Good history lesson.

I am worried about too much.

I couldn't help myself. The other night I went back to that derelict green Sports a few blocks away. It's far gone. But I took the rear wheel. The hub (1967) seems fine, and the rim, Westrick style, it might actually clean up well. Inner tube's good too. So I'm going to make a return visit and take the front wheel. I haven't made plans for the Rudge and I like the option of clean and shiny chromed steel rims if I decide against CR18s. The frame is good too, but I can't get through the U-lock. My guess is someone loses the key to the lock and it's not worth it to them to pay a locksmith $100 to free the bike. Even though this hardly amounts to even the pettiest form of larceny--this bike is unquestionably abandoned--I've lost several bikes to theft (has any bike lover not?) and it still feels slightly off.

Thanks, something I didn't know, also. There's a chapter on Rickenbacker in Max Hastings' book Warriors. In those relatively undisciplined days of military aviation, he'd go up on his own, hunting. He was a killer.

I too, have liberated parts from obviously abandoned bikes/vehicles.

And downed his first kill in April 1918 - 100 years ago this month.

Speaking of Schwinn 3 speed lightweights, here's a 61 Traveler in Portsmouth. Love the chrome trimmed chainguard, but would you ever be able to find the correct fenders?
https://nh.craigslist.org/bik/d/61-s...566583414.html

Hmmm, seems the new format won't support linking images from the web anymore. Typing in the IMG tags manually won't work either. Too bad. Also, you now can't add any more text after a link. It's like the program leaves out the /a closing tag.

Best photo I could make of Bike Shop Mike's scorcherized old Rudge. The small frame has the curved top bar (juvenile model?), hence that Empire State Building of a seatpost. Alloy rims (not matching), single speed (but not fixed), straight handlebars, gold anodized Mafac Racer centerpulls in front, rattrap pedals with toe clips. Myself, I think it's pretty classy and demonstrates that bicycle beauty need not be authentic. Mike loves it. He was a successful semi-pro racer once and still likes to go fast.https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ddb62c5b0e.jpg

That is sharp. Radial spoked front wheel too. I like it.

I'm glad to see Schwinn bicycles are included in this mix.
http://nh.craigslist.org/bik/d/61-sc...566583414.html
As for adding text after a link, you know I'm going to have to try and defeat that? :beer:

How did you fix that? Or maybe an admin got to it. Let's see
https://nh.craigslist.org/bik/d/61-schwinn-traveler-3-speed/6566583414.html
testing 123. Nope! I give up. How did you get around the bug?

The answer has been sent via PM. :)

Wheels are 700c. Forgot to mention that.

Don't worry, I can sell you a few more if you need 'em. Always ready to help.

Share? :)

I think you'll have to speak to my wife.

1961 Schwinn: Those '61 Schwinn fenders can be found if you keep at the search a little while. The shark fin fender sets are less common than the later, plain ones, but they're not rare either. They can be found with a little looking in decent shape, at least decent enough to suit that project. That will be a nice bike for someone once it's all cleaned up. I love that blue color.

Sun CR 18 Rims: I have to admit I'm not a big fan. Yes, they're reasonably well-made, and yes, they're the best "drop-in" modernized rim for the English 3-speed, but they don't look anything like the original rims and I've found they're a massive pain to fit tires. I've given them several tries over the years, and I just don't think they're as good an option as original rims. I've never had an easy tire mount/dismount on CR-18 rims. This held true for Panaracer, Kenda, Schwalbe, and Cheng Shin tires - all were a bear to mount and dismount on the CR-18 rims. On some brake calipers, they also result in some weird brake arm angles when applying the brakes too (the arms being designed for wider rims). I don't think they're a "bad" choice, but I'm not buying any more of them if I can help it.

I like the lighter weight and 5 years of banging around NYC streets they seem durable but I too wish they gave a more original look.

From the catalog, this model had chrome fenders, shark fin front. Available in a 23" frame. I'd have a tough time passing up an earlier Traveler in 23". I can't see frame size as easily as I can with Raleighs, but it looks to be a smaller frame. Nice bike though.

I do see why some people love the CR-18 rims if they're doing tougher riding, in a lot of traffic, etc. They do stop better than the originals and they are quite a bit lighter. Aluminum rims took over for some good reasons. I've scored some nice, old rims from people swapping on the CR-18s, and I end up with the originals because people don't want them any more.

The Schwinn frames have different geometry and frame joint shapes, so they look different. They are slightly larger than the corresponding Raleigh frame. The "medium" frame, with the external seat clamp in place, is about 22 inches rather than 21. The large is closer to 24 than 23. That '61 is a medium. Everyone wishes Schwinn made more tall earlier bikes (1938-63). They didn't make many compared to the medium 22 and the small 19-20 inchers.

Had DL1 (number2) outdoors for some photos last evening. This was my favorite shot.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c5418efc85.jpg

The rest of the bike.
.https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...4516bc71c0.jpg

That's why I thought they might be 28" wheel bikes. Their geometry makes them look like the top bar is proportionally longer compared to a sports. They're a nice looking bike. I favour bikes with a longer top tube as I'm a bit longer in the torso and a bit shorter in the legs than the usual male of my height. The DL-1 at 60cm - 23 & 5/8" top tube is great for me, as is my Papillionaire classic also at 60. Even with adjusting saddle set back and stem length, that extra inch in the top tube seems to make a big difference to my comfort. The large Sports I owned always felt too short in the reach :(

Very nice! It's hard to make out the front end damage - it must be very minor...is it right at the lugs/brackets?

DL-1 for sale 2300 miles from me. Aussie$400/ US$300

​​​​​​https://farm1.staticflickr.com/975/4...5288316e_b.jpg
raleigh perth by arty dave armour, on Flickr

A Dutch variant perhaps? Nice shade of green. Sachs/SRAM 3 speed - possibly coaster brake, caliper brakes up front. Fancy dyno hub. My knee was doing weird things on the weekend, so I haven't checked out the China Post roadster yet.

The downtube transfer looks the same as the Danish Raleigh we saw earlier in this thread. I think this bike has 26" wheels. Might be Raleigh pattern, but it's hard to see. Nice looking bike.

Yes it is very minor and even all around. It makes one wonder if it was a manufacturing defect when the forks and the rest of the bike appeared original and collision free.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...49c53d24cd.jpg

Hardly anything makes me grind my teeth in frustration more than immaculately clean chainlines on other peoples' bicycles. It is a good photo. Even lighting, deep depth of field.