Jim Alley Archives – BMX UNION

How Bike Cranks Are Made

March 23, 2022

Want to see how bike cranks are made?

If you have ever rode a bike, there’s a chance you have probably wondered how the different parts are made. Well, if you have every wondered how bike cranks are made, here’s a video you won’t want to miss! Our BMX caught up with Jim Alley, the owner of Profile Racing, to see how they go from raw materials into a pair of their popular Elite BMX cranks from start to finish! This is a really interesting process from the design to the different machines they use to make everything perfect from start to finish. Take a look!

“Profile Racing‘s Jim Alley explains what it takes to create a pair of bike cranks. Profile Racing has been pumping out cranks since the early 80s and they’ve become one of the most trusted cranks in the BMX industry. Hit play and enjoy this informative look into Profile’s past and present crank-making process.” – Our BMX

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Profile Racing – From The Dungeon: Gyro Lite Hubs

January 14, 2022

Profile Racing have released a new episode of From The Dungeon! This time around Jim Alley takes a look at the original Profile Racing hub, the Gyro Lite Hub, and tells the story of how these hubs came to be back in the early 80’s, why and how they made them! Hit play and take a look!

Over time, this building (appropriately named “The Dungeon” by employees) has become a time capsule; a host to historical artifacts capturing Profile’s legacy in both the automotive and bicycle industry.

Join us on this multi-episode series as we press record and let Jim imbue his wealth of knowledge on conjured pieces of the past.

This is From the Dungeon.

Welcome.
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Episode #7: The History of Profile Racing’s Gyro Lite Hubs.

On episode #7 of From the Dungeon, Jim Alley gives us the behind the scenes history of Profile’s Iconic Gyrolite Hubs.” – Profile Racing

Profile Racing – From The Dungeon: The Early Frame Production

December 10, 2021

After a hot summer break, the Profile Racing From The Dungeon series is back! This time around Jim Alley pulls out some of the first few frames that they made for Profile, Hutch and more! There’s a bunch of great details and stories involved in this, so hit play and get a little BMX history lesson!

Join us on this multi-episode series as we press record and let Jim imbue his wealth of knowledge on conjured pieces of the past.

This is From the Dungeon.

Welcome.
——————————————-
Episode #6: The History of Profile Racing’s Early Frame production.

On episode #6 of From the Dungeon, Jim Alley gives us the behind the scenes history of early Profile Race frame production.” – Profile Racing

Profile Racing – From The Dungeon: History of the Iconic Horseshoe Pedal

July 2, 2018

Profile Racing’s Jim Alley takes us back down to the dungeon to check out the mold for their iconic Horseshoe pedal…

Over the course of the 50 years that Profile Racing has been around, they’ve done a number of products that could be classified as iconic. One of those parts is their Horseshoe Pedal that was apart of their line up in the early 80’s. Today, Jim Alley takes us back into the dungeon to tell the story of how and why the Horseshoe Pedals were made. This is a real interesting one if you’re a fan of learning how things are made.

“In celebration of Profile Racing’s 50th anniversary, owner and founder, Jim Alley, invites us into the company’s original Florida location where some sections of this dark and dusty industrial cave have been sealed off since 2004.
Over time, this building (appropriately named “The Dungeon” by employees) has become a time capsule; a host to historical artifacts capturing Profile’s legacy in both the automotive and bicycle industry.
Join us on this multi-episode series as we press record and let Jim imbue his wealth of knowledge on conjured pieces of the past.

This is From the Dungeon.

Welcome.
——————————————-
Episode #4: History of the Profile Racing Horseshoe Pedal.

On episode #4 of From the Dungeon, Jim Alley, after re-discovering the original mold, gives us insight on the arcane manufacturing process of the Iconic Profile Racing Horseshoe Pedal, Circa 1982/1983.

Episode Timeline:

.25 — Introduction featuring both the aluminum and magnesium version of the Profile Racing Horseshoe Pedal.

.58 — Details of the original (single) mold.

3:46 — Cutting off process of the pedal from the mold.

3:57 — Details of the Magnesium version of the pedal.

4:51 — Insight behind the shape of the pedal.

6:06 — BONUS: A discovery!
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You can check out the complete history of Profile Racing as we cover each of it’s 50 years, weekly, over the course of 2018.
Check it out at www.profileracing.com” – Profile Racing

Profile Racing – From The Dungeon: The First 19mm, 48-Spline Spindle

June 4, 2018

Profile Racing gives us a look at how they made the original 19mm, 48-spline spindles…

It’s that time or another round of From The Dungeon from Profile Racing. This time around, Jim Alley dug into the Dungeon to find the original tool they used to make the the 48-spline threads on the 19mm spindles. This design has become a pretty standard design in many BMX cranks rom many brands, so it’s pretty wild to see how it all started. Take a look!

