Prysm

Hello there,
This is my first post. Just joined the forum after finding a passion for bikes in my middle age over the last year or so and am trying to soak up information about them. Recently my father pulled an old Jet-Wind bicycle out of the rafters of his garage and gave it to me since he knows I'm into bikes now. It's probably been up there for at least 30 years and possibly closer to 40. I'm having trouble finding any info on it. After cleaning the dust and grime off of it, I was surprised to find it in pretty good condition and it looks pretty vintage and cool. Even the tires don't look too bad - Bridgestone cycle tire -- and I just ordered tubes for it. I'm more into mountain bikes, but this bike looks like history. He lives in a dry climate fortunately so no rust on the chain or frame. Just some on the handlebars and bike spokes. Not necessarily rust even, it's the barnacally stuff that seems to grow on that metal. So of course I'm wondering what it might be worth and if I should try to work the rust off of it or leave as is. I don't see a manufacturers name on it, it just says Jet-Wind and has a serial number on the rear drop out of J400126. There is a made in China sticker on it. Single speed. There is a tiny tear on the seat, but other than that, even it's in great condition and says "Super Deluxe" on the back of it--it's that canvass type black and white seat. Fenders are in good shape and look old and cool. I don't have a picture yet but will get one. Any ideas of worth? Thank you for your time ahead of time and I will get a picture posted soon.

Bianchigirll 

Jet-Wind makes it sound like maybe '50s when everything was streamlined or 'jet age'

OneGoodLeg

I believe it's a 70's era Japanese bike. There's a pic of one in this blog. I don't think they're worth much, except retro-cool factor.


https://ridingpretty.blogspot.com/200...-is-on-cl.html

Prysm

Yep, that's it. I have googled it and that was one of the few threads I had already found, but that one doesn't really tell me much except that the girl whose bike was stolen seemed to think it was worth a lot. I really couldn't seem to find much more than that.

Thank you for your replies. It may all come down to "retro-cool factor" like you said. I'll take that. lol

Chicago Al 

Thanks for being a good sport, Prysm...sometimes people are unhappy when they find their old bike is not worth much money. One of my teen son's friends has a mid 60s Japanese 'Black Arrow' which looks much the same. She knows nothing about it and has stopped by here a couple of times for us to fix something; it definitely has a certain charm and is at least as well made as a 60s Raleigh 3 speed. Young people who shop mostly at thrift stores--like the one who writes that blog you linked to--find bikes like this very appealing, esp as they can be found well under $100. And why not, they are perfectly good transportation, and with some basic care will go forever.

Prysm

Thanks, Al. Of course I must admit I was hoping you would all tell me it must be worth thousands, but I knew that was a longshot. Actually, I'm pretty happy with what I got---a new term. I really like "retro-cool factor" and will use it, so I'm ahead of the game. I think this bike will stand on it's own because it has the old tyme flair and is in great condition.

Fahrenheit531