1960s Skyway that cleaned up nicely
03-31-22, 04:13 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
1960s Skyway that cleaned up nicely
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]
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]
03-31-22, 04:32 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 2,109
Bikes: Trek 800 x 2, Schwinn Heavy Duti, Schwinn Traveler, Schwinn Le Tour Luxe, Schwinn Continental, Cannondale M400 and Lambert, Schwinn Super Sport
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 809 Post(s)
Liked 1,022 Times
in
665 Posts
Likes For Velo Mule:
03-31-22, 08:21 PM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 23,223
Mentioned: 654 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4722 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3,036 Times
in
1,874 Posts
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...
Likes For T-Mar:
04-01-22, 06:55 PM
#4
Junior Member
Thread Starter
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.
04-01-22, 06:56 PM
#5
Junior Member
Thread Starter
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
04-01-22, 08:13 PM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: New York Metro Area
Posts: 3,862
Bikes: '02 Litespeed, '99 Bianchi Alfana. '91 Fuji Saratoga, '84 Peugeot Canyon Express, '82 Moto GR, '81 Fuji America, '81 Fuji Royale; '78 Bridgestone Diamond Touring, '76 Fuji America, plus many more!
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 178 Post(s)
Liked 223 Times
in
126 Posts
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.
04-02-22, 07:15 PM
#7
Junior Member
Thread Starter
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.
04-02-22, 08:13 PM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 23,223
Mentioned: 654 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4722 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3,036 Times
in
1,874 Posts
The serial number is consistent with Bridgestone's format and would indicate a 1968 model.
Likes For T-Mar:
04-03-22, 03:10 AM
#10
ambulatory senior
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Peoria Il
Posts: 5,998
Bikes: Austro Daimler modified by Gugie! Raleigh Professional and lots of other bikes.
Mentioned: 76 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1955 Post(s)
Liked 3,661 Times
in
1,679 Posts
Great seeing it back in service!
Likes For 52telecaster:
04-03-22, 08:59 AM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Ontario
Posts: 2,648
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 478 Post(s)
Liked 634 Times
in
336 Posts
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).
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).
Likes For markk900:
04-03-22, 09:17 AM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 2,816
Mentioned: 49 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1106 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,326 Times
in
782 Posts
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?
Likes For oneclick:
04-03-22, 12:40 PM
#13
ambulatory senior
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Peoria Il
Posts: 5,998
Bikes: Austro Daimler modified by Gugie! Raleigh Professional and lots of other bikes.
Mentioned: 76 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1955 Post(s)
Liked 3,661 Times
in
1,679 Posts
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).
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).
Likes For 52telecaster:
