I'm more of a C&V groupie
05-01-17, 07:39 PM
#1
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I'm more of a C&V groupie
I love looking at all the C&V bikes.
Today while I was at the dump I stopped and looked at my first potential find. It was a Sears Free Spirit. White paint job with blue and red stripes. I left it there, but could pick it up tomorrow if it had potential. My first reaction was "hell no". I don't really need to acquire any more stuff.
Today while I was at the dump I stopped and looked at my first potential find. It was a Sears Free Spirit. White paint job with blue and red stripes. I left it there, but could pick it up tomorrow if it had potential. My first reaction was "hell no". I don't really need to acquire any more stuff.
05-01-17, 07:46 PM
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Groupies should have a Free Spirit. 
The acquisition cost is right, but that's likely the end of the 'deal'. Gotta fit, too.
The acquisition cost is right, but that's likely the end of the 'deal'. Gotta fit, too.
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05-01-17, 07:53 PM
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If it also says. "Ted Williams" you have yourself a score - whether it fits or not. Not insanely valuable, but worth the effort, imo.
fyi - offered somewhat tongue-in-cheek
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...knowledge.html
fyi - offered somewhat tongue-in-cheek
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...knowledge.html
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Last edited by USAZorro; 05-01-17 at 07:57 PM.
05-01-17, 08:11 PM
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It is unlikely that anything I find at the dump will fit.
I will take another peek at it tomorrow.
I will take another peek at it tomorrow.
05-01-17, 09:29 PM
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Yeah, I wouldn't mind finding a Ted Williams Free Spirit in my size. But most Free Spirits are not Ted Williams'.
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● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
05-01-17, 09:56 PM
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Not trying to be snobby here, but dang, a Free Spirit isn't even on the same level as a Schwinn Varsity (apologies to all you Varsity fans out there)
DD
05-01-17, 10:25 PM
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@DrilliumDude, Ted Williams Free Spirits were made by Puch with 531 frame & forks, Brooks Pro saddle, Crane RD, little bit of chrome (fork tips and crown, at least on ones I've seen), otherwise nice but not top end components.
05-01-17, 10:37 PM
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To the OP, I think your first instinct was right on the mark. If you've been admiring the nicer bikes around here I'd wager any Free Spirit will result in epic disappointment.
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Last edited by Fahrenheit531; 05-01-17 at 10:47 PM.
05-01-17, 10:49 PM
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The "531" Ted Williams' bikes I have seen were not white, had lugs and were a curious gold- green metallic.
05-02-17, 12:54 AM
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Yeah, they're NOT valuable, but as a decent bike, sold by Sears, they are kinda unique in that way. Sears! A bit of typically misguided Americana. A curio.
I thought I remember someone saying some of the 531 TW frames were sold in the iconic red/white/blue Free Spirit livery, but I could be mistaken.
I thought I remember someone saying some of the 531 TW frames were sold in the iconic red/white/blue Free Spirit livery, but I could be mistaken.
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● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
05-02-17, 02:09 AM
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Am I mistaken or was that bike really named after a baseball player?
05-02-17, 04:11 AM
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@non-fixie Yes. Ted Williams name was used on a number of sports products sold by Sears. I have two shotguns that are Ted Williams branded. They are the well known Winchester 1200 pump. The difference is the shape of the joint between the stock and the receiver so you can't use replacement parts for either side of the joint, otherwise they are indistinguishable.
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05-02-17, 05:28 AM
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I don't know what all the Ted Williams Free Spirit bikes were, but the 531 one was not the only one. There was definitely a cheap white one as described, that I would not save from the dump. Photo courtesy of the internet:
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05-02-17, 05:45 AM
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That's the one
The one I saw was also complete with a molded plastic baby seat that was looking more than a little brittle.
05-02-17, 05:49 AM
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So, you saw said bike at the dump, and left it there? Good call. 
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05-02-17, 05:50 AM
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@non-fixie Yes. Ted Williams name was used on a number of sports products sold by Sears. I have two shotguns that are Ted Williams branded. They are the well known Winchester 1200 pump. The difference is the shape of the joint between the stock and the receiver so you can't use replacement parts for either side of the joint, otherwise they are indistinguishable.
05-02-17, 06:05 AM
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Ted Williams stuff was supposed to be their top line sporting goods offerings. He had a licensing agreement with Sears-Roebuck with the right of refusal if he thought it was poor quality, IIRC. Kind of like the "Sears Best" for appliances and household goods, my folks always looked for it when we made our regular trips to the Sears-Roebuck, then it became just Sears, when were were growing up. My Sears bikes were both non-TW models, a 24" cantilever framed common American bicycle(red of course, its faster you know) and an orange Such framed gas pipe "10-speed".
My dad used to say that he would die owing a balance on his Sears card, even though he paid it off monthly faithfully. Damned if he wasn't right, he made a large purchase a few days before he passed away in April '76, gave us something to smile about when we opened the bill a few weeks after.
Bill
My dad used to say that he would die owing a balance on his Sears card, even though he paid it off monthly faithfully. Damned if he wasn't right, he made a large purchase a few days before he passed away in April '76, gave us something to smile about when we opened the bill a few weeks after.
Bill
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05-02-17, 07:58 AM
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From the 1973 catalog:
05-02-17, 03:04 PM
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@non-fixie Yes. Ted Williams name was used on a number of sports products sold by Sears. I have two shotguns that are Ted Williams branded. They are the well known Winchester 1200 pump. The difference is the shape of the joint between the stock and the receiver so you can't use replacement parts for either side of the joint, otherwise they are indistinguishable.
05-02-17, 03:44 PM
#21
...addicted...
I find it fascinating that the prices in 1973 for a Free Spirit are about the same dollar range as today's sears-equivalent bikes. Of course, $99 in 1973 is $540ish today. $540 will buy a decent bike, maybe even ones that will be around in 35 years. There are still plenty of used Free Spirits around, they're not great or desirable but could be maintained and lasted. I doubt 35 years from now there will be a single $99 walmart bike still usable.
I pulled a Free Spirit from the dumpster in college (10 ish years ago), but it sat behind the house until the end of the semester, and then went right back in.
I pulled a Free Spirit from the dumpster in college (10 ish years ago), but it sat behind the house until the end of the semester, and then went right back in.
05-02-17, 06:52 PM
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05-03-17, 06:15 AM
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And the infamous punch in the gut to Eddy Merckx was the only footage I can remember seeing of the TDF on Wide World of Sports.
05-03-17, 07:10 AM
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The only two cyclists' names we've (the USA) got that have significant recognition by the general public are Armstrong and LeMond. Neither were a "thing" (Armstrong wasn't even born yet, for that matter) when the bike boom hit. What's an advertiser to do?
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05-03-17, 07:27 AM
#25
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How come that when you find a bike in the dumpster it's usually a Sears Free Spirit?