Diamond Back Pacer 500

Diamond Back Pacer 500 BMX Introduction

Introduced in late 1983 as the replacement for the Silver Streak. The Pacer 500 is probably the Diamond Back bike that has the most confusion associated with it.

We’ll get into the detail of that below – because this bike has a rich history, it requires its own section!

A legitimate race bike designed with Diamond Back quality. A real value!

Doug Davis, ABA National #1

Diamond Back Pacer 500 Specifications

PartDetail
FinishChrome with black components
FrameDiamond Back Chromoly 3 main tubes
ForkDiamond Back Chromoly
HandlebarsDiamond Back chrome-moly (medium)
GripsF1 Style Black and Grey (Fuan)
HeadsetDB Chrome plated
StemDiamond Back chrome-moly shaft and bolt, forged alloy head (Sugino)
RimsAraya 7X alloy black
Spokes80g /36, chrome-plated.
HubsSuzue High Flange MX Alloy Black
Brake calipersDia-Compe 890 front and rear.
Brake leversDia-Compe Tech-3
Brake padsDia-Compe.
CablesDia-Compe.
TiresComp-3 type skinwall
20 x 2.125″ Front
20 x 1.75 ” Rear
PedalsDB Alloy platform (Sakae Ringyo MP-464)
CranksChromoly one piece
Bottom BracketLooseball
Front Sprocket44T Sugino Duralumin
Rear SprocketSuntour 16T chrome plated
ChainDB Black and chrome
SeatDB Aero ( Fuan)
Seat PostAlloy fluted black
Seat Post ClampAlloy black clamp
AccessoriesChainguard.
Rellectors.
Standard.

Diamond Back Pacer 500, Super Viper, Viper?

The Diamond Back Pacer 500 was released in late 1983 as the supposed replacement to the Silver Streak. It was the 2nd bike produced by Fairly in Taiwan and marked the first mid-range bike in the Diamond Back range coming out of this region. For the most part, the bike has very similar components as the 1983 Silver Streak it replaced.

Dealers didn’t dig the name of the bike and sales flopped, and this is where things start to get murky.

Throughout 1983 and 1984 this Pacer frame began to appear in many guises.

Early models can be found with Silver Streak Diamond Back II decals sets. There are many accounts from owners who bought bikes directly from their bike shop like this who believed they had bought a Silver Streak. Some even call these Taiwanese Silver Streaks.

Into 1984 bikes started to appear with decals as both Super Viper and Viper. The frames for these bike are identical in every way to Pacers. It is purely the decals which are different.

Later in 1984 bikes began to appear with chain guard tabs. (for fixing a chain guard). Many people identify these bikes are true Super Vipers, but in reality bikes appear with both Super Viper and Viper decals in this period with and without chain guard tabs. So this frame was more likely to be a product of legislation change – a requirement to have a chain guard, – than any model change. In fact, there are example of both Super Vipers and Viper without chain guard tabs as early as March 1983.

With all this confusing information, sometimes it makes sense to go back and look at the Diamond Back catalogues, as these are how the company intended to market the product range if any else. In the 1984 catalogue, there was only the classic (large gusset) Viper and Pacer 500.

The 1985 catalogue was the first time we see the Super Viper in official Diamond Back marketing material and this also ties into magazine appearances.

It’s the writers opinion that due to failing sales, Diamond Back used 1984 as a year of experimentation with names and decals to shift their stock.

Diamond Back Pacer 500 Identifying Characteristics

What to look for:

  • 1983 models are stamped CR-MO on the rear drive side dropout
  • The rear section of the bike is a looptail, unlike the Silver Streaks and Koizumi models, there is no matchbox behind bottom bracket.
  • 1984 models are stamped 500 on the rear drive side dropout
  • A small 2 TIG gusset
  • A noticeably laid back seat post when compared to the head tube ( Same as the Silver Streak, Viper and Medium Pro)
  • serial number located on the bottom bracket beginning with either a F3, or F4

Diamond Back Pacer 500 brochure

The following images are from the 1984 Diamond Back brochure. Click to enlarge.

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Diamond Back Pacer 500 1984 brochure double page spread
Diamond Back 500 1984 Catalogue Specifications