A Dundee schoolboy has received a top-of-the-range sports bike of his dreams in a swap deal for his dad’s neglected 28-year-old BMX.
Eastern Primary pupil Brandon Black (11) was delighted to pick up the shiny new Haro from MGR Cycles in Monifieth after former Monifieth man John Buultjens made him an offer he could not refuse.
Former Harris Academy pupil John (40) is the brand manager for Haro in Southern California and spotted the extremely rare BMX while back home visiting his parents in Monifieth last month.
He immediately offered Brandon and his dad, John Black, mine host at the Fort Hotel, a deal.
Mr Black said: ”I have kept hold of the bike I got bought for me in, I think, around 1984. It’s a Haro Master Freestyler and last year, through much persuasion from Brandon, we started to refurbish it.
”The bike was sent down south to be stripped and resprayed and I managed to get hold of original stickers. We visited the cycle shop in Monifieth on several occasions and eventually decided to order new parts.
”We were in the shop one day speaking with Malcolm the owner. He introduced John Buultjens from Haro and he took a look at the bike. On checking the serial number he offered us cash on the spot but, as it wasn’t my decision, I left it up to Brandon.
”He then produced the Haro catalogue and let him pick any of the brand-new, top-of-the-range Haros. Also we are getting tickets to the opening of the Haro Museum in 2015.
”Brandon is delighted with his new bike and I’m delighted my old bike is going to be displayed in the Haro Museum.”
John Buultjens said: ”My mum and dad Eldridge and Mariana still live in Monifieth. I was back home and when I got talking to John I realised what he had. I told him he couldn’t rebuild it with new parts. It’s unique as it was built in America they’re all built in Taiwan now.
”I’m going to get original parts and it will go in the Haro museum with my collection. The history of the company is based on all this. Everything on the bike will be original and when I’m finished it will be worth about £5000. The cranks alone cost £750.”
John left the UK to live in Australia in the mid-1990s and ended up forming his own company.
A BMX enthusiast since his schooldays he even got arrested for jumping about on his bike in Dundee city square John set about building up his Haro collection over the past 15 years.