1963 Schwinn American

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Not sure if I have ever posted pics of this bike before, but thought I would share. It is by far the cleanest vintage bike I have ever owned. I swear I think the 2 miles on the speedo are correct. Under the fenders, the braces, the crank, etc are all as clean as a brand new bike. It isn't perfect. There are some paint imperfections that have been touched up, the front fender has a scuff and the "American" on the chainguard has been touched up. The decal on the seat tube is faded a bit..The speedo says 2 miles, the light has never had a battery in it and the horn still has the tuning instructions inside. It even still has a rubber tip over the end of the kickstand! Currently one side of the rear racks is full of 1963 Chicago newspapers from when Kennedy was shot. The other side has a vintage baseball glove and cubs cap. It has a raccoon tail hanging off the back and a 1963 Topps Chicago Cubs baseball card in the front spokes. I'll try to get some updated pics! This bike won best Middleweight in the Hoosier Antique bike show last winter.

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Wow! I'm in the middle of cleaning up a '63 American, a women's bike in blue. And it it's the cleanest bike I've ever seen! It must be a thing with the Americans, I will finish putting it together tomorrow and post pix here. I plan on bringing it to that same show and entering it in the best unrestored class come January. Very beautiful bike you have, I only wish mine was a men's.

Jon
 
There was a really nice blue women's American in the show last year. I don't remember the guy's name, but I think he got 3rd maybe? I think it was probably nicer than mine overall, but it seems girl's bikes typically don't do as well. I am not entering mine this year. I'll probably just enter in the rat/custom category. I'm considering selling the American, so if so I'll post it prior to the show so I can deliver it and not try to ship it with all it's racks/accessories.
 
I think it has something to do with the coatings they used specifically on the parts of the Americans. I know that everything on them was made in America maybe they took special care to be sure the bikes had the proper coating to last.
 
Doesnt get any better than that ... clean bike with all the cherries on top 8) Can I take around the block a few times ?
 
CCR said:
Doesnt get any better than that ... clean bike with all the cherries on top 8) Can I take around the block a few times ?
Yeah, that is the bad part of owning this bike. Just doesnt seem right to not ride a bicycle, but it is the only one I dont ride. I did ride it around the parking lot at the Indy show last year with my trophy. Freaked some old collector dudes out!
 

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