Classic & Vintage - spotted: '36 Schwinn - (cellphone) pic

At a grocery store in SF's Mission district on Sunday afternoon, I spied a time-warp-worthy specimen locked up outside. As the cell camera clicked <insert image quality apology here>, the in-his-early-30's owner emerged, asking if I liked it. I affirmed his suspicion, and asked about it. He'd had it several years, but couldn't take credit for its patina/preservation - the following he learned from others:

It's a '36 Schwinn Lasalle "Motorbike". It's all original, as far as he knows, but for: repro tires (and modern stem caps) of correct spec., a modern Makita battery in the very cool tin tank powering the (working!) horn and lights, and repro pedals w/ rust colored rubber blocks, which he thought were the orig. style. Most of the pre-war examples of this type of bike were either scrapped during wartime for their metal, or were being ridden, to be soon worn out. (This one must have been sitting in a dry garage for 50+ years, because the condition was just outstanding.)

Though the vast majority of onlookers don't even notice it, many of those that do, apparently, tell him that he shouldn't be riding something that rare. Probably the less said about that, the better - but what a sight to behold - enjoy.

Ride on,

-Frank

Who would lock that up outisde?! I would keep it locked up...to my wrist!

If it werent for great bikes like that one we wouldnt be riding the great bikes we have today :) I think I have that frame!?

If it werent for great bikes like that one we wouldnt be riding the great bikes we have today :) I think I have that frame!? well, something similiar but not quite as nice! :D


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/stumpyspic/123frame004.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/stumpyspic/123frame003.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/stumpyspic/123frame002.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/stumpyspic/123frame001.jpg

With that Maxxis tire up front, it looks like an modernized Repack job (!)

-Kurt

Not the same frameset. With that Maxxis tire up front, it looks like an modernized Repack job (!)

-Kurt

"I think I have that frame!? well, something similiar but not quite as nice!" ;) It really is the real deal tho, you can tell by those electro welds, the huge headbadge, and that cool internal headset (top part anyways) :) The new repro stuff/junk doesnt have the EWs the badge or the headset ;) I just slapped that wheel on it to keep the fork off the floor ;)

One thing I forgot (and that your (ilikebikes) pics reminded me of) - the owner mentioned that his frame's straight tube from headset to BB marked his as a '36. He was told that the years that followed had the bent tube, like yours.

Again, I'm just repeating his collected impressions/info from 3rd parties.

"I think I have that frame!? well, something similiar but not quite as nice!" ;) It really is the real deal tho, you can tell by those electro welds and the huge headbadge :) The new repro stuff/junk doesnt have the EWs ;) I just slapped that wheel on it to keep the fork off the floor ;)

Noted.

I know it's the real deal, that's what gives it that look. Whatcha doing with it?

-Kurt

Nice! I am of the opinion that bikes are meant to be enjoyed. I am not knocking collectors who show or display their rides, but I personally prefer to ride what I have (remember, I don't have anything old and rare.)

Just seeing an old bike like that can ignite someone's interest in the sport. I would see that as a great thing. :)

...interest in the sport...

Who said anything about sport? ;)

Who said anything about sport? ;)

Lol, touche! :p

Noted.

I know it's the real deal, that's what gives it that look. Whatcha doing with it?

-Kurt

I know it sounds a little crazy but Im thinking of taking it down to Bilinky and having disc tabs welded onto it front and back, they will also spread and reinforce the rear so I can fit a disc only wheelset on it, my body and fender guy (Marks National Collision) is going to do the paint (Lemon yellow) it will be a sweet ride when its done :D I hope it'll be anyways :o

I like my pre-war LaSalle. Bought just the frame and fork and stuck some more modern parts to it and a 7 speed Nexus wheelset, even tied & soldered the spokes. Still original paint on the F/F.

I wanted a rodder that rides well. This thing is a tank @41 pounds, but it's rattle free and solid as a rock.

It gets ridden, and that's what matters.:)

http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/3593/dsc03106rd9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/3593/dsc03106rd9.08261737e9.jpg (http://g.imageshack.us/g.php?h=238&i=dsc03106rd9.jpg)

Nice conversion and beautiful job! Did you use the BB adapter to add the 3 piece crankset? Is it from an MTB? While it looks rather beefy, it looks great on that frame. I like the Brooks as well.

Nice conversion and beautiful job! Did you use the BB adapter to add the 3 piece crankset? Is it from an MTB? While it looks rather beefy, it looks great on that frame. I like the Brooks as well.Thanks!
Yes, I bought a BB adapter thru Harris Cyclery and picked up the crankset on eBay...Azonic downhill cranks. I do like beefy cranks (but looking from the seat, they are very thin) and I really like good bearings, so it worked out perfect. And as for the Brooks, man, I am hooked on those seats. Wish I would have gotten hooked 20 years before!

What size were the tires on that La Salle? 26 or 28?
Here's a 1950 that I picked up a while back. The guy who built it put a mountain bike fork on it with cantilever posts. I haven't had time to take advantage of them yet but i will.
since I took this picture, I added a red seat and grips to match the tires.
It's got a really nice ride and I don't miss the multiple gears as much as I thought I would. I wouldn't mind a bendix 2 speed just for style though.
The little red guy on my shoulder keeps telling me to make a fixy out of it.

Mine are standard 26 X 2.125. The bike originally had 26" drop centers on it.

At a grocery store in SF's Mission district on Sunday afternoon, I spied a time-warp-worthy specimen locked up outside. As the cell camera clicked <insert image quality apology here>, the in-his-early-30's owner emerged, asking if I liked it.

(snip)
the vast majority of onlookers don't even notice it,

They probably think it is a modern beach cruiser. That's a gorgeous old machine, and it makes me happy to see things like that still doing what they were made to do :)