Whatever happened to Panda BMX?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ก.พ. 2025
- Whatever happened to Panda BMX?
Today we are taking a look at what could possibly be the first factory produced dedicated to BMX bicycle. Panda was definitely the first bmx brand to come over from Taiwan but I believe they were one of the first big brands to be factory produced vs. welding the frames together in a small garage. We also get to hear the story straight from the original owner, Randell Kim.
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Thank you guys for all the support. I'm working on a littlejohn video next and then taking suggestions for riders to cover!
Great video as always ! Any possible way we could hear more about BOSS. This video makes them seem kinda small but they were a big deal in their time and Carlos is still making them today. A BMX company that has actually stood the test of time rather than these bigger companies that are boom and bust.
I really like your videos. I asked a while back about Race Inc. That would make for an interesting video especially now since it came back. I know quite a bit of history and own several old and new.
Loved to see a video on fmf bikes or stroker
What about "ACS" a very innovative 80's company...? I'm very curious... Please research and make a video. I'm also surprised they never manufactured a freestyle frame and fork set.
I just want to say how much I appreciate these videos and the work that you put into them. You are preserving the history of BMX, and I thank you for that.
You are killing me with this stuff. I have been hoping for this kind of content for years. All of these early BMX companies are from my era. You are digging up some awesome info, for sure.
Has anyone mentioned R&R? It may be tough to get enough info on them, but they had a pretty radical frame design and my first true BMX frame was an R&R... I wish I still had it!
Anyway, super great stuff amigo.
Finally!! So glad you made this video ! I rode a Panda 🐼 BMX in grade school ,80’s and since then I could never find a solid history and information till now ! Thx for the time and info !
love your passion in the 70s it was awesome to watch bmx evolve and you really capture that spirit
Love it!! So cool to hear from Mr. Kim himself! I would never imagine wanting to ride around Lake Merritt these days unless you are looking for dead bodies or like being chased by someone who wants your bike!! But so cool that Panda started in Oakland. I’ve been trying to find some info on National Pro!! CW would be a cool video too! Thanks for doing what you do. I learned so much and appreciates the history. 🤙🤙🤙
CW! Please. CW was mysterious.
I remember my freind had the first Dan Gurney shock bike, then Yamaha made their Moto- Bike. He sold it cause to heavy for jumping jumps. He Bought a G-boy aluminum frame and built a custom bike with top of line aftermarket parts, list too long to write. I bought a Race Inc aluminum frame and did the same thing. Spent every penny I made from my paper rout and made a fully custom race bike. We race here in Fresno, CA. And we both won many trophies and then got too big and made 26" BMX racers and they called it Cruiser Class. Then I started racing Motocross dirtbikes ,73 Husqvarna CR250 at 15 yrs old.Aww...the memories ❤
I’ve been waiting for this one, I’m still riding my 1983 24” pro am
Great job again❤
I'd love it if you'd do a video on Profile. I had one back in the day and would like to know more about their history.
Happy to have come across this channel. I rode BMX tough in 80s. Are you going to do any episodes on CW or Free Agent?
Very interesting, thank you for sharing
Enjoying your videos. You have a "radio announcer" voice!
Well you got a story about Panda. Having been around Panda off and on from the late 70s through 88, and then working with Gilbert and Bill full time for a couple of years when I sold my business to them I can tell you that very little of it meshes with the stories I was told by Gilbert, or that I know from being there. The success of Panda can be attributed to Gilbert and Bills business sense, letting the team riders, and employees like Floyd Busby and Carol Hollenbeck have input on direction. Randy Kim was a part of Panda at the beginning for a very short time and I'm sure some of the stories are true, but he's footnote to the overall story not the gospel. I'm a long time subscriber and have watched most if not all of your videos so I hope you don't take this comment negatively on your work, it's tough to weed through the various versions of the history. But I'm also a historian of the sport and want to see it recorded correctly, I was stoked to see the Dave Busby Nor Cal Hall of Fame page in this video, I'm one of the principles of it and spent many hours last year on the phone with David hearing his Panda stories. Unfortunately he wasn't able to make it to our induction ceremony due to last minute airline issues, we're hoping he's able to make it this year and he'll be able to fill in a few more parts of the story.
I don't take it negative at all and am happy people like you are subscribed!! Since the history of Panda was so hard to track down I definitely wanted the video to come off as Mr. Kim's version of how Panda started. These are the companies I've been really interested in documenting before their history is truly lost but it does make getting a concrete story more difficult. I always appreciate you filling in the gaps!
I remember in like 81 my friend had a western flyer with coaster brakes and I had a Schwinn scrambler with freewheel which was rare at the time. I let my friend ride my bike down the hill and he couldn't figure out how to stop and he wrecked into my fence and flew over the fence.
I remember the Double Shocker! It weighed more than my 2006 Demo 8 DH Bike!!!
Please do a story on Race Inc.❤
Cam, since you are working on BMX coverage. Why don’t you cover Mike king since he runs the rock hill track. And with the fall of Gt since he was a factory rider and was a BMX champion. He would be a perfect fit for your story. Also you would get the BMX community to follow. Have Keith hit me up if you need mikes info
I definitely have him down on my list, especially since he is so close and I could do an actual in person interview if he would be willing!
You should grab Will Murray as well. He still rides BMX was factory mongoose, and you should grab the current factory mongoose rider Mason Hayes as well. Mason lives close to BSG
Talk to Frank Post
21" top tube but your knees still hit the bars
I’d like to see a video on speedo BMX forks when I ask racers in the bay area it turns into a black hole
Slipped in boss at the end, the most interesting story of all . carlos boss flattrack motorcycle brand turned bmx a master welder who also put time in at champion was quoted the real godfather of bmx way before scott b from se bikes past away
A long travel Yamaha Moto-Bike with better cranks. Those cotter pins cranks on the Yamaha were the worst part. Not good for a bike used for jumping.