MX Gear History: O'Neal USA the 1980s

tblazier
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12/17/2019 6:53pm Edited Date/Time 12/19/2019 4:51am
This is part one of my look back at the history of O'Neal USA's motocross gear. This first installment covers the 1980s. The first link is for my article over at PulpMX where Matthes, Doug Dubach and I take a trip down memory lane and add our thoughts on all the O'Neal ads of the 1980s.

MX Gear History: O'Neal USA in the 1980s

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MelonFan123
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12/17/2019 8:41pm
Good read Blazier! I love these classic gear write-ups
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MXVet261
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12/18/2019 6:20am Edited Date/Time 12/18/2019 6:28am
A couple years ago someone was selling NOS Oneal Bullet Boots in the box at Mid Ohio Vintage Days. They had like a dozen sets and I picked up a pair for I think $35.



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UpTiTe
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12/18/2019 7:01am
Nice article. I was sponsored by O’Neal 81-85, I got to witness huge growth at that time. Still have a few pairs of pants and 1 pair of boots from 84.

The Shop

tblazier
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12/18/2019 9:44am
Good read Blazier! I love these classic gear write-ups
Thanks, I am glad you enjoyed it.
Hman144
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12/18/2019 7:42pm
Thanks Tony- way cool as always.

I had one of those "logo T's", with the big O'Neal logo on the front and a smattering of various logos covering the back. My all time favorite t-shirt. And what a bargain- $1 per logo to get them on a jersey, but a T-shirt covered with logos on the back for less than $10.

Some bastage stole in in college.

Would love to find another one today. Maybe they should re-release!
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MelonFan123
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12/19/2019 4:15am Edited Date/Time 12/19/2019 4:51am
I've got one of the multi logo Ts at home in the loft. Won't fit me 40 years later, but i'll see if I can find it tonight

...haha, just watched the video and remembered I had the bullet gloves in flouro pink as my go to gloves for a couple of years. They were great!
mumbles
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12/20/2019 9:47am
I have an O"Neal story. In 1985 I was in the Air Force and stationed in Germany. I went to the Belgium GP at Namur that summer. I had a O'Neal red hoodie with the big "O'Neal USA" logo on the front and a O'Neal hat. I had a old school SLR camera around my neck with a big zoom lense. I was walking around on Saturday and they had a vendor row. There was an O'Neal distributor there and when he saw my hoodie he called me over. He was French. We tried to talk but his English was not very good. He thought I worked for O'Neal. I left him and didn't think anything of it the rest of the weekend. On Saturday and Sunday I walked every part of the Namur circuit multiple times (tough walk). I shot 6 rolls of 36 count slide film. After the second 500GP moto on Sunday I had just shot all my film. I was walking up to where the trophy presentation was going to happen and I ran into the French O'Neal guy again. He was excited to see me. He asked me if I had a credential to shoot photos and I said no. He had a credential and grabbed my arm and dragged me through the fans and right up in front of the podium. He said there you go now you can shoot pictures. I told him that was great except I already shot all my film. He said well pretend that you have some and shot anyway. So I pretended. It was a great experience and I will always remember that weekend with fond memories. I just wish I had some film left for that podium.
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