If you are trying to determine the genealogy of your bicycle by it's features, go to our Vintage Bicycle Price Guide
which details bicycle features, wheel sizes, brake types, etc., as well as showing a price estimate for your old bicycle.
If you are trying to determine the make and model of your bicycle, go to our Vintage Bicycle Picture Database
which details bicycle features, wheel sizes, etc., as well as showing a price estimate for your vintage bicycle.
| Just finishing up a pair of Kawasaki bmx bikes and need to know how to make or where to get black spokes. thank you. |
| I have a 30s-era Morrow coaster brake hub that needs new brake shoes. Is there anyone who overhauls these hubs, or can sell me the parts? Thanks, Mike Q. |
| I had the brake pads in my Whizzer's front expander brake re-lined by a local autoparts. Car brakes (rear brake shoes) are re-built using new coumpounds (previously asbestos based). The cost was 10$. I had to grind a bit of it off so it would fit back in the drum: Now, I can do a front wheel wheelie when I brake! |
| Question? I have my original 1972 Pea Picker from when I was a child. The bike is in good shape aside from the few scraps it's got from riding. The seat has some splits and needs recovering. Had the brake cables replaced a couple of years ago. Now I have been told by some to leave it alone for the value will continue to appreciate. And others have said to restore it (repaint-rechromed etc).So my question is what goes into the decission process? It would be kind-of neat to see it back to brand new form. But when it comes time to sell will this compromise the value? Thanks for any advice |
| If you want to keep it in your family for ever, a complete resto would be the way to go. But you'll NEVER get your money out of it. If you are thinking about reselling, DO NOT spend a cent on restoration. Bike restoration usually decreases a bicycle's value. Just clean it up using all the tips in these forums. |
| I recently inherited a man's 26" bicycle with wooden rims. They are all there but not true anymore and perhaps a bit dry rotted in a spot or two.. can they be saved ? Who does restoration work on this type of rim ? Thanks, John "jbucking@richnet.net" |
| If you want to true your wheels, you should find someone who has the professional setup. First, you would soke them in water for 3 days, then put 'em in a hand-made press, and oven bake 'em. This will help about 80-100%. |
| Can anyone recommend a pin striper in Chicago for a Schwinn Black Phantom? Thank you. |
| The rims on my Girls '30's Silver King are rusty and flaking chrome. Would you rechrome them? I have heard it is best to leave somethings alone? Help me out Thanks. |
| If you've tried all of the usual restoration tips here, and they are flaking, I guess you might want to consider re-chroming them. You also could buy some cheap steel rims for the short term and try looking around for correct originals in good shape. |
| Looking for a bike for springtime work commute a found old black women's triumph in apartment basement. Th there are no wheels and it's in farely poor condition. I just want something rideable. is it worth fixing up (could use a project)? I've never fixed up a bike before. thanks. |
| Triumphs are great English bicycles. You might want to post your question under the English Roadster topic. I'll bet there are a lot of people there who can gove you good advise and they probably have lots of parts, too. Wheels would be very easy to find for that bike, and they won't cost much either. Another idea is to go to your local Salvation Army or GoodWill shop and see if they have any English bikes. FYI: The Triumph is a collectible bike due to it's motorcycle lineage. |
| Is it possible to replace the leather on a Brooks saddle by using a thick piece of leather cut to size and suitably treated before I stretch it? I was going to use a piece cut from the bottom of an old handbag or an old book satchel. I've got a source for the riviets locally. Thank you. |
| That leather is pretty thick and in a specific shape. You might be able to cover it with thinner leather and riviets, but I don't think you'll be able to find or mold a thicker leather. |
| I have a men's bicycle, 26" wheels, with the name GOBEL on the headbadge, seat tube and rear fender. It is a single speed w/ coaster brake. I am looking for any information on this bike and/or manufacturer. It appears to be 1950's vintage. |
| What size are the tires? |
| I booght a set of NOS whitewall tires but they seem to have shrunk slightly over the years and won't go on (they are the correct size). I tried using a hairdryer to soften the rubber but that didn't work. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Mike |
| Are you trying to put Schwinn tires on a non-Schwinn wheel? Or visa-versa? Some wheels and tires are not standard (Schwinn and CCM for example). Take a look at the "Tire and Rim Chart" in the "General Resources" section of this web site. |
| Hey all, I have a Pierce built for three in my basement. Needs handlebars, Wheels and chain from the rear crank to the wheel. Anybody got any parts sources? (The bike was upside down in a basement of a relative for about 50 years, and the bars took a beating. The fram is is great shape, I still have the seats, and the pant clips are with the machine. I also have pics of my mom's grandfather and his pals on the bike. any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Sean |
