my official nbhaa bicycle report simmons hadware

[62hotrod]

i recived ny official NBHAA bicycle analysis on my simmons hardware keen kutter bicycle i posted this a long time ago trying to id this old bike with no luck i paid LD @ NBHAA to do the report it took about 3- months i was very pleased with him and his report it did take a wile and yes their were a lot of emails back and forth bottom line. it was made in 1921 this is just a bit of info
• The Simmons line was produced exclusively for Simmons Hardware Stores and Catalogues by several different companies. It was Simmons' brand name.
• YOUR particular bicycle was made under contract by the Miami Cycle and Manufacturing Company of Middletown, Ohio. It is what is known as a "private label" bicycle. Miami Cycle was a large company ...and quite famous for making quality bicycles that were made under several brand names. Their house brands from the factory were "Miami"..."Flying Merkel"..."Hudson"...and "Racycle."

 

[udallcustombikes]

Simmons was based here in Wichita. I have been wanting a Keen Kutter bike for a while.

 

[Tailwinds]

Simmons had large established markets in Wichita, Toledo, Minneapolis, and several other major cities, but was founded and based in St. Louis, MO. St. Louis seems a somewhat unlikely headquarters for a corp. from a modern point of view, but realize, STL was one of the 10 largest cities in the country at the turn of the 20th century, and was an enormous foundation for tools and tool steel, hence Simmons expansive tool line.
Also bike related, Shapleigh Hardware purchased Simmons in the 40's and also sold the "Shapleigh Wonder Bike", these were motor bikes and diamond frames of the same era and appear somewhat regularly in the old bike scene, I believe 'npence' has or had a Shapleigh a while back.

 

[B607]

While we're on the subject of hardware store bikes, I have a 1941 Schwinn DX Witte Flyer, sold by the Witte Hardware Co. They were also out of St.Louis. Not every town had a bike shop, but every town did have a hardware store. Gary

 

[Tailwinds]

That's cool! Never seen a Witte branded Schwinn! Is that the red one I had inquired about via PM last week?

 

[B607]

That's cool! Never seen a Witte branded Schwinn! Is that the red one I had inquired about via PM last week?

Yep, that's the one. I bought the bike from a farmer right out of his barn for $75 near Pana, IL. There was a Witte Hardware store in Pana up until the late 50's so I'm guessing it was probably purchased there. Gary