FS: Sears Free Spirit Ted Williams Reynolds 531
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,195
Mentioned: 482 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3824 Post(s)
Liked 6,783 Times
in
2,637 Posts
FS: Sears Free Spirit Ted Williams Reynolds 531
Up for sale is a frame and fork that's been a reliable commuter for me for several years now, but the basement hooks are filled, so something's gotta go. This is the odd ball of the Sears Free Spirit lineup in 1973 and 74: a full Reynolds 531 frame and fork, made in Austria (perhaps by Puch?), sold under the venerable Free Spirit Ted Williams moniker. The specs:
Seat tube = 23" center to top
Top tube = 23" center to center
Wheelbase = 43.5"
Chainstay = 18"
Takes a 27.2mm seatpost (yes, a good sign it's not your grandfather's Free Spirit!), and it has a kickstand plate! Not terribly common among full 531 frames, I'd venture to say. I've been running it with 700 x 32mm Pasela tires with fenders and have also run it with 700 x 35mm tires without fenders.
Condition is pretty beat as far as the finish goes (and the worksmanship wasn't great to begin with), but no dents or dings. I commuted on this through several Boston winters, including last year when I had it set up with a pedal-assist electric front wheel ("Electric Ted").
Sale includes frame, fork, original headset (feels reasonably smooth, but I haven't opened it up in years), front brake cable hanger, newish DiaCompe top tube cable clamps, water bottle cage with clamps (no, it's not hiding anything horrible underneath).
Price is $50 plus shipping in the CONUS from zip 02446. Payment via PayPal or Venmo. If you need parts to complete this build, talk to me. I have lots of parts.
From the 1974 Sears catalog:
Seat tube = 23" center to top
Top tube = 23" center to center
Wheelbase = 43.5"
Chainstay = 18"
Takes a 27.2mm seatpost (yes, a good sign it's not your grandfather's Free Spirit!), and it has a kickstand plate! Not terribly common among full 531 frames, I'd venture to say. I've been running it with 700 x 32mm Pasela tires with fenders and have also run it with 700 x 35mm tires without fenders.
Condition is pretty beat as far as the finish goes (and the worksmanship wasn't great to begin with), but no dents or dings. I commuted on this through several Boston winters, including last year when I had it set up with a pedal-assist electric front wheel ("Electric Ted").
Sale includes frame, fork, original headset (feels reasonably smooth, but I haven't opened it up in years), front brake cable hanger, newish DiaCompe top tube cable clamps, water bottle cage with clamps (no, it's not hiding anything horrible underneath).
Price is $50 plus shipping in the CONUS from zip 02446. Payment via PayPal or Venmo. If you need parts to complete this build, talk to me. I have lots of parts.
From the 1974 Sears catalog:
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Oakland, CA
Posts: 3,265
Bikes: '82 Univega Competizione, '72 Motobecane Grand Record, '83 Mercian KOM Touring, '85 Univega Alpina Uno, '76 Eisentraut Limited
Mentioned: 57 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1088 Post(s)
Liked 1,207 Times
in
703 Posts
Ugh, if my own garage hooks were not full, I would jump at this. I had its gas pipe cousin (Puch Bergmeister) as a commuter a few years ago, and I still feel a tinge of regret having sold it. That 43.5" wheelbase is just something else -- it rides like a Cadillac.
GLWS!
GLWS!
Likes For noobinsf:
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Middle Earth (aka IA)
Posts: 20,453
Bikes: A bunch of old bikes and a few new ones
Mentioned: 178 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5898 Post(s)
Liked 3,503 Times
in
2,091 Posts
That's a deal but I am going to resist. I have too many projects that need attention.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: NJ
Posts: 636
Bikes: 68 SS, 72 Fuji Finest, 72 PX-10, 77 Pana Pro 7000, 84 Pinnarello Treviso NR, 84 Trek 520, 88 Project KOM, 90 Trek 750, 91 Trek 930
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 187 Post(s)
Liked 210 Times
in
146 Posts
Nevermind
__________________
Last new bike 1991
Last new bike 1991
Last edited by dmark; 08-23-22 at 06:31 PM.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: NJ
Posts: 636
Bikes: 68 SS, 72 Fuji Finest, 72 PX-10, 77 Pana Pro 7000, 84 Pinnarello Treviso NR, 84 Trek 520, 88 Project KOM, 90 Trek 750, 91 Trek 930
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 187 Post(s)
Liked 210 Times
in
146 Posts
It would be a great commuter bike; nice riding 531 and not too attractive to thieves.
GLWS
GLWS
__________________
Last new bike 1991
Last new bike 1991
Last edited by dmark; 08-23-22 at 06:30 PM.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: Beaverton, OR
Posts: 1,448
Bikes: You had me at rusty and Italian!!
Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 572 Post(s)
Liked 1,065 Times
in
554 Posts
I’m tempted just to say I own a Free Spirit. Alternately, I could take it over to gugie as a test bed for crazy ideas.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: NJ
Posts: 636
Bikes: 68 SS, 72 Fuji Finest, 72 PX-10, 77 Pana Pro 7000, 84 Pinnarello Treviso NR, 84 Trek 520, 88 Project KOM, 90 Trek 750, 91 Trek 930
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 187 Post(s)
Liked 210 Times
in
146 Posts
Could build a pretty good sleeper with it.
__________________
Last new bike 1991
Last new bike 1991
#8
aka: Dr. Cannondale
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,755
Mentioned: 234 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2162 Post(s)
Liked 3,478 Times
in
1,220 Posts
Can’t believe you are letting Ted out of the Shed.
__________________
Hard at work in the Secret Underground Laboratory...
Hard at work in the Secret Underground Laboratory...
Likes For thinktubes:
#10
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,195
Mentioned: 482 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3824 Post(s)
Liked 6,783 Times
in
2,637 Posts
Likes For nlerner:
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Madison, WI USA
Posts: 6,162
Mentioned: 50 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2367 Post(s)
Liked 1,757 Times
in
1,197 Posts
Likes For madpogue:
#12
Full Member
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: South Louisiana
Posts: 373
Bikes: '71 Raleigh Inter, '98 Tommasini, '83 Trek 500, 83 Trek 720 '
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 118 Post(s)
Liked 199 Times
in
110 Posts
Bergmeister
Ugh, if my own garage hooks were not full, I would jump at this. I had its gas pipe cousin (Puch Bergmeister) as a commuter a few years ago, and I still feel a tinge of regret having sold it. That 43.5" wheelbase is just something else -- it rides like a Cadillac.
GLWS!
GLWS!
Likes For Gary12000:
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Middle Earth (aka IA)
Posts: 20,453
Bikes: A bunch of old bikes and a few new ones
Mentioned: 178 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5898 Post(s)
Liked 3,503 Times
in
2,091 Posts
I’m surprised this hasn’t sold. Reynolds 531, beat up frame, and kickstand plate = excellent lock up bike
I would think that a Ted Williams Sears bike would go for a premium price in Boston . . .
I would think that a Ted Williams Sears bike would go for a premium price in Boston . . .
Last edited by bikemig; 08-25-22 at 09:42 AM.
#15
Space Ghost
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,762
Bikes: Bridgestone, Fuji, Iro, Jamis, Gary Fisher, GT, Scott, Specialized and more
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 292 Post(s)
Liked 412 Times
in
318 Posts
I actually commuted through high school, college and a little beyond on the doppelgänger of that bike before it got heisted. It was the same size and it had even acquired that same “patina” by the time it was stolen in ‘99/2000. It was probably my favorite beater bike of all time.
I would be all over that frame if I wasn’t awash with project bikes and frames. Or if it were local. Then I could stick it in a box with some bubble wrap and tell my wife I just found it in storage now after years of searching for it hahaha.
I would be all over that frame if I wasn’t awash with project bikes and frames. Or if it were local. Then I could stick it in a box with some bubble wrap and tell my wife I just found it in storage now after years of searching for it hahaha.
Likes For Rage:
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Manhattan & Woodstock NY
Posts: 2,779
Bikes: 1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, early '70s Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Raleigh International, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mk1
Mentioned: 113 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 948 Post(s)
Liked 3,032 Times
in
997 Posts
Whew, I should check on one of our son's inseam length. He's finally conceding that his single-speed could use a few more gears and this could be an awesome city commuter for him but I think it's a bit large. Stand by...
__________________
1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 197? Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1971 Raleigh International, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mark I
Curator/Team Mechanic: 2016 Dawes Streetfighter, 1984 Lotus Eclair, 1975 Motobecane Jubile Mixte, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1973 Free Spirit Ted Williams, 1972 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Philips Sport
1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 197? Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1971 Raleigh International, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mark I
Curator/Team Mechanic: 2016 Dawes Streetfighter, 1984 Lotus Eclair, 1975 Motobecane Jubile Mixte, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1973 Free Spirit Ted Williams, 1972 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Philips Sport
#17
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,195
Mentioned: 482 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3824 Post(s)
Liked 6,783 Times
in
2,637 Posts
I have not listed it on Boston’s CL yet but will likely do that. Or I might do a parts bin build land give it away to a co-worker. I’ve got another couple of projects going along those lines, and it’s a good way to get rid of a bunch of stuff and increase one’s karma points.
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Manhattan & Woodstock NY
Posts: 2,779
Bikes: 1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, early '70s Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Raleigh International, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mk1
Mentioned: 113 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 948 Post(s)
Liked 3,032 Times
in
997 Posts
D'ya think it's too big for someone with a 30" inseam? I think it would be a stretch.
