1976 Schwinn California Cruiser

[larock65]

I was fortunate enough to pick up another Schwinn California Cruiser the other day. I got it from an older gentleman friend's brother passed away recently; the brother gave it to the guy I got it from to sell for him. The bike sat covered in a garage for 36 years about 15 miles away from me. The bike came wit the home made BMX style bars pictured; fortunatlely for me I have a correct set of bars for it in storage. This is the earlier version with the wingtip chain guard and mag-style sprocket. I am in the process of tearing it down for service and cleaning. The original wheels have quite a bit of surface rust, but I think they can be saved. I threw a set of blue Arayas on there until I have time to clean up the original wheels. I already soaked the cranks and sprocket in Evapo-Rust and they turned out really nice, which gives me hope for the wheels as well.

 

[speedy]

Now that is one unique bicycle because you do not see it on the chain guard, the decal, that says california cruiser, that doesn't get any better than that.

 

[sworley]

Extremely cool! Please keep us posted on the progress!

 

[koolbikes]

Seeing these photos sure tells the story on the condition, that CC will clean up nicely! ... being you have it torn down, could you please photo document all the available dated part numbers, as head badge # 3026 is the earliest documented CC's to appear here on theCabe. Great Find and keep us posted.

 

[Xlobsterman]

I was fortunate enough to pick up another Schwinn California Cruiser the other day. I got it from an older gentleman friend's brother passed away recently; the brother gave it to the guy I got it from to sell for him. The bike sat covered in a garage for 36 years about 15 miles away from me. The bike came wit the home made BMX style bars pictured; fortunatlely for me I have a correct set of bars for it in storage. This is the earlier version with the wingtip chain guard and mag-style sprocket. I am in the process of tearing it down for service and cleaning. The original wheels have quite a bit of surface rust, but I think they can be saved. I threw a set of blue Arayas on there until I have time to clean up the original wheels. I already soaked the cranks and sprocket in Evapo-Rust and they turned out really nice, which gives me hope for the wheels as well.

One thing I find extremely entertaining is that there seems to be so many different variations of the "California Cruiser" for a bike that had a very short production run before the name of the bike was changed to the Spitfire?????????

 

[larock65]

One thing I find extremely entertaining is that there seems to be so many different variations of the "California Cruiser" for a bike that had a very short production run before the name of the bike was changed to the Spitfire?????????

What's there to be entertained about? There are two versions—no more. One version has the wingtip chain guard and mag-style sprocket, and the other has the blade-style chain guard and four-hole sprocket.

Which one do you have? Please share, because I'd love to see these "other versions" you speak about. Everything I see and hear you say is pure speculation just because you worked in a Schwinn shop. Until you have an original California Cruiser for reference, please preach your unfounded speculations and observations elsewhere. I won't litter any of your posts; please stop until you have something concrete to share. Thanks!

 

[Xlobsterman]

What's there to be entertained about? There are two versions—no more. One version has the wingtip chain guard and mag-style sprocket, and the other has the blade-style chain guard and four-hole sprocket.

Which one do you have? Please share, because I'd love to see these "other versions" you speak about. Everything I see and hear you say is pure speculation just because you worked in a Schwinn shop. Until you have an original California Cruiser for reference, please preach your unfounded speculations and observations elsewhere. I won't litter any of your posts; please stop until you have something concrete to share. Thanks!

I do not, and have never owned one! If you look at all the pictures posted on this website in other message threads you will see lots of oddball variations of the bikes that people claim are all original. So don't let me discourage you from enjoying your new to your bike! And please remember to post the serial number and head badge code to solidify your bike in the "CALIFORNIA CRUISER" history books.

 

[Sr505]

E

What's there to be entertained about? There are two versions—no more. One version has the wingtip chain guard and mag-style sprocket, and the other has the blade-style chain guard and four-hole sprocket.

Which one do you have? Please share, because I'd love to see these "other versions" you speak about. Everything I see and hear you say is pure speculation just because you worked in a Schwinn shop. Until you have an original California Cruiser for reference, please preach your unfounded speculations and observations elsewhere. I won't litter any of your posts; please stop until you have something concrete to share. Thanks!

Exactly! Not sure what is meant by so many variations other than the earlier sprocket/wingtip guard with script top bar and later sprocket/spitfire style guard with block letters top bar. Besides that, all should have 76 stamped parts including pedals. Uniroyal tires. Side stamped S2’s, 76 stamped Japanese Chair front hub. 76 stamped lower typhoon/hollywood style cruiser bars. Slim line grips. Head badges are usually stamped a little later than frame. I’ve only seen and owned red, black, and blue. Guys like me and you and a few others here in SoCal search high and low for these and the other odd color cruiser frames. This one here is totally real and to say it’s fake is crazy. Especially not knowing how we roll as far as collecting. I’m not sure which ones he claims to be real since he’s bashed both chainguard styles. I’d sure like to see one.

 

[coasterbrakejunkie1969]

T

E


Exactly! Not sure what is meant by so many variations other than the earlier sprocket/wingtip guard with script top bar and later sprocket/spitfire style guard with block letters top bar. Besides that, all should have 76 stamped parts including pedals. Uniroyal tires. Side stamped S2’s, 76 stamped Japanese Chair front hub. 76 stamped lower typhoon/hollywood style cruiser bars. Slim line grips. Head badges are usually stamped a little later than frame. I’ve only seen and owned red, black, and blue. Guys like me and you and a few others here in SoCal search high and low for these and the other odd color cruiser frames. This one here is totally real and to say it’s fake is crazy. Especially not knowing how we roll as far as collecting. I’m not sure which ones he claims to be real since he’s bashed both chainguard styles. I’d sure like to see one.

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That black bike is bad a$$

 

[coasterbrakejunkie1969]

Not to be diminished that red bike is outstanding