Schwinn Klunker 5 (rare?) plus a Hollywood

[yoothgeye]

I've made it known before, I don't go nuts over Schwinns. I've got a few, but I didn't go out of my way, I sort of fell into them.

Today I went to pick up a guy from church to give him a ride to his doctor, he's a young guy, early thirties. He had an "ongoing yardsale" in his front yard (you know the type) a table with some knick-knacks on it. In the back of the yard I saw a couple of obviously Scwhinn bikes laying on top of each other. I only took a quick glance, but saw the word "klunker."

Riding down the road I asked if he was selling them, he said he was trying and asked if I bought bikes, I told him "Sometimes." :lol: He asked how much I'd give for them, I told him I was only interested in the men's bike and I could give him $10, he immediately said, "You can have it, make it $15 and you can have both." Deal. I paid the man and came back to pick them up:

When I was about to strap it to the Jeep:

At home:

Very complete bike:

Never had a rear drum brake bike:

Here's the Hollywood, missing chain, busted left pedal and the left side of the handlebar is ripped off. :?

While I was there I spent my final $3 on these:

 

[user 135]

Re: Schwinn Klunker 5 (plus a Hollywood)

Too cool. Get to polishing.

 

[yoothgeye]

Re: Schwinn Klunker 5 (plus a Hollywood)

Too cool. Get to polishing.

I offered for Steve to clean this up for me.

 

[yoothgeye]

Re: Schwinn Klunker 5 (plus a Hollywood)

I was searching for some information and found this thread on another forum: http://www.schwinnbikeforum.com/index.php?topic=12494.0

Is this bike really rare?

What am I dealing with?

I was thinking about replacing brake lines and cleaning it up some to ride it. Is it sellable?

 

[Green Dragon]

Re: Schwinn Klunker 5 (plus a Hollywood)

Great score - sounds like good bike karma, you give the guy a ride, and you score some great bikes

 

[user 135]

I would say it is rare. Only sold briefly under the Klunker name.

http://mombat.org/MOMBAT/Bikes/1979_Sch ... fire5.html

 

[yoothgeye]

I would say it is rare. Only sold briefly under the Klunker name.

http://mombat.org/MOMBAT/Bikes/1979_Sch ... fire5.html

That's kind of what I read on the other forum, but they said the Klunker 5 was sold in '78 and once they were pressured to change the name it because the Spitfire 5 and then the Cruiser 5.

 

[kingfish254]

I have a Spitfire 5. They also have beefy spokes too. From what I remember when I researched mine, not absurdly valuable, but maybe $200-$300 in good shape. $500-600 in excellent shape. They also use a Schwinn Positron shifter.

 

[Bicycle808]

I believe this is a bike that is rare, but has yet to become very valuable. I expect that will change 10-20 years from now.

Don't change anything; just clean it, repack it, and wait....

 

[yoothgeye]

Don't change anything; just clean it, repack it, and wait....

This is my plan, but I will just add: ride.

 

[outskirtscustoms]

Here's the Hollywood, missing chain, busted left pedal and the left side of the handlebar is ripped off. :?

Nice, looks almost identical to the '68 Hollywood I fixed up for my fiance for Christmas of 2011.

Before

After

If you part it down I may be interested in the chain guard and seat. :wink:

 

[yoothgeye]

A friend stopped by before dinner and gave me a bag of shifter cables.

 

[Euphman06]

That Klunker is nice! Love the drum break back hub it's running. I believe the Klunker is the same bike as a different model (can't remember which one) they just changed the name to fit the klunker kraze from the 70's and ended changing it back to whatever it used to be. So the name is rare, yes. I'd agree around the $300 mark cleaned up riding. Might be more collectible down the road. Sweet piece though

 

[tanksalot]

What works here is the name on the guard goes with the condition of the bike .. I think its a great find .. PS I'm not knocking your bike I think the cosmetic condition & the name are a great combo..

 

[yoothgeye]

From what I understand it went: Klunker5, Spitfire5, Cruiser5

I put air in the original tubes and tires today and they held up for me to "ride" it, although due to the rusty chain I couldn't pedal. Brake cables are seized, but the positron shifts fine, wow!

 

[danthrift71]

Word around the campfire is that Schwinn had to change the name after a lawsuit from Gary Fisher. Some of the real klunker historians may be able to confirm that story. I agree it will soon increase in value. If I had the money, I would totally be making an offer on that thing. Once you clean it up and ride it, you may never want to sell it. Cool bike for sure. Enjoy.

 

[yoothgeye]

Comments like the one above make me happy.

Maybe I should pose a photo with my Klunker5 laying on the groung and my Gary Fisher parked on top.