Vintage Guru Reveals Her Glamour Secrets
The Killer Mobile Device for Victorian Women
Gloriously Grotesque 19th-Century Pipes
The Beautiful Chaos of Improvisational Quilts
Our Dad, the Water Witch of Wyoming
This 1959 Goggomobil Is Insanely Cute and Gets 55 MPG. Why Can’t Detroit Do That?
California Cool: How the Wetsuit Became the Surfer's Second Skin
The Unfiltered History of Rolling Papers, Plus Tommy Chong's Big Fat Jamaican Vacation
World's Smallest Museum Finds the Wonder in Everyday Objects
Fightin’ Femmes: Unmasking Female Superheroes with Author Mike Madrid
Posted 4 months ago
superdan
(12 items)
1961 Girls 24" Schwinn Flying Star!
Sandblasted and restored - I managed to keep all the original stencilling on the tanks and chain guard. Matched the Spitfire blue and white.
I redid the pinstriping and kept the original 'sales' sticker. I also kept some of the original wear... and recoloured the seat.
I located an era-correct 'Delta' headlight. It needed some major attention but it totally completes the bike. It was white - looked okay - but the blue is the better choice. All works.
Great looking and a smooth ride -
(oh - and the advertisement was actually out of a 'daffy duck' comic.. And no, $44 will not get you this bike..)
BicyclesThe precursor to the modern-day bicycle was the 1817 Draisine, named for it…
AdvertisingFrom colorful Victorian trade cards of the 1870s to the Super Bowl commerci…
Love the advertisement too.
Very nice job!
Michael
Nicely done, the add really completes it.
Beautiful work you've done! I picked up one like this awhile back.
I'd like to make the seat a bit more comfortable, any ideas?
I have not been able to find a serial number on this bike, looked everywhere. It's clearly the 1961 model.
Any advice on getting the light working?
Thanks!
Barbara Long
Thanks - The serial number is on the left side rear fork - you'll have to look with just the right light and angle. Its there..
As for the seat - by today's standards - they can be somewhat uncomfortable... I assume you want to keep the bike original? - I would buy a fitted seat cover that's padded; and to keep a "vintage" look, sew a piece of sheep's skin to the cover.. it will be comfortable and if you want to show the original look - just remove the padded cover.
And the light is likely a Delta Electric light? There were various types available... they are relatively heavy and over time seem to get a bit 'loose'.. Also the switch would break. I guarantee it will work - but it will first need to be removed and cleaned. Start with the basics: new batteries and a new working bulb - I went so far as to sandblast mine to bare metal and straighten it out.. I polished the connections and made a new switch... I have all the pics if it helps. Dan