Rollfast?

[SamG]

This was strung up on a chain link fence outside of a bike shop I just left with for $10. At first glance I thought the badge said Raleigh but it's a Rollfast. Just seeking some info as I never heard of Rollfast. The shop owner thinks it's an early 1960's but not certain. I haven't even taken it off my truck yet to read the serial#, etc....

 

[Brian]

Rollfast bikes are made by the H.P. Snyder Manufacturing Co. which has been making bicycles for well over a hundred years.
The Rollfast brand is very well known among bicycle collectors.
Yes your bike does appear to be from the 60’s

 

[piercer_99]

probably around 62-64.

Here is one that sold on the cabe four years ago.

 

[Brian]

To be more accurate,..Rollfast was their brand that was manufactured up until sometime in the 70’s

 

[SamG]

probably around 62-64.

Here is one that sold on the cabe four years ago.

View attachment 1774104

I cannot locate a serial on either the bottom bracket or dropouts. Although I wasn’t looking very hard in poor lighting!!! I need to investigate a little further but it is looking that era with similar components.

 

[coasterbrakejunkie1969]

I cannot locate a serial on either the bottom bracket or dropouts. Although I wasn’t looking very hard in poor lighting!!! I need to investigate a little further but it is looking that era with similar components.

They are often light stampings on those bikes, keep looking it's there. I'm with the early '60s school of thought on this one.

 

[SamG]

Not the clearest pictures but yesterday I disassembled/reassembled repacking the bearings, cleaned up a bit. I also applied linseed oil and like the results. I swapped out tires with another cruiser, but these are too wide @ 2.125 and slightly rub. They were 26x1,75 that I took off and replacing. This seat is what it came home with and will replace. Rode pretty decent around the block though.

 

[Oilit]

According to this, Snyder closed Excelsior Manufacturing (Michigan City, Indiana) in 1970 and their Little Falls NY plant in 1976, but that's about all I can add.

Major U.S. Bicycle Manufacturers, 1955-80 | General Discussion About Old Bicycles

This is an excerpt from another report by the U.S. International Trade Commission in 1982, titled "The Effectiveness of Escape Clause Relief in Promoting Adjustment to Import Competition" posted on-line by Googlebooks. As you might imagine, I haven't read the whole thing, or even tried, but this...

thecabe.com

 

[Muji]

Hi Sam. Nice job cleaning her up. On the down tube and lower top tube, it appears there are the traditional Rollfast darts in white emanating away from the white head tube. Is that accurate? If so, I’ve never seen one of the later model, certainly cantilever, bikes with that paint scheme. Call out to all gurus: is that paint scheme with their darts on a later model bike unusual? I estimated they ceased the darts earlier. This is what I love about this site. Thanks in advance!

 

[SamG]

According to this, Snyder closed Excelsior Manufacturing (Michigan City, Indiana) in 1970 and their Little Falls NY plant in 1976, but that's about all I can add.

Major U.S. Bicycle Manufacturers, 1955-80 | General Discussion About Old Bicycles

This is an excerpt from another report by the U.S. International Trade Commission in 1982, titled "The Effectiveness of Escape Clause Relief in Promoting Adjustment to Import Competition" posted on-line by Googlebooks. As you might imagine, I haven't read the whole thing, or even tried, but this...

thecabe.com

Thanks and I’m liking this info. I’m from that neck of the woods (upstate NY) and this is some nice history to know about this bike!!! I will certain research!!! Awesome!!!