Is it a real Schwinn Cruiser Deluxe 100th Anniversary bike?

[Oilit]

Arc & Spark did all the frame fabrication, with the exception of the tube bending which was outsourced. I have not heard of Aerocycle Enterprises, but it is likely a cover name for the project which was run by very knowledgeable people under contract to Schwinn. The person selling the frames was also a very experienced frame builder that was fully capable of brazing up prototypes (so possibly these were not built by Arc & Spark). I know there were a lot of reject tubes that were not bent properly in the early stages.

The one frame I have is painted (on a Cruiser Deluxe 7) but there's no marks at the joins, they're all very smooth. I guessed they brazed them to make it easier to clean up. Most welded joints are very noticeable even under paint unless you go over them with a disc sander, which would be a job on 5,000 frames. And brazing is often done with a torch, but I have seen brazing rods for arc welders. Could Arc & Spark have brazed them?

 

[curtis odom]

The one frame I have is painted (on a Cruiser Deluxe 7) but there's no marks at the joins, they're all very smooth. I guessed they brazed them to make it easier to clean up. Most welded joints are very noticeable even under paint unless you go over them with a disc sander, which would be a job on 5,000 frames. And brazing is often done with a torch, but I have seen brazing rods for arc welders. Could Arc & Spark have brazed them?

The investment cast bottom bracket shell and head tube were designed with internal lugs to be brass brazed. Note on the bottom bracket shell, the chainstay lugs has fake Electro-Forged rings (the one spot difficult to grind them off). The dropouts are TIG welded and the rest of the bits are brazed on.

 

[Oilit]

The investment cast bottom bracket shell and head tube were designed with internal lugs to be brass brazed. Note on the bottom bracket shell, the chainstay lugs has fake Electro-Forged rings (the one spot difficult to grind them off). The dropouts are TIG welded and the rest of the bits are brazed on.

That makes sense. So the person selling the frames may have built some of the early ones, but Arc and Spark built the majority. Was this in Ontario? I've heard that name in connection with Aerocycle Enterprises, but there's a lot of smaller cities in the L.A. area.

 

[Schwinny]

Why?



Why in the world would anyone post what they paid for a bike and what they sold it for? Is there any benefit to the seller to tell us? Is there any purpose for us to know what you did?

Then you say its a SHAME of what SCHWINN has become?
You just told us you made a LOT of money off of a deal.
Go on share your thoughts of your post..... Please.

Why not?
I personally like to hear what things are worth, but not because Im a money grubber, just so its tucked away for later and I can quietly decide merits as they arise on my own.
I've heard enough himming and hawing over the years, I won't be buying any "Schwinn" made after 1983, 78' except for cruisers and spitfires. But just look in this thread, even the repros have a following and nearly every nut and screw is documented. Thats cool, that's hobby stuff at the top.

Yes, for me, I also feel it is a shame of what the Schwinn name has become, of that there is no doubt. It has nothing to do with original Schwinn or America anymore other than to sell re-branded, low quality replaceables within our own American corporate framework. Using a time honored name to push plastic and bolster class division throughout the world.
Personally, in my hobby, I don't count somethings worth by how much money I can make off it. Its nice to glean a profit, but it is rare and slim and only for the long timers. You have to hustle if you are going to make money off bikes. The occasional nice profit just evens out all the time spent on bikes that brought a lot less. Thats a poor business plan.
Expecting to make money off a Chinese Schwinn is not a business plan or even a hobby "investment."
It occasionally happens, but more people are disappointed than not.
Yet keep in mind, Im an old fuddy duddy, and as older people often do, tend to stick with the goods of their past. My goods just happen to be of and original and much higher quality version.

 

[Superman1984]

So Note all the people who have trash talked the 1995+ Schwinns and repop parts; Next time somebody like @Jeff54 Has parts listed for more than $50-75-150 at risk of getting banned I think I'll speak up of throwing shade in their directions. I have seen a handful of the Columbia repops being sold here at starting prices of $350+ shipping. Apparently you paid a lot for 1 to make profit on it or you're lying 1 way or another. I guess it's a lot different when you want 1 but not when you have it huh? Now before anyone gets Offended & or Smelly there's guys here raping the market with repop parts that some despise but turn around profits on when they have them too. Don't be a hypocrite is all I'm saying. I appreciate the repops because some of you think your damned bare bones Schwinn frame is worth $500 when I could buy a whole repop bike for that or even yet something Legit Better than a Schwinn which is jus' a name like anything else and always has been Despite what you're foolish enough to pay for it. Throw ANY bike in a damp or wet basement for 10 yrs and tell me it comes out Mint. I'd Kiss your Honesty.
GTFO here with double standards & being hypocrites

 

[vincev]

I dont think the 100th anniversary was something to celebrate for Schwinn. Slapping cheap Asian bikes together to commemorate a milestone was in poor taste.

