Bikin' bike bike! Is it worth it to overhaul my 1981 Schwinn?
September 18, 2017 12:11 PM Subscribe
I have a 1981 Schwinn LeTour of which I am extremely fond, Susan. I would like to start using my bike again. Is it worth it to pay for an overhaul of a 36 year old bike?
Susan and I have been through a lot together, and so she holds a very special place in my heart. All my friends who bike tell me to just get a new bike and not spend the money to overhaul her, but I don't really want to ride another bike because Susan is my one and only. She was my primary mode of transport across 8 years and 2 cities, and then I moved to a less bike friendly city, and she has not been ridden in 4 years. Now that the culture around here is getting better for bikers, I'd like to give it another go, and maybe do some recreational biking and some short distance commuting with Susan. Is it worth it to spend the $250 or so (plus, probably, parts) it would take to overhaul her, or is this really a lost cause? Frame seems in really great condition, I think it rides really well (but then again, I've never ridden a fancy newer bike), but I am willing to bank that there are a number of things that should probably be changed by now. I bought her in the late 2000's out of some guy's garage in Portland, and I'm not really sure what her maintenance history before that was. I've never gotten her overhauled before, though I have paid for some tune ups in the past (not yearly). Thanks for all thoughts!
Susan and I have been through a lot together, and so she holds a very special place in my heart. All my friends who bike tell me to just get a new bike and not spend the money to overhaul her, but I don't really want to ride another bike because Susan is my one and only. She was my primary mode of transport across 8 years and 2 cities, and then I moved to a less bike friendly city, and she has not been ridden in 4 years. Now that the culture around here is getting better for bikers, I'd like to give it another go, and maybe do some recreational biking and some short distance commuting with Susan. Is it worth it to spend the $250 or so (plus, probably, parts) it would take to overhaul her, or is this really a lost cause? Frame seems in really great condition, I think it rides really well (but then again, I've never ridden a fancy newer bike), but I am willing to bank that there are a number of things that should probably be changed by now. I bought her in the late 2000's out of some guy's garage in Portland, and I'm not really sure what her maintenance history before that was. I've never gotten her overhauled before, though I have paid for some tune ups in the past (not yearly). Thanks for all thoughts!
My baby's a Raleigh from the same time period. As long as I keep her in good shape, she rides beautifully. Is she heavier than most other bikes? Sure. But she's a commuter bike and I keep her outside most of the time, so it's good not to have a newer sleeker bike. I bought her used about 10 years ago, so even though she's had other riders, there's definitely a sentimental attachment as well.
posted by benbenson at 12:23 PM on September 18, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by benbenson at 12:23 PM on September 18, 2017 [1 favorite]
I'd say go for it. As a Schwinn, the frame should be solidly constructed and worth keeping. Maybe a little on the heavy side compared to a newer model, but for $250 you'll be paying less than any new road bike would cost, and it will last you a long time to come.
posted by switcheroo at 12:24 PM on September 18, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by switcheroo at 12:24 PM on September 18, 2017 [1 favorite]
A lot of this depends on the quality and condition of your major components - crankset, wheels, etc. If those are in good shape then the cost to make the bike work more efficiently can be minimized. If not...this could get pricey.
Take it to a local independent bike shop - not presenting it as an overhaul persay, but asking what you could do to make the bike a better ride for your goals - errands, commuting, long rides, etc.
They may suggest that it doesn't need much more than a tune, or may suggest it's not worth upgrading and you should buy used/new.
posted by notorious medium at 12:29 PM on September 18, 2017 [6 favorites]
Take it to a local independent bike shop - not presenting it as an overhaul persay, but asking what you could do to make the bike a better ride for your goals - errands, commuting, long rides, etc.
They may suggest that it doesn't need much more than a tune, or may suggest it's not worth upgrading and you should buy used/new.
posted by notorious medium at 12:29 PM on September 18, 2017 [6 favorites]
Do you know exactly what parts they think you need to replace? If it's general things like cables, pads and chains, that shouldn't be that much. If you're talking about converting the shifters or replacing parts of the drivetrain then it could get expensive.
posted by Ferreous at 12:31 PM on September 18, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Ferreous at 12:31 PM on September 18, 2017 [1 favorite]
Why not get a consultation to see what the price would be and if there's any hidden issues? IMO, you can't beat a frame that fits well and is comfortable to ride.
