schwinn twin fin
- Thread starter 5speed
- Start date
Help Support Rat Rod Bikes Bicycle Forum:
If it were a "real" Schwinn (or Huffy for that matter) would it have that style of front fork? I tend to think of any Schwinn without the old style fork to be a Chinese bike that is a Schwinn (or Huffy) in name only. Is that a fair assumption, or are there other visual clues?
You are referring to the blade forks?
That's a good sign that it's an American made Schwinn. Those on the twin fin are a sure sign it's chinese, as are the dropouts, where the rear wheel bolts on. American Schwinn (and other brands) have their own style dropouts. This is the classic Schwinn made in chicago:
Notice also the smoothed welds at the head tube and the rear chain guard mount on the lower tube or chain stay. Those are giveaways that it's an American Schwinn.
Schwinn also made some cruisers with BMX style forks too:
And some had springers:
Some of the models produced after the Chicago plant closed down in 83 look very similar but were made in China. There were some made in another state for a year or two also. The serial numbers are the way to ID an American bike for sure. Usually on the left rear dropout with the code Schwinn used to ID the year. From 53-83 they are found on the dropout. Before 53, the number is on the bottom bracket.
http://re-cycle.com/History/Schwinn/SwnB_Serial.aspx
That's a good sign that it's an American made Schwinn. Those on the twin fin are a sure sign it's chinese, as are the dropouts, where the rear wheel bolts on. American Schwinn (and other brands) have their own style dropouts. This is the classic Schwinn made in chicago:
Notice also the smoothed welds at the head tube and the rear chain guard mount on the lower tube or chain stay. Those are giveaways that it's an American Schwinn.
Schwinn also made some cruisers with BMX style forks too:
And some had springers:
Some of the models produced after the Chicago plant closed down in 83 look very similar but were made in China. There were some made in another state for a year or two also. The serial numbers are the way to ID an American bike for sure. Usually on the left rear dropout with the code Schwinn used to ID the year. From 53-83 they are found on the dropout. Before 53, the number is on the bottom bracket.
http://re-cycle.com/History/Schwinn/SwnB_Serial.aspx
Thanks. I was thinking the welds would likely tell, but they aren't always easy to see in photos. Hadn't noticed the rear dropouts before, but I see what you mean.
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
All the American bikes have a distinct dropout design.
You should be able to find a Chicago Schwinn easy enough. CL usually has a few old cruisers that go pretty cheap. One drawback is the old S-7 wheels, they won't take a standard tire, there's limited choices to new tires. But standard wheels fit those frames and you can put wider tires on if you wanted.
I like the 2.125 beach cruiser type tires instead of the 1.75 middleweight tires. That's what I put on my 80 Typhoon. Fender clearance might be an issue though.
You should be able to find a Chicago Schwinn easy enough. CL usually has a few old cruisers that go pretty cheap. One drawback is the old S-7 wheels, they won't take a standard tire, there's limited choices to new tires. But standard wheels fit those frames and you can put wider tires on if you wanted.
I like the 2.125 beach cruiser type tires instead of the 1.75 middleweight tires. That's what I put on my 80 Typhoon. Fender clearance might be an issue though.
