Just acquired 1949 B6 - Suggestions/Thoughts would be appreciated

I just acquired a 1949 Schwinn B6. This is my first vintage bike. I bought this one because it looked like the 1949 Schwinn B6 bike that I purchased new in 1949 when I was 12 years old.

It came from California and it rides just like a new 1949 Schwinn bike. It is fast and very smooth.

It appears to be original except for some amateur paint work in various places:
1. Front part and lower back part of front fender
2. Forks
3. Lower back part of rear fender
4. Chain Guard
5. Front fender light cover

It has a Persons seat that appears to be original and in pretty good shape. The pedals appear to be SCHWINN originals. It may even have its original TYPHOON tires, on original S-2 rims.

The biggest question mark is what should I do about the rear rack.

The bike had its original maroon rack up until a few months ago.

For some reason, the person I bought the bike from had the original maroon rack, u-brace, struts, and brackets chromed, a very nice first class chrome job.

Here are some pictures:

1. Picture of bike with its original maroon rack.
2. Picture of bike with the chromed rack.
3. Picture of bike with no rack
4. Miscellaneous pictures

I would appreciate suggestions/thoughts as to what I should do about the rack.

Also, should I replace the tires (I will only be riding this bike for short distances, maybe a mile or so at a time, in my neighborhood.

Any other thought or comments about the overall quality of the bike.

Thanks--

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Great looking bike. Solid score.

Kind of a bummer about the rear rack, but at the same time, it's nice looking chrome. I'd be inclined to leave it for now and see how you feel about it in a few months. You could always put out feelers for a replacement rack with the same color of original paint. If you found just the right rack it would look original.

Cheers, Geoff

A beauty
I like the look of the bike w/o rack. I'd put new tires (probably black Fat Franks) on and store the originals.

Here's what I would do, use the rack as trade bait for a nice maroon one, all the re-painted areas, just distress them a bit to match the rest of the bike. Buy a second set of wheels/tires and enjoy riding the old gal.

Beautiful bike...... I would be patient and look for a matching color rack with the right patina..... I think the original seat would have been tan with the behive springs. To have a bike just like one you bought 65 years ago is special.

Great bike. I like Bri's idea to use the chrome rack as trade bait for original maroon. Nice chrome job. Just out of place on that bike. I think the seat would have originally been a Mesinger rather than persons. I would put a set of Royal Chain tread whitewall repop tires on it and ride away. Looks good!

nice bike,i would be a player for that killer chrome rack when u find a gennie,thanks AJ

Thanks--

greenephantom said:

Great looking bike. Solid score.

Kind of a bummer about the rear rack, but at the same time, it's nice looking chrome. I'd be inclined to leave it for now and see how you feel about it in a few months. You could always put out feelers for a replacement rack with the same color of original paint. If you found just the right rack it would look original.

Cheers, Geoff

Click to expand...

I've been looking high and low for a maroon six-hole rack. Hopefully one will turn up.

rustjunkie said:

A beauty
I like the look of the bike w/o rack. I'd put new tires (probably black Fat Franks) on and store the originals.

Click to expand...

Thanks, I will take a look at some "Fat Franks" black walls.

bricycle said:

Here's what I would do, use the rack as trade bait for a nice maroon one, all the re-painted areas, just distress them a bit to match the rest of the bike. Buy a second set of wheels/tires and enjoy riding the old gal.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the suggestion. I've been looking high and low for a maroon rack. I would really like to find a maroon rack and see what it looks like before parting with the chrome rack. But, if I could find a maroon rack that looked good, I'm sure I would end up selling the chromed rack.