) to turn the rear wheel when you pedal the bike.
MDA 7X style wheelset complete.
After completing the wheels I wrapped them in DK Photon grey wall street tires.
New tubes .
Next I installed new VP "Bear Trap" pedals.
New tires and pedals installed.
Almost complete.
Next I installed the chain and the grips. This Viper got a KMC Z410 chain and blue AME grips.
Next I installed blue anodized aluminum Dia Compe style brake and cable.
Rear brake installed . I still have to run the cable and housing then adjust the brake.
This Viper is getting a Viscount Dominator Saddle with a chrome seat post to finish off the build.
1992 Diamond Back Viper BMX complete.
Next is more pictures of the Diamond Back Viper
I really enjoyed building this Diamond Back Viper. The 39T X 11T drive train makes this bike super fast. I took it for a test ride and it really took off. It handles great around corners and stops quick too.
I think the blue components really make this chrome Viper shine. Even though this Viper didn't come with any original parts, I tried to get as era correct as possible with this 1992 Diamond Back Viper build.
Thanks for viewing my blog.
Cheers , Tony