| Forgot to mention, the bike is from 1905 latest. My grandmother says so. I'm going to work on posting the pics. Peace, Sean |
| Can't help with parts, but please scan some pictures. A lot of us would love to see that bike. Hey, maybe Moe, Larry and Curly rode it? There are a couple ways to put a picture up on menotomy's site here. Either using the 'upload your picture' link, or build a little web site devoted to the Pierce using menotomy's "Readers Web sites" section. |
| Best source of information I know of for Pierce bicycles is http://www.pedalinghistory.com/ Pedaling History Bicycle Museum in Orchard Park, N.Y. A great place to visit! |
| I finally got a scanner and will work on posting the pics. I've worked on cleaning the bike (carefully) and found that it's in great shape. |
| Hi my name is Kim. i am 16 and race for Abf Racing in Illinois. I have to do a report for my speech class and present it and i pick my most favorite sport to do it on bmx raicng i was wondering if anyone can help me get some information about when and how bmx started i know most of it but not the exact dates and details and my teacher needs sources not my own knowledge so i was wondering if anyone can help me and email me websites that have true facts about bmx or if you can tell me about it??? Thanks so much for your time. i also want to thank all the people that kept bmx alive all these years it is the best sport. Thanks again. Kim |
| Mongoose started up in Moorpark, California and Diamondback (Now in Camarillo, California) started up nearby. I live about 10 miles from both of these cities. The Schwinn Stingrays were very popular in in the late 60's and early 70's as well as muscle bikes from other manufacturers through the 70's. "The American Bicycle" by Jay Pridmore and Jim Hurd, and a book on Schwinns would be of help to you. The book on Schwinns dealt with the Bmx competition to Schwinn and Schwinns slow entry into Bmx. From the "American Bicycle Book:" The first BMX race was in Santa Monica, Calif. in 1969. Linn Kasten was active in some of the first bmx bikes in 1974. Kasten started Reline. He used chromo tubes, forks and cranks. Mongoose started in 1970 by Skip Hess who was a drag racer. Mongoose and Blue Max were names of funny cars. In 1974 Yamaha made the Moto-bike with rear shocks that ledd to bunny hopping. Bmx continued to grow in the 70's and 80's. I hope this is of some help. Those two books would help. Good luck! |
| I picked up a bike at the flea market the other day, being as clueless to the subject as i am i thought it was a stingray but as it turned out its an iverson of somekind (it looks kind of like a roadrunner from the pictures on this site but it has gears) does anyone know where i can find any more information on this bike? Also is there anything i can do fot the wheels to clean them up? they are a little cracked but not too bad thanks alot Aaron |
| I assume you mean the tires are cracked, not the wheels (rims). Put some oil on a rag and wipe it on the tires. It'll clean them up and maybe soften them a bit. Beyond that, there isn't much you can do for old tires. If they are a desirable or unique brand, you might want to remove them and store them somewhere, and use cheaper tires for riding. |
| if the wheels are in technically good shape and you are not an expert on this subject, the safest way to go about it is to clean them with some light oil (chain oil will do). this will give them a satisfying appearance. the oil will fill most of the cracks and give the paint a shiny appearance as well as protect it from rust. |
| I picked up a bike at the flea market the other day, being as clueless to the subject as i am i thought it was a stingray but as it turned out its an iverson of somekind (it looks kind of like a roadrunner from the pictures on this site but it has gears) does anyone know where i can find any more information on this bike? Also is there anything i can do fot the wheels to clean them up? they are a little cracked but not too bad |
| THEY USED TO MAKE AN IVERSON ROADRUNNER WITH AN INTERNAL THREE-SPEED STIK-SHIFT,THEY ALSO USED TO MAKE 3 AND 5 SPEED IVERSON DRAGSTRIPPERS.I FOUND THIS INFO. IN A BOOK I OWN CALLED "BICYCLE DIGEST" BY MARK THIFFAULT.IT HAS SOME PICTURES AND DISCRIPTIONS OF THESE BIKES IN THE BACK. AND YOU BETTER JUST REPLACE THE WHEELS IF THEY'RE CRACKED. |
| I am trying to find out what kind of bike we have and if it is worth restoring? It is a bicycle for two.The front and rear handlen bars are connected by a linkage, so both people can steer. There are arrows on several vert tubes and a emblem on front tube, but not able to make it out. My wife recieve the bike in the 50's used. Can any one help me or tell me wear to go. Thanks |
| you are talking about a bike-for-two with rear steering. this indicates that the front part is a ladies'. rear steering was popular around the turn of the century. I own a dutch tandem of about the same make which dates from 1898 (air tired). so look around 1900. for detailed information try contacting the Wheelmen, or maybe Velorama cycle museum in the Netherlands. it should not be too difficult. |