Looking for more information: Flying-O 10-Speed
05-03-10 | 05:16 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Chicago, IL
Looking for more information: Flying-O 10-Speed
Hey guys! I'm new here and was hoping you could help me out by telling me a little more about my bicycle. I pulled it from a deceased relative's cellar some time back, cleaned it up a bit and have been riding it casually for a few years now. Recently I've gotten more and more curious as to it's history, but my internet research has turned up flat.
Here is what I do know:
It is an Otasco (Ohio Tire and Safety Company) Flying-0 10-Speed "Ultra." The entire bike, from tire treads, to seat, to handle bar pads, are blue. I've replaced the tire treads due to dry rot (which really hurt me to do) and taped over the crumbling handle bar pads. The serial # is: HC1683243
Out of pure curiousity on my part, does anyone have any more information as to the history of these bikes? Perhaps estimated year of production? Where they were sold? How to read the serial #? etc ...
Any help would most appreciated! Thanks!
Nick
Here is what I do know:
It is an Otasco (Ohio Tire and Safety Company) Flying-0 10-Speed "Ultra." The entire bike, from tire treads, to seat, to handle bar pads, are blue. I've replaced the tire treads due to dry rot (which really hurt me to do) and taped over the crumbling handle bar pads. The serial # is: HC1683243
Out of pure curiousity on my part, does anyone have any more information as to the history of these bikes? Perhaps estimated year of production? Where they were sold? How to read the serial #? etc ...
Any help would most appreciated! Thanks!
Nick
05-03-10 | 05:32 PM
#2
Elitest Murray Owner
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,657
Likes: 3
Bikes: 1972 Columbia Tourist Expert III, Columbia Roadster
Well this particular one was made by Huffy. The serial number probably starts with an H and then has a number, the first digit indicates the year. 9 would equal '79, 0 = 80, 1 = 81, and so on.
05-04-10 | 12:30 PM
#3
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2
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From: Chicago, IL
Serial starts with "HC1" which I believe means Huffy-Clubik. Is "Clubik" a manufacturing location or a company? Based on features, any estimate of a year? 1981? 1991?
Thanks again for satiating my curiousity!
Thanks again for satiating my curiousity!
05-04-10 | 01:08 PM
#4
Thrifty Bill
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,645
Likes: 1,109
From: Mans of NC & SW UT Desert
Bikes: 86 Katakura Silk, 87 Prologue X2, 88 Cimarron LE, 1975 Sekai 4000 Professional, 73 Paramount, plus more
What is the brand of rear derailleur? If it is a common brand (Shimano for instance), just look up the component code and you will know the vintage of the bike.
+1 Its a department store private label bike. Department store bikes tended to be outsourced to a variety of manufacturers, including Huffy. I would guess 1981.
+1 Its a department store private label bike. Department store bikes tended to be outsourced to a variety of manufacturers, including Huffy. I would guess 1981.
05-04-10 | 01:43 PM
#5
Ride heavy metal.
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,538
Likes: 2
From: Teenage Wasteland, USA
Bikes: '74 Raleigh LTD-3, '76 Motobecane Grand Jubile, '83 Fuji TSIII (customized commuter), '10 Mercier Kilo WT (fixed obsession), '83 Bianchi Alloro, '92 Bridgestone MB-1 (project), '83 Specialized Expedition (project), '79 Peugeot UO-8 (sold)
It's history doesn't really exist because the name was likely a short-lived limited run model through Huffy. Huffy has always made relatively affordable bikes that were constructed from and equipped with largely unremarkable but highly available materials. Usually low-end.
So, no offense - but if you're looking for something interesting and that will really get you into the "history" of cycling, you need to find a new bike. This bike will never be much of a historic or interesting specimen.
But having said that, if it suits your purpose then what do you care what some snobs have to say
I say ride it and enjoy it. Who cares what it is?
So, no offense - but if you're looking for something interesting and that will really get you into the "history" of cycling, you need to find a new bike. This bike will never be much of a historic or interesting specimen.
But having said that, if it suits your purpose then what do you care what some snobs have to say
I say ride it and enjoy it. Who cares what it is?
05-04-10 | 05:10 PM
#6
Thrifty Bill
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,645
Likes: 1,109
From: Mans of NC & SW UT Desert
Bikes: 86 Katakura Silk, 87 Prologue X2, 88 Cimarron LE, 1975 Sekai 4000 Professional, 73 Paramount, plus more
It's history doesn't really exist because the name was likely a short-lived limited run model through Huffy. Huffy has always made relatively affordable bikes that were constructed from and equipped with largely unremarkable but highly available materials. Usually low-end.
