syarn77

I came across a Skyway last night at the local thrift shop in Kansas City and couldn't leave without it. It was very dirty but have spent a good amount of time cleaning off the gunk and I'm amazed by its condition. I'm thinking it was maybe bought around here in the mid 1960s from what I've found online. Does anyone know the model#? Would the generator/lights have come standard with it? If anything else anyone can teach me about this bike that would be excellent. I love these oldies and I'm excited for my 10 yr-old to take it for a spin when it warms up this weekend. Both tires on it are holding air like a champ.
Here's what I've go so far: Likely from the mid to late 1960s. Steel frame in purple. Shimano 333 three speed hub with US Patent 3021728 (that patent was filed by Keizo Shimano in July 1959 and granted in February 1962). 3-speed Shimano twist grip shifter with gears labeled H, N, L. Mitsuba MD-3 6V 3W generator with front and rear lights. Front and rear rack and fenders. Original Super Deluxe seat with very cool simple leather saddle bag. Assumed tires are original but any writing has worn off. thanks!
[Tried to post a few photos but I'm new here and system message said I need to make 10 posts before I can add photos]

Velo Mule

I don't know much about Skyway, Here is a link to a discussion here:

Skyway bicycle thread

T-Mar

The closest match I have is a Skyway 711-CTG, which was the female, 3 speed model and came standard with a kickstand, lighting system, front rack, rear rack, saddle bag and mirror. The most common source for Skway is Bridgestone, in which case, we may able to determine the exact year from the serial number.Photo assist...

syarn77

T-Mar, 711-CTG sounds right although is unfortunately doesn't have the mirror anymore. Thanks so much for digging that up. I'm surprised the saddle bag came with it, I had figured that was added later.

syarn77

Velo Mule...Yes, that thread was very helpful to me and was the reason I had created an account in this forum. I could tell someone out there would be able to shed some more light on the bike and T-Mar came through. thanks

cycleheimer

I had a Skyway 3 speed as a kid. Probably around 1968 or 1969. I think it cost around $29. They were not durable like a Schwinn.

syarn77

Here are some pictures of the the girls Skyway that cleaned up really nicely. Cleaned the chain today and it's ready for its 2nd take on life now.

T-Mar

The serial number is consistent with Bridgestone's format and would indicate a 1968 model.

syarn77

Really appreciate that T-Mar. We'll see how many more years we can get out of it now. 54 and counting...

52telecaster

Great seeing it back in service!

markk900

Great job cleaning it up.....it is indeed ready for many more years of service.

Slight hijack: when I was a kid I barely remember seeing any SA hubs (with the toggle chain) - far more often I saw bikes with the Shimano 3 speed hubs (with the bellcrank). Funny that all these decades later we rarely see a Shimano 3 speed as in this case. Just coincidence or were the Shimano equipped bikes less likely to be preserved?

(BTW - if this is too much of a hijack I will take the question elsewhere; just seeing the hub close up brought back so many memories).

oneclick 

Might have something to do with the 333 hubs being ***** compared to the AW.

52telecaster

333 hubs were known to fail pretty often, plus they came with full length housing that will eventually fail. In my experience they worked quite well but many others had different experiences.