I recently started restoring old bicycles - and I have to say, it's a very enjoyable hobby. Since the Spring of this year, I've completely refurbished five vintage bikes. The first was a mid-60's Western Flyer. I admit, it was somewhat of a rush job, but it turned out very nice - and the young woman who bought it was thrilled. Since then, however, I've gotten serious about my restoration projects - taking my time to make them look as flawless as possible. I've finished four others: a late-50's British-made 'Dunelt' woman's single-speed, a 1978 Ross 'Compact' woman's 3-speed, a 1968 Schwinn 'Collegiate' woman's 3-speed and a 1967 Chicago Schwinn 'Breeze' woman's 2-speed Automatic (which I currently have up for auction on ebay). I'm almost finished with a 1963 AMF Roadmaster 'Westpoint' woman's single-speed (that's looking incredible) - and I'm also working on a 1962 (or 63?) Rollfast 'Space Racer.'
I guess it's the 'transformation' that has me hooked on this newfound hobby of mine. Taking what often-times is a beaten down, worn-out, rusted two-wheeler and making it shine anew. Standing back when I've finished a bike and thinking, "That's how it looked that day forty-some-odd years ago when some Dad wheeled it out of the store, carefully loaded it into the station-wagon and took it home to surprise a son or daughter..."
Yes, I know there are those who say' "Don't restore that old bike!" For me, though, I'm of the mind that there are just as many people who appreciate the beauty and nostalgia of a restored vintage bicycle - and besides, there's the added benefit of being able to take it for a spin now and then to show it off...
Dave Nichols, Douglasville, Georgia ~ (September 2009)
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 | Breeze (1973, Schwinn) - This is a 26" Woman's Schwinn Breeze with rear coaster brake that I recently restored using 95% of the original parts. Entry Submitted by Dave Nichols |
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 | Breeze (1967, Schwinn) - Painstakingly restored 1967 Chicago Schwinn Breeze (Serial # FC51906). This 42-year-old beautiful classic has a Bendix 2-Speed Automatic rear hub, rear coaster brake and front hand brake. I used 90% of the original parts (ie: fenders, seat, pedals, sprocket/crank, headset, etc.). It was an arduos task, but well worth the result. Entry Submitt... |
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 | Fiesta (1966, Schwinn) - This is a 1966 24" Schwinn "Fiesta" that I just finished restoring (serial # LB28922). I used practically all of the original parts, except for the tires (which are the correct Schwinn Westwind brick-tread tires), white Schwinn handlebar grips and rear reflector. The bike features a headlight, horn (in the tank) and chrome rear rack. I really enjoy... |
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 | Ladies Bicycle (1969, Huffy) - This is a 1969 26" Huffy women's bicycle that I recently restored for a co-worker. It was dark blue when she bought it forty years ago, but she asked me to paint it pink - so I did. She loved it! Entry Submitted by Dave Nichols |
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