Jim's Collection of Vintage Schwinn Bicycles

Vintage Schwinn Bicycles ____________________________________________________________________________________________ July 04 2008 Jim has known of this rare original photo for many years. This image hung in the CITY NEWS STAND in downtown Lafayette. One of Lafayette's oldest businesses, the CITY NEWS closed it's doors in May 2008. Jim was fortunate to obtain this original photo in the liquidation sale. On the 4th and 5th of July, the LAFAYETTE JOURNAL and COURIER featured an article about this image and Jim's search for more information. If you know the identity of the boy in the image, please contact Jim at jim@jims59.com The significance of this image for Jim? The bicycle is the brand sold by Mulhaupt's where Jim's Grandfather worked. The Chicago Daily News is a paper from the Hometown of the Schwinn Bicycle company, it is a statement of Americana and of downtown Lafayette heritage. This photo was taken at the Lafayette offices of the Chicago Daily news on 4th Street. _____________________________________ WARNING: It has been reported that antique bicycle collecting may be habit forming! *ENJOY THE RIDE!*

PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS NOT A WEB PAGE DESIGNED TO ESTABLISH THE VALUE OF YOUR BICYCLE. JIM DOES NOT DO APPRAISALS _____________________________________ WHAT YEAR IS MY OLD SCHWINN? Find the serial number stamped into your frame under the crank (1948~1952), at the rear axle (1958~1969), or under and to one side of the front frame schwinn emblem just above the front forks where they meet the frame (1970~1982). The number typically starts with two letters, then a series of numbers. Example: CA015874 Write this number on a piece of paper, then go to your computer and you can easily find out the year of your Schwinn at these links: Click here for date codes Or click here for date codes _____________________________________ IS MY OLD SCHWINN VALUABLE? SCHWINN MADE MILLIONS OF BICYCLES, AND MOST ARE NOT VALUABLE AS COLLECTORS ITEMS. WOMEN'S BICYCLES IN GENERAL HAVE ALMOST NO COLLECTOR VALUE. HOW TO ESTIMATE THE VALUE OF AN ANTIQUE BICYCLE: SEARCH COMPLETED AUCTIONS ON eBay. _____________________________________ JIM IS A COLLECTOR, NOT A DEALER JIM DOES NOT DO APPRAISALS _____________________________________ OLD BICYCLES SHOULD BE ENJOYED FOR WHAT THEY ARE. A TERRIFIC CONVERSATION PIECE, AN EXAMPLE OF FINE AMERICAN ENGINEERING. A MACHINE WITH SIMPLISTIC DESIGN, AND QUALITY OF MATERIALS AND WORKMANSHIP NOT AVAILABLE IN TODAY'S WORLD. YOU CAN BE THE COOLEST CAT ON THE BLOCK WITH YOUR OLD SCHWINN. HANG IT ON THE WALL IN THE DEN, THE FAMILY ROOM. OR GET OUT AND GET SOME EXERCISE. AS A RIDER, A 40 OR 50 YEAR OLD SCHWINN IS MUCH BETTER THAN ANYTHING THAT CAN BE PURCHASED AT THE BIG CHAIN STORES. This page is becoming popular and is expanding. Please come back to visit again, more photos will be added soon. This page highlights only a portion of Jim's extensive collection of Vintage Schwinn Bicycles.
Why does Jim "dig" old Schwinns? This page is dedicated to Jim's Grandfather. It was Sylvester who taught Jim the basic mechanical skills, and attention to detail that lead to his evolution into a master craftsman. Jim began collecting Schwinns in the early 1990s. Jim was raised in the 1960s in the twin cities of Lafayette-West Lafayette Indiana. His family lived on the edge of the PURDUE University campus. In a campus town, bicycles were a big business. Jim’s grandfather, Sylvester was a locksmith and bicycle repairman at the local Schwinn dealership. Jim grew up watching his grandfather repair intricate devices, and learned his attention to detail. Jim’s grandfather worked at Mulhaupt’s Schwinn. Mulhaupt’s is one of the oldest Schwinn dealers in the USA, and is still in business today. In the 1960s, Mulhaupt’s was a 1000 club dealer. This meant that they sold more than 1000 bicycles per year! In the 1960s, the dealers would assemble for the Schwinn national dealer convention. This event was held at the famous Drake Hotel in Chicago. Awards for sales were given, there was the presentation of new models, sales meetings, and banquets. A visit from long time Schwinn spokesman Captain Kangaroo was always a highlight of the trip! Jim’s grandfather was very proud of his association with the Schwinn bicycle brand. In those days, being the local Schwinn dealership mechanic was a career! When Sylvester assembled a new one, he would carefully align the bolt heads of the mounting screws, and every spoke was tightened to perfection. He went so far as to solder the cable ends to prevent them from fraying, and wound the excess cable into a loop for a nice appearance. At Christmas time, Jim would be on vacation from school. In the evenings after the store was closed for the day, Jim would help his grandfather who was working overtime to assemble the hundreds of new Schwinns due to be delivered in the week prior to the holiday. In the few days prior to Christmas, Jim and his