California cruiser

[koolbikes]

More Schwinn California Cruiser examples ... It is amazing that all these have the lettering mounted exactly in the same spot on the chainguard.

 

[Xlobsterman]

More Schwinn California Cruiser examples ... It is amazing that all these have the lettering mounted exactly in the same spot on the chainguard.

View attachment 1988199

View attachment 1988201

View attachment 1988202

View attachment 1988231

What is even more amazing is that the first pic you posted is a 5 speed, with a Cruiser frame proving that there are probably more fakes out there than authentic bikes! And the red single speed has a very faded decal, but a nice bright screen on the chain guard!!!!! LOL

 

[mrg]

5 speed Positron and frame brake bridge really don't seen right for 76!, even the Klunker/Spitfire 5 used a standard bridge frame with the drum brake setup, really like to see the frame #'s on this pair!, California Cruiser 5?, things really don't add up there. Years ago when the first CC resurfaced all were the earlier style, winged guard/mag sprocket, kinda funny years later the newer style started showing up?

 

[Xlobsterman]

5 speed Positron and frame brake bridge really don't seen right for 76!, even the Klunker/Spitfire 5 used a standard bridge frame with the drum brake setup, really like to see the frame #'s on this pair!, California Cruiser 5?. Years ago when the first CC resurfaced all were the earlier style, winged guard/mag sprocket, kinda funny years later the newer style started showing up?

View attachment 1988274

YEP, it is not correct since they never made a CC 5 speed…..! And that is clearly a Cruiser 5 frame!

 

[WillWork4Parts]

Brakes: Bendix coaster brakes

This would be Bendix 76 correct?

Just came across this again and I feel like it belongs here.

NEW new, in September 76? ...as the result of a new CPSC requirement. I was hoping to find a Bendix catalog to show how early the Model 76 was introduced, but I don't have that. If it was like the model 70, it was released early in 75, well enough before the California Cruiser.

They(CPSC) even went after axle lengths on bikes, I guess because the BMX kids were getting gouged when the bike caught up to them in the crash, or vice versa. Interesting to note that if you ever find washers "inside the fork" during this era, that's cause CPSC and Schwinn said so.

The 20" models shared both the dart guard and the slant guard this late, but on different models.

I sure don't see a single person offering up a nut and bolt breakdown of one of these bikes, but note, a new date coded part started with these model 76 brake arms, first digit being the year. At the very least, this date can't be later than the head badge for a "correct" bike.

 

[Rusty Klunker]

5 speed Positron and frame brake bridge really don't seen right for 76!, even the Klunker/Spitfire 5 used a standard bridge frame with the drum brake setup, really like to see the frame #'s on this pair!, California Cruiser 5?, things really don't add up there. Years ago when the first CC resurfaced all were the earlier style, winged guard/mag sprocket, kinda funny years later the newer style started showing up?

View attachment 1988274

There were posts before about some odd HDs around 73 that had a brake bridge but I don't think any middleweights were offered gears/hand brake that year. Heres a 77 single speed with a brake bridge when other middleweights without gears had a fender brace. Odd.

 

[Oilit]

More Schwinn California Cruiser examples ... It is amazing that all these have the lettering mounted exactly in the same spot on the chainguard.

View attachment 1988199

View attachment 1988201

View attachment 1988202

View attachment 1988231

You're right, on all those new-style chainguards the lettering looks exactly the same, but it's also right that they could not have come on a 5 speed as original equipment. It could be that Schwinn produced a bunch of chain guards for '77 before they realized they had to change the name, but you would think they would just re-do the decals. I'm guessing somebody could easily buy a couple dozen of these guards and change the decals (or screen printing), but if they're all coming from the same source, then somebody should know who that is. How many of these guards are out there?

 

[Xlobsterman]

You're right, on all those new-style chainguards the lettering looks exactly the same, but it's also right that they could not have come on a 5 speed as original equipment. It could be that Schwinn produced a bunch of chain guards for '77 before they realized they had to change the name, but you would think they would just re-do the decals. I'm guessing somebody could easily buy a couple dozen of these guards and change the decals (or screen printing), but if they're all coming from the same source, then somebody should know who that is.

How many of these guards are out there?

Since everyone loves to express their thoughts, opinions, and/or theories on topics like this, I would speculate to say there are more fakes out there than actual authentic "California Cruisers"

 

[Xlobsterman]

I just found this pic on Facebook..........

 

[Rusty Klunker]

Since everyone loves to express their thoughts, opinions, and/or theories on topics like this, I would speculate to say there are more fakes out there than actual authentic "California Cruisers"

What were dealers supposed to do with the old chain guards? Send them in as cores or just throw them out?