Lets see your Balloon Tire Bikes

[Mickey D]

Now I know it's not in the same vintage category as some other balloon tire bikes, but this is my custom-made Schwinn Stingray. For those of us (of a certain vintage age) that remember, the original Stingrays were rather small 20 inch bikes. I decided to make an adult-sized Stingray. For the restoration, I took an old rusted 24 inch cruiser frame, had it sandblasted and powder coated in candy apple red. Next, I found as many original/repro Schwinn parts as possible (like the banana seat) and began the assembly. I located some 18 inch apehanger handlebars (larger than the original bars) in order to get the appropriate size proportions. Finally, I hand cut the chrome fenders and put on the finishing touches.

It's quite the smooth ride and always attracts attention!!

I remember these Schwinns back in the '60s.

 

[Big_e]

Not a balloon tire bike but this is my Columbia Tourist. It's hard for me to find the date model for her, maybe a late 60's Columbia though the Lark derailleur may be a 70's model? She's heavy and I ride her to work once in awhile and used to chain her to the iron fence the surrounds our parking lot. One day a co-worker ran in to tell me she saw a car back up into it! I ran out to check but found the the handlebars were just slightly bent. The fence that it was pressed up against recieved more damage. I park her inside in the storage room nowadays.
Ernest

I love the chrome fenders! They almost have that Indian look.

 

[JD Boswell]

Finally have my WW2 Columbia Army Bicycle! For Christmas I just got a 1943 Columbia model G-519 Bicycle in very solid and restorable shape! I'll be restoring it this Spring and hopefully have it ready for the Reading Airshow in June. I'll post the pics as I restore it.

Hey Kilroy, you going to Fort Indiantown Gap this January? If so track me down in the venders area. Just look for all the Pinups selling our charity calendar.

 

[KilroyCD]

I'm looking forward to seeing the bike when you have it finished. I presently plan to be at FIG for the public day. I usually help with crowd control during the public battles.

 

[JD Boswell]

I'm looking forward to seeing the bike when you have it finished. I presently plan to be at FIG for the public day. I usually help with crowd control during the public battles.

Depending on the weather, I may bring my Compax Paratrooper and throw it into the bustle basket of my jeep. My plan is to have my Columbia restored by Reading. Once the battle is over stop by I'd love to meet ya and talk bikes!

 

[MCPRE]

Nice Vintage Columbia Mfg video

http://www.choppernewsnetwork.com/cnn-tv/vintage-classic-bicycle-movies-and-adds

 

[Panache]

Another non balloon tire bicycle.

Here's my 1971 un-restored Schwinn Twinn. It was a gift from my folks a few years back for me and my wife. They purchased it for $95 at a garage sale. I added the baskets which are both very practical and give it a more vintage feel. It is a comfortable bike and my wife and I get smiles from people as we ride by (a toot from the "arrugah" horn helps )

​

So does 1971 count as "vintage" for a bicycle?

Cheers

Jamie

 

[KilroyCD]

So does 1971 count as "vintage" for a bicycle?

Cheers

Jamie

Very nice bike, and yes, 1971 would make it vintage (tho' I prefer to call it "classic").

 

[MCPRE]

Nice neighborhood.

 

[CliffG]

That tandem sure looks fun!

 

[Panache]

That tandem sure looks fun!

You should see the lovely lady that rides with me

Cheers

Jamie

 

[CliffG]

You should see the lovely lady that rides with me

Cheers

Jamie

Nothing more fun than riding your favorite bicycle with your favorite lovely lady.

 

[MCPRE]

We bought my wife a nice new Trek Comfort bike, the place has since gone under, never got my free tune ups, shes rode with me 3 times - in 3 YEARS!

 

[BigSleep]

Here is my wife's Western Flyer we have been working on. We've cleaned it up and got it on the road. Not going to repaint or chrome anything. We like a little patina on it. Now we just need to find some fenders for it and maybe a new rack for the back because it is missing the part in the middle.

 

[MCPRE]

I like it, agree, it looks good as it is. I almost got a boys 20" Shelby for my nephew but I waited too long. It was in similar shape, I would like to have one for me just because I think they are neat. Im hoping to "Pick" a 40-50's tanker that I can restore myself but they are hard to come by for the right price.

 

[Marla]

My early 1960s Schwinn Radar Flite with most of its original patina intact. It's in great condition and needed only minimal servicing. I got it at a yard sale for $35.

I'd like to know more about it, as well as be able to date it definitively, but I haven't been able to find any information about the model online or in books.

 

[KilroyCD]

That's a nice looking bike. But I do have a question. Does your bike actually have a Schwinn head badge? If so, I find that interesting as the Radar Flight was a Murray model from the mid 1960s. By looking at the bike I could tell right away that is was built by Murray. The frame design, though similar to many has some subtle design elements that show it is a Murray. The rear drop outs (where the rear axle mounts) have the long rearward-pointing "ear". Only Murray used that style of drop out, plus the chain ring (front sprocket) is classic Murray. You will find the same chain ring on some other makes (JC Higgins and Western Flyer to name two), but those were also manufactured by Murray.
I'm not aware of Murray building any bikes for Schwinn, so if it has a Schwinn headbadge I think that a previous owner may have fitted the badge to the bike.

 

[Marla]

Brilliant insight, Kilroy! I would have never suspected it. The headbadge is original, labeled only "Radar Flite". I took it for a Schwinn because of the all-too-recognizable seat. If it's a Murray, then the seat has been replaced, though I don't understand the logic of putting a more valuable Schwinn seat on a run-of-the-mill Murray!

 

[KilroyCD]

It's quite possible the original seat could have been replaced with the Schwinn seat because of damage, or perhaps the owner wanted the seat to match the colors of the bike. The original Murray seat may have been a solid color, perhaps all white.

 

[David Conwill]

I’d like to solicit a recommendation from the balloonists for a decent-looking, good-quality headlight/taillight setup. Preferably one with a generator.

-Dave