grandfather would drive around the Lafayette Indiana area in the Mulhaupts van delivering new Schwinns to the designated secret hiding places at the homes of Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles, friends and neighbors. An intricate plan to prevent the children from finding out that a new Schwinn awaited them on Christmas morning. Jim began gravitating toward a career in mechanical repair at an early age. At the age of ten, Jim was already repairing the neighborhood bicycles and had mastered the basic skills of a bicycle repairman. In the early 1970s Jim worked with Sylvester at the Pedal 'N Pack shop at "Five Points" in Lafayette. Selling and repairing bicycles including the fine European brands of Motobecane and Gitane. These experiences, and the realization that Schwinn is an American icon, led Jim to begin a collection of vintage Schwinns. __________________________________________________________________________________________ "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I - I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference." Robert Frost

Wilma Smith, June 19th 1938	Donald Carter, May 22nd 1938
*Click on photos below for an expanded view*
1995 BLACK PHANTOM Commemorative Reproduction 26" heavyweight coaster brake Another incredible garage sale find in the fall of 2007. This example has been occasionally ridden and has a few minor abrasions. The Black Phantom was originally produced in the 1950s and is one of the most sought-after Schwinn collectors items... In 1995, the re-formed company just emerging from bankruptcy commissioned this special limited production 100th anniversary edition. An incredible amount of money, time, and energy was invested in this almost exact re-creation of the original. They were even packaged in an authentic reproduction of the original shipping carton. Initially advertised for about $1250.00, they immediately skyrocketed to $2500.00 or more. Many people paid astronomical prices for the first ones that arrived at Schwinn dealerships. Many have been kept in their original cartons by speculators. There is usually one for sale on ebay on any given day. Still selling for around $1000.00 on ebay, they remain popular as den and office decorations and can be seen hanging on the wall in restaurants and pubs nationwide.	Experienced collectors can easily recognize the reproduction from an original. As the original examples are extremely rare and command very high prices, these re-pops remain popular and are fine bicycles in their own right, absolutely worthy of being collected.
	1972 PARAMOUNT P-15 27" high pressure tire 15-speed Fifteen-speed touring model. Acquired in 1992, Jim owns two of these in the Kool Orange color. They were custom ordered by the original owner in 1972 as a husband and wife matching pair. They are exactly the same except for the frame size. The Paramount was custom made, and featured the best components sourced from all over the world. Including Campagnolo and Cinelli brands. The frame is made with Reynolds 531 Double-Butted chrome molybdenum steel with Nervex lugs, and Campagnolo drop-outs. This is Jim's personal "favorite" and has some minor updates to improve the comfort.
1972 PARAMOUNT P-15 27" high pressure tire 15-speed This is the second of the matching pair of Kool Orange 1972 P-15 Paramounts. This was the bicycle built for the original owner's wife, and it is absolutely new. Notice that the frame size is smaller than the one above. It is unknown how many matching pairs were made, but they are extremely rare. The frame is Reynolds 531.
	1973 PARAMOUNT P-10 27" high pressure tire 10-speed Ten-speed road model in Silver Mist. Another fabulous garage sale find.. The Paramount was custom made, and featured the best components sourced from all over the world. Including Campagnolo and Cinelli brands. The frame is Reynolds 531, and the component group is Campagnolo Nuevo Record. The saddle is a Brooks Professional After placing an order for a custom Paramount, delivery could be expected in six to nine months time.
1964 COLLEGIATE 26" high pressure tire A $35.00 garage sale find. Five-speed model with some period accessories. It is heavy, but it is a sweet rider. Jim calls this one "Eclectic Amish"
	1940s WORLD TRAVELER 26" High pressure tire. This bicycle features a "New Departure" two speed rear hub. One of the first lightweights after Frank Schwinn returned from a post-war European tour. Mr. Schwinn fell for the European lightweights known as "English Racers". Originally owned by a professor of music at Princeton University. He rode this on the campus during most of his career. It has the Princeton University bicycle license plate still attached. He published a song that was inspired by this bicycle. His granddaughter donated this bicycle to Jim's collection on the agreement that it never be sold. She included a copy of the original song manuscript, and a tape recording of the song being performed by one of the students of the school of music.
