the freestyler
In the beginning, early in 1982, a totally new concept was unveiled to the BMX world, the first frame and fork kit designed specifically for freestyle!
Haro developed and marketed the first Freestyle frameset called the Haro Freestyler. The idea of this first freestyle frameset happened when Haro was riding for Torker in the late ‘70s. Torker manufactured this frameset for Haro and Haro marketed it with his own name and graphics. This was the first Freestyle frameset ever made and was sold as a kit which included the frame and fork. This was only available in chrome. It had innovative features never found on a BMX frame and fork before. It had a coaster brake bracket integrated into rear dropout. It also had innovative geometry to work well with Freestyle. The Haro Freestyler is a twin top tube frame with a large downtube. It has a gusset that is welded under the downtube to the headtube for added strength. The headtube is machined for strength as well.
There are two generations of this frameset, the second is differentiated from the first by one major change, the headtube gusset on the early framesets (mostly built in ’82) is not welded around the headtube underneath the gusset. With this new innovation Haro was able to show the world a whole new concept; BMX Freestyle.
the master
In 1984 Haro added the name Master to its top of the line freestyle bike. The bike remained basically unchanged from the ’82-‘83 Freestyler except for 3 key changes. The bottom bracket shell was now machined for added strength. The headtube gusset was welded solid and there is a chainstay gusset added behind the bottom bracket shell. The other difference was Haro added bold new graphics to their lineup. This bike was also made by Torker in the US. The serial number format for this bike was as follows: T which stood for Torker followed by two letters which was a date code followed by the four digit production sequence followed by an F which stood for freestyle. This serial number is located on the inside of the right rear drop out. This bike is considered a 1st generation ‘84 Master.
The 2nd generation 84 Master was also made by Torker in the US and had several distinguishing features from the 1st generation ‘84 Master. From the seatmast forward the bike is identical to a 1st generation Master. From the seatmast back it is completely different. The differences are the seatstays and chainstays substantially taper toward the rear dropouts. The coasterbrake tab has been relocated to the top of the chainstay and the rear dropouts are flared at the bottom to reduce flexing. The serial number format for this bike is as follows: T which stood for Torker, the month of production, the year ‘84, followed by the four digit production sequence, and letter M which stood for Master. The serial number is located on the inside of the right rear dropout.
The 3rd generation ‘84 Master is often referred to as an overseas ‘84 Master. This bike is similar to the 2nd generation ‘84 Master except the seatmast is about ½ inch taller and there are “chevrons” stamped in the headtube gusset. The seatstays and chainstays taper were reduced slightly to add strength and the ends were closed at the dropouts. The serial number format for this bike is as follows: the year ‘84, month of production, followed by the four digit production sequence. The serial number is located underneath the bottom bracket. The coasterbrake tab was also beefed up on this model as well. These bikes were offered in a Chrome or white finish. This was the first of this generation to be offered as a complete bike from the factory, in ’84 the Haro Master retailed for $325!
1985 Haro Master
The ‘85 Haro Master is very similar to the ‘84 overseas Master. The ‘85 Master features built in L shaped rear chainstay standing platforms and swedged front forks for added strength. The forks also feature removable standing platforms. Also new in ’85 were the addition of cable guides that run along the bottom of right top tube and the left inside of the forks for Potts mod cable routing. Another change on the ‘85s is that the twin top tubes were extended an inch further past the seatmast for more standing room. The ’85 Master also got a new color added- Neon Green!
In late ’85 Haro experimented with the color Pink on a very limited run of Masters, as the legend goes there were only 5 produced. The graphics remained basically unchanged for ’85 with the exception of the three accent stripes being changed to two. There are two different decal combinations for the White and Chrome ’85 Masters. The early versions featured the word “Freestyler” in red on the downtube on both the white and chrome framesets and the word “Master” on the seatmast is solid. On the late versions the word “Freestyler” is neon green on the downtube on both the white and chrome framesets and the word “Master” is outlined on the seatmast.
The serial number for this model is located on the inside of the rear dropout and is in this format: 85 for the year, month of production, e.g.: 03 for March, followed by the four-digit production sequence number.
the sport
1984 Haro Sport
Also in 1984 Haro introduced a new model called the Sport. This bike was developed for Mike Dominguez for vertical trick riding. The Sport frame is an inch longer than the Master. The steering is slightly slower for more stability and improved handling at higher speeds. There was a prototype model with a single top tube configuration made by Torker. There was a US Torker made version of the production Sport which the rear triangle was identical to the first generation US Master, this is referred to as a 1st generation ’84 Sport. The front triangle of the frame is very similar to the first generation US Master with the obvious exception of the 2 into 1 top tube configuration of all Haro Sports. The serial number is located on the inside of the right rear dropout and its format is as follows: T which stood for Torker followed by two letters which was a date code followed by the four digit production sequence followed by HS which stood for Haro Sport.
