First Middleweight Ride of"21"

[Centurion]

Took the 62 American out for a few miles today, snow is starting to melt, still a little chilly. This bike is a great vintage rider, the 2 speed is more than sufficient to get me up hills and some pretty good flat speeds. Gotta get my hub figured out, if I put too much power on in high gear, it slips and locks into high, if I loosen the chain it works fine again? The old school Wald bars make it really comfortable, and the wider tires soak up these Michigan bumps. If it was warmer I would have been gone all day on it. Gotta love it, no cables, derailleurs simplicity.

 

[coasterbrakejunkie1969]

Yes seems spring is going to break on time this year for a bunch of us. I live in upstate NY so were not out of the woods with occasional snow until after St.Patrick's day. I have seen it snow in May. Really nice bike, love the 2 speeds are those original fenders? Were they rolled smooth? Good luck

 

[Centurion]

Fenders look original compared to my other 64 American, nice thick 60's sheet metal, chrome has some patina on the front but they're in nice shape, and do a good job keeping me clean through puddles. The horn works great, need a fender light and rear reflector. I rode this to work one day and parked it inside, it got a lot of attention

 

[Tim s]

Very nice America, love the whitewalls. Tim

 

[Centurion]

Very nice America, love the whitewalls. Tim

Thanks,

This is my "rider" vintage bike, someone did a mild resto on it, has the Kenda 26 X 2 X 1 3/4 tires, they ride nice over bumps and have decent speed, on a flat at my age I can sustain 17-20 MPH pace for a few miles, which is impressive for this relic. I have a set of 26 X 1 X 1 3/4 I may try, which will probably be faster but a little rougher ride ( I suspect these may be the factory size?). I definitely like the 2 speed, I'm getting better at managing it and it's becoming second nature shifting. Did 5 miles on it after work, these will get your legs in shape for sure.

 

[coasterbrakejunkie1969]

26 X 1 X 1 3/4

Will they fit on a S-7 wheel? Are they vintage ?Would love to see a pic.

 

[Rivnut]

@Centurion Is your bike an American or a Deluxe America. Reason for asking is the chrome fenders. What kind of light does it take?
Thanks, Ed

 

[GTs58]

I think he is referring to the 26 x 1-3/4 tire. The skinnier Kenda version was a replacement and years ago they even had the Schwinn name on them. The Kenda 26 x 2 x 1-3/4 is pretty much identical in size with the Schwinn Westwinds. Here's a shot of the two Kenda tires and the new Fat F&R brick tread.

 

[Centurion]

Thanks