https://rixinbikes.com/

30 Years Of Hoffman Bikes - Pt 3: The story of Kevin Jones' Prototype BIG DADDY

The lesson here is, always look under the stickers. That ratty old BMX bike in your neighbor’s yard? It might be part of history.

22 Nov 2021

Big Daddy 2
hb

Words by Brian Tunney - An exclusive extract from the 30 YEARS OF HOFFMAN BIKES zine.

York, Pennsylvania is not normal.

Granted, nowhere is normal. But legends of bikes passed down from rider to rider always seem to take an additional weird step in the York area. There is one tale of a Level frame hand made by a welder near York who made his own dynamite and messed up angles on close to 90 frames because he was blind in one eye. And there are tales of Big Daddy frames taking extremely wide worldwide routes from rider in York to rider visiting York to other riders revisiting York for the first time. At one time, it was a destination city for flatland riders and people sought it out, only to be greeted by a tight knit group of riders that had no problem swapping parts with one another. Eventually, some of those parts disappear, while some find collectors or riders with previous knowledge of all that was accomplished on those bikes. That is the case with Kevin Jones prototype SE-built Big Daddy, which had gone missing for years. “We talked about this frame for years and I had joked on BMX Museum that some kid in York was riding around on the bike, oblivious to what it was,” says York local Adam Dawson. Adam is a devoted Hoffman Bikes collector/historian, with a deep knowledge of their manufacturing history.

Here’s his story:

https://shop.digbmx.com/collections/all-clothing

The legendary Kevin Jones, York PA.

In the mid to late 90s, a 12-year-old kid bought the prototype SE-made Big Daddy frame with GT/Dyno stickers on it. He had his dad spray paint the frame (coat of primer, paint, Dyno decals) and added GT parts. That kid rode it for a few years, then sold it to another friend. That friend did nothing with the bike, and it was relegated to his backyard. It wasn’t good enough for the shed, so they stored it behind the shed, where it sat for 20 plus years. Eventually, that second buyer sold it back to the first buyer, who was intent on restoring it several years ago. So that buyer gets on the Internet, discovers that it’s not a Dyno or GT. And he puts it up for sale again.

And here comes Facebook.

Someone posts pics of the bike on a Hoffman Bikes group. Dawson recognizes the bike and knows exactly what it is.

“I was blown away to see it survived,” says Dawson.

Dawson’s friend Jason drives from Philly to York to purchase the bike, and the owner wanted it to go to a good home. Jason purchases the bike. And through a trade, Adam gets the frame.

“I post a couple of photos on Facebook and I start getting messages. Apparently, Kevin sold the frame to York local Billy Jarboe.” And from there, it went from one owner to another, until it was finally repurposed as a Dyno and then cast aside.

Mat Hoffman is eventually contacted and explains that the Big Daddy prototype was built by Mike Devitt at SE. Two were made: one for Kevin and one for Chase. Chase’s was lost on a flight many years ago, but one remains lost somewhere in York. It’s this bike.

181716885 1116792482138246 3018902139531096541 N

Adam Dawson's restored HB BIG DADDY prototype.

This was Kevin Jones’ original prototype Big Daddy: the Holy Grail of flatland bikes, ridden in Dorkin’ videos, admired the world over, and left to rot in someone’s backyard for 28 years.

Highlights of the frame include a lowered standover height, dual back brake cable routing, holes in the dropouts and the knowledge that the frame is in good hands. Adam got to work restoring the bike. And then more work. And then even more. Left to the elements, the frame was in serious need of TLC, which Adam generously doled out via YouTube in a restoration video that began amassing more views than he expected. At the completion of the video, Adam rides the bike, proving that it can still handle flatland moves, then rolls it back into his garage.

The original Big Daddy, ridden by Kevin Jones in 'Hypnosis,' is back home. The lesson here is, always look under the stickers. That ratty old BMX bike in your neighbor’s yard? It might be part of history.

Green Bowl In Flatty On My Hutch Pro Racer  Kevin Jones Thunderdome Skatepark Built In 1978

Green bowl flatty on a Hutch Pro Racer. Kevin Jones, pre-Hoffman Bikes. Thunderdome skatepark circa 82.

Check out Hoffman's re-issued 30 Year Anniversary BIG DADDY frame HERE.

Previous

PRODUCT DROP: VANS x CULT "NEVER FADE" Collection

The sixth collection from Vans and Cult

Related Content

Hoffman Frames Leader Image

PRODUCTIVITY: HOFFMAN BIKES 30 YEAR ANNIVERSARY FRAMES

The 'Totally Awesome Jumper' and more...

