Who made this Bonita Bike?

[fat tire trader]

Hello,
I have this Pacific Hardware Bonita. I can't easily find a serial number on it.
It came to with with the mix of parts that are on it. Looks like Schwinn cranks with a Colson sprocket. I put the seat on it.
Thanks,
Chris

 

[fat tire trader]

Seat Stay Bridge

 

[fat tire trader]

Bottom bracket and chainstay bridge

 

[fat tire trader]

Rear Drop Out, block chain

 

[fat tire trader]

Seat post cluster

 

[fat tire trader]

Fork crown and headset

 

[Archie Sturmer]

#1,000. Diamond frames are tough, as are juveniles/youths' bikes.
I believe that Colson did not have a 22-tooth sweet heart chain ring; look at where the drive pin lands, count the 5 tear drops; (thinking maybe a Miami Ohio bike). Maybe a bike that was baked pre-war?

I remember seeing that chain ring sprocket before.

"In 1918, Baker & Hamilton merged with Pacific Hardware & Steel Company to create Baker, Hamilton & Pacific Company".

 

[gkeep]

Oooo, nice piece of Bay Area biking history. What size are the wheels, 20 inch? Could have been supplied to them through the Merry Company, Bean Sons, etc.

 

[fat tire trader]

#1,000. Diamond frames are tough, as are juveniles/youths' bikes.
I believe that Colson did not have a 22-tooth sweet heart chain ring; look at where the drive pin lands, count the 5 tear drops; (thinking maybe a Miami Ohio bike). Maybe a bike that was baked pre-war?
View attachment 1122473
I remember seeing that chain ring sprocket before.
View attachment 1122486
"In 1918, Baker & Hamilton merged with Pacific Hardware & Steel Company to create Baker, Hamilton & Pacific Company".

Thanks Archie, based on the bridges, I was thinking it might be Miami built. Perhaps the front sprocket is Miami and is original. That merger date helps date the bike to before 1918, probably before WW1. So perhaps the front wheel is original, which makes sense, the front hub looks correct, while the rear hub looks newer.

 

[fat tire trader]

Oooo, nice piece of Bay Area biking history. What size are the wheels, 20 inch? Could have been supplied to them through the Merry Company, Bean Sons, etc.

Hi Gary,
Yes there is a good chance that Bean or Merry supplied the bikes to Pacific Hardware. It has 24" wheels.
Thanks,
Chris