Hey, how old is that Schwinn?

[The Renaissance Man]

Recently I've had my build-off bike (Southern Flyer) in a couple of crowded public events, both with several thousand people in attendance.
Being on the only bike (other than some police bikes) I had a lot of comments.

What I noticed was the overwhelming number of people who assume that because it's a vintage balloon bike, that it's a Schwinn. :lol:

I overheard lots of people as I passed saying things like; "Cool, look at that old Schwinn" or "Hey, how old is that Schwinn?" I quickly realized that it was not worth my time to point out that it is actually a Western Flyer or especially not to mention 'CWC' to anyone unless they asked. Those things just seem to take away from the nostalgic thrill that they were experiencing at the time. I would just thank them or answer any questions without correcting them.

On the flip side however, there were some very unexpected comments from a few people using terms like 'Board Track Bars' and 'Truss Fork' that made me wonder how they knew such things!

Ultimately, whether the bike was considered a 'Schwinn' or a 'Western Flyer with a board track influence', the one thing that was universal was the smile that it seemed to put on all of the faces of those who noticed it regardless of age, gender, or race and that makes it so much fun to ride a RatRod Bike where people are gathered!

 

[Bigcam59]

Nice looking Schwinn... :lol:

 

[The Black Monark]

Yeah, I've found that some folks use the word "Schwinn" as a generic term for an old bike, like "Kleenex", or "Coke" instead of tissue or soda (or pop! ).
I did once hear a gent insist that "all old bikes are Schwinn"...I just nodded and smiled

 

[Walker]

While riding through the Weirs during motorcycle week this year I heard the same thing.

One guy says "I know! That's a Schwinn"

me: no, it's a Hawthorne Zep.

him: Never heard of a Hawthorne Zep before...

me: that's because it's more rare than a Schwinn

 

[Bowman]

Where was that pic taken at?

 

[outskirtscustoms]

Nice pics, and taken next to two of my dream cars, a Shelby Cobra (Keep dreaming) and a VW bug (I'd love another one)

Maybe you should just start building Schwinns? Mine's a Schwinn but talk about confusing,
It's a '60 Tornado frame
'56 American chain guard
bars are Wald Billy Goats that are modeled after the '60's Stingray Ramhorn
Fender light is a re-pop '50's Columbia
Seat I think is a '60's Western Flyer piece
Rack from a Wards Hawthorne

So I have a Western Colombian-American Schwinn Hawthorne Stingray Ramhorn Tornado :mrgreen:

 

[Bicycle808]

I think a lot of folks believe that something like a "Hawthorne" or a "Western Flyer" is just the model name. As in, "that thar's a Schwinn Western Flyer", same as you might refer to a Ford Mustang. :roll: A lot of ppl who don't ride motorbikes do the same thing with "Harley"; they think there's two types of motorcycles: Harleys and Crotch Rockets. :shock:

 

[The Renaissance Man]

Nice looking Schwinn... :lol:

:lol: :mrgreen: :wink:

Where was that pic taken at?

Here in Gadsden, Alabama there is a monthly street festival called 'First Friday'. The city closes off six blocks of the historic downtown and allows classic cars and modern hot rods to park down the center two lanes and the parking spaces along each side and also some parking lots and side streets. There are bands and food vendors and a free concert at the historic stone amphitheatre (three blocks away) at the conclusion. During the summer, when the weather is good, it draws thousands of people from the region and also from out of state.

In the last block (where the old theater is in the picture), they usually have some type of different theme each time like Volkswagens or vintage tractors or motorcycles etc. I would love to get enough cyclist to bring old bikes sometime!

here's a link...
http://www.downtowngadsden.com/first-friday/

 

[B607]

That happens everywhere. When I lived in Italy I discovered that the word for a roll of tape was "Scotch". All types of tape were called "Scotch", whether it was a Scotch brand tape or not. Gary

 

[Bowman]

Thanks for the info, mabay i can come out to the next event.

 

[Gold Street Customs]

Its a Schwinn alright, just ask them they will tell ya....... :lol: