Old Schwinn I Got

[kingplinker]

I got this for $26.00 this weekend as a yard sale. It has Schwinn seat, grips, chainguard, rim even says schwinn on it. The chainguard says "Schwinn FLEET", and the tank says scwhinn on the side (faded of course). I'm not a Schwinn guy, but this thing wanted to come home with me bad. Front tire holds air! no chain or front fender, one rim is rusted bad in one spot. Wheels and cranks & forks turn just great - only rusty on the body.

The number on the back left drop-out reads: B226522. If someone can tell me maybe what year it is that would be awesome.

 

[Rat Rod]

Looks like February 1962.

 

[Rat Rod]

 

[kingplinker]

Hey cool , that one on the bottom, the FLEET is definitely this bike! AND I actually have one of those fender lights - how cool it that! I can also see the sticker/decal on the downtube up close, it's faded, but not a scratch on it - THANKS! T.

 

[CCR]

great bike, those middleweight tank frames are hard to come by around here, especially with the tanks still on them too.

 

[socal_jack]

Now that is a rat rod, excelent find!

 

[Rat Rod]

All it needs is some red wheels and fat white walls. :wink:

 

[mastershake916]

I'm really digging that fleet.

 

[kingplinker]

Hey thanks guys. I'll clean her up a little and get her rollin' - will keep ya posted -Regards, T.

 

[banana seat Brian]

I got a fleet,,,I love this bike

 

[kingplinker]

Hey NICE! Yours is GREAT! That looks like Dallas/Deep Ellum a little - where you located? Thanks for sharing _T.

 

[cheesegrabber6]

Glad to see other folks out there love the indomitable workaday FLEET as much as I do. Great combination of economy (painted fenders, Torrington pedals, blackwall tires on painted rims) and style (fender-mounted headlight, tank, rear carrier rack, reverse-screen chainguard decal). Phenomenal patina on Kingplinker's bike. I would leave it as is, except for maybe rims and fat whitewall tires.

In any case, here are a few pictures of my black April '63-built unit:

 

[cheesegrabber6]

Here is the page out of the '63 dealer catalog:

 

[Rustinkerer]

That bike looks like it's spent many a year bakin' under the hot TX sun!!! ~Adam