Thankfully, it seems as if spring is at last returning. So far, it has been a bit on the cool, rainy side, but we have had a couple warmer days to get out for a ride.
This 1941 Schwinn Henderson New World was a winter project I bought last November. A bicycle shop in Pennsylvania sold off a large collection of old bikes. Among them was this New World.
This bike came to me with an incorrect fork. A very helpful, fellow collector sold me a bundle of New World parts/projects, which included a correct fork for this bike. The fork came from a women's frame, so required trimming and some additional threading. As collectors, I think we need to keep as many of these old bikes on the road as we can. It's also good to connect with fellow collectors to share information, ideas for repairs, and sources of parts to keep these fine old bikes going.
As with every old bike, this one required a few, short "test" rides. I usually take the bike around the block here and see if anything is in need of adjustment. Fiddly items include the saddle height, handlebar position, brake caliper tightness, light positions, etc. In this case, I made adjustments to the brake pad positions, saddle leather tension, and saddle height.
This bike has the usual, 21-inch men's frame. At 5ft 7in tall, I can ride either the 21-inch or the 23-inch frames comfortably enough. One thing that helps on the 21-inch frame is a taller stem or taller handlebars. The bars on this bike are pretty tall, typical of American-style handlebars of that period.
This bike began life as a single-speed freewheel bike, but I have a nice set of three speed wheels on it. So far, so good in the early rides for this bike. Hopefully we have some good weather ahead to get the ride season started.
