In response to Harveys response to Johns post:
No Harvey, I did not get a copy of the manual. I would have liked to see it.
My Free Spirit was set up as a fixed gear commuter with racks and panniers, and it got me through five years of daily commuting while I didn't own a car.
I will have to agree with the appearance. Looks like they just plugged the tubes into the unrefined raw lugs and brazed 'em up. And the b.b. shell has a HUGE unfiled MIG weld joint.
As far as original equipment goes, perhaps the grandson of Ted Williams himself, who is also named Ted Williams and a member of this list, will chime in with those details.
Gee, now I'm almost regretting my decision to pass my frame on......
Jay Sexton Sebastopol, Ca
John Strizek wrote (and I snip the parts not having to do with the 531 DB Sears Free Spirit) John was responding to Mr. Sexton's decision to let go of his example of this art: John wrote: Sears Free Spirit. I have one also. Is the same metallic lemony color of the only other one I have seen. I guess it is a club of two, not one. Mine is currently set up as a single with Stronglight 93 for its industrial look, and I had an extra one to use. I would appreciate any information on the original equipment for this Puch contract bike for Sears. I have had mine for about 20 years and don't remember anything about its origins. the other one I saw was frame only. It is all 531 but saved costs with no braze-ons, not even for the rear derailleur. the brazing is not so bad but the finish before paint is mediocre. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Mine died in a head-on crash with a bike-mounted park ranger a few years ago. Like John's it was single (fixed) gear at the end, with a Stronglight 93 crank. A substantial upgrade from the original, which "featured" SR imitations of the Suguino Maxy cranks, and decent Shimano derailleurs. At one point, I had the classic Sears owner's manual, but I can't put my fingers on it. Jay, did I send you a copy?
In any event, I'm not an expert on Austrian work ethic, but my
impression of the workmanship is that these were all the product of
trying to meet Monday morning's quota, or to get out by Friday noon...
really awful fit & finish. But, the generally horrid appearance,
combined with 18" (46 cm) stays, made it a great mule for carrying a
pannier to and from work.
harvey sachs
mcLean va