Honestly, it's "cheapest" to buy a mid-range new bike (~$600 in MPLS) and ride it until it's totally broken - I've spent probably $400 - $600 every single year in bike repair/maintenance and at this point it would have been less expensive to buy a new bike every two years and never fix anything except flats. But that would mean hoping I'd get a good fit and nice frame every time. Why not just fix the bike I have, which I like?
posted by Frowner at 12:39 PM on September 18, 2017 [3 favorites]
Honestly, it's "cheapest" to buy a mid-range new bike (~$600 in MPLS) and ride it until it's totally broken - I've spent probably $400 - $600 every single year in bike repair/maintenance and at this point it would have been less expensive to buy a new bike every two years and never fix anything except flats. But that would mean hoping I'd get a good fit and nice frame every time. Why not just fix the bike I have, which I like?
posted by Frowner at 12:39 PM on September 18, 2017 [3 favorites]
Fit is something that has a great deal of value for a bike. Don't discount that. One can spend hundreds of dollars dialing in the fit and feel in the saddle.
Old steel frames still make excellent bikes for the most part, but a major limitation for newer parts will be lack of mounting points for some of the newer options. But you can still mount road bike sets on an older frame in more traditional configurations.
At the very least, I'd look at changing/servicing all the bearings, in the wheels, the bottom bracket (where the cranks connect), and quite possibly the headset too. New cables, and rewrapping the handlebars. That's likely a $250 range job, as you describe.
There are real benefits in upgrading components from 1981 to 2017 in terms of greater durability and vastly improved function. However, there are a bunch of technical considerations to worry about, and you may find that knock on effects (change this, so you then need to change that) mean that one upgrade can chain into quite an expensive rebuild. For example, new derailers (which is a huge deal for a 1981 upgrade) mean new rear cluster (going from a rear 6 to possibly as high as a rear 12), which mean a new front derailer too (also really worthwhile), which means new brifters, which then, might as well, means new brakes too. And now you're at a full group. And out more than a kilobuck. Some care is needed when deciding on upgrades.
On the other hand quite a lot of older, NOS, and new retro parts are available. So you may be able to just replace as well.
posted by bonehead at 12:43 PM on September 18, 2017 [2 favorites]
Old steel frames still make excellent bikes for the most part, but a major limitation for newer parts will be lack of mounting points for some of the newer options. But you can still mount road bike sets on an older frame in more traditional configurations.
At the very least, I'd look at changing/servicing all the bearings, in the wheels, the bottom bracket (where the cranks connect), and quite possibly the headset too. New cables, and rewrapping the handlebars. That's likely a $250 range job, as you describe.
There are real benefits in upgrading components from 1981 to 2017 in terms of greater durability and vastly improved function. However, there are a bunch of technical considerations to worry about, and you may find that knock on effects (change this, so you then need to change that) mean that one upgrade can chain into quite an expensive rebuild. For example, new derailers (which is a huge deal for a 1981 upgrade) mean new rear cluster (going from a rear 6 to possibly as high as a rear 12), which mean a new front derailer too (also really worthwhile), which means new brifters, which then, might as well, means new brakes too. And now you're at a full group. And out more than a kilobuck. Some care is needed when deciding on upgrades.
On the other hand quite a lot of older, NOS, and new retro parts are available. So you may be able to just replace as well.
posted by bonehead at 12:43 PM on September 18, 2017 [2 favorites]
Are you open to doing the work yourself? Does your city have a bike co-op or bike charity that will loan you tools and instruct you on how to work on it? Working on my bike myself has been a hugely rewarding experience for me and it would help you tweak your bike to exactly your specifications.
posted by WidgetAlley at 12:48 PM on September 18, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by WidgetAlley at 12:48 PM on September 18, 2017 [4 favorites]
I'd keep that bike and put money into it. If you take care of it, you can ride it for life.
Also, that's a hip ride that will turn heads and draw compliments in my circles, you may not care about that though, and YMMV.
(Full disclosure, I ride a 1975 Schwinn, love it, plan to never sell it, though I may some day get a second bike for trail riding)
posted by SaltySalticid at 1:06 PM on September 18, 2017 [2 favorites]
Also, that's a hip ride that will turn heads and draw compliments in my circles, you may not care about that though, and YMMV.
