Old Sears 10 speed Free Spirit.

[doubleduty]

I recently purchased a vintage Sears and Roebucks ladies Free Spirit 10 speed. The antique shop where I bought it thought that it was from 1958. I asked them what they based this on and they could not tell me. To get them to come down on the price I convinced them that Sears did not have 10 speed bikes until the late 60's or early 70's. I do not know if I am correct about this. This bike is green it has 26" rims. It has fenders and a rear luggage rack. The original head badge is still on it and in good shape. It reads Sears and Roebucks. The Free Spirit decals are all in fair shape. I cannot find any markings stamped onto the bike frame anywhere. So does anyone know when these bikes were first offered by Sears? Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

[chuckspeed]

I'm no expert, but...

Free Spirit bikes were a 70's thing. Spaceliners were mid 60's, Spyders (Sears version of a Stingray) was late 60's, early 70's; if I recall my Sears Catalog reading from back in the day, the Free Spirits came out around 1971. Green and gold were popular colors.

 

[partsguy]

What fun

I once entered a bicycle demolition derby. My entree was a white Huffy Free Spirit. That bike got me a championship. I'm sure it was a 1975.

 

[chuckspeed]

I once entered a bicycle demolition derby. My entree was a white Huffy Free Spirit. That bike got me a championship. I'm sure it was a 1975.

Yah - the later Free Spirits were red, white and blue - the 74 - 76's

 

[Aeropsycho]

Air Brakes!!!

I had a Free Spirit I got for free it had these strange air bellows type brakes with air lines!!!:eek:

You would squeeze the plastic brake lever and it pressed a air acordion shaped bag the center pull brake had a bag that would expand in the middle kinda cool but fugly!!! 1976 bicentenial model for sure!!!

I would not ride this bike they are kind of unsafe!!!:eek:

I have worked on bike for years....Not worth the PAIN!!!

J...

 

[bgtcars]

Air brakes

I have one of those I think Hydraulic was on downtube or seatpost. Had brake fluid in it and brakes were great. Hard to work on had to have special lines.

 

[JOEL]

Some of the 'higher end' Free Spirits were made in Germany and are actually decent bikes.

 

[tdoorly]

Patriotic Free Spirit bike

I am a Schwinn Varsity collector but recently went to an estate sale and Came across a Sears Free Spirit 10 speed. It is in super nice shape barely used, 24" wheels, and Red , White, & Blue. I think it is a 73 or 74 Ted Williams version. Has a Double top bar, spring seat, and center pull brakes. It was stored in a warehouse and had about 35 years of dirt on it. All it needed was a good cleaning,new brake pads, new tires and a wax polish job. Paid 20.00 for it. I know they aren't worth much but it is a cool 70s bike. Can't wait till the weather gets nice to take it out for a ride or a 4th of July ride around town. Check pics

 

[MrColumbia]

Free Spirits from the 70's were made by a variety of companies. In 1979-1980 when I worked for Columbia we would make from 1500 to 3000 free spirits a day while the contract lasted. Then we would lose the next contract to Murry or some other company by $1 a bike and they would make them. I remember going into the local Sears and three identical model Free Spirits in a row were all made by 3 different manufacturers. Same paint jobs, decals, and accessories but you could tell who made them by the frame and fork.

 

[the tinker]

gone