A New (To Me) Old Bicycle.

[snubbyfan]

Just added another bike to the stable. It's my Dad's old Sears and Roebuck bike from the mid-70's. He rode it a few times then it sat in the garage for close to 50 years after he got his 10 speed.
It seemed to be in pretty good shape and after I gave it a good wash, it got new tires and tubes. When I got the old tires off, I found that it also needed new rim tape. Fortunately, since I've been riding, building and fixing bikes since the 90's I just happened to have some in stock. I like how it looks with the white wall tires.
The chain's in good shape, just needed some lube. The coaster brake works well too.
I added a bar bag and we're planning on taking it out on the C&O Canal Towpath tomorrow.
We call it "Pops."

 

[mckenney99]

Nice. White walls on a classic. It just needs some curb feelers and a couple raccoon tails on the handlebars.

 

[jeffrefrig]

A clothes pin and an old baseball card would make it go faster.
It is a nice looking bike for its age.

 

[Marshwheeling]

Nice bike. A skinny-tire version of the cantilever frame. What pressure do those tires run? If those are 55psi tires like a lot of 3-speeds run, you might be able to get some Schwalbe tires that will run 70psi. Until you get used to them it will feel like you put a motor on your bike.

 

[snubbyfan]

Nice bike. A skinny-tire version of the cantilever frame. What pressure do those tires run? If those are 55psi tires like a lot of 3-speeds run, you might be able to get some Schwalbe tires that will run 70psi. Until you get used to them it will feel like you put a motor on your bike.

They run 60psi. The tread is just right for riding the bike trails out here.

 

[snubbyfan]

My wife and I went for a bike ride today. We loaded up my wife's bike and my Dad's old bike in the truck and headed out to the Town Creek Aqueduct trailhead on the C&O Canal Towpath.
Interesting ride. Riding my Dad's bike took some getting used to. I'm used to riding my bike which has 24 speeds, a four inch travel oil and coil front suspension fork, hydraulic front disc brake, hydraulic rear rim brake, high volume tires and pedals that you clip into with special shoes.


My Dad's bike is a single speed with no suspension, a rear coaster brake, high pressure tires, flat pedals and a more upright riding position.
Plus there are other differences.
I did enjoy riding it although I did keep finding myself reaching for the brake levers. It's a nice bike for a relatively flat trail like the towpath. I'll probably end up riding it more.
We rode for just a coupla hours.

 

[GypsmJim]

I have one bike. It's the only one I ever owned or rode. It's a Sears 1957 Higgins Flyer. It was given to me by my Godfather. Several sets of new tires and tubes over the last 60 years, but I never saw the need for a new one.

Two Speed - Slow and Off.

 

[jeffrefrig]

Sorry, but I gotta say it: "I've got a bike, you can ride it if you like, it's got a basket, a bell, & rings & things, to make it look good. I'd give it to you if I could but I borrowed it."
Syd Barrett

 

[Rustyt1953]

[ame]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GugsCdLHm-Q[/ame]

 

[Bib]

I have a couple sets of those old school wire saddlebags that would look really good on that.

 

[Onomea]

Very cool that somehow you managed to maintain possession of your dad's bike for a half century. That is quite a feat.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

There is a guy named John that we see all over the Central Ohio trails, he did 50 to 70 miles a day on a 1952 Schwin 3 speed. Now he has serious prostate problems, so he's using an early 70's 2-wheel recumbent with a wide crescent seat. Still doing 40 to 50 a day!

Ivan

 

[Kenna]

I have a couple sets of those old school wire saddlebags that would look really good on that.

Man O Man those bring back memories,used them for my paper route as a kid

 

[GypsmJim]

So let's talk about tricycles...

I got mine in 1952. It was the only one I ever owned. We moved a couple of times, and it always came with the family. As received it was disassembled and Dad had to put it together. That same year my Godfather game me an American Flyer electric train set. The tricycle box was used to store the train boxes.

Fast forward and my firstborn son needed a tricycle so I went to Mom & Dad's house and picked it up. When he outgrew it his younger brother used it.

One year my 2 sons were on a play date across the street with the 2 sons there. The youngest of the bunch rode it out and left it at the end of the driveway. It was garbage day. It was next to the garbage cans. A metal scrapper picked it up.

I have scoured antique stores looking for that "Junior Velocipede". Hasn't shown up yet.

Oh, the original box with trains is still in the attic waiting for grandchildren.

 

[WR Moore]

Great looking classic, brings back memories. Seat looks a bit narrow. Bet it's got actual ball bearings in the pedal crank housing, not nylon inserts. These days ya gotta spend serious money to get that.

 

[VM]

Good job snubbyfan….. Cool that you are using Dads bike!
I recently cleaned up my first Schwinn from Christmas '67 and gave it to Grandson.

 

[Rustyt1953]

If I were to be reincarnated as a bike it would be this one.

 

[SPEEDGUNNER]

Great story. Choogle safely!!