(Full disclosure, I ride a 1975 Schwinn, love it, plan to never sell it, though I may some day get a second bike for trail riding)
posted by SaltySalticid at 1:06 PM on September 18, 2017 [2 favorites]
Yes, worth doing. Your bike has a name and you obviously have a strong emotional attachment to her.
As others have said, it may be worth doing yourself. So long as the primary components aren't worn down to the point of uselessness, servicing bearings and the like isn't very tough if you have a reasonably well-equipped shop. Check out possible bike co-ops, which may also give you advice etc. I'm not particularly mechanically-minded, but bikes (and especially older bikes) are pretty simple machines, and it's rewarding to know how to disassemble, maintain, and reassemble them.
posted by craven_morhead at 1:18 PM on September 18, 2017 [1 favorite]
As others have said, it may be worth doing yourself. So long as the primary components aren't worn down to the point of uselessness, servicing bearings and the like isn't very tough if you have a reasonably well-equipped shop. Check out possible bike co-ops, which may also give you advice etc. I'm not particularly mechanically-minded, but bikes (and especially older bikes) are pretty simple machines, and it's rewarding to know how to disassemble, maintain, and reassemble them.
posted by craven_morhead at 1:18 PM on September 18, 2017 [1 favorite]
I'm the original owner of a Susan from 1983, and I still have it. The parts are nearly unobtainable now, for any price (unless you have a donor bike).
I think you are vastly overestimating the amount of money needed to get your Susan back on the road. Buy it a new chain, clean and lubricate the derailleurs, and replace the tubes and tires, and check your brake pads, and you'll be ready to go. Maybe your seat is bad and crunchy, too, so you might need a new one of those to bolt onto your old seat tube.
The weakest and most decrepit portion of your bicycle will probably be you, the rider :-)
If you have the original chainwheel and spider, be especially kind to them. Since Susan has what are now old-style shifters (stopless), you have to unload on the pedals while you are shifting. If you don't, the thin steel chainwheel bolted to the aluminum spider will bend, and you won't be able to replace it without getting someone to custom-cut you one out of nice steel (which is not really that bad, considering).
posted by the Real Dan at 1:56 PM on September 18, 2017 [3 favorites]
I think you are vastly overestimating the amount of money needed to get your Susan back on the road. Buy it a new chain, clean and lubricate the derailleurs, and replace the tubes and tires, and check your brake pads, and you'll be ready to go. Maybe your seat is bad and crunchy, too, so you might need a new one of those to bolt onto your old seat tube.
The weakest and most decrepit portion of your bicycle will probably be you, the rider :-)
If you have the original chainwheel and spider, be especially kind to them. Since Susan has what are now old-style shifters (stopless), you have to unload on the pedals while you are shifting. If you don't, the thin steel chainwheel bolted to the aluminum spider will bend, and you won't be able to replace it without getting someone to custom-cut you one out of nice steel (which is not really that bad, considering).
posted by the Real Dan at 1:56 PM on September 18, 2017 [3 favorites]
I think it's worth it.
Here's a page with an extensive discussion and appreciation of Le Tours of that vintage.
posted by jamjam at 2:53 PM on September 18, 2017 [1 favorite]
Here's a page with an extensive discussion and appreciation of Le Tours of that vintage.
posted by jamjam at 2:53 PM on September 18, 2017 [1 favorite]
> Susan and I have been through a lot together, and so she holds a very special place in my heart.
The bike has a name, for the love of god. Get it overhauled.
It sounds like you'll regret it if you don't, and it's not likely to be that much money. You may still want another bike if you want to keep up with friends who are all riding so-light-they're-race-illegal carbon fiber bikes that cost more than a car, but that's... a different problem.
In my experience, small shops will sometimes give you a deal if you're having work done over the winter and not in a particular hurry / don't care when it'll get done, so they can basically wrench on it in their spare time. It helps if you can find a shop where someone actually likes working on old bikes; if they start advising you to "just buy a new one" then I'd go elsewhere and don't twist their arm into taking work they're not into.
posted by Kadin2048 at 2:57 PM on September 18, 2017 [3 favorites]
The bike has a name, for the love of god. Get it overhauled.
It sounds like you'll regret it if you don't, and it's not likely to be that much money. You may still want another bike if you want to keep up with friends who are all riding so-light-they're-race-illegal carbon fiber bikes that cost more than a car, but that's... a different problem.
