Velo City: Bicycle Culture and City Life

Oldschool BMX: the Classified Moto x P.K. Ripper

Custom P.K. Ripper BMX bike

The legends of Scott Breithaupt, Perry Kramer and SE Bikes are intrinsically woven into the annals of BMX history.

While Scott has been declared the ‘Undisputed Founding Father of BMX’, Perry lends his name to one of the most popular BMX models that’s still being produced: the P.K. Ripper.

Custom P.K. Ripper BMX bike

The P.K. Ripper was one of the first frames to utilize 6061 T-6 alloy as an alternative to Cromoly and 1010 Steel. It proved to be immensely popular, even today the frame inspires both quiet awe and passionate enthusiasm from BMXers worldwide.

John Ryland of Classified Moto, a custom motorcycle crew based in Richmond VA, was one such fan. Having lusted after a P.K. Ripper as a youngster, John was inspired to recreate both a Ripper and a Yamaha XS650 in the same vein — including black mags to reflect the retrofitted Skyway Tuff II wheels, BMX pedal kick starter, matching graphics and respraying both frames with the iconic shade of powder blue.

Custom P.K. Ripper BMX bike
Todd Lyons and SE Bikes contributed a mass of historical reference, so you can be assured it’s an authentic collaboration.

The P.K. Ripper and Yamaha XS650 sure make a spectacular pair. The project coincided to enable both bikes to be featured simultaneously on The Spoken and Bike EXIF. To fully appreciate the extent of the concept, head to Bike EXIF for more of Adam Ewing’s photography of the XS650.

Custom P.K. Ripper BMX bike
Custom P.K. Ripper BMX bike
Custom P.K. Ripper BMX bike
Custom P.K. Ripper BMX bike

Special thanks to Adam Ewing for the fine photography.