You said nothing offensive juanitasmith13, at least to me, your comments are appreciated, and your analysis on the pedals makes perfect sense. It's quite possible the shop updated the pedals as the bike was unsold stock and if they sold it they wanted to be in compliance... or maybe the shop owner simply liked the reflector pedals and put them on there. Same with the rack, it was his product to sell and set up as he pleased. We'll never know
why the bike has those pedals or rack or two-speed chain set up, we only know that it came from an authorized Schwinn dealer that way.
GTs58; a Bendix two-speed kick back is similar, but is
not automatic as this two-chain set up appears to be; the Bendix requires you to manually kick the crank backwards in order to change gears. As I understood the owner, this bike changes from high to low gear
automatically without the rider having to do anything, except pedal as you normally would, and downshifts back to high gear when you brake/stop. That's like comparing how wristwatches were manually wound when the idea for self-winding watches appeared... before the self-winding or "automatic" wrist watch came out, the user had to manually wind his watch everyday. Before this automatic shifting two-speed, you had to
manually kick back the Bendix. Big difference.
i.d. like to know where this going,.....no way schwinn made this bike with those chain rings, rack, or pedals. 0% chance. It certainly makes it less valuable than a original, its not for sale to the OP or anyone else...whats the point here? Im more than curious.
If you were paying attention you'd see there have been no claims whatsoever that Schwinn made those chain rings or set up... in fact just the opposite. Both the owner and I are certain it's an aftermarket accessory. The whole reason for this post is to share this oddity with the CABE community and see if anyone has any insight on it because we have no clue. I will get over there soon and gather more information, but presented the info I had in hopes someone might recognize this unusual set up. The point here, CrazyDave, is quite simple - to share something interesting and unique with other vintage bike enthusiasts, and gain their insight in hopes of understanding it better. By sharing unique things and information, now you know it exists, and maybe you will find one yourself someday.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I have tried to make my opinion clear here that to me, since this bike came from an authorized Schwinn dealer with what many seem to be saying are "incorrect" rack, pedals and damaged/altered head badge (and this very unusual two-chain gear set up) that those variations make this bike unique and more valuable rather than less. It's contrary to say these features make the bike less valuable and appealing, yet say you'd love to know where it is so you can buy it.
I'm strictly presenting facts I have gathered here to share and enlighten, and possibly gain insight.
Even with the owner's claim of a true two speed automatic shift, I don't believe it.
You are welcome to reject facts, that's your right, but it doesn't advance the conversation, it only stops it in its tracks.