In my experience, small shops will sometimes give you a deal if you're having work done over the winter and not in a particular hurry / don't care when it'll get done, so they can basically wrench on it in their spare time. It helps if you can find a shop where someone actually likes working on old bikes; if they start advising you to "just buy a new one" then I'd go elsewhere and don't twist their arm into taking work they're not into.
posted by Kadin2048 at 2:57 PM on September 18, 2017 [3 favorites]
For what it's worth, Mr. Carmicha still rides the Schwinn he acquired during the early 1970s gas crisis. Every day. He found a bike mechanic who appreciated his devotion to this trusty steed and is willing to hunt down spare parts. Susan doesn't sound ready to put out to pasture to him.
posted by carmicha at 3:04 PM on September 18, 2017
posted by carmicha at 3:04 PM on September 18, 2017
I have a 1974 Schwinn Varsity that was in pretty rough shape when I bought it a few years back. Bottom bracket overhaul, new chain, cables, brake pads, tubes, and tires cost me something like $150 altogether. I put on some fresh handlebar wraps later for another $10. That was in a small town bike shop so the labor rates might have been lower than where you are but.... I love the look and feel of a classic bike and believe you should follow your heart on this one. Great relationships occasionally require hard work, and Susan is worth it.
posted by stinkfoot at 4:00 PM on September 18, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by stinkfoot at 4:00 PM on September 18, 2017 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Fellow Le Tour rider here - mine's a 1974 that has enjoyed a LOT of incremental upgrades. I love old Schwinn road bikes through about 1990. THIS IS AN ANNOYING PASSION OF MINE SO BEAR WITH ME, FRIEND
Maintenance stuff has been well covered upthread.
Here are some upgrades worth pursuing, in roughly ascending order of cost/commitment:
Handlebar tape
There are so many excellent options, even in the $15-25 dollar range. Do-able yourself. Plenty of youtube tutorials available.
Pedals
Something like these MKS Sneaker Pedals is totally worth it. Lots of brands out there, and lots of color options. Find cool ones that complement your frame's color! Again, do-able yourself. They look great and, better, feel great. Please completely ignore people who say you should convert to clipless.
Seatpost and saddle
I lost a full half-pound off my Le Tour when I got a modern seatpost. Also got a clamping mechanism that didn't make me want to murder someone. Get your seat tube sized in a shop (put away that ruler!) and buy one online if the shop doesn't have one for less than $25. As for saddles, no one has good advice, ignore them all, it's so personal and weird. But tons of choices are out there.
Brake and shift cables
Not really a performance upgrade, but cool ones look cool. My 1987 Schwinn Prelude has braided cables something like this from VeloOrange. Technically do-able yourself, but cutting cable and cable-covers should be done with a special tool, which you don't have and is not worth buying. Have the shop do it.
Brake levers and calipers
Lots of options, but switching from non-aero to aero style makes your bike look nice and sleek. Not all retrogrouch roadies agree, tho. The lever part is pretty achievable by most people I think, but there are technicalities in the calipers that are probably best handled by a pro. Getting this done, especially if you wind up with good dual-pivot sidepull calipers, makes your bike look like a new bike that is cultivating a retro vibe. They'd also be a major performance upgrade, especially with KoolStop brake pads, which are nonnegotiable, supercheap upgrades in any event.
THIS IS THE BIG ONE: RIMS
If you are riding on the original rims, they're chromed steel. They look incredible when rust-free and polished, but they're hard to maintain, probably have a million issues, and weigh a ton. I've ridden on them plenty. New, alloy rims, installed by a pro, will make this bike float, even with its olden frame. If you find a bike shop with old school bikes hanging from the wall, talk to them, they'll do this bike right without going overboard.
Next-level stuff no one but crazy folk will do: move the shifters from the stem to the downtube, swap out the gear cluster so you have more than 10 gears, convert the bottom bracket to a cartridge (actually that's totally reasonable and do-able with a little youtube time).
I can't emphasize this enough: you named your bike, it's a model that, simply maintained, will last for DECADES, and with appropriate upgrades, will become something you will truly, sincerely enjoy. You can spend 500 to make it look like a 2500 modern retro bike, one little project at a time. Or just do some decent, normal maintenance, outlined in all the comments above, and still have a perfectly nice bike. Either way, treat this lovely machine nice, please.
