Classic & Vintage - Old Schwinn Track Bike

I met a guy a few years back and went to see his motorcycle and bicycle collection. In the collection he has this Schwinn Admiral track bike. It is a circa 1918 bike. The bike is one of the nicest original track bikes of the era. The tires are the only thing not original. The frame has original paint, transfers, box lining and headbadge. The Persons saddle is in very nice shape. Original Lobdell wood rims are also mint. The crank, pedals and toeclips are not as perfect shape but very nice original period pieces. The owner has 2 letters dated from I think 1984 from the curator of the Schwinn museum asking to buy it for their museum. They offer I think $150 for it. The now owner has the history of the bike as far back as the ND owner. Anyway it was purchased from a collector in Grand Forks ND in the early 80's. The bike was unused for close to 50 years. He had a large collection of balloon tire bikes. He has since passed on. I am not sure where his bikes are now. Here is a link to pictures of the bike. http://s102.photobucket.com/albums/m104/oldy57/Schwinn%20Admiral/

those cheapskates only offered 150 bucks ?

Very cool! It pains me to hear my Dad tell of his grandfathers old "racing bike with the curved handlebars" he sold at a garage sale for $2.50 after his grandfather passed on. "Old enough that the wheels were wood!" he adds, just to rub salt into the wound. With an early velodrome nearby, I have no doubts it was a nice turn of the century trackbike. Very cool Schwinn that gentleman has there.

Other than the wood rims it doesn't look that much different from todays steel road bikes. Can you imagine cars changing that little over the past 90 years? :eek:

I would SO ride that on the street.

Interesting seat stays - semi-wishbone like but what are the two red things on the rear of the seat stays above the tires? almost look like bolt on reflecters?

Incredible....it looks brand new!

Incredible....it looks brand new!
I agree, completely amazing.

wow, thanks for sharing, I would have expected a more primative stem design.

From what I remember the 2 red things are reflectors with wing nuts and I think he has one of his old bicycle license plates on it. I think the pedals were Torringtons?. I have not seen the bike since last year. I hope to see it this month. I will get more pictures. The bike is in almost perfect shape. When I first saw it I asked if he would sell it to me and his answer was "for the right price". I don't think it would go for small change. It is for sale and could be bought for the right offer. It is one of about 20 bicycles he has. I think he has 5 motorized bikes from the late 20's to early 30's. I don't remember the motor names, they are on a rear rack and chain driven to the rear hub. The chain goes from a motor to a large gear cog attached to the rear hub or spokes. He also collects and restores old bikes. I would say he has 20 to 30 motorcycles, 1913 Indian, 1915 Indian both with same year dated sidecars, many Harleys pre and post war, WW11 45 in fully restored shape with all the correct army gear, 50's 125cc? James made to look like a dirt track bike and more.His 1913 Indian is being restored as a board track racer. He has pictures of a local guy who had the worlds record for the fastest bike in 1913, an Indian. Here is a link to his website and " The Worlds Fastest Indian" Boneville salt flat bike. Great website to see. His name is Ross Metcalfe. http://www.metcalfemotorcycles.com/

The round seat tube decal looks like a 50's? Maybe it was added later? VERY cool ride though. imagine passing some CF guy on the street. He'd fall off his bike when his jaw got caught in the front spokes, lol.,,,,BD