The 2nd generation ‘84 Sport was also made by Torker in the US and had several distinguishing features from the 1st generation ’84 Sport. From the seatmast forward the bike is identical to a 1st generation ’84 Sport. From the seatmast back it is completely different. The differences are the seatstays and chainstays substantially taper toward the rear dropouts. The coasterbrake tab has been relocated to the top of the chainstay and the rear dropouts are flared at the bottom to reduce flexing. The serial number format for this bike is as follows: T which stood for Torker, the month of production, the year ‘84, followed by the four digit production sequence, and letter S which stood for Sport. The serial number is located on the inside of the right rear dropout.
The 3rd generation ‘84 Sport is often referred to as an overseas ‘84 Sport. This bike is similar to the 2nd generation ‘84 Sport except the seatmast is about ½ inch taller and there are “chevrons” stamped in the headtube gusset. The seatstays and chainstays taper were reduced slightly to add strength and the ends were closed at the dropouts. The serial number format for this bike is as follows: the year ‘84, month of production, followed by the four digit production sequence. The serial number is located underneath the bottom bracket. The coasterbrake tab was also beefed up on this model as well. These bikes were offered in a white finish only. This was the first of this generation to be offered as a complete bike from the factory, in ’84 the Haro Sport retailed for $289!
1985 Haro Sport
The ’85 Sport is also very similar to the overseas ’84 Sport. The changes to the ’85 Sport were basically the same as the ’85 Master. The ’85 Sport features built in L shaped rear chainstay standing platforms and swedged front forks for added strength. The forks also feature removable standing platforms.
Also new in ’85 were the addition of cable guides that run along the bottom of the top tube and the left inside of the forks for Potts mod cable routing. Another change on the ‘85s is that the twin top tubes were extended an inch further past the seatmast for more standing room. The ’85 Sport also received a new color- Neon Blue!
In late ’85 Haro experimented with the color Pink on a very limited run of ’85 Sports, as the legend goes there were only 5 produced of these as well. The graphics remained basically unchanged for ’85 with the exception of the three accent stripes being changed to two. There are two different decal combinations for the White ’85 Sports. The early versions featured the word “Freestyler” in green on the downtube and the late versions featured the word “Freestyler” neon blue. On the early versions the word “Sport” on the seatmast is solid and the late versions the word “Sport” is outlined.
The serial number for this model is located on the inside of the rear dropout and is in this format: 85 for the year, month of production, e.g.: 03 for March, followed by the four-digit production sequence number.
the fST
1984 Haro FST
Haro introduced a third model into the lineup in ‘84 called the FST, which stood for Freestyle, Street and Track. These words appear under the FST model designation on the seatmast on all ’84s. This model was very similar to the ‘84 Sport except it was an inch shorter and the headtube and seatmast angles were steeper. Haro produced this model for the budget minded individual or someone who wanted a multi-purpose ride. The serial number format for this bike is as follows: the year ‘84, month of production, followed by the four digit production sequence. The serial number is located underneath the bottom bracket. This model was also only available in white.
1985 Haro FST
The ’85 FST remained basically unchanged for ’85 with the exception of one thing, the coasterbrake bracket was beefed up to eliminate cracking.
Haro did decide to make this model it’s most colorful though! In ’85 the FST was offered in chrome, white, day-glow red, neon green, and neon blue! The FST was Haro’s answer to an entry-level freestyle bike. The graphics remained basically unchanged for ’85 with the exception of the three accent stripes being changed to two. It still did not have any machining on the headtube or the bottom bracket and still hadn’t received the rear chainstay gusset, which the Master and the Sport both had.
The serial number for this model is located on the inside of the rear dropout and is in this format: 85 for the year, month of production, e.g.: 03 for March, followed by the four-digit production sequence number.
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This list of US Serial Numbers is exclusive to frame sets from 1982 through 1984.
If you are looking to submit your 1985 and later Haro bicycles, please visit our good friends over at bmxmuseum.com. Thank you for all the submissions.