I have a 1963 Schwinn Superior 15 speed, the Le Tour, and the 87 prelude. Modern bikes are technical marvels and fun to ride - really. But a well-maintained, respectfully-upgraded vintage bike is just a joy. Park it outside a brewpub and randos from all over will ask you about it. Put all kinds of goofy stickers from bike shops on it. Shine up the chrome and aluminum parts! And above all, RIDE.
Here is the 1981 Schwinn catalog page for your bike, btw I hope yours is that pretty blue :-)
posted by Caxton1476 at 4:02 PM on September 18, 2017 [8 favorites]
Maintenance stuff has been well covered upthread.
Here are some upgrades worth pursuing, in roughly ascending order of cost/commitment:
Handlebar tape
There are so many excellent options, even in the $15-25 dollar range. Do-able yourself. Plenty of youtube tutorials available.
Pedals
Something like these MKS Sneaker Pedals is totally worth it. Lots of brands out there, and lots of color options. Find cool ones that complement your frame's color! Again, do-able yourself. They look great and, better, feel great. Please completely ignore people who say you should convert to clipless.
Seatpost and saddle
I lost a full half-pound off my Le Tour when I got a modern seatpost. Also got a clamping mechanism that didn't make me want to murder someone. Get your seat tube sized in a shop (put away that ruler!) and buy one online if the shop doesn't have one for less than $25. As for saddles, no one has good advice, ignore them all, it's so personal and weird. But tons of choices are out there.
Brake and shift cables
Not really a performance upgrade, but cool ones look cool. My 1987 Schwinn Prelude has braided cables something like this from VeloOrange. Technically do-able yourself, but cutting cable and cable-covers should be done with a special tool, which you don't have and is not worth buying. Have the shop do it.
Brake levers and calipers
Lots of options, but switching from non-aero to aero style makes your bike look nice and sleek. Not all retrogrouch roadies agree, tho. The lever part is pretty achievable by most people I think, but there are technicalities in the calipers that are probably best handled by a pro. Getting this done, especially if you wind up with good dual-pivot sidepull calipers, makes your bike look like a new bike that is cultivating a retro vibe. They'd also be a major performance upgrade, especially with KoolStop brake pads, which are nonnegotiable, supercheap upgrades in any event.
THIS IS THE BIG ONE: RIMS
If you are riding on the original rims, they're chromed steel. They look incredible when rust-free and polished, but they're hard to maintain, probably have a million issues, and weigh a ton. I've ridden on them plenty. New, alloy rims, installed by a pro, will make this bike float, even with its olden frame. If you find a bike shop with old school bikes hanging from the wall, talk to them, they'll do this bike right without going overboard.
Next-level stuff no one but crazy folk will do: move the shifters from the stem to the downtube, swap out the gear cluster so you have more than 10 gears, convert the bottom bracket to a cartridge (actually that's totally reasonable and do-able with a little youtube time).
I can't emphasize this enough: you named your bike, it's a model that, simply maintained, will last for DECADES, and with appropriate upgrades, will become something you will truly, sincerely enjoy. You can spend 500 to make it look like a 2500 modern retro bike, one little project at a time. Or just do some decent, normal maintenance, outlined in all the comments above, and still have a perfectly nice bike. Either way, treat this lovely machine nice, please.
I have a 1963 Schwinn Superior 15 speed, the Le Tour, and the 87 prelude. Modern bikes are technical marvels and fun to ride - really. But a well-maintained, respectfully-upgraded vintage bike is just a joy. Park it outside a brewpub and randos from all over will ask you about it. Put all kinds of goofy stickers from bike shops on it. Shine up the chrome and aluminum parts! And above all, RIDE.
Here is the 1981 Schwinn catalog page for your bike, btw I hope yours is that pretty blue :-)
posted by Caxton1476 at 4:02 PM on September 18, 2017 [8 favorites]
I would overhaul it - why send something to take up space in the landfill if you're attached to it and it probably works for your purposes? Why spend $800-$1200 for a new bike if you're still on the fence about whether you can ride in the city where you live?
I have almost exclusively ridden bikes that old or older for a decade and have never felt the need for something lighter, newer, bellsier and whistlier. (And for what it's worth, the price of getting them overhauled has been as low as half what you're estimating.)
