Recent content by RetroSpeed

ChicagoMuscle Guy hit the proverbial nail on the head. When someone asks if the BFK is a restored Schwinn, most are surprised when I point out it is an inexpensive WalMart bike with some vintage accessories. If they mention either owning a Krate or wanting one as a kid, I offer them a chance to...

Wow!!! Congratulations on an incredible collection. I love the how the paint fades from the different color shades on this bike front to rear. Are both "Twin Sticks" for gear selection and if so, how many gears does this bike have?

Bad Medicine looks incredible! How is the rear wheel constructed and is it a 20 inch?

Very Cool! Thanks for posting this excellent documentary.

Too Funny. At least you can work on your bikes in a dry, climate controlled environment. How many completed bikes do you own and how many projects in the works?

Re: Alchemy Custom Bicycles is Born! Congratulations on your new business venture. Regardless of the name you select for your company, your bikes are exceptional in design and execution.

Re: First Ride in 50+ years: The Right Combo MplsCoaster, Thank you for recording and sharing the bike rides and day trips with your father in law. Although he may not always express it, he looks like he is thoroughly enjoying the time you two spend together. Should I live to be his age, I...

Froggy99, Although most understood the light hearted, tongue-in-cheek, topic you initiated with this thread, Fury flashed his imaginary “Chicago Schwinn Police” badge and spoiled all the fun. Perhaps he forgot this website is Ratrodbikes.com and not The CABE, The Classic and Antique Bicycle...

Froggy99, At $64.99, you got a deal as I paid $69 for my Blue BFK in December 2007. Although some complain on message boards about the BFK's quality, I blended vintage parts and built the pictured 5 speed Stingray that I can ride regulary and not worry about damaging an expensive original. My...

In 1971 I received the best birthday gift a 10 year old could wish for, a Schwinn Apple Krate. Fast forward to 2007 and I learned Wal-Mart offered a Krate tribute bike with a springer fork, 20 inch rear slick and 16 inch front. The best part: the bikes went on sale for $69 just before Christmas...

Time certainly flies as I purchased my blue BFK in December 2007 for $69 and converted it to 5-speed shortly after.

My neighbor's grandson was riding his BMX bike on the rims because his tires had gone flat and he didn't know how to fix them and dad was no where to be found to help him out. I showed him how to fix the flats, left him with some extra tubes and tires I had and invited him to ride with my family...

VERY, VERY NICE!!!

I converted my $69 BFK to a five speed with vintage Krate parts and a year later it still rides great and it is definitely the best $69 I ever spent on a new Schwinn.

I recently purchased the Schwinn Deluxe 7 pictured stripped of its Nexus components at a very good price. Although incredibly happy with my purchase, several parts on the late model Schwinn leave much to be desired. Specifically, the rear rack's metal is very thin, almost tin, compared to an...