Schwinn American - May 2, 1958

[GTs58]

🤣 I like the Whoopsie what gear am I in hub !! View attachment 1741903‘57 ? Or ‘59 ? tiger as found with checkerboard decal

1959 or later.

 

[WillWork4Parts]

I just tried a Gulco 375 with the bezel that I have in my stash. The bezel is not large enough but I could use just the reflector if you all think that's appropriate.

Keep those suggestions coming, please. Much appreciated!

View attachment 1741863

View attachment 1741868

View attachment 1741874

Yeah, the round middleweight reflectors never had the chrome trim bezel, at least I've not come across one large enough to match those fenders. I think yours is the 6 pie plastic, where a bike that early would have had a 2 pie plastic. Makes for a good hole filler though.

 

[Rivnut]

🤣 I like the Whoopsie what gear am I in hub !! View attachment 1741903‘57 ? Or ‘59 ? tiger as found with checkerboard decal

This chain guard style was new in 1959.

 

[GTs58]

Here is an original 1955 + reflector and the details.

Dimensions: 1 3/4" in diameter. Total thickness is a mere 1/4".
Rear top is marked: Charles Gulotta Co. Glendale NY.
Rear bottom is marked: LONG RANGE NO 375
Lens top: Stimsonite with AGA centered just underneath
Lens bottom: NO.10

 

[chopperMil]

Just sharing the progress so far. Thanks again for all of the tips and suggestions. You are an amazing group and your help is much appreciated. I switched the hand brake and shifter as suggested, got the shifter cleaned up and to work, sort of. That's definitely still a work in progress. Replaced front tire with a Schwinn Westwind from my stash and added the rear reflector, again from my stash, cleaned up the handgrips and did a little bit of other general cleaning. Still a ways to go, but even now the bike rides nice.

 

[Thee]

1959 or later.

Why does the ‘59 tiger have the funky cable & pulley system as opposed to the ‘58 American having the fully encased shifter cable? They look to be basically the same bicycle?

 

[GTs58]

Why does the ‘59 tiger have the funky cable & pulley system as opposed to the ‘58 American having the fully encased shifter cable? They look to be basically the same bicycle?

Bendix manual vs sturmey 3 speed?

 

[Thee]

Bendix manual vs sturmey 3 speed?

Ok ok yes is the bendix manual a coaster? Please Excuse my ignorance

 

[GTs58]

Ok ok yes is the bendix manual a coaster? Please Excuse my ignorance

Yup.

 

[Thee]

Yup.

I want one 😊