DP Firebird Freestyler: 40 years on, the 1980’s cult BMX classic is to get a sequel.

Sep 17, 2025

Written by Bart de Jong

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An icon of the 1980s BMX scene, the Firebird Freestyler is back. And it's ready to fly. Engineered in conjunction with John Buultjens; John created the Haro Lineage line and developed the recent Hutch Trick Star bikes. If you were going to have a modern DP, this is the guy you'd want working it. Behind the whole project is Neil Park - son of Dave (ie/ D.P.) - who is fulfilling a lifelong dream to honour his father's legacy with a modern Firebird Freestyler. Excitement is at a level that we haven't seen for anything in a while for these Frame, Fork and Ladder bar kits. Each frame kit will be a numbered edition, up to 100 for each colour, in Chrome and Metallic White.

We've captured the soul of the original legend and rebuilt it for a new generation. The limited edition Firebird Freestyler isn't just a tribute - it's an evolution. Feel the rush with its classic 4130 chromoly frame, fork and bar set, a nod to the past's unbreakable spirit.

Every curve, every line, and every detail has been meticulously crafted to honour its heritage while

pushing the limits of modern performance. Whether you're reliving your youth or creating new memories, the Firebird Freestyler is your perfect partner. It’s built for the street, the park, and everything in between.

In Lineage tradition, these framesets use all modern fitments (1 1/8" forks, integrated headset, Mid BB, 25.4mm seatpost, u-brakes) and geometry, but pays tribute to the OG Firebird Freestyler with the look and fine attention to detail. You could ride this straight from an Old School bike show to a Pro park contest and rip it up! Only comes in one size - 20.8", a good compromise between 20.5" and 21"

We Need Your Help
While Neil and John have spent two years to date on this project at considerable cost. To make this dream a reality we need your help to make this happen by placing a Pre Order either in person at the launch or online at alansbmx.com at the launch on 27th September. If you have a DP and would like to display it at the event we would love to have you there on the 27th! Just bring it along on the day, your bike will be features on the live stream and you would win a prize.

When John got in touch back at the beginning of 2023 asking to make the freestyler under licence I thought that it was a wind up. Once his infectious enthusiasm had me, I decided that we could partner and do the whole thing together. I set up DP Industries and made it clear that if I was involved there would be no corners cut on quality and that what we produced needed to rival to the best of the rest. We hope to bring enjoyment to the next generation through BMX-there are exciting plans for the future, this is just the beginning…

Neil Park/DP Racing
My First BMX was a Piranha XL, my parents bought me for my 11th birthday March 1983 in Glasgow Scotland. 1986 we moved to Dundee and I found my first freestyle BMX, a gorgeous white DP Firebird Freestyler. I had already been playing around with freestyle, but once I received my Firebird everything changed. Fast forward to January 2023 I contacted Neil through a mutual friend saying I’d love to create a modern day DP Firebird Freestyler. This Frame, Fork and Bar has been a passion project with so much love and emotion. Every detail has been put into our modern frame set, each bend, plate and tubing thickness will bring emotion to the original. I gotta say my favorite part was creating the investment cast dropouts on our new CNC Steer tube, full heat treated 4130 fork. I rode our white sample on the ramp a few weeks ago and the geometry feels so perfectly stable and easy to ride. Looking forward to seeing many more riding these masterpieces and building your own custom completes. Thank you all for your support!

-John Buultjens/Lineage Consulting Group

Honestly, it’s an honour for Neil to come to us with this project. Back around 1982, Dave visted us for advice when he was planning DP, so it’s nice to be involved with it all these years later, as when head into our 45 Year Anniversary next year. With Neil’s passion and John’s expertise and attention to detail, we think fans will be in for a treat.

-Alan Woods/ Alans BMX

The DP Freestyler was aspirational. My friend Paul Rule had a gleaming chrome one with blue tuffs, Mushrooms and Renthal bars. I loved that bike. For many it was an affordable next step after the Raleigh Burner. In our book there are so many images of DP’s with parts stripped off Burners such as the ubiquitous yellow Skyways, Sugino Cranks and Dia Compe brakes. The DP was affordable. So many 80s Kids saved up money from Birthdays, Christmases and paper rounds to finally get their prize. BMX moved at such a pace that DP were brilliantly poised to capture the emerging Freestyle market just as it had begun. Other brands such as Raleigh, Mongoose or SE were too big and moved too slow. DP were placed brilliantly and as tastes changed they were at the forefront of the new trends such as neon pink and green frames. Their Freestyle “Ladder Bars” were held in high regard and again were competitive in price
against the big guns from the States.

As a big Old School fan I had to restore and have one in my collection. Mine is true to history and full of good but affordable parts. A one piece crank, SM Mushrooms, copy Torker bars and red Zeds. We Were Rad are very excited to be part of this launch. DP is very much part of the history of UK BMX, something that we passionately celebrate in Volume One. The love and nostalgia for DP is immense from our fans. Images of kids on ramps or on the streets on their DP’s always stirs great love and emotion. The new project looks incredible and we’re very pleased that the brand has been reborn in such a fitting way.

-Antony Frascina/We Were Rad

Bike Builds
Additionally, we will be offering 3 levels of complete bike builds, but you can of course let your imagination go wild and spec this how you want it, we can assemble it for you, or you can enjoy doing it yourself. Worldwide shipping will be available.

Launch Event
The launch event will be here in Wigan on 27th September (see attached flyer) where you will be able to see the very first new DP Firebird Freestyler in the flesh. The event includes a DP bike show, a ride out (weather permitting), a Q&A with Neil Park and a chance to pre-order yours with an exclusive blueprint print with your selected frame number on it, signed by Neil, plus an extra exclusive bonus for pre orders paid in full. For those that can’t make the event, it will be live-streamed on YouTube. Our friends from WE WERE RAD will be in attendance and they will be presenting a sneak peek of Volume 2 of their book.

Pre Orders
Pre Order will go live for the event at 7pm on 27th September, followed at 8pm at alansbmx.com where you will be able to choose your frame number and corresponding Blueprint.

Specifications
Frame
20.8" Toptube
13.5"Chainstays
74.5° Headtube
Mid Bottom bracket
Integrated 1 1 /8" headset
9" Stand Over
14mm rear dropout slots
28T sprocket or smaller, use with 9T rear, 25/9 retains roughly the same ratio at 44/16 on the old bikes, but allows you to drop in on a ramp without losing your teeth :)

Fork
Full CNC Steer Tube
25ª offset with Investment cast dropouts
Full Heat Treatment
10mm dropouts