1946 B.F Goodrich CHALLENGER. Schwinn-built 26" Balloon tire Heavyweight coaster brake This bicycle is badged as a BF Goodrich. Schwinn made bicycles for the big chain stores as well as the tire stores. This bicycle is not restored! It has original paint, and is in exceptional condition. Jim acquired this one from an estate in 1993. The original leather seat is in immaculate condition. Jim removes the leather seats and keeps them stored as they will crack and split if used. The seat in this photo is a modern cruiser seat. This bicycle rides perfect. Jim takes her out once a year or so... The horn tank and headlight are in perfect working condition. Jim is thankful that he acquired most of his rare examples in the pre-ebay era. Jim paid a fair price for this one, and it's condition is why.
	1958 JAGUAR 26" middleweight 3-speed Acquired in 1992. It has the Mulhaupt's dealership frame sticker! (Jim is especially fond of the bikes that were sold new at the dealership where his grandfather worked.) Featuring a Sturmey Archer three speed rear hub. It was a Christmas present in 1958, and soon thereafter the child dropped the bicycle onto the right side breaking the gear selector chain that goes into the rear hub. Consequently, the bicycle was stuck in high gear. For a child, this would have rendered it almost impossible to ride. For almost 35 years it was parked in the furnace room of the family home in the Highland Park area of Lafayette Indiana. It hasn't been restored! Jim repaired the hub, and replaced the tires with genuine Schwinn reproductions. A fabulous bicycle.
1959 HORNET 26" Middleweight Another $30.00 garage sale find. Another one with the original Mulhaupt's dealership frame sticker! The Hornet was a special edition bicycle for paper boys. The gearing is lower to allow the rider to haul heavy loads and climb steeper inclines. It is a single speed coaster brake. The spokes in the wheels are of heavier gauge. The front fork has reinforcement struts. There is a carrier rack on the rear. The handlebars are a special square shaped bend to allow the paper bag to be mounted in the front. It has a vintage generator light set. This bicycle was used in the Stadium avenue area of West Lafayette Indiana to deliver the Journal and Courier newspaper for several years in the early 1960s.
	Approximately 1950 Womens SPITFIRE. 26" Balloon tire Heavyweight coaster brake This bicycle is badged as a "Spitfire". This one is not restored, is in amazing brand-new condition, and is one of the oldest bicycles in Jim's collection. Jim bought this one on eBay in 1999 for $135.00. Note the skip-tooth chain, and rear center stand which was a popular item on pre-war and early post-war bicycles.. Jim has some women's bicycles in his collection. Traditionally, they are not nearly as valuable as the men's models. Antique Women's bicycles are often found in immaculate condition. Young ladies tend to ride less miles, and seem to have more appreciation for their possessions.
1966 DE-LUXE TWINN 26" middleweight 5-speed This Deluxe five speed model was acquired in 1992 from a collector in Louisville. It has an atom drum brake rear hub. The original seats are uncomfortable and they have been replaced with modern cruiser seats. The tires are modern replacements. This bicycle is an absolute dream to ride. The original violet paint finish is in very good condition. Schwinn Twinn bicycles have a cult following. They are heavy, but they are almost indestructible, and very comfortable.
	1971 STINGRAY 20" coaster brake This $10.00 Schwinn caught Jim's eye at a yard sale near the PURDUE campus in 1998. Another one with the original Mulhaupt's sticker! It is covered in scratches, and abrasions. Jim calls this the "usage patina". What is unusual is the period accessories. Note the rear "sissy bar" and the "Monkey Hanger" handlebars! This one also rides very well.. It has funky 1970s boyhood character!
1978 STINGRAY "SNEAKER" 20" coaster brake One year of production. The seat looks like a tennis shoe. The pin-stripes look like shoe laces. Very rare! Click here to see the special Sneaker seat
	1970 APPLE KRATE 5-speed 20" Another garage sale find, acquired in 2007. Restored and very nice "CF" serial number. (March 1970). This is the five speed model with stick shift. Jim won't say what he paid for this one, but they are still out there folks! Not as common as the "pre-ebay" era, but occasionally Jim still scores a "home run"...... Six Krate colors were produced from 1968 through 1973. The model name reflects the color. Apple Krate, Cotton Picker, Grey Ghost, Lemon Peeler, Orange Krate, and Pea Picker.
1971 GREY GHOST Coaster brake 20" Another pre-ebay find, acquired in 1992. THE RAREST OF THE RARE! The Grey Ghost was only made in 1971. They were available in the five speed model with stick shift and the coaster brake model shown here. Very few coaster brake models were produced. This bicycle was recently reproduced by the Schwinn company and sold in limited quantities. The China made one does not compare to this "Real McCoy".. Jim did the paint restoration himself. Original paint grey ghosts are rare as the silver color did not hold up well. Jim took it completely apart, refinished it in base coat urethane. He applied the decals, and then followed with urethane clear. This one is a show stopper wherever it goes! Six Krate colors were produced from 1968 through 1973. The model name reflects the color. Apple Krate, Cotton Picker, Grey Ghost, Lemon Peeler, Orange Krate, and Pea Picker.
