About JMC
This information is taken directly from the JMC website that is no longer up.
1969
We started restoring old bikes in 1969 out of our home. We sold restored bikes and new bicycle parts & equipment. Mostly for road bikes. The JMC was for Jim Melton Cycles. The JMC Logo was designed by a good friend of mine and my son.
1974
In 1974 we moved our shop to Azusa, CA. We named it JM CYCLERY. We specialized in building wheels. We also got involved in BMX in 1974. Mostly selling Fenders, gas tanks, grips, number plates and all that good stuff to make your bike look like a motorcycle.
1975
We really got involved in BMX and organized a Bike shop team. John Begin talked me into organizing a team. John was the first member of the team along with Harry Leary, Ronnie West, Don Malone, Lisa Webb, Dennis Foster, Steve West, Clint Miller, Adam Cox, Greg Frechette and David Wilson. The Team rode Webcos, FMF, Pedals Ready GT and Race Inc. We sold a frame made by Race Inc under the name of JM Special.
1976
With the help of my great friends Larry Barker, George Erhart, Harry Leary and Dennis Foster we designed and built the first JMC Prototypes. JMC XP1 was a short frame that Ronnie West rode. It was also the first bike to use Sew-Up tires in BMX. JMC XP2 was a long JMC Frame that Harry Leary rode.
1977
We started production in March of 1977. Dave Wilson got the first production short frame JMC1. Clint Miller got the first production long frame JMC20. At that time we called them short and long.
1978
We started production on the JMC Tear drop forks.
1979
We sold the bike shop and went full time into the production of JMC frames and forks.
1980
In Feb. 1980 we introduced the JMC Mini. It was designed for the really small kids. We then started calling the short frames Short Standards and the long frames Long Standards. In March 1980 we introduced the JMC Black Shadow. It was designed for Kim Jarboe, one of the most powerful riders I ever had. The first ones were all painted black. The first chrome shadow was made in November of 1980. That is when we started putting the K starting the S/N. In May 1980 we made another frame the same size as the Short Standard, only with smaller and lighter tubing. We called it the Special or Mystery frame to begin with. We ran a contest along with Bicycle Harbor of AZ in the ABA paper to name the frame. A kid in OK by the name of Matt Raymer came up with the name 3.1-XL. The frame weighed 3.1 pounds and was eXtra Light.
1981
We made the first red JMC Shadow for Darrell Young July 1981. Jason Wharton wins #1 ABA Amateur Title.
1982
First JMC 16″ Pit Bike P16-1 went to Jason Wharton. Only 110 of these made. We also started production of the JMC Shadows in other colors in 1982. JMC was the IBMXF World Champion Team in 1982. Introduced the 24″ JMC Cruiser. 9/15/82 introduced the JMC JR Mini. The JR was for Justin Roos.
1983
Made first nine Darrell Young Design F/F sets 10/24/83.
1984
JMC Micro Mini April 1984. This was for the smaller then small rider. Only 85 made. JMC Andy Patterson Series introduced 8/2/1984. Only 333 made.
1985
JMC closed it doors in July 1985. Couldn’t compete with Taiwan.
1989
In November 1989 I was inducted into the ABA Hall Of Fame. I joined Harry Leary who got inducted in 1986.
2001
JMC was awarded the 2001 Roost Nora Cup for Number One Bike at the Mid-West ABA Nationals in Rockford, IL. I met the greatest bunch of Old School BMX Guys I ever met. Solan Foster who use to be on our Factory Team was there also. Special Thanks to Bill Curtin, Hal Marshman, Paul Smith, Tim Lillethorup and RoostBMX.com.
2003
Attended the ABA Mid-West Nationals once again. I met some of the same guys and more from vintagebmx.com. Best of all I got to see Lisa Grossman who was also on our Factory Team. I had not seen her in almost 20 years. Even got to see her race. She still has it. A special thanks to Ken Pliska and all the guys from vintagebmx.com. May God Bless all of you and America.
~ Jim & Vera Melton
To Jim Melton-
Please bring back JMC Racing. It’s driving me crazy just to find a JMC DY or AP frame. It’s the best frame i know untill CW,Revcore,Brakens made the same design as the JMC DY and AP frame. Way too many people all over the world wants a JMC. I know for sure if you bring it back the sales would go through the roof like the 2002 azusa frame.So Mr. Jim Melton please give your JMC fans what they want.
Please bring back JMC Racing. It’s driving me crazy just to find a JMC DY or AP frame. It’s the best frame i know untill CW,Revcore,Brakens made the same design as the JMC DY and AP frame. Way too many people all over the world wants a JMC. I know for sure if you bring it back the sales would go through the roof like the 2002 azusa frame.So Mr. Jim Melton please give your JMC fans what they want.
+1
I owned a JMC Shadow back in the mid to late 80′s that was chrome with darrell young forks and the seat, bars, brakes were orange and also had orange 5 spoke fiberglass wheels and I think it had white tires. I dont know where it went but I would like to know if you might remember such a combination and how hard it might be to find one? Thank you for your time.
Is there anyway to bring JMC back from the dead.Oh man that would be so cool JMCs comback after 30 years.Man I loved JMC so much still do I sure wish I could ride one again.It would feel so good you know Anyway thank you jim for all the memories and wins god bless you and your family.I will never forget my bmx days best times of my life by far.I am honored.
Azusa brought back JMC frames, on a limited production basis. I know that they all sold, but it couldn’t have been a huge financial success because it’s been years since they did the last batch. As I understand it, Jim Melton gave it his blessing but did not want the JMC name brought back.
Reviving a brand is a touchy subject. You have people who only want the latest, most modern, and those who feel like you’re raping their childhood if you mess with their favorite brand by bringing it back. Sorry to say it, but people who hang onto the past are often just children trapped in adult bodies. It would be fun to bring back JMC, but it would also likely be a lot of headaches thanks to people who would rather live in the past.
JMC was one of the coolest old-school brands. Wish I had one.
Jim, I have a JMC that my father purchased for me new in 1985, it is serial number K84389. We race motocross professionally, and were using it back then as cross training. It still has original grips, tires, brake pads and bearings. All the parts on it are what it came with from the shop. How do I know what it is worth? Thanks, Mike
I accuired a frame on ebay. The serial numbers are K84918. So is it a 1984 long standard? It has two small holes on each side of the drop outs and one on each side of the fork dropouts. Im guessing someone drilled it for some odd reason. What do you think? Thanks.
It is a JMC Shadow.
You can contact Jim Melton to find out its original color and where and when it was sold etc by buying a JMC Certificate signed by Jim himself, thru ebay.
Got a picture of yoru frame and fork mail them to me at bulletproof2000@live.com and I will post it so people can comment.
I miss my JMC, we had flooding here in PA in Sept. Found tons of picts. Have friends Paterson in basement so his wife doesn’t get it in divorce. Would love to find cruiser to start racing again at 42. Thanks for great bike and times.