Just in case anyone's wondering about my username...

[Spitshineschwinn]

I also collect vintage Schwinn bicycles. At one time I had a total of 25 Schwinns, I'm down to a more managable 10 now. These days I limit myself to the full size (26") bikes that I can ride. When I first purchased my 59 Fleetside it was so unreliable that I kept a locked up Schwinn in the bed of the truck. I haven't had to do that for quite awhile. Here is a pic of the pride of my fleet - 1950 Schwinn B-6. It's not 100% original, but very close, and it was a basket case when I bought it. I also collect 1/64th scale die cast vehicles, that collection numbers approximately 400 and includes about 50 classic trucks. How about you guys, what other hobbies or collections do you have?

[chevyrestoguy]

I love vintage Schwinn bikes. Restoring the old ones is one of those things I have always wanted to do, but haven't done yet. The first 2-wheeler I ever rode was my Mom's fully-loaded 1955 Schwinn. That bike was a tank, but it rode as smooth as glass. My first bike was a Stingray Jr.

I'll keep you in mind for guidance if I ever decide to get an old one to restore. I have always liked the "straight bar" frames. I think that they are from the '40s?

[Russell Ashley]

I love those old Schwinns. A green and white one similar to your pic, but not as fancy, was my transportation before I got my first car. I still have a green and white Schwinn Midget Sting Ray that I bought my son over thirty years ago. Now his son rides it sometime when he's at my house.

I wish you hadn't shown that pic. Now I want one, and the last thing I need now is another toy if I ever expect to get my truck finished, LOL.

[meter swinger]

Those old springer bikes are so cool. I bet american pickers would like to pay you a visit with those bikes you have
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[OrrieG]

I had a 1955 (around that time) Red Schwinn 24" Speedster. Not fancy, no springer, single speed, coaster brake, but I learned to ride on it (old man was not a fan of miniture bikes or training wheels), and used it well into mid 60's as tranportation and on paper routes. I reversed the handle bars until I got the paper route then found it was easier to control with the big paper box on the front with the upright. Could load it up with 65 folded papers and throw on the fly from the sidewalk onto the porches. Sundays were a pain, had to do the route in two trips because of the ads. I keep hoping to find it in my Dad's stuff so I could restore it too.

[Spitshineschwinn]

All of those old 24" cantilever framed bikes are very hot collectables - they add a banana seat and ape bars to create a Stingray for adults. I have 2 Speedsters in my collection, but they are the English Racer type frames that the Speedster morphed into. Still very nice bikes. The attached pic is the Schwinn that started it all for me. It's a 1956 Schwinn 3 speed Traveler that I purchased at the Fort Dix thrift store when I returned from Vietnam. My wife calls it "Pheonix" because it has risen from the ashes more than once. It was even run over by my son-in-law's F-150. These are a very affordable entry bikes into Schwinn collecting, they generally sell for $100. or less on Ebay and are great riding bikes, especially the 3 speed models. I know old bikes bring back many fond memories for most of us. I never owned a Schwinn as a boy, my Mom always said she could buy 3 bikes for what one Schwinn sold for. Enough of my hobby - what do you guys enjoy when you're not tinkering with old Detroit iron?

[Spitshineschwinn]

I just figured out what "moved to alternative tinkerings" meant, didn't mean to step out of line. I'll try to post in proper category in the future. Newbie mistake!

[Sillyoldman]

Moved to Alternate Tinkerings.

[Zumo]

Sweet bikes. Check this thread for more cool bikes:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=492715