new member

[enlan]

Hi, my name is enlan, I'm a new member from the Midwest. My ongoing interests are turn of the century HI wheelers and hard tire safeties. Recently developed an interest in British 3sp and early balloon tire bikes. Also have an interest in advertising literature, catalogs, bike themed books and bike related ephemera. Does anyone know anything about this sears certificate of guaranty, age, anything? Recently bought this strange 5 sp Huffy on Ebay. Never saw anything like it before. Thanks, enlan

 

[Kevin B]

Welcome.

 

[Da Gas Man]

Nice Huffy. Some kinda big 'ole funky plate on the rear there. Wonder what that's for?
Welcome.

 

[ifitsfreeitsforme]

neat Huffy. Twist grip?

 

[enlan]

That mechanism on the back wheel is a Tokheim shifting system, manufactured by the Tokheim gas pump people 1970ish vintage. It uses an expanding rear sprocket to provide 5 different gear ratios. Kind of like a 5sp derailleur but the chain doesn't move over the sprockets. As far as I can tell, Huffy was the only manufacturer that used it in production. It works OK but when you have a flat the shift cable has to be removed to get the wheel off. So, after fixing the tire you reattach the shift cable and readjust the hand grip index shifter and you're on your way. Probably not the easiest thing to do on the road. I don't know how long it was available but I found this one on ebay and had to have it.

 

[twojs.bike]

That’s cool. Never heard of it before. Some good info available searching google.

 

[Da Gas Man]

That's fantastic. Clearly I've never heard of a Tokheim shifting system before now.
That's some mechanism.