sickmann 

when my brother passed away recently, he left behind a Schwinn fat tire bicycle which is in absolutely mint condition. The serial number is stamped on the bottom bracket and indicates from research indexes that the bicycle was built in November 1950. The bicycle is so pristine, looks right out of the box, that I am amazed that it would be in this condition being 72 years old. My brother owned a bicycle shop and was a Schwinn dealer, and I have read snippets about replicas the Schwinn company built in the 90s during the companies death throes using original manufacturing dies they recovered from various places. The white wall tires still have the little flagella-like mold vestiges.
I would appreciate any information anyone might be able to provide about how to determine if it is a 1990's replica or from 1950 and what its value might be.

RustyJames 

A couple of basic things;
Does the headbadge say “Schwinn Chicago”
Are the wheels steel or aluminum?

Welcome!

sickmann 

wheels are steel, spokes appear the be plated as opposed to stainless, which I understand the 95 replicas were made with. I'll have to go look at the bicycle about the head tube/headtube badge. I think it shows "Schwinn Chicago but I need the verify. I haven't taken pictures yet. but will do so and forward if you want.
Tom

FBOATSB 

Welcome and please stick around!
We're going to need pics. Just put them in your gallery where we can see them.

plonz 

FWIW some of the ‘90s cruiser replicas were good bikes and command a decent buck. The all-aluminum, multi-speed internal hub models can fetch more than $300.

sickmann 

I am unable to post pictures of the Schwinn Cruiser inherited from my brother. The pics are in my gallery, but I get a message saying newbie's can't post pictures until after first ten posts.

sickmann 

Rims are steel, tested with a magnet. Painted white with pin stripe. The chain stay has the word "Cruiser" printed on it. I'll post pictures when the administrator lets me after 10 posts. I am suspecting is a '95 replica but I can't find another like it online, lot's of Black Phantoms for sale, 7 speed cruisers and others but no single speed "Cruiser."

sickmann 

Head Badge says "Schwinn."

sickmann 

Pictures are posted in my gallery.

Oldsledz

Is there a small 4 digit number stamped into the head badge ? if there is it is a newer bike.

FBOATSB 

Well here is a link to your album: https://www.bikeforums.net/g/user/554917
And here is one of your pics:


I am by no means an authority, but judging by the chain guard script and the reflectors in the pedals, I'm going with later model after the Schwinn brand was sold down the line. If you study those tires they will have date codes on them and should be actual Schwinn tires.

FBOATSB 

Coaster brake hub:

I would think a Fichtel and Sachs hub would have a date code. I do not know.

FBOATSB 

@sickmann , If you don't mind, what was the city and what was the name of your brother's shop? I'd be willing to bet someone in this forum would know of it and might have even known of your brother.

sickmann 

My brothers name was Bob Sickmann. Here's an exert from his obituary in the San Antonio News, May 15.Robert (Bob) James Sickmann, 76, of San Antonio, Texas, died on April 23, 2022 after a bout with stomach cancer. Bob was born on March 25, 1946 in Denver, Colorado.

Bob was an avid bicyclist and enjoyed all genres of the bicycling lifestyle. After graduating with a degree in Psychology from St. Mary’s University, he cofounded B & J Bicycle Shop with his father in 1972.
In 1991, B & J Bicycle Shop received a Top 100 Independent Bicycle Dealer Award in the United States by Bicycle Dealer Showcase Magazine. B & J Bicycle Shop was voted a Top 100 Independent Bicycle Dealer in the United States by Bicycle Dealer Showcase Magazine as announced in its March 1991 issue. There were approximately 5,000 independent bicycle dealers in the United States at that time. The award was based on ratings for service to the retail customer, service to the community in which it was located and standing within in the Bicycle Industry. It was closed in 2001.

Note: After I graduated from college in 1975, I started working there and ended up with my Dad's key. Our Dad passed in 1993.

I'm becoming more confident that Bob bought the Schwinn Cruiser when we were Schwinn dealers in the mid 1990's. I have no idea how to place a
value for sale. I'll advertise it to a growing bicycle community in San Antonio as I do not want to ship the bicycle.

FBOATSB 

Thank you very much!

dombey19

In my opinion this is a replica. I don't think "Cruiser" was a model name in the 1950s. And a 1950s Schwinn would not have the F&S rear hub.

plonz 

I’ll never understand the reasoning behind posting pics that are essentially puzzle pieces. A pic of the full bike would help. Is the frame steel or aluminum?

sickmann 

I sold this Schwinn 1995 Vintage1950 replica Beach Cruiser bike locally for $275. Gosh the Schwinn Company went through some interesting lines of thought during their transition and sale.