Bike Forums - Junk or gem

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Quote:

Originally Posted by rhm (Post 19245508)

While not dissenting from any of the above, the potential buyer should recognize that the (baseball player) Ted Williams had an endorsement deal with Sears that put his name on a wide variety of sporting goods, not all of which Ted had actual used in his professional career. This included basket balls, ping pong balls, pogo sticks, I don't know, all kinds of stuff. Some of the bicycles were 531. Most were not. Caveat emptor.

...and the 7.5 HP outboard on the family skiff of my childhood.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbuc (Post 19246294)

Is this, that bike on the bottom left?

Bicycles

No, that's a low-level, hi-ten steel frame. The 531 Free Spirit only came in a 23" frame, and that CL one is also smaller than that.

From the Sears Roebuck catalog 1965.

Famous Campagnolo "Record" best quality derailleurs on both sprockets provide extra-smooth shifting. Light-weight 23 inch frame of special steel alloy.

Our finest.. smoothest shifting.

$94.50 Includes 9,999.0 mile distance meter

All needless weight's been trimmed off without sacrificing quality or style.. weighs less than 31 pounds including accessories. Campagnolo gear changers give 47 to 101 power ratio. Plenty of sparkle with chrome-plated handlebars, hubs, head frame lugs and fork tips. Aluminum racing rims, removable fenders. Whitewalls: 27x1 1/4-in. slim tires. Gold-color frame.

Finest Weinmann dual center-pull brakes with rear cable inside frame.. legs don't rub cable. Wide-release brake lever, quick release hubs speed wheel changes. Rear chain wheel-guard ring; 2 front, 5 rear sprockets. Rubber covered brake grip housing, wrapped handlebars, 3-wrench tool kit. Kick stand. Seat to pedal adjust 34 to 39 inches.

From free Austria

W6 A 47401 N - shipping weight 38 pounds...... $94.50

http://www.pedalroom.com/p/1965-sear...h-30800_22.jpg

The OP would get better responses if he had posted in a cruiser thread that has an appreciation for old bikes. I don't think that a tank was removed from the bike. Back in the day department stores would offer the same basic bike dressed up with tanks, lights horns, and racks to justify higher prices.

I think the bike looks to be in damn good shape.

Vintage Peugeot Bicycle (Blue) 19"

What do you guys think of this Junk or Gem?

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbuc (Post 19249280)

Vintage Peugeot Bicycle (Blue) 19"

What do you guys think of this Junk or Gem?

'vintage' is such a meaningless term...the seller should just say 'old'...

$80 for that thing is a prayer shot.

don't understand the interest in these roached, low-end bikes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vinsears68 (Post 19245993)

This is the pic of the bike in question. It has normal wear and tear. But all in all to me the bike looks great for the age.

Definitely built by Murray. I have a Hiawatha built by Murray so am familiar with them. The 505 in the serial # is the code Murray used to indicate that it was built for Sears.