ShanaOB

Can anyone tell me what kind of bike this is? It says "Fair Lady" but in my searching, the only Fair Ladies I find have a banana seat. I'd appreciate any tips/pointers on how to find out (a) what this is and (b) how old it might be. THANKS.

alanbikehouston

Schwinn owned (and owns) many "trade names" for bikes. However, to avoid losing the rights to a name, it must be used on a regular basis. So, Schwinn used the name "Superior" on a wide variety of very different models between around 1930 and 1980. Likewise, I'd expect that over the past half century, you will find a variety of models that used the name "Fair Lady".

The 1960 catalog shows a "Fair Lady" that looks just look yours. It came in a one speed version, a two speed version, and a three speed version with choices of red, blue, green, or white. It came with stainless steel fenders and a front carrier rack. It also came with a chrome headlight.

The 1960 "Fair Lady" was a "deluxe" model, as the one speed version sold for a hefty $67, compared with just $42 for the same frame in the "plain" Tornado model. The two and three speed versions of the "Fair Lady" cost $77.

By 1965, the "Fair Lady" name was being used on a Sting-Ray style bike. The "fancy" beach cruiser type girl's bike in 1965 was called the "Starlet II", but the "Starlet II" was the 1960 "Fair Lady" with a rear rack and "pretend" gas tank.

The most expensive "Youth" model was the Continental with a 10 speed Derailleur for $87 - a lot of money at a time when many folks took home a weekly paycheck of under $100.

ShanaOB

Thanks for all of the info. I have the bike in my possession now and it is actually a two-speed. Took it to the neighborhood "bike guy" because it was riding fine, then when I would brake, I'd be in a different gear. A two-speed "kick bacK" I think is what he called it. Anyway, I'm loving it. Don't see any type of serial numbers on it but I'd love to be able to put a date on it.

Shana -- biking novice extraordinare.

alanbikehouston

I think it is from about 1960. There should be a serial number on the headtube (where the stem for the handlebars enters the frame) or on the rear dropout (where the rear wheel is fitted to the frame).

The two gear system was clever. It allows you to select a slightly easier gear for climbing a hill or riding into the wind. For neighborhood cruising, two speeds are about as many as I ever use. The Schwinn bikes of the 1960's used heavy duty bearings and the best available parts. Schwinn's Chicago bikes were built to last for generations.

With some fresh grease in the wheel hubs, on the crank bearings, and on the steering bearings, your "Fair Lady" will be ready to start its fifth decade of service running "as good as new". Maybe in about 2050, someone will post here on the Forums..."I got this bike this used to belong to my grandmother, and I was wondering how old it is..."

ShanaOB

Hi, found the serial number (B148318). Now what do I do with it? THANKS -- Shana
PS: I LOVE my new bike!!!

alanbikehouston

If you search through the last five or ten pages of "Classic & Vintage", you should find a link to a website that tells you how to "decode" your serial number down to about the month or week that the frame was produced. There may also be dates stamped on the crankarm that holds the pedals, on the rear hub, and on the brakes.

Schwinn used to buy parts in massive quantities (several million hubs per year), so your frame could have been made in 1961, but the crank or brakes made in 1960, or early 1962. The "1961 model year" began about November 1960, but some 1961 models might still be in a store in 1962. So, the codes tell you about when the bike was made, but not when it finally "hit the street".

spanky4x4

https://www.bunchobikes.com/serialnumber4.htm

02-27-61 is the date according to the link.

suntreader

They built those things like Sherman tanks. You could probably ride it through a concrete wall without a scratch. Nice find.

alanbikehouston

That is consistent with comparing your photo to the old Schwinn catalogs. That makes your bike forty-four years old, yet in your photo, it looks "as good as new". I wonder how many of today's Wal-Mart bikes will still be on the road in forty-four years?