5ive Points: The Rebirth of BMX with Big Dave Harrison

I met Big Dave, or Spooky Dave to some, in the mid 90′s through my good friend, tattoo artist Famous Gabe Smith(who just happened to be Dave’s brother). Dave, Gabe and I would spend our formative days pedaling around downtown Pensacola, Florida. Even though they rode Spooky BMX machines, they never once made fun of my little Mongoose. They even tried patiently to teach me how to do a few tricks and wall rides, all on my mini ‘goose. It’s because of this generosity that I have always supported Dave any way I could. I always sucked at BMX, so when FBM built a fixed gear frame I snatched up one of the original aqua green Sword frame and forks.

Dave has since moved on from FBM to Providence, RI to start a new life with his girlfriend. His new venture is calledPedal Driven Cycles, which will showcase Dave’s diversity in frame building and machining by building everything from commuting, to complete custom bikes. Dave is getting this new bike company off the ground with a Kickstarter BMX project called Kool Thing (a nod to the Sonic Youth song of the same name). Just like Sonic Youth’s undeniable influence over American underground rock, you would be hard pressed to avoid Big Dave’s influence over the American BMX industry.

Dave cut his teeth with Mountain Bike Hall of Famer Frank the Welder at Spooky 15 years ago and is commemorating his 15th year welding bicycles with a very limited run of 15 hand built and individually hand painted BMX frames. The 15 frames sold will be the seed money with which Big Dave plans to give the American BMX industry the rebirth that it needs. The rub is that, if your unfamiliar with Kickstarter, there is a deadline. That deadline is coming up quick, December 9th, and he’s 85% there.

You don’t necessarily have to throw down $750 for the frame to do your part: you can give to the cause as little as $1. Every bit makes a difference and pledges of $150 or more garners an original 11” X 14” Kool Thing Logo water color painted print by Famous Gabe. Check the Kool Thing Kickstarter page for more details on supporting American BMX through this unique project.

NYC Velo: What bike do you ride?
Dave Harrison: BMX- custom FBM frame with 21 1/4 tt; Around town bike- 1990′s Diamond Back Accent w/ 700c wheels that I bought in high school; Mt bike- Trek 8000, pretty basic set up but fun to ride.

NYCV: What’s your favorite ride?
Dave Harrison: That is hard to say, but I do love how long and all the things I have ridden on the old diamond back.  I used to race the thing cross country in Mississippi!

NYCV: What’s your favorite post-ride food?
Dave Harrison: Locally roasted coffee or a craft beer.  They both go well with food.

NYCV: What is one thing you always carry on a ride?
Dave Harrison: A BIG SMILE

NYCV: What’s next?
Dave Harrison: Who knows, but I am looking forward to making bicycles of all kind and hopefully getting more people into making their own bikes and I am looking forward to doing some projects with other frame builders.