Squiggle Dog
Finally riding a big boys bike
This is an extremely nice Torrington Swan Deluxe art deco handlebar stem. This type of stem is most commonly found on prewar Rollfasts, Elgins, and Hawthornes. I think they used this style until up to about 1950. This one came off of a restored bicycle that someone was parting out last year. It has been replated. The chrome is nice and bright, but not perfect. There are some pinholes in the chrome that you can't see unless you look very closely. There is a scratch up by the clamp bolt from a socket. This stem is nice enough that it would look good on a restored bike. I bought it for my Hawthorne but then I found a stem that has a more closely matching patina to the condition of the bike. I could also use some extra cash right now.
I speak from experience when I say that these are hard to find in decent condition--they used poor quality chrome from the factory and most of it flaked off, which makes them get extremely rusty and pitted. The casting is pretty nice--on a lot of these stems the engraving isn't very deep or has been polished away.
Asking $100 shipped in 48 states.
I speak from experience when I say that these are hard to find in decent condition--they used poor quality chrome from the factory and most of it flaked off, which makes them get extremely rusty and pitted. The casting is pretty nice--on a lot of these stems the engraving isn't very deep or has been polished away.
Asking $100 shipped in 48 states.