__________________
1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 197? Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1971 Raleigh International, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mark I
Curator/Team Mechanic: 2016 Dawes Streetfighter, 1984 Lotus Eclair, 1975 Motobecane Jubile Mixte, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1973 Free Spirit Ted Williams, 1972 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Philips Sport
1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 197? Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1971 Raleigh International, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mark I
Curator/Team Mechanic: 2016 Dawes Streetfighter, 1984 Lotus Eclair, 1975 Motobecane Jubile Mixte, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1973 Free Spirit Ted Williams, 1972 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Philips Sport
#20
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,195
Mentioned: 482 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3824 Post(s)
Liked 6,783 Times
in
2,637 Posts
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Manhattan & Woodstock NY
Posts: 2,779
Bikes: 1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, early '70s Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Raleigh International, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mk1
Mentioned: 113 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 948 Post(s)
Liked 3,032 Times
in
997 Posts
Originally Posted by nlerner;[url=tel:22623599
22623599[/url]]Probably not (fwiw, I have a 32” inseam).
__________________
1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 197? Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1971 Raleigh International, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mark I
Curator/Team Mechanic: 2016 Dawes Streetfighter, 1984 Lotus Eclair, 1975 Motobecane Jubile Mixte, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1973 Free Spirit Ted Williams, 1972 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Philips Sport
1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 197? Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1971 Raleigh International, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mark I
Curator/Team Mechanic: 2016 Dawes Streetfighter, 1984 Lotus Eclair, 1975 Motobecane Jubile Mixte, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1973 Free Spirit Ted Williams, 1972 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Philips Sport
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Manhattan & Woodstock NY
Posts: 2,779
Bikes: 1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, early '70s Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Raleigh International, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mk1
Mentioned: 113 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 948 Post(s)
Liked 3,032 Times
in
997 Posts
Ok, I’m in. My two stepsons were raised in Medford and Sudbury. When he heard that it’s a Ted Williams model that was all he needed! He’s that guy at Yankee stadium talking trash in a Red Sox hat.
Neal, let me check in with Mrs. ascherer in case she’s planning another run to the area. There could easily be reasons.
Neal, let me check in with Mrs. ascherer in case she’s planning another run to the area. There could easily be reasons.
__________________
1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 197? Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1971 Raleigh International, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mark I
Curator/Team Mechanic: 2016 Dawes Streetfighter, 1984 Lotus Eclair, 1975 Motobecane Jubile Mixte, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1973 Free Spirit Ted Williams, 1972 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Philips Sport
1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 197? Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1971 Raleigh International, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mark I
Curator/Team Mechanic: 2016 Dawes Streetfighter, 1984 Lotus Eclair, 1975 Motobecane Jubile Mixte, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1973 Free Spirit Ted Williams, 1972 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Philips Sport
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Middle Earth (aka IA)
Posts: 20,453
Bikes: A bunch of old bikes and a few new ones
Mentioned: 178 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5898 Post(s)
Liked 3,503 Times
in
2,091 Posts
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: San Jose (Willow Glen) Ca
Posts: 9,902
Bikes: Kirk Custom JK Special, '84 Team Miyata,(dura ace old school) 80?? SR Semi-Pro 600 Arabesque
Mentioned: 107 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2357 Post(s)
Liked 2,878 Times
in
1,570 Posts
I wonder what bike flights would be.??? this would make for a very cool single speed around town bike someone else grab it before start a build vision
__________________
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Manhattan & Woodstock NY
Posts: 2,779
Bikes: 1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, early '70s Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Raleigh International, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mk1
Mentioned: 113 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 948 Post(s)
Liked 3,032 Times
in
997 Posts
Originally Posted by dweenk;[url=tel:22623561
22623561[/url]]Nah, it's just a French fit.
Originally Posted by nlerner;[url=tel:22623599
22623599[/url]]Probably not (fwiw, I have a 32” inseam).
Originally Posted by bikemig;[url=tel:22623681
22623681[/url]]Nope. That's my inseam and I could ride that bike easily. That is about as large a bike as I like to ride but I find it's a good size.
__________________
1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 197? Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1971 Raleigh International, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mark I
Curator/Team Mechanic: 2016 Dawes Streetfighter, 1984 Lotus Eclair, 1975 Motobecane Jubile Mixte, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1973 Free Spirit Ted Williams, 1972 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Philips Sport
1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 197? Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1971 Raleigh International, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mark I
Curator/Team Mechanic: 2016 Dawes Streetfighter, 1984 Lotus Eclair, 1975 Motobecane Jubile Mixte, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1973 Free Spirit Ted Williams, 1972 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Philips Sport