Steve- I agree with your take. It looks more like a 70s Schwinn Varsity frame. also check out the headbadge area. It looks like this particular headbadge was not the original but rather there are 2 other holes where the mounting pins from the larger ovalized Varsity Schwinn headbadge goes. Just my take, and while I like Schwinns a lot, I don't think this is the Real McCoy. cheers- Dave Anderson Cut Bank MT
In a message dated 2/18/2004 3:34:37 PM PST, steve@sburl.com writes: What a long story this guy has attatched to this Schwinn. Frankly, I don't believe any of it. The guy claims the bike is from the '40s, but it looks like a Schwinn flash-welded frame with a mish-mash of old parts to me. I really like the coaster brake in the front. Actually, that part makes sense. You could ride with the coaster, or swap it with the rear wheel for a fixed gear. The best of both worlds, for the flats or the hills!
I don't think Schwinn was set up with the gas-pipe welding technology used in this frame in the '40s, and how did that color paint get on it, unless it was sent back to the factory or repainted at some point? When were the flat forks introduced? I thought it was in the '60s.
Maybe one of you Schwinn experts can sort this out. I think Dad got a bit confused, or someone in the shop 30 years ago pulled a swap without mentioning it to the boss.
Steve Barner, Bolton, Vermont, where it's almost riding season for the hard-cores.