Tuesdays 10, Jim "JMC" Melton

When it comes to producing some of the cleanest, coolest, radest, fastest, earliest top quality BMX bike’s the JMC brand has to be at or near the very top. If you had one there was no need to second-guess your choice in a race machine.

Jim Melton’s knowledge of the BMX market and its riders kept JMC and it’s race team in constant battle for top titles during some of the greatest years of the sport. Something many OS riders look back on today and are thankful for. Jim helped the sport and rider’s progress to what modern BMX now chases Olympic Gold.

Perhaps small to some Manufacturers Jim and his JMC team always played in the chase for Team titles. His pits were flooded with talented youth and parents that loved the sport. While Jim had top older riders racing, it was the young kids that always made Vera and Jim happy to be a sponsor.

Below Jim provides a list of Factory riders that were on JMC. Did Jim play a major role in BMX? Yes!

Jim, Thank you for everything you have done!

Gary Haselhorst


GRH
Jim, Over the years how many kids do you think JMC sponsored? How long did JMC sponsor racers?

Jim
I think there were about 75 total members on the main factory team over the 10 years, 1975 –1985. I would guess that we had around 400 Co-Factory riders.
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GRH
You had the Bike Shop that turned into being a BMX manufacturer. Where and how did you become the builder of such amazing frames?

Jim
We were very fortunate to have our bike shop located in the center of a manufacturing complex. We had almost everything we needed right at our back door. I think you knew most of the guys that helped me. Larry Barker of Prodyne fame, the best welder on earth helped design the jigs and welding for me. George Erhart, Harry Leary and Dennis Foster had a lot of input into the frames. Adam Cox's dad and GodFather also had a lot of input on them. It was a neighborhood deal.
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GRH
The sport was still in it's early days and you produced some of the nicest frames available. Did you have a background that lead to the ideas for your frames?

Jim
I worked with bicycles most of my life. I was a gear cutter by trade. It just all fell together. When I had the bike shop my interest was mostly in road bikes and wheel building. John Begin talked me into sponsoring a BMX team. We started using different frames for our team. Webcos & Pedals Ready were our main rides. I wanted to make something different so we worked around the AirFoil tubing.
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GRH
You had a talent for finding young riders for the team that would make headlines in Racing. How was it negotiating deals to get and keep riders on JMC? I know some moved onto big budget manufacturing company teams.

Jim
I didn't have to go looking. They found me.
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GRH
Darryl Young, Harry Leary and Clint Miller were all JMC riders at one time. Who were some of the others that pulled a JMC jersey on to race?

Jim
Are you ready? John Begin, David Cooper, Jimmy Coulter, Adam Cox, Dennis foster, Greg Frechette, Bill Harry, Don Malone, Lisa Webb, Rick Webb, Ronnie West, Steve West, Bobby Artura, Tony Bell, Josh Gersten, Kim Jarboe, Mark Monell, Geoff Rutherford, Donnie Stark, Carl (Meat) Webster, Dave Wilson, Robert Whiteside, Shane Whiteside, Cris Castle, Jason Jensen, Jody Lynch, Craig Martin, Shane Martin, Dustin Drumm, Danny Farmer, Willy Jarboe, Bruce McDermott, Jeff Witbrodt, Ernie Ballard, Carl Butler, Kelly Cornell, Nick Del Rio, Billy Felts, Stephanie DeFeo, Mark Higgins, Kevin Keller, Justin Roos, Tory Bailey, Matt Davis, Rusty Davis, Lisa Grossman, Mike Thomas, Jason Wharton, Sam Arelano, Gary Debacker, Jimmy Ferret, Tinker Juarez, Eddie Robison, Robert Thomas, Leon Williams, Yolanda (YoYo) Williams, Travis Younger, Cristine Anderson, Robyn DesJardins, Solan Foster, Sean Glover, Jason Kick, Angie Scott, Aaron Shook, Patrick Alley, John Hamilton, Tapley Holland, Andy Patterson & Mike Monell. There were about 400 Co-riders. A few of them were Gary Haselhorst and the Van's Team. Scott Clark and the Bear Development Team, Frank Post, Eric Carter, Dale & Rachel Holmes, Jeff Venekamp. I almost for got the Australian team Damon Bevins . Andy Raymond...
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GRH
Have you been following any of the racing stories about BMX in the Olympics? How does it feel knowing the sport you help progress is now taking its shot at Olympic Gold?

Jim
I think it is great. I always thought that BMX should have a place in the Olympics.
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GRH
Over the years lots of racers have talked about racing someday going to the Olympics. Did you ever think it was the type of sport that would find its place in the Games?

Jim
Yes, and I think it will find a permanent place there. I am sure our riders will make a good showing.
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GRH
I have watched some of your posts and it seems you still have fun playing with JMC and helping others with their old bike questions. Have you kept any stuff from you JMC building days?

Jim
I have a few odds and ends left. We lost all the jigs and all the master frames in 1993 to the flood. Mostly I have books with S/N records. I am sure glad Shirley insisted on keeping them. Most of my older grandkids still have their JMCs I gave them for Christmas.
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GRH
Has anyone tried to get the approval to re launch the JMC brand?

Jim
Yes, there have been a few offers. I guess I am just too stubborn. I don't want them made out of the country. The only way I would let someone make them is if I were involved. I'm just too old for that. I want to remember JMC the way it was. I don't think I would change a thing. Those kids and their families all made us proud. Including you Gary!
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GRH
How do Jim and Vera Melton spent their time these days? Do you get in any of that great fishing out your way?

Jim
We spend a lot of time going to the doctor, picking up our medicine and going to Church. That is the part we love most. There is a lot of good fishing in this area, but I don't do much of that any more. It is beautiful here.
We want to thank all the JMC Fans out there and the other BMXERS that has helped us through the years. It has been great. May God bless you all!
Jim & Vera Melton

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Jim and Vera, Thank you,
Gary