Classic & Vintage - Russian 70's bike...Can anyone help?

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PDA
BBQ
03-07-04, 06:18 PM
http://groups.msn.com/BicyclingForumPicPost/sputnik.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=6157

Ok, I got this bike for $31...why, who knows...it's different. Anyway, the LBS that had it has a wonderful basement full of old boneshakers and Schwinn Crate bikes, rear steer tandems, etc...they got about 5 of these in a crate back in 1970-something. NOS 60-70's CCCP Cold War russian made bike for $31. I guess one of the wrenches from the shop used one of them as a campus bike in the late '70's, and said it worked out great for that because it was something different.

The generator light works the tires hold air, it has a campy knock off 3 speed derailleur, toolkit, rides fine. Does anyone have a clue what the downtube and seat tube decals say? Any info on this bike?

http://groups.msn.com/BicyclingForumPicPost/sputnik.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=6158

http://groups.msn.com/BicyclingForumPicPost/sputnik.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=6159

http://groups.msn.com/BicyclingForumPicPost/sputnik.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=6160

http://groups.msn.com/BicyclingForumPicPost/sputnik.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=6161

http://groups.msn.com/BicyclingForumPicPost/sputnik.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=6162

http://groups.msn.com/BicyclingForumPicPost/sputnik.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=6163

The guys at the LBS were told it said Sputnik on it so that is what they nicknamed it.

mike
03-07-04, 08:45 PM
Watch out for that extended chainguard. I had one on an old early 1960's bike. It was effective at catching my pants cuff and peeling my leg off the pedal so that it could come around and smack me in the calf.
John E
03-09-04, 02:58 PM
Yes, the Cyrillic script lettering on the big downtube decal does spell "Sputnik." Everyone probably recognizes the CCCP on the head tube, which transliterates into SSSR, for Soyuz (Union) [of] Soviet Socialist Republics.

The Cyrillic print lettering on the decal near the shift lever transliterates/translates to "zabod/factory diploma/diploma pervi/first stepeni/degree" and "sdelani i cccp / made in USSR."

A few dozen 3-speed and 10-speed Sputniks were imported into the midwest ca. 1970. The component technology was definitely a behind-the-times copy of that of Europe.

BBQ
03-09-04, 08:59 PM
Thanks all and thanks John! Good info. I rode it tonight...not bad really. I don't think centuries are in it's future but pub crawls are a must!
nebill
03-14-04, 10:21 AM
That is a really cool looking bike!! Very interesting to me. Great to see it being put to use!!
james Haury
03-14-04, 04:25 PM
I like the mustache bars . You could probably cut that chain gaurd down with a pair of tin snips.What size are the tires will you be able to get replacements?
pjbaz
03-14-04, 04:32 PM
Does the bike shop want to sell any of the Schwinn krates? If so, give me the contact info please.

Also, where are they located, what state?

PJBAZ
Nikonshooter@hotmail.com