wald components question
 

I was telling some younger co-workers about being able to buy bike parts back in the '50s and '60's at Western Auto and Economy Auto the other day. Handlebars, pedals, fenders and stuff. Found myself speculating that they might have been Wald parts. But I realized I didn't have any real knowledge of who made them. Does anyone know for sure about the hardware store parts?

I bought a basket at a Western Auto in Maryland for a Sears (Austrian) 3-speed in 1970 or so. It was a Wald - I still have the basket, but not the bike. As I recall, their parts were not elegant or light, but they were nearly bullet-proof.

Wald is still in existence and you can download a catalog here: Catalog

Oh, I like the Wald stuff -- I have a folding basket and 8095 bars on one of my bikes. I just rememebered the 24" bike I had. Bought "goosenecks" for it from one of the hardware stores.

Wald wire baskets were an essential accessory for us paperboys in the 60s. This is a Wald aftermarket chainguard c. mid 60s.
I know because I bought one just like it for my home made Sting Ray. I needed it because I swapped out the small kiddy crank
for one with a larger sprocket.http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=447780

Wald fenders on my R. Sports

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=447794