26 Nov 2021
Hoffman Cover Image

PRODUCT DROP: Hoffman Super Fork & Magnum Tire

More 30 Year Anniversary Goods from HB

24 Mar 2021
Boh 2019 Mat Img 8752

When Mat Hoffman Met The Battle Of Hastings

Legend Status X 2

1 Jul 2020
Hoffmanbikeszine 1024X1024@2X

30 YEARS OF HOFFMAN BIKES ZINE AVAILABLE NOW

Limited numbers for UK and Euro Customers only

17 Sep 2021
Rick Mat

30 Years Of Hoffman Bikes - Part 2: Rick Thorne

“Hey yo Thorne, you wanna ride for my new bike company I’m starting called Hoffman Bikes?”

15 Nov 2021
Hoffman Facemask

PRODUCT DROP: Hoffman Bikes 30 Year Anniversary Apparel

Updating the classics for 2021

12 Apr 2021
https://rixinbikes.com/

Latest Content

O YAL9 Zi LA0 Yhqdefault
Play Button

BOYD HILDER - JETLAG UNPLUGGED

Unseen Hilder

6 Oct 2025
O M9z YI0js W Mhqdefault
Play Button
0n0nssvm A Uohqdefault
Play Button

MIKI FLECK 'ELECTRIC ZUIN'

240v on those spots

3 Oct 2025
B7 Cl Ny w Dbchqdefault
Play Button

LISMORE ROAD TRIPPIN'

NOTHING BEATS A ROAD TRIP!

3 Oct 2025
K7lg 7k5yl4hqdefault
Play Button

Vans x Odyssey Anniversary Collection 2025

"In honor of their 40-Year Anniversary, Odyssey have partnered with Vans on a new limited-edition collection"

2 Oct 2025
13 J4 Ao Oc Akghqdefault
Play Button
Overtime Thumbnail Colour v2 copy
Play Button

OVERTIME

Ft. Chad Ferch, Kent Fuller, Matt Perrin & More

1 Oct 2025
NSA08 Ouah Zghqdefault
Play Button

Shred BMX - Think Different

Perspectives from the Cleveland scene

30 Sep 2025
Q dz J Ycs5b8hqdefault
Play Button

V1DA - 'NO WAY OUT' JAM

Plaza Universitat, Barcelona

30 Sep 2025
56 Pk4 X0bnv4hqdefault
Play Button

KINK BMX - DAKOTA BRATT

Original and unique style on the streets of the US West Coast

29 Sep 2025
G02 Kr RA3 V70hqdefault
Play Button
Bros lucas thumb
Play Button

BROS STORE RIPPER - LUCAS MARTINEZ

From Paris to the south of France

25 Sep 2025

DIG Partner stores

More Dig This

VANS ODYSSEY 2025 COLLECTION FF RAMP 003

"The inspiration was right in front of our eyes" The story behind the Vans X Odyssey 40 Year Collab

An interview with Nuno Oliveira (Odyssey) and Justin Villano (Vans)

25 Sep 2025
07 2025 Huffy Sledgehammer Launch Project 132

Product Drop: HUFFY Sledgehammer frame

Huffy returns to BMX...

22 Sep 2025
Team kevin peraza boh winner 2025

BATTLE OF HASTING 2025 - TEAM PERAZA TAKES THE WIN

Results, Livestream re-runs, DIG Highlights & more

27 Aug 2025
Dig book cover mock better CROP

DIG - THIS BIKE COULD BE YOUR LIFE - "DOCUMENTING OVER 30 YEARS of D.I.Y. BMX CULTURE" PRE-ORDER NOW OPEN

An all new photo book from DIG focusing on our magazine history and the rise of the mid-school

1 Aug 2025
Thumbnail 2

Product Drop - ODYSSEY '85 Splatter kit

Nord, Walsh stems and Hazard lite rims

29 Jul 2025
Shirt swell k0150m back

Product Drop - KINK 2025 APPAREL

For Fall/Winter

23 Jul 2025
Big boyd black

Product Drop - ODYSSEY BIG BOYD RIMS

Boyd Hilder signature BIG BOYD rims in Black and Coffee.

11 Jun 2025
LOW Street station Saturday Jarvis 1 copy

MONSTER ENERGY 'CASH UP' 2025 - EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Another Year - New Locations - Even More Jams!

26 May 2025
Street station graphic

STREET STATION RETURNS for 2025

"Not your average BMX jam"

26 May 2025
Vans 11 27 21 014 Bruno Gap wall

BRUNO HOFFMANN INTERVIEW - 'FOREIGN'

"I think the scene is doing good..."

21 Apr 2025
RIXIN BIG APPLE ANGLE RAW ON WHITE 2500

PRODUCTIVITY - RIXIN Big Apple Frame

Billy Perry's signature frame - Built around what he needed.

8 Apr 2025
Rad teaser

Rad Day 2025

Anniversary movie screenings and RAD documentary release.

18 Mar 2025