	1978 STINGRAY "fenderless" coaster brake 20" Another garage sale find. Jim restored this one. It is the popular Schwinn Kool Orange color, and personifies the stripped-down stingray that cruised the streets and alleyways of the North American continent in the 1960s.. Popular today with baby-boomers as a wall hanging. Commonly found in theme restaurants, dens, and offices nationwide. Jim is proud of this one. He took it completely apart, refinished it in base coat clear coat urethane. After the base color coat, he applied the decals, and then followed with the deep urethane clear. This one is a show stopper wherever it goes!
1999 GRAPE KRATE The Grape Krate was never produced by Schwinn in the original era of the muscle bikes. It had been a concept, and was rumored to have almost made it to production. In 1999 the re-formed Schwinn bicycle company produced this coaster brake model in Asia, and finally, the Grape Krate was a reality. This limited production model was built in a quantity of 2000 units, packaged in an authentic Schwinn carton, and designed for the collector. The first Krate bicycles were introduced in the 1968 model year. By 1973 the original Krates were taking serious heat from the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) The rearward weight bias, and small front wheel were attributed to numerous injuries. By 1974, the Krate was gone from Schwinn production.
	1960 Womens TRAVELER 26" Lightweight 2-speed coaster brake An example of the ornate decorations of the Schwinns of the 1950s. Jim found this one for $10.00 at a garage sale in 1999. It features the stainless steel "shark fin" front fender. Not valuable from a collector standpoint, but unusual and reflective of a short period in time when Schwinn graphics were elaborate. This bicycle has a two-speed "kickback" rear hub with coaster brake.
1968 RACER 26" Lightweight 3-speed A $5.00 garage sale find in 2005. Sturmey Archer three speed. In the mid-1960s, the big chain stores were selling the imported 3-speed "English Racers" like hot cakes. Sears sold high quality English made bicycles in the traditional black, as well as red and green. This model was Schwinn's counter attack! A lightweight bicycle with high pressure tires. Target marketed to win back the Schwinn customers who had switched to the foreign made lightweight brands. As was the case on more than one occasion, Schwinn waited too long to react to the changing market. They continued to sell the balloon tire heavy and middle weight bicycles when the superb ride and light weight of the high pressure tire English bicycles took America by storm! Appropriately named, "RACER"
	1969 SPEEDSTER 26" Lightweight 3-speed Another $5.00 garage sale special. This one still has the original Mulhaupt's dealership sticker! Sturmey Archer three speed. This model was one step up from the Racer. It featured chrome fenders, and a deluxe seat. During this period, Schwinn was struggling as their full sized bicycles began to acquire the reputation as being heavy. This was unfortunately true. Schwinn bicycles were always the most rugged made by any manufacturer. In this case, the solid construction of the Schwinn patented electro-fusion welded frame meant that the weight was noticeably more than frames made with European light weight tubing and the traditional "brazed lug" construction techniques.
1983 Womens COLLEGIATE 26" Lightweight 3-speed coaster brake This USA made example is in new condition. It features a Sturmey Archer three speed hub with coaster brake, and period accessories. Jim has too many bicycles, but this one was "brand new" and only $15.00. Where? Where else, another garage sale......... By this time, production was switched from Chicago to Mississippi to reduce overhead and labor costs. In the 1980s, with a flood of low priced quality import bicycles from Asia, Schwinn began to lose ground in the marketplace. To respond to this trend, Schwinn began purchasing high-end road bicycles from Taiwan, and selling them as a Licensed Schwinn product. At the same time, management in Chicago ignored the impact of the mountain bike craze. Eventually, this inability to react to a changing market would lead the company into bankruptcy.
	CYCLE TRUCK 26" Rear, 20" front, coaster brake Another "early" ebay find. A rugged bicycle made for factory use, grocery, and general delivery.
1973 Womens SUBURBAN. 5-speed 27" high pressure tire Millions of these bicycles were made in the Chicago factory. A common $5.00 garage sale find now days. It has almost no collector value. This one also has the original Mulhaupt's frame sticker! It is in new condition and rides beautifully. A perfect example of the bicycles that made Schwinn a household name.
	*One of Jim's most prized SCHWINN possessions.* This hardwood and aluminum sign hung on the wall behind the receptionists desk in the entryway of the Atlanta district office of the Schwinn Bicycle Company. When Schwinn went bankrupt in 1992, Jim was able to obtain this artifact in 1995 in an auction of memorabilia. It weighs about 90 lb.. The aluminum disc was made with a photo-etching process. It says: "For men may come, and men may go, but we roll on forever. Worlds greatest bicycle." The irony of the statement was too much for Jim to resist! The Schwinn family company lasted from 1895 to 1992. They almost made it to 100 years.