Another thing: maybe a steel frame works to your advantage where you are? You describe your city as bike unfriendly; I live in Los Angeles, which shares that reputation and really earns it when you get to the quality of road infrastructure, frequency of potholes and uneven paving and so forth. I find that a heavy bike is more comfortable--and more comforting--on these kinds of roads.
posted by kensington314 at 4:29 PM on September 18, 2017 [2 favorites]
I have almost exclusively ridden bikes that old or older for a decade and have never felt the need for something lighter, newer, bellsier and whistlier. (And for what it's worth, the price of getting them overhauled has been as low as half what you're estimating.)
Another thing: maybe a steel frame works to your advantage where you are? You describe your city as bike unfriendly; I live in Los Angeles, which shares that reputation and really earns it when you get to the quality of road infrastructure, frequency of potholes and uneven paving and so forth. I find that a heavy bike is more comfortable--and more comforting--on these kinds of roads.
posted by kensington314 at 4:29 PM on September 18, 2017 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Wow, thank you all so much for all of these great thoughts and resources! I think I'm gonna take her in for an estimate and see where we land, armed with the wisdom gained from this post and from wikipedia'ing the parts I still don't understand :) .
@caxton1476 -- mine is the "Schwinn LeTour Tourist" on this page: http://schwinncruisers.com/catalogs/1981.html -- still has the white fenders and all.
posted by dubhemerak3000 at 6:28 PM on September 18, 2017
@caxton1476 -- mine is the "Schwinn LeTour Tourist" on this page: http://schwinncruisers.com/catalogs/1981.html -- still has the white fenders and all.
posted by dubhemerak3000 at 6:28 PM on September 18, 2017
If you love your bike, it's worth it to have it overhauled. There's not all that much difference between a modern road bike and a 1980s road bike. You're not going to win any races, but it'll still get you around town just as fine as it did back in 1981. A good bike shop can make it ride as good as new; there are very few things that can go wrong with a bike that can't be corrected, and none of them are age-related. Bikes don't wear out. If you like your bike, keep it and take care of it.
posted by Anticipation Of A New Lover's Arrival, The at 6:36 PM on September 18, 2017
posted by Anticipation Of A New Lover's Arrival, The at 6:36 PM on September 18, 2017
Awesome. I have a Schwinn Traveler from the same year (my bike as a kid) that I'm currently scheming on how to bring back to life. Post pictures of Susan if you can, please! :)
posted by introp at 7:58 PM on September 18, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by introp at 7:58 PM on September 18, 2017 [1 favorite]
One of the most foolish things I've done is let go a really sweet Schwinn. I'm real tall but the bike was easily tall enough for me. It did weigh about 15,351 pounds. Probably could have used a new chain. New handle-bar tape, not that it makes any difference but It's sharp, nice to look at. I only paid like 50 or 75 bucks for it, it was a gorgeous bright yellow bike. I sortof didn't know what I had. But I know now. And I sure do think of it a lot now.
Put a few bucks into it, to start with. A new saddle. BRIGHT headlights. a new chain. Piece by piece add the rest, as you can afford it.
btw, you're *not* going to ride much, if at all, on trails on that bicycle.
I say keep the bike. I sure wish I would have kept mine.
And if you *do* have a bicycle CO-OP, you can totally make it like brand new.
Have fun on your sweet bike.
posted by dancestoblue at 3:10 AM on September 19, 2017 [1 favorite]
Put a few bucks into it, to start with. A new saddle. BRIGHT headlights. a new chain. Piece by piece add the rest, as you can afford it.
btw, you're *not* going to ride much, if at all, on trails on that bicycle.
I say keep the bike. I sure wish I would have kept mine.
And if you *do* have a bicycle CO-OP, you can totally make it like brand new.
Have fun on your sweet bike.
posted by dancestoblue at 3:10 AM on September 19, 2017 [1 favorite]
OMIGOSH that is even better, dubhemerak3000!
I can totally see that thing all decked out with a nice, shiny cargo rack on the back, like in the little picture of the "Ladies Model."
Lovely bicycle :-) Have fun with this project!
posted by Caxton1476 at 5:29 AM on September 19, 2017 [1 favorite]
I can totally see that thing all decked out with a nice, shiny cargo rack on the back, like in the little picture of the "Ladies Model."
Lovely bicycle :-) Have fun with this project!
posted by Caxton1476 at 5:29 AM on September 19, 2017 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by showbiz_liz at 12:22 PM on September 18, 2017 [1 favorite]