PRESERVATION BICYCLE # 25 (2021: 2 of 12): 1952 Schwinn World
Preservation Bikes Are Here To Stay!!!
With hand painted flowers!
*Quick preface before we jump into Preservation Bike #25. *Skip this section if you already know the rules.
Our hope, goal, and intention with our Preservation Bike Society (PBS) is to create new life for bikes that deserve it. We hope that they will be ridden, loved, and passed on to generations to come. What a beautiful story! In 2021, we will feature 12 Preservation Bikes, one each month. We’ll do our best to offer a little bit of everything (sizes, shapes, conditions, eras), and we’ll be here to help you throughout your restoration journey. Don’t let bicycle mechanic experience scare you away from participating. Many newbies have created beautiful bikes. Courtney’s story is my favorite!
Everyone else, please jump in. This could be your intro into the joy of bicycle maintenance, tinkering, and restoration. This could be a fun project for you and your family. This could be a little piece of your own history that you pass on to future generations.
1952 Schwinn World!
Preservation Bike #25 (2021: 2/12) features a pretty incredible Schwinn World born in the Chicago factory on Nov. 9th 1952 (great thing about Schwinn’s is that their serial number indicates their exact birthday). This 69-year-old bicycle is build with Schwinn’s iconic electro-forged frames and will outlast any bicycle built in 2021. In my opinion, the fork is the most amazing and beautiful thing about this bike, truly reminiscent of the form+function technology of the time. The details in the beautifully patinated paint job, especially the globe, takes a close second place to fork. I wish so much effort was put into modern paint jobs. It doesn’t get any better.
With a little love, this could be your favorite <5 mile rider, and an a ridable heirloom you could pass down to your great grandkids.
PRESERVATION BICYCLE NUMBER #23
MAKE: Schwinn
MODEL: World
YEAR/AGE: Nov. 9, 1952 (5 Days after Dwight D. Eisenhower was elected president).
SIZE: 21’’ (kind of a Once size fits all but 5’6 is probably perfect).
ADOPTION FEE: $100 & we’ll throw in a $53.95 BBP gift cert to help with used parts ($53.95 is Original price).
RECOMMENDED REPAIRS:
BASIC: If you cleaned it up and patched the tubes, it would probably be “rideable,” but I would recommend new/gently-used tires, new brake cables and housing, new brake pads, and a-whole-lot-a bearing repacking. There’s a chance the rear Sturmey Archer hub needs some love. Please talk with us before you dive into that adventure. Also that “so cool” seat is also likely to be “so uncomfortable.” Replace it and hang the old one on your wall. With $100 adoption fee and the $53.95 gift certificate + 6 hours of dedicated bearing work, you’ve got a sweet and historic bike.
*Warning, when replacing the tires, your are looking for a 26x1 3/8 tire for S5 or S6 Schwinn rims. And that’s 7mm bigger than a lot of tires labeled 26x1 3/8. More about weird tire sizes.
BETTER/Best: If you switched the wheels out to a modern 650B size with aluminum rims, your ride would be better across the board. In my opinion, that’s more important than being “all original.” You may have to build those rims, and if you do, spring for a Sturmey Archer 2-speed kick-back coaster brake to replace the three speed. Or just get another Sturmey Archer 3-speed, they still make them. Or the original one might last for another 60 years. Spice it up with big brown leather brooks saddle, and maybe consider upgrading the pedals. Those things will add another $250-$400 to the bike and may not be needed if you embrace the bicycle for what it was/is.
BICYCLE HISTORY:
Born in the Chicago Schwinn Factory on Nov. 9, 1952. It originally sold for $53.95. At some point the handlebars were flipped upside down for a speedier position. My guess, based on little to no evidence, is that it was originally owned by teenager that was constantly late for class at Boise High, and usually wore a James Dean jacket.