So, no offense - but if you're looking for something interesting and that will really get you into the "history" of cycling, you need to find a new bike. This bike will never be much of a historic or interesting specimen.
But having said that, if it suits your purpose then what do you care what some snobs have to say I say ride it and enjoy it. Who cares what it is?
So, no offense - but if you're looking for something interesting and that will really get you into the "history" of cycling, you need to find a new bike. This bike will never be much of a historic or interesting specimen.
But having said that, if it suits your purpose then what do you care what some snobs have to say
I say ride it and enjoy it. Who cares what it is?My first bike came that way, it was purchased at a lawn mower repair shop in the middle of the bike boom. The shop was so small, they didn't even carry new mowers. But they had their "own" brand of bicycle.
But at the same time, if it meets your needs, who cares? Ride it! If later you want something with a little more history, keep an eye out for a name brand bike at garage sales or thrift stores. You'll eventually find one at a very attractive price. That's how this sickness starts. Mine started with a wonderful $16 Lotus from Goodwill.........
07-02-14 | 12:31 AM
#7
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
This bike was my first love. This bike may not have been a high $ bike but was
Hey guys! I'm new here and was hoping you could help me out by telling me a little more about my bicycle. I pulled it from a deceased relative's cellar some time back, cleaned it up a bit and have been riding it casually for a few years now. Recently I've gotten more and more curious as to it's history, but my internet research has turned up flat.
Here is what I do know:
It is an Otasco (Ohio Tire and Safety Company) Flying-0 10-Speed "Ultra." The entire bike, from tire treads, to seat, to handle bar pads, are blue. I've replaced the tire treads due to dry rot (which really hurt me to do) and taped over the crumbling handle bar pads. The serial # is: HC1683243
Out of pure curiousity on my part, does anyone have any more information as to the history of these bikes? Perhaps estimated year of production? Where they were sold? How to read the serial #? etc ...
Any help would most appreciated! Thanks!
Nick
This bike may not have been a high dollar bike, but was extremely well made. I purchased the exact bike right down to the color at my rural town OTASCO (WHICH ACTUALLY STANDS FOR: Oklahoma Tire & Supply Co.) in 1982. I lived on a farm and had to ride this bike down 3.5 miles of dirt road just to get to pavement to really ride the bike. In the 10 years I owned mine it saw daily riding with no breakdown or even a flat tire.
I took it with me when I was stationed in Germany from 1989-1992. I gave it to my best biking friend in Germany as a going away present as he preferred this bike to his own European bike.
If you ever decide to part with it, I am interested.
Here is what I do know:
It is an Otasco (Ohio Tire and Safety Company) Flying-0 10-Speed "Ultra." The entire bike, from tire treads, to seat, to handle bar pads, are blue. I've replaced the tire treads due to dry rot (which really hurt me to do) and taped over the crumbling handle bar pads. The serial # is: HC1683243
Out of pure curiousity on my part, does anyone have any more information as to the history of these bikes? Perhaps estimated year of production? Where they were sold? How to read the serial #? etc ...
Any help would most appreciated! Thanks!
Nick
This bike may not have been a high dollar bike, but was extremely well made. I purchased the exact bike right down to the color at my rural town OTASCO (WHICH ACTUALLY STANDS FOR: Oklahoma Tire & Supply Co.) in 1982. I lived on a farm and had to ride this bike down 3.5 miles of dirt road just to get to pavement to really ride the bike. In the 10 years I owned mine it saw daily riding with no breakdown or even a flat tire.
I took it with me when I was stationed in Germany from 1989-1992. I gave it to my best biking friend in Germany as a going away present as he preferred this bike to his own European bike.
If you ever decide to part with it, I am interested.
I took it with me when I was stationed in Germany from 1989-1992. I gave it to my best biking friend in Germany as a going away present as he preferred this bike to his own European bike.
If you ever decide to part with it, I am interested.
07-02-14 | 01:08 AM
#8
Banned.
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,816
Likes: 29
From: on the beach
Bikes: '73 falcon sr, '76 grand record, '84 davidson
i remember going into an otasco in oklahoma city as a kid and looking through their fishing lures. it was a way to kill time on sundays when i visited my grandmother down the street. they also sold these kind of low-end bikes. i actually bought one from them right after my ninth birthday when i scraped together about $87 from many relatives. it was a bmx, and i loved it. it took me to football practice for a few years, also allowing me to ride around with the cool kids and their mongoose and diamondback bmx bikes. on a cheaper bike like the flyin-o, you had to act a little more dangerously to fit in. this was rather difficult to pull off with its cheap stem allowing the bars to adjust at just the wrong time. i would also ride it through about six different neighborhoods, up to the u-tote-em to buy a whatchamacallit, coke icy and kiss cards. those were the days.
