American Flyer "Alpine" boomer?
02-22-18, 11:59 AM
#1
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1964 American Flyer "Alpine"?
I picked this bike up at a a thrift shop. It's way to small for me but I figures I could use the parts if I find a similar vintage frame. Besides that I have no idea what I have here, besides a selection of Shimano and Dia-Compe components. I'd like to know if this bike has any value as a complete bike before I cannibalize it. Thanks, Woody
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af1 by woodersonj, on Flickr[/IMG]
af2 by woodersonj, on Flickr
af3 by woodersonj, on Flickr
af4 by woodersonj, on Flickr
af5 by woodersonj, on Flickr
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af1 by woodersonj, on Flickr[/IMG]af2 by woodersonj, on Flickraf3 by woodersonj, on Flickraf4 by woodersonj, on Flickraf5 by woodersonj, on Flickr
Last edited by bark_eater; 02-22-18 at 12:08 PM.
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02-22-18, 12:02 PM
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af6 by woodersonj, on Flickr
af7 by woodersonj, on Flickr
af9 by woodersonj, on Flickr
af10 by woodersonj, on Flickr
af11 by woodersonj, on Flickr
af12 by woodersonj, on Flickr
af13 by woodersonj, on Flickr
af14 by woodersonj, on Flickr
af15 by woodersonj, on Flickr
02-22-18, 12:44 PM
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Essentially no value. Commence tear down. Myself, I would donate it complete as I don't see much as far as decent parts there. Could make a decent single speed conversion, orange color is a plus to me.
02-22-18, 06:10 PM
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Typical mid-1970s entry level model with a hi-tensile steel frame. It appears to be a re-branded Azuki. I'd have no qualms about using this as a donor bicycle. That Shimano 50 front derailleur was only produced for 1975 and 1976. The Shimano Finger Tip shift levers with their counterbalanced micro-ratchet are the nicest component. The extra mounting hole on the rear derailleur claw is interesting. I can't recall seeing that before.
02-23-18, 05:47 AM
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Google told me the serial number makes it a Kuwahara vintage 1964. The bike looks like it just sat for 40+ years. the rims are bent up a bit from sitting around and shuffling with flat tires. It has "monster cross" tire clearence . Maybe I'll save it for my kids 12th birthday present.
02-23-18, 09:06 AM
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It's definitely not as early as 1964. Both the Shimano 500 and 50 derailleurs were released for the 1975 model year. Given the condition of the rest of the bicycle, the odds of the derailleurs having been replaced is negligible. Things like rat trap pedals with reflectors, four way reflector systems and pie plate chain guards were virtually unknown in the mid-1960s. They were safety items that added cost and they only became common after the CPSC was formed and started proposing regulations in the mid-1970s.
Kuwahara was one of the sources for Azuki, which was owned by West Coast Cycle Supply in California . Your bicycle has a Pettee Cycle Supply Co. decal. Pettee and West Coast were closely allied, along with Louisville Cycle & Supply Co. in Kentucky. They acted as western, central and eastern distributors for each others' brands and would often travel together to Japan, buying from the same sources and using the combined volume to leverage better prices.
Kuwahara was one of the sources for Azuki, which was owned by West Coast Cycle Supply in California . Your bicycle has a Pettee Cycle Supply Co. decal. Pettee and West Coast were closely allied, along with Louisville Cycle & Supply Co. in Kentucky. They acted as western, central and eastern distributors for each others' brands and would often travel together to Japan, buying from the same sources and using the combined volume to leverage better prices.
02-23-18, 10:20 AM
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Not enough value as a whole bike to worry about stripping it for some of the nicer components. While not high end these had surprisingly nice basic frame sets that make a good starting point for a SS or gravel grinder project. I would say go ahead and strip it down and build the nice small frame with excellent paint for it's age up however you want for the kids you won't be loosing anything value wise.
02-26-18, 08:48 PM
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Sweet ride. I love old Kuwahara stuff. That guy built some tough steel bikes.
03-02-18, 04:13 AM
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Nice condition. Has a lot of life left in it. Steel rims, though, have reduced stopping power when wet (rain). New pads, dry days .. all is good.
03-05-18, 09:20 AM
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The rims are a bit bent up. Someone may have taken it for a test ride with flat tires before I got to it. The bike is tucked away till I get time for it, but I will try and try and straighten them out before tossing them. I'm keeping half an eye out for a "custom fixed gear" bike with a late 70's frame that fits, and rebuild it with this bikes components.
03-10-18, 09:35 PM
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The Shimano hub has a date code of YH. Y=year 1973 and H=month 8, August.
Based on the serial number and the Shimano date code, I would estimate the bicycle as being from late 1973 or early 1974.
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