Here is a nice example of a 1969 Schwinn Sting-Ray in campus green. This one has the 2-speed automatic kick back rear hub. Other features are the chrome fendors, front brake, and white glitter sparkle banana seat. This kid’s bike has 20” wheels. The hub is a Bendix yellow band. These sound pretty neat, thoughContinue reading “1969 Schwinn Sting-Ray 2-Speed Campus Green”
Category Archives: Vintage Bicycles
Vintage Sanwa Bicycles History and Facts
Sanwa is a bicycle brand that was owned by Wisconsin Cycle Supply starting in 1977. From what I have seen these were all road bikes imported from Japan. Wisconsin Cycle was a distributor from Sheboygan, Wisconsin that distributed bikes, another brand they used was Timberlin. Riteway would buy Wisconsin Cycle Supply in the 80s andContinue reading “Vintage Sanwa Bicycles History and Facts”
1971 Schwinn Sting-Ray Campus Green
Classic Schwinn Sting-Ray in campus green color. This is the bike every kid wanted during the time period. Short wheelbase for fast turns. This is the coaster brake version; it also came in 3 and 5 speed. MAG sprocket, chrome fenders, and Schwinn tubular rims. A cool vintage kid’s bike. Originally retailed for $59.95
Schwinn Bicycle Company History and Facts
Schwinn is probably the best-known vintage USA bicycle company. It was founded in 1895 by German-born Ignaz Schwinn in Chicago. They declared bankruptcy in 1992 and are now owned by Pon Holdings. They are mostly a big box store brand now. Early history In 1895 Schwinn and Adolf Arnold founded Arnold, Schwinn & Company. TheirContinue reading “Schwinn Bicycle Company History and Facts”
Vintage Lotus Bicycles
Lotus is another USA brand of bicycles that started importing Japanese bikes in 1980. The company was started by Sid and Ernst Star in Syosset, New York. They offered a full range of road bikes from entry level to professional. I believe the bikes were originally made by Tsunoda Bicycle corporation of Nagoya, Japan andContinue reading “Vintage Lotus Bicycles”
Vintage Shogun Bicycles
Shogun is another really cool vintage bicycle brand that started in Japan. Its history is a bit hard to find, but I believe the following to all be true. Founded in 1977 and owned by Japanese trading company Marui. I believe they were all originally made in Japan by various manufacturers early on, and laterContinue reading “Vintage Shogun Bicycles”
Vintage Maruishi Bicycles Japan
Maruishi is one of several lesser-known Japanese bike companies. There seems to be some mystery about how old the company is/was. It has been suggested that at one point they claimed to be the oldest bicycle company in Japan and started importing bikes in 1884. I’ve also read 1894 and 1909 in Tokyo as theirContinue reading “Vintage Maruishi Bicycles Japan”
Vintage Bianchi Bicycles
Bianchi is the oldest bicycle manufacturer in the world. Started in 1885 by Edoardo Bianchi in Milan, Italy. He was only 21 years old when he started the business in his small shop. He thought bicycles should have the same size tires in front and back. Seems he was right. Bianchi sponsored Giovanni Tommasello whoContinue reading “Vintage Bianchi Bicycles”
1936 Vintage Pre-War Schwinn Cycleplane Bicycle
Now this is a really neat and very old bike, a 1936 Schwinn Cycleplane Cruiser. It originally would have had a tank and a headlight on the front fender. This one is a bit rough, but still interesting to see how different the bars and frame are from newer bikes. 26” wheels with a coasterContinue reading “1936 Vintage Pre-War Schwinn Cycleplane Bicycle”
1982 Schwinn Varsity 10 Speed Blue
I’m excited to get some images for this bike, these were really popular in southeastern WI so it’s nice to see one again. When I was a kid, we would start on BMX bikes and then move up to the 10 speed, and the Varsity seemed to be the most popular choice, probably because itContinue reading “1982 Schwinn Varsity 10 Speed Blue”
