Vintage Schwinn Bicycles

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WARNING: It has been reported that antique bicycle collecting may be habit forming!

ENJOY THE RIDE!

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UPDATE, July 2009:

Jim's rise to number one on the search engines necessitates the alteration of this web page.

Vintage Schwinn FAQs.

Before attempting to contact Jim, please read everything below as most typical questions may well be answered here on this web page.

As this web page is not an enticement for Jim to buy a bicycle nor a place where Jim expects to profit in any way, there is no reason to doubt the free of charge information below. This is simply a compilation of his experiences from many years in the vintage bicycle hobby and his observations from buying and selling antique bicycles. This information is supplied as a service for those individuals who may wish to sort out the simple facts on the Schwinn collecting hobby.

Jim knows that people want information about old bicycles and who knows why Jim's web site is at the top of the search engines?

Persons who have a differing opinion about the statements and opinions of Jim are reminded that what Jim offers here is free of charge and the observations and opinions are those of Jim himself. He does not claim to be the absolute authority about this genre. Jim respects the rights of anyone to have a difference of opinion, but Jim also has no interest in entering into debates about facts.

THESE FAQs MAY ASSIST YOU IN ESTABLISHING THE VALUE OF YOUR BICYCLE.

(1) Q: How old is my Schwinn?

A: First, you must 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). This 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.

Simply go to Google.com Type in this phrase and you will find numerous reference pages. Schwinn serial numbers

Or try this link

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(2) Q: Is my old Schwinn valuable?

A: SCHWINN MADE MILLIONS OF BICYCLES, AND MOST ARE NOT VALUABLE AS COLLECTORS ITEMS. WOMEN'S BICYCLES IN GENERAL HAVE ALMOST NO COLLECTOR VALUE.

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(3) Q: How do I estimate the value of my antique bicycle?

A: SEARCH COMPLETED AUCTIONS ON eBay. To view completed auctions, you must be an ebay member. Sign-in to your account, type the model and brand into the search. (i.e. Schwinn Stingray Apple Krate) Select the search parameter of "all of eBay" Then select "sort highest price first" This will bring the most expensive items to the top of the sort list. (The bicycles are typically selling for much more than the small parts which makes your search easier.) Finally, select "search completed items" and you are there!

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(4) Q: Is there someone who will appraise my bicycle for me?

A: Jim does not appraise bicycles and he knows of nobody who does this service. Certainly, the eBay appraisal method explained in detail above is the best way. The most people will pay for an item is market value, and eBay is the number one place where vintage bicycles are bought and sold.

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(5) Q: How do I sell my bicycle on eBay?

A: Remember that bicycles are difficult to ship. Some of the larger ones from the 1950s and older are too big for UPS dimensional limits. Tandems are especially difficult to ship as typically they must be sent via truck freight service. This requires a shipping crate. If you are not comfortable with selling and shipping the bicycle yourself, then you may wish to have an eBay sales store do this for you. Most cities have someone who specializes in representing items on eBay for a commission.

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(6) Q: Will Jim buy my bicycle or help me sell it?

A: In 2005, this web page was simply a showcase of images from Jim's bicycle collection. As the page rose on the search engine rankings, more and more people began to theorize that Jim was an authority on Schwinn bicycles. In fact, he is not and he has never claimed to be an authority. Jim was born and raised in the bicycle business, but he is not in the bicycle business now and has not been for thirty years. In fact, Jim does not run a bicycle shop and is not in the business of buying and selling them for profit.

Jim does have a large collection of antique Schwinn bicycles and most of them were acquired fifteen or twenty years ago when they were common $5.00 and $10.00 yard sale items. In fact, Jim is selling some of his collection to "thin the herd". There are no bicycles that Jim is searching for at this time. Jim is very busy with his work and he simply does not have the time to be a vintage bicycle broker.

(7) Q: What is the difference between perceived value vs. actual realistic value?

A: What Jim does know is that in all types of collecting, there are those who know the realistic value of their collectors item and those who are not realistic.

Generally speaking, actual realistic value is what sells an item and delivers money into the hand of the seller. Those who perceive a value without researching the actual sales history of similar collectible objects are often unrealistic in their expectations. Sellers who base the value of their item on perceived value which is often based on hearsay, are the ones who are often frustrated because their item does not find a buyer. "It may be better to have a small actual advantage than only the chance of a greater one."

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FINAL NOTES and common sense advice about collector value and buying and selling: It is best to be realistic about the value of your bicycle. If you have searched completed auctions and do not see a similar one that has sold for what you think yours is worth, then you are probably wasting your time trying to sell it. Schwinn collectors who are buying these bicycles know their value and they are not going to pay more than they are worth as these collectors are a very well informed and tight-knit group. Relying on the estimated value based solely on the perceptions of a person who is not a Schwinn collector is unwise and most often leads to disappointment. Remember that Schwinn made millions of bicycles.

Why does Jim "dig" old Schwinns?

This page is dedicated to Jim's Grandfather Sylvester and his friend and Schwinn dealer, Harold Mulhaupt. 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. (NEWS FLASH November 2009.... Mulhaupt's closes it's Schwinn dealership after more than 100 years!) 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!

Jim's friend, Harold Mulhaupt

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.

Jim's Grandfather, Sylvester "Syl"

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 Peugeot, Motobecane, and Gitane. These experiences, and the realization that Schwinn is an American icon, led Jim to begin a collection of vintage Schwinns.

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NEW 1995 SUPER SPORT Commemorative Edition

100th ANNIVERSARY ALUMINUM

1946 B.F. Goodrich CHALLENGER.

Schwinn-built 26" Balloon tire Heavyweight coaster brake

This bicycle is badged as a B.F. 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!

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!

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 $15.00 garage sale find is in new condition. It features a Sturmey-Archer three speed hub with coaster brake, and period accessories. Another "brand new" one. The ladies really take good care of their bicycles!

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.