FS: Sears Free Spirit Ted Williams Reynolds 531
08-23-22, 12:36 PM
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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:
08-23-22, 12:44 PM
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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!
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08-23-22, 02:30 PM
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That's a deal but I am going to resist. I have too many projects that need attention.
08-23-22, 05:51 PM
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Nevermind
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Last new bike 1991
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Last edited by dmark; 08-23-22 at 06:31 PM.
08-23-22, 05:56 PM
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It would be a great commuter bike; nice riding 531 and not too attractive to thieves.
GLWS
GLWS
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Last new bike 1991
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Last edited by dmark; 08-23-22 at 06:30 PM.
08-23-22, 07:35 PM
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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.
08-23-22, 07:58 PM
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Could build a pretty good sleeper with it.
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Last new bike 1991
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08-23-22, 08:07 PM
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Can’t believe you are letting Ted out of the Shed.
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08-23-22, 08:34 PM
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I hope the headset isn’t frozen
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08-23-22, 10:11 PM
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Originally Posted by thinktubes
I hope the headset isn’t frozen
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08-24-22, 06:43 AM
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Originally Posted by nlerner
I was thinking of offering a discount for anyone who can name the location of Ted’s head.
Photo #1 should be the feature photo for the Wikipedia entry on "beausage" (and this is meant as a sincere compliment).
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08-24-22, 09:35 AM
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Bergmeister
Originally Posted by noobinsf
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!
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08-24-22, 09:49 AM
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Originally Posted by nlerner
I was thinking of offering a discount for anyone who can name the location of Ted’s head.
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08-25-22, 09:36 AM
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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.
08-25-22, 10:16 AM
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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.
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08-25-22, 11:31 AM
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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...
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08-25-22, 01:34 PM
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Originally Posted by bikemig
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 . . .
08-25-22, 02:11 PM
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D'ya think it's too big for someone with a 30" inseam? I think it would be a stretch.
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08-25-22, 02:37 PM
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Originally Posted by ascherer
D'ya think it's too big for someone with a 30" inseam? I think it would be a stretch.
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08-25-22, 03:10 PM
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Originally Posted by ascherer
D'ya think it's too big for someone with a 30" inseam? I think it would be a stretch.
08-25-22, 03:27 PM
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Originally Posted by nlerner;[url=tel:22623599
22623599[/url]]Probably not (fwiw, I have a 32” inseam).
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08-25-22, 03:51 PM
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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.
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08-25-22, 03:55 PM
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Originally Posted by ascherer
D'ya think it's too big for someone with a 30" inseam? I think it would be a stretch.
08-25-22, 04:07 PM
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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
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08-25-22, 04:15 PM
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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.
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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
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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
