the tinker
Cruisin' on my Bluebird
Here's Sonia's Schwinn the day she gave it to me.
Took it apart, every nut and bolt apart, except the spokes. Soaked the frame, fenders chain guard and rims in oxalic acid . Trued the wheels, re-covered the saddle in black leather, and rolled the fenders. Added the correct front fender light and did some touch-up on the paint. Sonia was born in 1938. Her mother bought the bike for her when she was 11 years old. The bike dates from November 4, 1949. A one owner bike. The mother rode it too. They had another bike in their garage, [They said it was an old 40's Schwinn] that they gave away a couple years ago to a neighbor. Her husband said he will be having lunch with the guy soon. He'll see if he wants to sell it to me. He said it has a tank, light, rack and two vertical, motorcycle-like springs on the front fork. . . Sounds like a Monark to me. I'll keep you posted.
Brought the bike back to show it to her today. Boy was she happy! She wanted to know if I was going to sell it? Didn't have the heart to tell her I'm parting it out, and tossing the frame on the curb. . . No, I won't do that, but in years past I have parted out girl's Schwinns the same as this one and in better shape. This one I am keeping for my wife.
Here's Sonia on her old bike, taken this morning. Very nice lady.
Took it apart, every nut and bolt apart, except the spokes. Soaked the frame, fenders chain guard and rims in oxalic acid . Trued the wheels, re-covered the saddle in black leather, and rolled the fenders. Added the correct front fender light and did some touch-up on the paint. Sonia was born in 1938. Her mother bought the bike for her when she was 11 years old. The bike dates from November 4, 1949. A one owner bike. The mother rode it too. They had another bike in their garage, [They said it was an old 40's Schwinn] that they gave away a couple years ago to a neighbor. Her husband said he will be having lunch with the guy soon. He'll see if he wants to sell it to me. He said it has a tank, light, rack and two vertical, motorcycle-like springs on the front fork. . . Sounds like a Monark to me. I'll keep you posted.
Brought the bike back to show it to her today. Boy was she happy! She wanted to know if I was going to sell it? Didn't have the heart to tell her I'm parting it out, and tossing the frame on the curb. . . No, I won't do that, but in years past I have parted out girl's Schwinns the same as this one and in better shape. This one I am keeping for my wife.
Here's Sonia on her old bike, taken this morning. Very nice lady.