phillyrider

I don't usually pull trash bikes from the side of the road. However with the snow, I stopped after seeing this bike in the snow for well over week. It was full of leaves, rotted tires - trash condition.

The reason that I pulled it was because I saw a crane RD. Plan was to pick the crane RD, take everyting else to the dump.

I pulled the wheels. Noticed that the front drop-outs were shimano. There were adjustment screws in the back. Wait a second...this frame seem light.

Where I'm at - except for the RD and some weinmann center pulls and the frame. All parts are in the trash. The front stem is frozen. I can't get the front stem out.

BF search came up with this:
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ms+free+spirit

Not my pics - but the bike is exactly (same color, everything) like attachments:

My question - what is a 531 ted williams free spirit frame worth? I don't really need it but wanted to trade it for parts in the BF marketplace. Condition is marginal. Bottom bracket is tange - but needs overhaul.

EjustE

Good question... It's probably worth less than a 531 frame with 126mm rear spacing from a bike store manufactures, and an additional 20-25% less because of the stuck stem issue. I'd say $100-125 around here (pretty much what you might get on the Philly CL if you sell the frame alone in the Spring/Summer)

23skidoo

Little Darwin has one of these I sold him last summer that was in excellent condition. They're pretty nice department store bikes. I wouldn't throw out the Sugino Mighty cranks unless they are totally trashed because they do sell on eBay and so will the Shimano Titilist FD if it's in decent condition. The stem is French--22.0 instead of 22.2--and the randonneur bars were OK but the wheels were chrome steel. It's a nice riding bike with a good 27" alloy wheelset. I wouldn't estimate what it might be worth on your local market, but there are folks in the C & V forum who might be interested in the frame and fork. Nice trash find though.

phillyrider

Thanks - I was thinking it was in the $100 range, which for a free - free spirit isn't bad. I wanted to make sure that I was not out of line in terms of expectation.

In the mail today, a crane RD that I bought via e-bay came in. I overpaid a little - around $30, but condition's nice. Now I have 2 exact crane RDs - double crane day (kind of odd).

I think that the 531 free spirit will make a nice fixed gear bike. Nice color/pantina. If it wasn't a 531, it would have been either donated or in the dumpster. My first thought was why would someone put a decent RD on this bike. I was very close to not pulling the parts off. Good thing I did because I then noticed the weight of the frame. Tires were heavy from being water-logged.

As far as the crankset and front deraileur, they were rusted and pretty badly bent. The bike was outside for a good amount of time.

I may in fact give it away since it would find a good home. I'll post a few pictures - if someone local wants it free or non-local for the cost of shipping - let me know.

Thanks for the quick replies.

23skidoo

I bet you'd get some responses in the Pay It Forward thread, phillyrider. It's funny you were the winner on that Crane cause I was definitely one of the watchers; I own two of the black Cranes and sold my Crane GS last fall and am kind of looking for one more for a 78 Trek TX-300 build I'm getting ready to start.

phillyrider

Below are some pics of the frame.

Yes, I feel lucky to land another crane RD. They're great in my opinion.

As far as the frame goes. It's 23.5 inches or a 58. Robe30 was the first to pm, so if the size works and he wants it - it's his. He needs to let me know by end of day Friday. Otherwise, drop me a pm if you want this.

A few caveats. It's a free frame, so please keep that in mind. As I mention, although I did not spend much time/effort - I was not able to easily remove the stem. Second - the bottom bracket is a tange. It needs to be lubed/attended to. That's about it - the frame look's to have spent some time outside - but cleaned-up ok. It's light and would make a nice ride.

As far as cost - frame is free for cost of shipping. Pick up is free - I'm in Philly.

EjustE

That looks better that what it sounded

(Great pick up Rob )

a couple of questions? Is the stem stuck as well? And did that come with a triple up front? The way the BB looks, it might accommodate one...

phillyrider

Yeah - I picked up the bike around 11:00 this morning - working from home due to the snow. While on a conference call this afternoon, I removed parts and cleaned the frame (about an hour). It didn't take much - for being outside in the rain - frame saver is a good idea.

Like I mentioned, I couldn't move the stem. The seatpost moved easily.

It had a double, not a triple up front. The crankset was dented badly, the chain was stiff with rust, and the front deraileur was rusty and bent, I did not spend any time since these went to the trash.

I do think that the bottom bracket needs attention. It's a sweet frame - even my size. Bottom line is that I have limited storage space - otherwise, I would have probably done something with it.

I hope it finds a good home. It's a nice frame...

RobE30

It's gonna look great w/ brown leather bar wrap and an antique brown Brooks....