Redline: a collecting field guide

Company history

BMXmuseum's Redline guide describes a company founded in 1970 by Linn Kastan and Mike Konle, initially associated with motorcycle frames, and records the Squareback BMX frame in 1974 (BMXmuseum: Redline identification guide). It dates Proline to 1977, Proline II to 1979, Carrera to 1981 and RL-20 to 1985 (BMXmuseum: Redline identification guide).

Models, components & collecting context

The same collector reference describes the Squareback's rear-stay form, discusses MX-II variants and distinguishes early identifiers from later Taiwanese and other serial-number eras (BMXmuseum: Redline identification guide). These are community identification references, not a guarantee that every listed serial convention applies to every frame (BMXmuseum: Redline identification guide).

What to document

Photograph the rear stays, dropouts, head tube, bottom bracket and fork before deciding between Squareback, Proline and MX-series identities. Cross-check a candidate serial interpretation against the specific model and period catalog rather than applying one internet chart to all Redlines.

A place for the collection record

No owner-held bicycle is asserted in this guide. Add the actual bike’s photographs, exact model, serial, finish, parts list, modifications, provenance and your own account as a separate record; date and credit each addition.

Research credit & open questions

The model chronology and identification discussion are credited to BMXmuseum's Redline reference, a community research resource whose conclusions should be checked against primary period material (BMXmuseum: Redline identification guide).

These are starting references rather than a valuation or authentication certificate. Unresolved year, variant and production-origin questions should remain explicitly unresolved.