Hello, my name is Chris. I rode bikes when I was a kid. I fixed them when they needed it but I wouldn't say I loved doing it. Once I got my license and figured out chicks like cars more than bikes I stopped ridding altogether. Then one day 2 years ago while at a flea market I saw this beat up old cruiser bike. In strange way it reminded of a Schwinn my dad had when I was a kid. It was black had white walls and looked awesome. I just recently found out, to my dismay that his Schwinn wasn't a 50's Schwinn as I'd always assumed rather it was a 80's Schwinn copy/remake/reboot/knock-off, whatever, of a 50's Schwinn. But anyways I couldn't leave their without buying it. So that's where it all started for me.
I just about have my bike the way I and my wallet like.
I like the handle bars so I kept them, but I had to paint them as the chrome was done for, and I like the chain guard, I bought a chrome one but didn't like it. The chain was fine so I kept that. Everything else is new. I didn't take before pics 'cos it never occurred to me to do so.
This is how it looked the last time I took pics of it last year about 20 minutes before I removed the rear basket -- lets just say OUCH!
This year I've changes the seat to a darker brown added ergo grips. I'm also in the process of painting an old rack with baskets to put on it. As soon ... it's done I'll take pics.
I loved the experience so much I convinced my 65-year-old mother to get back on a bike for the first time since before I was born.
She has dizzy spells so I figured a trike would be best. I bought her one of those new Schwinn Meridians but the axle came bent. So I had to send it back. Boy am I glad it did because my sister found a Sears Free Spirit 5-speed tricycle at her boyfriends parents house. They didn't want it so they gave it to my mom. I know it's not a particularly sought after brand but I can attest that this thing is built about 10,000 times better than that Meridian was and it has 5-speeds.
This time it occurred to me to take before pics
After. Mom Wanted a red bike. I wanted to paint a 50's surf green or lite blue but it's her bike
I regret painting the chain guard. I wish I could have that one back. I think I might paint it to match the rest of the bike.
I changed the tires, seat, grips, shifter, brake caliper, Lever and cables. The ones that were on it were fine but it's my mother so I wanted it to stop as well as it can. It was a pain to find calipers to fit this trike. I finally had to settle on BMX style brakes.
This year I'm putting a new derailleur and twist shifter,she has RA so I think it will be easier for her to shift. Right now she never takes it out of 1st. I also bought her a cloud 9 seat so back to Ebay for the Cadillac seat goes.
She loves this thing. And it's so fun seeing her ride it. There is something about ridding a bike that brings out the kid in you. And being able to see that in my mom is truly a gift.
These are my next projects., I think.
This is a 24" Hawthorne.
The chain guard is the one I bought for my bike that I didn't like. I don't really like it on this either but it needed one. I going to restore this for my sister. The bike is pretty clean but the rear hub won't engage the chain or the break so I fear I'll have to get a new one or it may be more economical to get a new wheel set entirely, sigh. The hub that is on it is a "New Departure model D" I've searched the Internet for someone with the same problem as mine and I can't find anything.
I don't know the make of this bike as it's been painted many, many times. The handle grips say Schwinn but I have no idea if the bike is a Schwinn. I bought it for the baskets and the seat. But I may do something with it for my other sister. It looks bad but the rims are straight ant she goes and stops just fine. And I do love those handle bars.
Well, that's it. I hope I did this first post thing right.
I'd like to add my appreciation for this site. It's a great resource for folks who are to a hobby that not many folks are into anymore. So finding this place was "the find" of the year for me.
Thank You
All The Best
I just about have my bike the way I and my wallet like.
I like the handle bars so I kept them, but I had to paint them as the chrome was done for, and I like the chain guard, I bought a chrome one but didn't like it. The chain was fine so I kept that. Everything else is new. I didn't take before pics 'cos it never occurred to me to do so.
This is how it looked the last time I took pics of it last year about 20 minutes before I removed the rear basket -- lets just say OUCH!
This year I've changes the seat to a darker brown added ergo grips. I'm also in the process of painting an old rack with baskets to put on it. As soon ... it's done I'll take pics.
I loved the experience so much I convinced my 65-year-old mother to get back on a bike for the first time since before I was born.
She has dizzy spells so I figured a trike would be best. I bought her one of those new Schwinn Meridians but the axle came bent. So I had to send it back. Boy am I glad it did because my sister found a Sears Free Spirit 5-speed tricycle at her boyfriends parents house. They didn't want it so they gave it to my mom. I know it's not a particularly sought after brand but I can attest that this thing is built about 10,000 times better than that Meridian was and it has 5-speeds.
This time it occurred to me to take before pics
After. Mom Wanted a red bike. I wanted to paint a 50's surf green or lite blue but it's her bike
I regret painting the chain guard. I wish I could have that one back. I think I might paint it to match the rest of the bike.
I changed the tires, seat, grips, shifter, brake caliper, Lever and cables. The ones that were on it were fine but it's my mother so I wanted it to stop as well as it can. It was a pain to find calipers to fit this trike. I finally had to settle on BMX style brakes.
This year I'm putting a new derailleur and twist shifter,she has RA so I think it will be easier for her to shift. Right now she never takes it out of 1st. I also bought her a cloud 9 seat so back to Ebay for the Cadillac seat goes.
She loves this thing. And it's so fun seeing her ride it. There is something about ridding a bike that brings out the kid in you. And being able to see that in my mom is truly a gift.
These are my next projects., I think.
This is a 24" Hawthorne.
The chain guard is the one I bought for my bike that I didn't like. I don't really like it on this either but it needed one. I going to restore this for my sister. The bike is pretty clean but the rear hub won't engage the chain or the break so I fear I'll have to get a new one or it may be more economical to get a new wheel set entirely, sigh. The hub that is on it is a "New Departure model D" I've searched the Internet for someone with the same problem as mine and I can't find anything.
I don't know the make of this bike as it's been painted many, many times. The handle grips say Schwinn but I have no idea if the bike is a Schwinn. I bought it for the baskets and the seat. But I may do something with it for my other sister. It looks bad but the rims are straight ant she goes and stops just fine. And I do love those handle bars.
Well, that's it. I hope I did this first post thing right.
I'd like to add my appreciation for this site. It's a great resource for folks who are to a hobby that not many folks are into anymore. So finding this place was "the find" of the year for me.
Thank You
All The Best
