Powerlite got its start as a bike shop. Peddlepower was a bike shop located on East Grove Ave. in Orange, CA. The map shows the location. If you look to the North you will see Lincoln Ave. In the area where you see the words Ave. is the location of the famous Western Sports-A-Rama track. It was one of the first BMX tracks in America. All the legends from Stu Thomsen, Dennis Dain, Greg Hill to Tinker Juarez raced this track often.
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The bike shop was run by Steve Rink. Being close to such a early and famous track helped launch the shop into sponsoring a team. Early riders included “The Red Baron” himself , Dennis Dain. Dennis went on to fame racing for Redline and Cooks Bros.
In 1977 it appears they released their first production bike, the SR. The decals on them used the bike shops name, Peddlepower. Late in 78 or early 79 this would change and the decals would read Powerlite.
By the early 1980′s BMX was booming. Powerlite was also growing. They sponsored BMX Action test rider Kirk Chrisco and another legend Tommy Brackens. The product line included full uniforms and custom helmets, bikes and even numberplates.
Not sure what happened next. It appears Freestyle took over the pages of the BMX magazines and the hardcore race companies that didn’t adapt quickly enough, were left out in the cold. While races where still drawing a thousand racers and freestyle events just a few, the magazine coverage was mostly freestyle.
Powerlite and Robinson seemed to get lost in the transition and where bought by GT Bicycles around 1986 or 87. If anyone knows the exact date please let me know and I will edit this.
Anyone have any additional information please post a comment and I will update the pages as needed.
Thanks, Erick Weinstetter
The GT purchase was actually 1989. I worked at GT at the time and had a part in making the logo transitions for both Powerlite, Robinson and Auburn.
It was about 1988 that’ when I stoped riding,BMX. I did not make it to PRO but I was close.I raced for Don in the erly 80′s all Powerlite! I am sure that Tommy would Remember me. and Kirk We had a lot of good times!and good races!
I have what I believe is a 79 or 80 powerlite racer survivor in excellent condition. The guy I bought it from told me he raced it back in 80 to 81. How can I verify the year and model. It has all the white powerlite decals but does not state the model.
Thanks for a great site
Sometimes you can tell by model details or a date code in the serial number.
Send me some pics, close ups of the back end and the serial number and between the viewers of this site and myself we should be able to figure it out.
Mail to bulletproof2000@live.com
You cant tell what year powerlite you have by the serial numbers ! they are not coded by years etc. they are random and only on there because back in the day you could register it in case it got stolen. Have a great day! Any ?s you might have about powerlite you can email me at markrink2001@yahoo.com , I worked for my dad from the age 13 to 22 at powerlite. My dad is doing well and retired here in florida. Take care Mark Rink
hi, just bought a powerlite over the weekend. its a spitfire, green.
serial number g01800016 anyone know what year this would be. its all
orig. with the exception of a bell seat. interestingly its got gt pedals
and wheels. i didnt know gt and powerlite were involved togather until i
read this post. so thank you and that makes sense that its got gt parts on it.
dave.
I would Guess a 2001.
i HAVE A POWERLITE COCKPIT P 61 OR P41 FROM THE LOOKS? i am not positive though, anybody whos knowledgeable with decoding serial numbers please help me out in figuring out the exact model and year,
s/n ” SOAK00612
THANKYOU
Well early 61s were 4130 only the last ones were AL. So AL = late 90s early 2000s.
The 61 had a longer top tube around 21″. It looks like the P51 was around 20″ That should narrow down the model.
I found this info here on my site. http://powerlite.wordpress.com/gt-era-powerlite/
Im guessing the first zero maybe for 2000.
But at least you can figure out the details from the above link.
i have a powerlie spitfire with dirtbike stickers all over i am trying to decode the serial # here it is K6J01534
Id bet the K is the month and the 6 the year. So 1996. But according to my page here http://powerlite.wordpress.com/gt-era-powerlite/ the Spitfire didnt come out till 2000.
Not that I have taken the time to look thru any of my old catalogs to see. I think I may have sold all my old Powerlite catalogs.
So are you certain its a spitfire model? Does it appear to have the original spitfire decals?
I have an old Powerlite I bought in 1985 when I was a kid. I ordered an SRX but when it showed up the sticker on the seat tube says Pro. Do you know what the difference is? It has bothered me since Day 1.
Also, there is not a serial number anywhere on the bike. I have taken this bike apart at least fifty times and there is not one anywhere, not on the bottom bracket, not on the rear “fork” where the rear wheel goes on the outside or inside. Nowhere.
I recently restored the bike after it sat in pieces for many years. I am trying to find some new stickers for the forks. They are the red, black, and silver ones with horizontal stripes.
Any information you can tell me will be useful. Thanks!