This is From the Dungeon.

Welcome.
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Episode #3: The inception of the first 19mm, 48 splined crank spindle.

On episode #3 of From the Dungeon, Jim Alley gives us insight on the manufacturing (and the tools involved) of the FIRST 19mm, 48 splined crank axle (a design stemming from Profile Racing’s steering gears Circa 1980/1981).

Episode Timeline:

.45 — Found plasma cut table top from a past interbike.
1:40 — Found! The original dividing head tool.
1:46 — Preview of one of the original, 19mm 48 splined Profile spindles.
1:54 — How the dividing head worked.
2:17 — How the 48 serations were made on the spindle.
2:48 — Introduction of the cutting tool.
3:10 — Explanation of the lathe work for facing and drilling.
4:07 — The ORIGINAL 19mm 48 splined spindle.
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You can check out the complete history of Profile Racing as we cover each of it’s 50 years, weekly, over the course of 2018.
Check it out at www.profileracing.com

Profile Racing – From The Dungeon: Evolution and the Box Crank

April 30, 2018

Profile Racing’s Owner, Jim Alley, talks history while in the Dungeon! This time around he talks about the first production BMX cranks they made!

The From The Dungeon series from Profile Racing has arrived. This time around Proile’s owner Jim Alley digs up some of the first Box crank arm prototypes and discusses what went into making the first cranks from Profile Racing that has turned into the classic cranks you can find on many, many, many BMX bikes around the world. Take a look! This is super interesting if you have ever ran a pair of Profile cranks or you just love BMX history.

This is From the Dungeon.

Welcome.
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Episode #2: Progressive History of the Profile Racing Box Crank.

On episode #2 of From the Dungeon, Jim Alley gives us insight on the evolution of the Iconic Profile Racing Box Crank, Circa 1980/1981.
From the rudimentary original prototype, to the intricate and time consuming production model.

Episode Timeline:

.37 — Eureka! Actual first prototype re-discovered.

1:46 — Details on the second prototype.

2:52 — Third prototype leading into Box Crank production.

4:13 — Very rare version of the Profile Tapered Square Box Crank.

4:52 — Progression Timeline of the Profile Box Crank
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You can check out the complete history of Profile Racing as we cover each of it’s 50 years, weekly, over the course of 2018.
Check it out at www.profileracing.com”

Profile Racing – From The Dungeon: Scratching the Surface

April 2, 2018

Profile Racing owner, Jim Alley, takes us for a trip down Memory Lane…

With Profile Racing celebrating it’s 50th year in business, they have been looking back on their history. Today, they dropped a video where Profile’s owner, Jim Alley takes us through their old production warehouse to see where their original cranks started taking shape! Hit play and take it all in!

This is From the Dungeon.

Welcome.
——————————————-
Episode #1: Scratching the Surface.

On episode #1 of From the Dungeon, Jim Alley gives us an overview of the building’s history and highlights instruments/machinery that were imperative in Profile Racing’s product evolution.

Episode Timeline:

.35 — General overview of The Dungeon.

1:34 — What initiated Profile Racing into Bmx from the car industry.

2:50 — The original dyes used for the legendary Profile Racing Box Cranks.

3:40 — Brief history of the 48 splined spindle and its transition from automotive to Bmx.

4:07 — 4130 material used for Profile Box Crank arms.

4:37 — A true time capsule: The original Profile welding table.

5:12 — One of three original welding machines used in Profile crank production.

5:38 — Original argon gauge.

6:27 — Staging area currently used for crank post production.

7:08 — Artifact #1: Found original Profile Racing color advert from 81/82′.
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You can check out the complete history of Profile Racing as we cover each of it’s 50 years, weekly, over the course of 2018.
Check it out at www.profileracing.com” – Profile Racing

The Number One Cranks in BMX – Profile Racing A 35 Year History

May 8, 2014

For the past 35 years Profile Racing have been pumping out some of the best BMX cranks in the industry down in Florida. Not a lot has changed in its 35 year history and that’s not a bad thing. Head over to the Ride UK website for an interview with Profile Racing’s owner, Jim Alley, where he talks about the history of the cranks and the 10-step process it takes to produce them! Great read.