I picked up this Firestone this morning.

[RatRob]

I scored this Firestone this morning at a local thrift store. I've been eyeballing it for a week, waiting for it to go 1/2 off. They wanted 100 bucks for it and I couldn't swing that. . . Well, it's senior citizen's day today! I had to get an old guy to walk it through the checkout for me.
So, does anyone have any knowledge of this model? I've googled it to death and can't find anything on it. (in fact, that's how I found this AWESOME site) It has the Firestone emblem on it and a Mesinger seat. I haven't taken it apart yet for cleaning and tweaking. Maybe there are more clues under the dirt.
Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks folks, Rob

Firestone-2 by rlightbody, on Flickr

Firestone-5 by rlightbody, on Flickr

 

[necessaryevil]

Probably mid to late 50's, huffy built. If you ever decide to pull those handlebars and sissy bar off I'd be interested in them.

 

[KJV]

mid 50's - early 60's. Huffy built,{as mentioned}.
the handlebars, saddle/sissy bar rock,man.
nice score for fifty skins.me like it,
oh yeah,WELCOME,to RRB.

 

[RatRob]

Thanks guys. I was guessing early 70s, but what do I know?
That's why I'm here. I've got a lot to learn.
I want to rat it out and use it for a rider. As I said earlier, y'all are very inspirational. I'm spending hours poking around here.
Thanks again!

 

[Rustinkerer]

It should have a typical Huffy serial number, maybe on the bottom of the crank hanger or rear dropout. 8H00000 would be a '58, or sometimes it's the other way around, can't remmeber at the moment. But that's definitely a mid-late 50s Huffy chainring. Also, most companies started building Schwinn-like cantilever frames like this one in 1958. I think their exclusivity on their patent ran out? I've seen a 1959 Firestone ad that featured all Snyder built bikes, they built Rollfasts too. But there are mid 60s Huffy Firestones too, I think they went back and forth a lot! Sweet deal for $50 though, keep that nice og paint!! -Adam

 

[deorman]

Nice pick. It was well worth the hundred. :wink:
+ 1 on keep the paint

 

[UTR1]

nice pick... :mrgreen:

 

[SimpleMan]

Cool bike....I love the blue and white original scheme also.

 

[Unchained]

I hope you keep the paint- I love the colors, and the thing is spotless! :mrgreen:

My guess would be that the chainguard, handlebars, seat, and sissy are non stock. I think they are about the right age for the bike, though... In any case it is super cool! :mrgreen:

 

[RatRob]

You guys are great.
Yeah, I agree that the bike is way cool just how it is. I love the paint, but it's not nearly spotless.
I'll be looking around here for tips on cleaning it up and protecting it. I wish I had a warm place to work on it. I can't stand the thought of waiting until spring.
Thanks!

 

[KJV]

i'm for keeping the paint too.
just add some accessories of
you liking.as for shining that paint up.
try some; Meguiars SHOW CAR GLAZE 7. :mrgreen:

 

[Unchained]

You guys are great.
Yeah, I agree that the bike is way cool just how it is. I love the paint, but it's not nearly spotless.
I'll be looking around here for tips on cleaning it up and protecting it. I wish I had a warm place to work on it. I can't stand the thought of waiting until spring.
Thanks!

There may or may not be some how-to threads on cleaning up paint, it would be worth searching around for. I am certain that if you ask around you will get plenty of input. :mrgreen: I have had good luck cleaning everything bike related with "Simple Green" solution.

 

[B607]

Also, most companies started building Schwinn-like cantilever frames like this one in 1958. I think their exclusivity on their patent ran out?

Schwinn patented the cantilever frame in 1938. And all the other bike companies said, "Why didn't we think of that?" A normal patent is good for 17 yrs. so it would have expired sometime around 1955...after Schwinn had already made 2 million cantilever frames. Gary

 

[A.S.BOLTNUT]

very nice clean lookin bike !

 

[CCR]

Schwinn patented the cantilever frame in 1938. And all the other bike companies said, "Why didn't we think of that?" A normal patent is good for 17 yrs. so it would have expired sometime around 1955...after Schwinn had already made 2 million cantilever frames. Gary

The pacific schwinn site was giving descriptions of their cruisers in the recent past as being "modeled after the classic 1955 designed cantilever frame". I just kept wondering why they picked the year 1955 :lol:

 

[Santee]

Very nice bike! Save the original paint!

 

[Vintage Bike Coroner]

I have the same bike!! Its Very Nice !! Complete If Anybody would like to Buy it,It is for Sale !! Thanks VBC

 

[RatRob]

OK. it didn't take much convincing to keep the paint.
I turned it over yesterday. The serial number is 178-1-111.
Is that a clue? You know, I don't really care. I love the bike and will put some serious mileage on it. I guess it's just cool to know the origin.
The more I explore the site and the members, the more excited I am about searching out and restoring old bikes.
I am so happy that I found this community. I hope to get to know y'all and gain knowledge about classic bikes.
I have little kids, and I want to encourage their appreciation of GOOD bikes.
Cheers,
Rob