 

[phantom]

I dont think the 100th anniversary was something to celebrate for Schwinn. Slapping cheap Asian bikes together to commemorate a milestone was in poor taste.

If you are talking about the Anniversary Cruisers I would agree. The Centennial Phantoms were not cheap Asian bikes and 26 years has proven that.

 

[Superman1984]

If you are talking about the Anniversary Cruisers I would agree. The Centennial Phantoms were not cheap Asian bikes and 26 years has proven that.

I have a 99 or 2000s Cruiser Seven that sits outside in the weather under the overhang of the house & has been through January-December weather in SC but it's No More Rusted then when I bought it. Maybe the seat springs mostly.
It's a girl's bike so I'm Not so much worried about anything but the Nexus 7 hub and misc parts for something else. Despite some S'talking the bike rode like butter effortlessly. If it meant some pie hole stuffing I'd take pics tomorrow

 

[HARPO]

Why?



Why in the world would anyone post what they paid for a bike and what they sold it for? Is there any benefit to the seller to tell us? Is there any purpose for us to know what you did?

Then you say its a SHAME of what SCHWINN has become?
You just told us you made a LOT of money off of a deal.
Go on share your thoughts of your post..... Please.

My thoughts? There's a sucker born every minute. I was when I bought the bike, not knowing until then the lack of quality. Then I saw what they were selling for (and I detailed the heck out of it) and passed it along. The guy had been looking for one in that color and I had it. He paid what I was asking for and that was that. On to the next bike!

 

[Jeff54]

If you are talking about the Anniversary Cruisers I would agree. The Centennial Phantoms were not cheap Asian bikes and 26 years has proven that.

"Centennial Phantoms were not cheap Asian bikes and 26 years has proven that."

I'm afraid that's not exactly the case.
BTW somebody thinks I'm bashing them to reduce resale or parts prices? Mah, HA! HA!. (See 1995 Black Phantom High Graphic photos below.)

I own 4 different verities of Schwinn's 95 too 2001 Cruiser bikes. There's nothing I'd like better then to make a Ka-Jing! off of em. Ka-Jing!

Yet, fact is, and I've said this many times too: When it comes to the frames on the Centennial Phantoms, they're top quality. Unlike the Anniversary Cruisers, the Phantoms frames are special and high quality. As to the paint on an Anniversary, it's OK but leave it out and rust can leach out through it. One of mine, I'd picked up off Craig's list;15 bucks, only B/C original tires are practically mint, the whole bike is hardly used, if at all B/C I think, after a few days, maybe week, it was set aside. Yet everything that can rust, Fork crown, cups and nuts, seat springs, clamp and post; all of its chrome is junk with rust bleeding through the paint. It's still a good running and operable bike, Albeit; near mint rust bucket.. It was inside a dry and dusty Car port yet down here in SW Florida, it must have gotten excessive wind, rain and humidity. The dust from sitting so long probably absorbed moisture and the rest is history.

However, for this 95 Centennial Black Phantom that's even worse; the chrome, screws, attachments, materials, accessories and parts in almost the whole package are not any or much different than the Anniversary models.

Albeit, the tanks on both are a little better although I've seen a whole Anniversary with a tank having major rust holes to the extent it's falling apart. And obviously, a real leather seat can't be matched. The tanks seem to be decent Chrome as they typically get some small pits and don't flake off like the rest.. And Apparently, the light cover on this bike, looks like new of which, I can not attest if brand new or original so, if original then, it's better than everything else.

The evidence? I have a 1997 Cruiser Deluxe made with a 1995 Centennial Black Phantom frame and its metals and chrome are just like this bike:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/185179967763?campid=5335809022

All inside this ebay sale, 95 Centennial Black Phantoms photos. Seller says 1955 but, it's referring to the tires.

From the pealing chrome on handle bar, stem, fenders and brackets, Chain ring and near every other chrome part, it is flaking off and un-restorable: Junk!
Front and rear fenders, chain ring, stem and rear rim are heavily pitted and flaking off. It's about like my Cruiser Deluxe Centennial Phantom framed bike. This will not polish any more than seller has already done. Under my fenders is rust so bad, not worth the bother.
Wow! look at the rack and rear light, mine is still pretty nice. This stem is the worst I've ever seen. On mine, some of the Screws and bolts have striped and broke the very first time they were touched.. The Metals used on accessories and parts are soft that can rust and freeze just sitting around if not carefully stored..

I have hesitated to show the details on my CD B/C others have and would argue that the Black Phantom is better quality verses Deluxe.

Fact is as, this seller's photos prove, it's Not: Click each photos' for higher resolution and see everything I've noted.
It's not bashing simply, Facts verses hype.